 Poster: A snowHead
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No doubt asked before but I get the impression that manufacturers are constantly trying to improve products and so things can change.
I believe when helmets with visors first came on the market the main complaint was that snow could get underneath the visor which caused a number of problems and so I am wondering if this issue has been solved?
And in general, what are the current advantages and disadvantages of helmets with visors compared to helmets with goggles? And any recommendations for the best helmet with visor?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are quite a few Visor helmet users on here, who are more than happy with them, especially if wearing glasses.
The problem seems more to be about getting replacement parts if things break, or fail. There may also be less choice for tints. Getting a photochromic visor would solve the problem of changing light...or you can get a low light lens, which can be pushed up and Sunnies warn in good weather. Finally, they might be more prone to getting damaged - but owners can confirm.
I think Bolle seem to give a decent mixture of performance and value....but the choice of helmet is all about the fit.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sat 25-02-23 18:37; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I prefer the field of vision a visor gives me over goggles.
Not found goggles that dit me and gives complete peripheral vision.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
There are quite a few Visor helmet users on here, who are more than happy with them, especially if wearing glasses.
The problem seems more to be about getting replacement parts if things break, or fail. There may also be less choice for tints. Getting a photochromic visor would solve the problem of changing light...or you can get a low light lens, which can be pushed up and Sunnies warn in good weather. Finally, they might be more prone to getting damaged - but owners can confirm.
I think Bolle seem to give a decent mixture of performance and value....but the choice of helmet is all about the fit. |
+1 for Bolle, they are adjustable to fit and you can buy other visors for different light conditions. Mine does not let in snow under the visor and enough air circulates to keep the visor from steaming up.
It also fits well over my glasses and I would not go back to wearing goggles over glasses
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I switched to a visor after one week on snow. My goggles kept pinging to the back of my helmet and hanging from the clip, and I had one memorable moment where my goggles steamed up, I couldn't remove them because my gloves were too bulky, and I also couldn't see. At least with the visor, it's easy to slide up whilst on the move. No issues with snow getting underneath. Ut has taken some adjustment for me to get the visor fit just right as I have a small nose it kept wanting to slide over, but all sorted now.
The whole Owl family have Salomon helmets, all with visors. Less things to lose on holiday too. Smallest child did not bring home a pair of goggles that first week.
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I've never noticed these things. I guess I'll have to pay more attention to others. Do any of them come with a heated visor to get rid of fog? How easy is it to change lenses? I know there are goggles with magnetic frames.
I've got a substantial investment in heated goggles because it's so irritating to swap the frame mid run. I keep a spare set in my fanny pack for those days with rapid changes. Not so easy to do that with extra helmets.
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I have a bolle one and my only complaint is that I still need sunglasses for lunch stops!
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| sibhusky wrote: |
I've never noticed these things. I guess I'll have to pay more attention to others. Do any of them come with a heated visor to get rid of fog? How easy is it to change lenses? I know there are goggles with magnetic frames.
I've got a substantial investment in heated goggles because it's so irritating to swap the frame mid run. I keep a spare set in my fanny pack for those days with rapid changes. Not so easy to do that with extra helmets. |
Hi - what’s the brand / model of your heated goggles - I think I need a pair!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Also - does anyone know of a helmet visor where the visor ‘lens’ covers the eyes without the sponge ‘seal’ on the face.
Without the sponge I reckon getting snow under the visor is less of an issue than having an open air circulation / ventilation design to avoid fogging. I could be very wrong.
Annoyingly my Smith fan assisted goggles finally gave up the ghost and I haven’t found a decent anti fogging alternative.
Any thoughts on goggle and helmets with visors beyond anti fog sprays and wipes welcome!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I don't use one, and personally I think they look really bad!  but I can understand why you'd use one, particularly if you wear glasses.
I think they look even worse when the visor is up and the user has sun glasses on instead.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Having a visor certainly seems to benefit me at the dry slope, mainly due to being able to wear my glasses and have a decent field of vision, as has been mentioned. Will find out pin the real slopes soon enough.
Also, no lost goggles, so that's a win...
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@swskier, why care what it looks like?
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You know it makes sense.
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What makes it slightly more faffy? And overall why is it better than a traditional visor helmet?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| swskier wrote: |
I don't use one, and personally I think they look really bad! but I can understand why you'd use one, particularly if you wear glasses.
