The 5 Best Snowmobile Helmets – [Reviews & Rankings]

Do all those snowmobile helmet features got you confused? It seems like there are too many options to choose from when trying to choose a good fit, safety, and comfort.

When snowboarding or doing similar activities, snowmobile helmets not only protect your head in case of an impact but also keep your head warm (Source).

There are four different types of helmets: full face, modular, motocross or snowcross, and dual sport.

Sports and recreational activities are meant to be fun, but safety is no less important. That’s why you should use top Muay Thai Shin Guards, best boxing gloves, sturdy swimming goggles, etc. With the use of snowmobiles though, the best way to be protected while riding it is, obviously, using a helmet.

It can be your most valuable safety gear to avoid injury. When buying a snowmobile helmet, consider the type of lenses, dual pane, frame material, ventilation, and safety rating.

What Are Snowmobile Helmets?

Snowmobile helmets are an essential safety measure for riding. These devices, when worn properly during riding, can provide protection for your head and face from injury in the event of an accident or fall.

They can also help to shield your face from low hanging branches and other objects that may pose a hazard to you.

Snowmobile helmets are fitted with a foam liner. This liner helps to reduce exposure to both loud noises and the cold. The heat that is retained by the helmet’s liner can help you to stay warm as you ride.

In some cases, liners may also provide some level of flotation assistance if you happen to end up in the water. Snowmobile helmets come in a variety of styles with varying amenities to make your ride safe and comfortable.

Comparing Best Snowmobile Helmets

1. Typhoon Helmets Snocross Helmet And Goggle Combo – Best For Riders On A Budget

This DOT certified item is the best choice for the casual snowmobile rider.

If you’re trying to save money and still be safe, this is the helmet for you. It features a removable breath guard, vents along the back, and a removable helmet liner.

With goggles included, this helmet is the top all-in-one solution. There is also a triple foam layer, two-pane construction, and an anti-fog coating to reduce fogging.

Additionally, it comes with a goggle case and is probably the warmest snowmobile helmet on the market.

The goggle lenses are exceptionally clear as well, which is ideal if you happen to be out riding longer than expected on a dark day.

With an offer of so many features, this is the simplest, greatest, and cheapest snowmobile helmet you can find out there.

2. Viper Modular Dual Visor Snowmobile Helmet – Best Modular Helmet

The Viper is a DOT-approved modular helmet. It’s an amazing choice for riders looking for a low-priced modular helmet setup.

It’s also great if you are looking for an option with sunglasses or tinted visors.

You can add or remove the internal flip-down dark lens with a single lever operation to improve lighting or protect from sunlight. If it gets overcast or starts getting dark, you should remove it.

This motorcycle / snowmobile crossover helmet is best suited for people with a recreational mindset for bikes and sleds who are looking for a one-helmet-quiver type solution. Hence, it is a good dual sport snowmobile helmet.

3. Castle X Mode SV Electric Dual-Sport Snowmobile Helmet – Robust Design

This state-of-the-art snowmobile helmet boasts its robust construction using CAD technology. Additionally, its shell has been injected with high-end polycarbonate composite molding to increase its strength.

It also equips an anti-scratch/anti-fog sturdy sun visor to withstand high impacts, just like the shell. The Castle X gives you the freedom to remove its inline padding to wash whenever you want. That also limits the chances of bacterial formation due to constant perspiration.

For high-end flexibility, this helmet includes a quick-release buckle system to remove the straps instantly. An advanced system for ventilation improves airflow to let you remove moisture and excess heat present inside.

4. Klim F4 Helmet – Top Ventilation System

This top-rated, well-designed helmet features an excellent ventilation system with wide air channels. This lets fresh air in to the chamber network in order to carry extra moisture and heated air to exit ports.

The eye port gives you the ability to see clearly, without any mist, and does not affect your field of vision. Likewise, the air induction system helps deliver substantial air flow and volume into the ventilation system.

Moreover, the exit ports are big and effective, and the moisture-wicking comfort liner and cheek pads integrate with the ventilation system to improve air flow. Additionally, this helmet even exceeds DOT standards, there is an E.C.E. 22.05 version available for Europe.

