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Full Face Helmet?

61K views 70 replies 29 participants last post by  john doe 
#1 ·
I've done enough searching to know this is quite the heated topic... All I'd like is a few opinions on whether wearing a full face helmet for regular boarding is acceptable or just plain dumb.

My intent is to have a single good quality bucket that I can wear on both the freeride trails and the slopes. The helmet in question is certified for both mountain biking and snow sports (CPSC and CE). Visibility would be the same as any other helmet/goggle combination except for the chin guard. I am not one to worry much about appearance, let's just say that my boarding attire is "unconventional."

This question just seems a little out there, and I want to know if there are any major reasons to avoid it. It surprised me that only one company was making full face helmets specifically for the snow, and only racers used them. I'm not the guy running mach down double blacks all day dressed like a stormtrooper, but I would like to avoid any major brain damage past what I get from being an engineering student. :p

Thanks!
 
#46 ·
Like I said and then quoted myself saying.. I don't wear one, but people shouldn't be ridiculed for wanting to. Some of us have careers that we can't go into work to with scabs and scratches all over our face too... It's obvious there's a lot of children giving advice here.
 
#49 ·
Haha, I love how to justify your argument you've posted a picture of Shaun white with grazed chin!! I thought I would see a picture of some kid with a fucked up jaw (which before you do you're google image search, I'm sure there are photos of!).

I think we should all get armoured gloves in case one of us breaks a finger nail!
 
#51 ·
OK, this is one of the T.H.E. T2 Carbon helmets you're considering:


I have done both snowboarding and dirt-biking, and always wear the appropriate type of helmet whenever I do one of them.
The problem is, it just looks too bulky for snowboarding. A helmet that big would give you much more upward momentum and make you more likely to lose you balance. Unlike on a bike, you're standing straight up on a snowboard so you have to be even with what your wearing. You also have to look around CONSTANTLY by moving your head quickly and suddenly; whereas on a dirt bike you look straight forward most of the time and move your eyes to check both your sides. Although you can rotate your head on a dirt bike, because of how big it is, it's much slower to do so than with an actual snowboarding helmet and has more swing to it, so it's more likely to throw you off balance when standing straight than it would when seated and leaning forward. A dirt bike is much larger than a dirt bike helmet, so the helmet doesn't affect the rider's balance.The same concept of balancing your upward momentum applies to choosing a board that is the right length based on your height. (Which is why I always fall off a skateboard- I'm just too damn tall!)
Remember, the shape of a bike helmet was designed specifically for sitting down and leaning forward, and the shape of a conventional snowboarding helmet was specifically designed for standing straight up with your head facing sideways the whole time.
In other words, the "Suitable for BMX, mountain biking,snowboarding and other non-motorized action sports" is simply a gimmick.
Go with an actual snowboarding helmet. You'll be more comfortable, it will improve your riding and mobility, and people in the lift line will be guaranteed not to give you the "wtf? look". Protection of the lower-jaw area isn't really something you should worry about when snowboarding, because it's rarely hit during a fall on a snowboard.
Hope that helps!:)
 
#52 ·
I would laugh at anyone wearing a full face helmet. More of an "awwww, the kid is partially retarded and loves snowboarding" kind of laugh, not the "what an idiot, I hope he hits a tree" kind of laugh.

But if you don't care what others think then why bother asking on a forum. Go for it! Be the Stig of snowboarding but you better have the skill first.
 
#53 ·
If you do want the lower-jaw protection, try one of these (Ruroc helmet):


1.) They're actually designed for snow sports and are much more low-profile, so it will hardly affect your performance.
2.) The lower section is removable, so you can easily turn it into a "normal" looking snowboard helmet.
3.) The goggles do not fog up.
4.) Get it in the right color, and you'd actually look like a bad-ass!:cool:
 
#57 ·
on very many levels youth IS stupidity.


a ruroc might help you from a little snowrash on a sliding fall, but that facemask is absolutely not designed for impact. that thing will drive right into your face.

the goggles are absolutely more prone to fogging with less airflow like that. you are also somewhat required to use the ruroc gogs to make everything fit. ruroc is stupid.
 
#62 ·
how about ANY helmet? that thing is a fucking joke. if you're too stupid to see it then that's on you.

seriously kid - i'm done replying to your idiodic contrarianism. go learn about snowboarding by doing it and living it... then maybe you'll stop saying such dumbass uninformed shit.
 
#67 ·
I must say, I didn't expect to come back and find this thread sitting at the top.

For those concerned, I've been rocking a Bern Brentwood Zipmold for the past few months. It's perfect for XC riding and I'm sure it will be great on the slopes this year (with the winter liner). Bonus: the color scheme matches both my Haro and my Forum.

Ride on... It's getting colder.
 
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