I think they look even worse when the visor is up and the user has sun glasses on instead. |
Better get used to them because I believe they are the future. Once the top racers start using them, which will happen one day, it will be game over for goggles.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Mid4656 wrote: |
What makes it slightly more faffy? And overall why is it better than a traditional visor helmet? |
A traditional visor just pushes up/over. The Head version one has to pull the visor slightly forward to disengage the clip-in feature (and seal) at the top of the visor, and then raise the visor to its “up” clipped in setting. No real hassle once one is used to it.
IMV it’s better because it creates a much better seal both at the top and around the face.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As a glasses wearer I should be all over visor helmets... but nope.
Don't like them, as they don't solve the key issue for me that my eyes tend to stream in cold wind, and a visor just doesn't block the wind out like decent goggles.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
As a glasses wearer I should be all over visor helmets... but nope.
Don't like them, as they don't solve the key issue for me that my eyes tend to stream in cold wind, and a visor just doesn't block the wind out like decent goggles. |
Exactly this. I bought one a few years back and gave up that afternoon's skiing to return the thing to the shop. I was on shaky ground, but they were good enough to make a total refund. Even on chairs my eyes were streaming; and skiing, it was awful.
But I really want one! 
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As a goggle wearer I've no inclination to try a visor helmet, but if I were inclined towards them, after the normal it must fit properly criteria, it would be the medium/long term availability of replacement visors, and the visor tints available.
I'd be concerned that after spending £200/€200+ on a visor helmet that the model would be discontinued, and the visor parts wouldn't be available in all sizes.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Mid4656 wrote: |
Better get used to them because I believe they are the future. Once the top racers start using them, which will happen one day, it will be game over for goggles. |
Have never seen top racers wear them; have you? I suspect the technology has a long way to go still.
Looked at them briefly for glasses-wearing son but not worth ditching a perfectly good poc helmet to try them out. He went for OTG goggles in the end.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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My partner has to take eye drops every half hour or so and skiing was becoming a chore with stopping all the time and removing googles. I suggested a visor helmet and it’s made a massive difference. She has a salmon partner visor from memory. No issues at all with functionality.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Skimum1, by that “when racers start wearing them” analogy. I’ve never felt the need to wear a Kevlar (or Nomex) suit when driving my
Ford focus 1.6.
Not every skier is going full whack.
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Probably a bit less, perhaps 75% @GlasgowCyclops,
There's many I just read as they're so informative in bringing other's experiences and wouldn't dream of offering any critique.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Sasha320320, are you based in Bothwell? If yes we have met before in Glencoe.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
As a glasses wearer I should be all over visor helmets... but nope.
Don't like them, as they don't solve the key issue for me that my eyes tend to stream in cold wind, and a visor just doesn't block the wind out like decent goggles. |
Interesting that you found that. I found that my Salomon visor helmet blocks the wind better than goggles.
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@holidayloverxx, gotta look good for the gram!
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You know it makes sense.
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I bought a Bollé one last month. V-ryft Pure with photochromic lens. No problems with wind or streaming eyes, no annoying gap between googles and edge of helmet. Worn in full sun, wind and poor visibility. Lens changed quickly when moving from shade to sun and vice-versa and I improved the fit around my face by dialling in the helmet a little bit more once I'd pulled down the visor. I don't need to wear my glasses underneath at the moment, but I did try with them on and it was still comfortable, although glasses fogged up when not moving, they cleared quickly (I used Muc-off anti-fog).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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My wife and son are a bit hyper sensitive, they absolutely love their integrated lens helmets. Atomic Savor.
Happily Sally has a small head and fits in a kids one, the lenses are lighter for some reason, adult ones darker.
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Poster: A snowHead
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They like them because no pressure on their face. Better field of vision
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Sasha320320 wrote: |
| sibhusky wrote: |
I've never noticed these things. I guess I'll have to pay more attention to others. Do any of them come with a heated visor to get rid of fog? How easy is it to change lenses? I know there are goggles with magnetic frames.
I've got a substantial investment in heated goggles because it's so irritating to swap the frame mid run. I keep a spare set in my fanny pack for those days with rapid changes. Not so easy to do that with extra helmets. |
Hi - what’s the brand / model of your heated goggles - I think I need a pair! |
Sorry to say that, due to supply chain issues (couldn't get parts), they are no longer in business. There is a rumor they may start up again, tho.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| lower wrote: |
| Interesting that you found that. I found that my Salomon visor helmet blocks the wind better than goggles. |
Also interesting. With goggles they're... on your face. If it's cold - like the minus 24 we had the last few days - then you wear some scarf type thing [neck gaiter] to cover any additional exposed skin. There should be nothing in the wind, in that sense. I tried a visor helmet for a few days. I found that in deep snow the powder would get... on the wrong side of the visor. You know, the "face shots" snow. You don't get a lot of that in Hemel Hempstead, but for me that was a deal breaker - the gap between the bottom of the lens was a massive target for powder. No doubt it depends what and how you ride...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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At minus 24, you'll find me in a bar, or better, still in bed.