Alongside that, the zonal fiber select build with aerospace fiberglass and Kevlar and carbon fiber ensures safety. Meanwhile, the helmet’s integrity is enhanced by air-induction exterior ridges.

The windstopper liner is compact as well, snapping onto the foam comfort liner to guarantee windproof warmth. In turn, that enables incredible breathability and ensuring moisture removal.

Lastly, the helmet comes with a deluxe, ballistic nylon, soft-lined carrying bag with end mesh stash pocket and zippered side pockets on the outside, as well as a spare visor and visor bolt hardware.

5. SCORPIONEXO Full Face Modular Helmet – Most Lightweight & Durable

This is a lightweight helmet with an anti-microbial lining which helps you stay dry and warm in cold temperatures.

Featuring high-quality and durable material, this helmet guarantees an exceptional experience. Its fast-open slide and easily retractable sun visor lend this product a spot on our top five snowmobile helmet list.

Additionally, it has an anti-fog shield and a leading, premium-quality polycarbonate shell that is designed to minimize impact alongside being strong and lightweight. The advanced multi-layer EPS offers superior energy displacement as well.

Featuring top anti-fog technology, the optically-clear shield with anti-scratch hardened coating also boasts 100% UV-A & UV-B protection, too.

Moreover, you can choose up or down with the sliding mechanism of the retractable and replaceable internal sun visor.

Finally, KwikWick II anti-microbial fabric keeps you warm in cool weather and cool and dry in warm weather.

How Do Heated Snowmobile Helmets Work? 

Heated snowmobile helmets work similarly to the defrost function on the rear window of a car. The helmet has a heating element built in to warm up the face shield and help to eliminate fog, condensation, and ice. This helps to make for a safer, more convenient ride.

Heated snowmobile helmets typically come with one of two options. You have to determine which option works best for you.

Some have a power supply that will wire into your machine while others come with an external battery pack to provide power.  This corded option tends to provide the most reliable and consistent for power for heated helmets.

Some snowmobiles will require an adapter to wire the power supply for the face shield while others will have this adapter preinstalled.

When shopping for a heated snowmobile helmet, be sure to determine what type of wiring you already have on your machine and what kind you may need to consider adding.

How to Size Snowmobile Helmets

Wearing a snowmobile helmet that does not fit properly defeats part of the purpose of wearing it in the first place. Proper fit will help to ensure that it is protecting you the way you need it to.

First of all, ignore all sizing labels in helmets of varying brands. Not all manufacturers label sizes using the same measurements.

Use a tape measure to determine the circumference of your head. Once you have a basic idea of your head’s size, check out the sizing chart for the manufacturer you are considering.

After finding your suggested size, try on a few different helmets to find the best fit. When you put a snowmobile helmet on your head, it should fit snugly enough that the cheek pads cause your skin to move as you try to move the helmet.

Once you have fastened the chinstraps, attempt to take the helmet off. If you can roll it off while the straps are fastened, the helmet is fitting too loosely.

Finally, make sure that no part of the helmet is causing you discomfort. It should fit snugly, but it should not cause pain.

How Long Do Snowmobile Helmets Last?

It is recommended that snowmobile helmets be replaced every 3-5 years. This recommendation is made for a number of reasons.

First of all, snowmobile helmets are exposed to extreme conditions and survive a lot of wear and tear, making some of the safety features wear down naturally.

If you are using a product for safety reasons, you want to ensure that the product is actually doing its job of protecting you.

Secondly, improvements are continually being made to products. It is likely that materials or production methods may have improved or that new safety standards have been issued.

A replacement every 3-5 years can allow you to upgrade to these new features or standards, and you won’t have to worry about your helmet failing you because of wear and tear.

Things To Know Before Buying A Snowmobile Helmet

The most important aspect is the type of helmet. There are two main types – full face and bowl. Full face helmets feature a fully protected dome with one seamless shell.

These are very common for all sports. A bowl helmet, on the other hand, sits high on the head with almost nothing to protect it.

Meanwhile, modular helmets feature a jaw which can be held down for a full-face style or lifted for an open-face setup. They are customizable, and you are very unlikely to have an accident and get hurt with one of these on.

