Helmets have become an essential part of most skiers’ and snowboarders’ gear. But with prices ranging from $50 to $400-plus, it’s easy to wonder: does spending more mean better protection? Surprisingly, the answer is not straightforward.
Take the Outdoor Master Kelvin, an affordable ski helmet that retails for $50 and earned a 4-STAR safety rating from Virginia Tech, a leading independent tester. Meanwhile, the Sweet Protection Trooper 2VI MIPS, a $300 helmet, has the same rating. How can a budget helmet perform so closely to a premium model? To understand, we need to look at what drives price, and what really matters for safety.
I worked in helmet development before joining the Outside Lab, so I’ve spent years examining materials, construction, and impact performance. Here’s what I found when comparing these two ski helmets side by side.
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