Giggles and visors become an irrelevance.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| phil_w wrote: |
| lower wrote: |
| Interesting that you found that. I found that my Salomon visor helmet blocks the wind better than goggles. |
Also interesting. With goggles they're... on your face. If it's cold - like the minus 24 we had the last few days - then you wear some scarf type thing [neck gaiter] to cover any additional exposed skin. There should be nothing in the wind, in that sense. I tried a visor helmet for a few days. I found that in deep snow the powder would get... on the wrong side of the visor. You know, the "face shots" snow. You don't get a lot of that in Hemel Hempstead, but for me that was a deal breaker - the gap between the bottom of the lens was a massive target for powder. No doubt it depends what and how you ride... |
As others have said, the problem of snow getting under the visor has now been eradicated with the latest versions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have always wondered if there is correlation between the number of collisions on piste to helmet/goggle wearing and if visors are the answer? I have never been keen on the field of vision in goggles, particularly strapped to a casque. I know this isn't a helmet thread but I yearn for someone to disprove that they protect that much as they do limit vision.
I hark back to the days of sunny afternoons in just sunglasses, no bloody helmet or hat for that matter. I felt so much more free and skied with far more vision of others and what was going on around me.
A helmet and goggles is, I imagine, how a race horse feels with blinkers. Maybe I should try a visor - although it seems like it is always German or Eastern European housewives that have them 
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| Yellow Snow wrote: |
I have always wondered if there is correlation between the number of collisions on piste to helmet/goggle wearing and if visors are the answer? I have never been keen on the field of vision in goggles, particularly strapped to a casque. I know this isn't a helmet thread but I yearn for someone to disprove that they protect that much as they do limit vision.
I hark back to the days of sunny afternoons in just sunglasses, no bloody helmet or hat for that matter. I felt so much more free and skied with far more vision of others and what was going on around me.
A helmet and goggles is, I imagine, how a race horse feels with blinkers. Maybe I should try a visor - although it seems like it is always German or Eastern European housewives that have them |
Interesting - and could be correlation vs causation.
Have collisions actually increased? And if they have...
- Is it as a result of more people going skiing; greater lift capacity; better grooming; and/or carving skis, allowing people to ski faster than their ability is to control it.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| Yellow Snow wrote: |
I have always wondered if there is correlation between the number of collisions on piste to helmet/goggle wearing and if visors are the answer? I have never been keen on the field of vision in goggles, particularly strapped to a casque. I know this isn't a helmet thread but I yearn for someone to disprove that they protect that much as they do limit vision.
I hark back to the days of sunny afternoons in just sunglasses, no bloody helmet or hat for that matter. I felt so much more free and skied with far more vision of others and what was going on around me.
A helmet and goggles is, I imagine, how a race horse feels with blinkers. Maybe I should try a visor - although it seems like it is always German or Eastern European housewives that have them |
Interesting - and could be correlation vs causation.
Have collisions actually increased? And if they have...
- Is it as a result of more people going skiing; greater lift capacity; better grooming; and/or carving skis, allowing people to ski faster than their ability is to control it. |
If, indeed, collisions have increased: it could, very realistically, be those reasons too, and knobs with go-pros - but I would still suspect that it is down to lack of peripheral vision caused by those woeful things called helmets and goggles
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Yellow Snow wrote: |
If, indeed, collisions have increased: it could, very realistically, be those reasons too, and knobs with go-pros - but I would still suspect that it is down to lack of peripheral vision caused by those woeful things called helmets and goggles |
It is likely a combination of all these factors. IMO. The 2 biggest factors will likely be extra numbers going skiing - and on Carving skis. Collisions are generally the result of skill level.
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
As a glasses wearer I should be all over visor helmets... but nope.
Don't like them, as they don't solve the key issue for me that my eyes tend to stream in cold wind, and a visor just doesn't block the wind out like decent goggles. |
That’s the main reason I switched from the more traditional visor helmet….not a sufficient seal causing watering eyes. The current version (as per earlier link) has totally eradicated the problem.
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