However, if accidents do happen, modular helmets allow emergency crews to access your airway without having to remove the mask.

On the other hand, snowcross helmets are a combination of full-face and dirt bike helmets. These are pretty popular for adrenaline junkies. Goggles are used separately with this helmet which more customization and ventilation.

Its open-face design will make sure your heat, breath, and sweat are carried away before fogging up your view.

Breath Guard

Breath guards are also an important aspect. These helmet inserts are adjustable. They seal your mouth and nose to make sure that your moist, hot breath does not fog up the lens.

As you probably realized, hot breath and cold lenses in winter conditions equal condensation and fogging.

When looking at the guard, it should seal pretty tightly around your face so that your warm breath is directed down and away from the shield. However, it shouldn’t be too tight as to cause discomfort.

A breath guard is usually attached with Velcro snaps or strips. It might have a metal strip along the top of the nose for a better seal. In addition to that, it also functions as insulation and holds the cold air away from the skin for snowmobilers using snow-cross style helmets.

A breath guard is a great choice and almost guarantees no fogging when paired with a high-quality dual pane lens.

Lenses

One of the most important features of snowmobile helmets is anti-fog technology – we can’t stress this enough. When it comes to lenses, go for the top of the line.

To get the best grasp of the quality of helmets you may be considering, you need to look at impact rating, lens material, and anti-fog features. The dual-pane lens is necessary for anti-fog capability. We don’t recommend buying a helmet with single pane lenses.

There are three types of lens or shields in general: dual pane, heated shield, and framed or frameless. The last type is pretty much a matter of aesthetics.

Previously, all dual pane lenses had frames around the lens to seal them. However, lens technology has advanced to the point of eliminating this need. Hence, frameless lenses have a cleaner look, but that’s pretty much the only perk.

Dual-pane shields denote a design where two lenses are separated by a thin layer of air. This thin layer acts as a form of insulation that limits condensation generated from the contact between the warm air from your face and the cold air from outside.

Finally, a heated shield is the only way to totally prevent fogging when the temperatures drop low enough or it starts sleeting. Under normal conditions, the dual pane lens is sufficient to keep the lens from fogging.

Likewise, electric heated shields have a heating element that goes around the shield perimeter and plugs into the electrical system of the sled.

Two excellent examples of snowmobile helmets with this feature are the Typhoon Full Face Snowmobile Helmet with Electric Heated Shield and the HJC Full Face Helmet.

Ventilation

Ventilation is always very important, but in winter conditions it can be vital. Snowmobile helmets get hot fast despite low temperatures, especially for more active and enthusiastic big mountain riders.

Air flow through the helmet itself is crucial to heat management. This is why adjustable vents are a prime instrument for staying in control of your temperature.

Ventilation into the lens area helps limit fog, and you’re sure to stay fresh with mouth ventilation.

Safety Rating

Depending on what sport you intend to participate in as a rider and where you live, we recommend considering certain safety ratings.

DOT, which stands for “Department of Transportation,” is the chief safety certification. Don’t even think about buying a helmet without this rating.

If you live or plan to ride in Europe, look for ECE – the Economic Commission for Europe tests these helmets for quality and standards. Finally, Snell is a high-standard, independent rating group that is worth taking into account.

If you are into extreme riding, snow-cross racing, or off-trail sledding, we recommend an MX/snow-cross style helmet. It offers extra visibility.

In conclusion, consider what type of helmet will work best for your needs and make a decision based on the riding conditions, weather, and your riding style.

Ready to Buy the Best Snowmobile Helmet?

If you are into high-speed sledding or cross country riding and ride in very low temperatures, the best option for you would be a full-face helmet with an optional electric shield.

This type is the warmest and offers the best protection. We bet on the Typhoon Helmets Snocross Helmet out of the five we’ve reviewed because it is a budget-friendly, all in one solution with everything you might require.

Of course, a snowmobile or sledding course is highly advisable alongside wearing the right snowboard apparel. Accessories like these greatest snowmobile lifts will greatly help, too!

As always, enjoy your snowmobile ride! And, consider buying one of these headphones, as they are special for snowboarding.