11 Ski touring helmets put to the test, mountain worlds

When touring and skiing, a helmet protects against injuries and keeps the ears warm. We tried out how well the helmets fit and work in practice in Salzburg’s Gastein Valley. Here are the results of the mountain world test.

As the control center of the body, our brain requires special protection. The bony skull has developed over the course of millions of years. But evolution doesn’t end there. Humans invented the helmet for particularly dangerous activities. This has been used for a very long time when climbing. Helmets are already standard equipment on the slopes. But also on ski tours the number of helmet wearers is increasing. With good reason! Because in the event of a fall off-road, the probability of injury is high higher than on the slopes because trees or stones pose additional dangers.

Ski touring helmets are carried in or on a backpack during the ascent. Low weight and small volume are therefore important. A helmet not only protects against injuries on the descent. It protects against wind and weather and keeps you warm better than any other headgear. Only airy racing helmets require a hat underneath when it’s cold.

test results

1. SALOMON MTN Lab

Our overall rating: very good

Price: € 160
Weight: 360 g (small)
sizes: Small (53 – 56 cm), Medium (56 – 59 cm), Large (59 – 62 cm)
standards: Skiing and climbing

Test result: 1.6

Comfort: ★★★★★

Operation: ★★★★★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"A high quality helmet with a great fit. My favorite for ski touring and freeriding."

Philipp Knab

The inner lining is made from a combination of merino wool and airy mesh material and ensures a high level of comfort. The simple operation is convincing, the ear pads can only be removed together with the lining.

2. PRET Cynic

Our overall rating: very good

Price: € 160
Weight: 415 g (medium)
sizes: Small (51 – 55 cm), Medium (55 – 59 cm), Large (59 – 63 cm)
Standard: ski

Test result: 1.7

Comfort: ★★★★★

Operation: ★★★★★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"A helmet that is suitable for the slopes as well as for adventure in deep snow."

Martina Monuth

A noble shell, earmuffs in a loden look and the high-quality processed inner lining make the Cynic an object of desire. The width adjustment of the rather narrow helmet is integrated in the lining and ensures a stable and comfortable fit.

3. DYNAFIT Daymaker

Our overall rating: very good

Price: € 430
Weight: 400 g (with lamp and battery)

320 g (without lamp and battery)

Size: One size (56 – 62 cm)
Standard: Climb

Test result: 1.9

Comfort: ★★★★ ★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★★★

"The daymaker turns night into day! The top model for the evening ski tour."

Gerald Valentin

The Daymaker comes as a racing helmet with extremely efficient ventilation. The integrated lamp has a range of 200 m, four LEDs with different light levels ensure optimal visibility in the dark. A thin hood helps to protect against cold and wind.

4. MAMMUT Alpine Rider

Our overall judgment: good

Price: € 100
Weight: 400 g (small / medium)
sizes: Small / Medium (52 - 57 cm) Medium / Large (56 – 61 cm)
standards: Skiing and climbing

Test result: 2.1

Comfort: ★★★★ ★

Operation: ★★★★★

Indoor climate: ★★★ ★★

"The soft inner lining flatters the head and ensures a cozy feeling of wellbeing."

Martina Schafflinger

The Alpine Rider combines a ski helmet with a climbing helmet in form and function. The removable inner lining with ear protection is fluffy and soft, the operation works perfectly. Larger openings in the shell would help improve ventilation.

5. ALPINA Snow Tour

Our overall judgment: good

Price: € 150
Weight: 330 g (Small, without inner lining and ear pads)
sizes: Small (52 – 56 cm), Medium (55 – 59 cm), Large (58 – 61 cm)
standards: Skiing and climbing

Test result: 2.3

Comfort: ★★★★ ★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"Due to the thin padding, the Snow Tour sits a little harder on the head, but it is easy to adjust."

Lukas Huber

The Snow Tour suits broad heads and pleases with a highly functional ratchet for closing the chin strap. The ear pads can be removed, the rubber for fixing the headlamp is fiddly and can hardly be used with gloves.

6. SKITRAB Casco Maximo

Our overall judgment: good

Price: €
Weight: 280 g (medium)
sizes: Medium (52 - 58 cm), Large (59 – 62)
standards: Skiing and climbing

Test result: 2.5

Comfort: ★★★★★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★ ★★

"This helmet fits very well and, thanks to its light weight, is my first choice for long ski tours."

Renate Kirchner

Despite the spartan interior padding, the fit and comfort of the Casco Maximo convinced. The width adjustment works well, the ear pads are removable. The restricted ventilation ensures in spring for a stuffy climate inside.

7th CEBE Trilogy

Our overall judgment: good

Price: € 150
Weight: 400 g (small / medium)
sizes: Small / Medium (53-57 cm), Medium / Large (58 to 62 cm)
Norms: Ski, bike and climbing

Test result: 2.7

Comfort: ★★★★★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★ ★★

"With a little better ventilation, the Trilogy would be my favorite for freeriding."

Klemens Bilzer

The Trilogy is pleasant to sit on. Linings such as earmuffs can be removed, the cool sunshield can be unscrewed. A clip for fixing the ski goggles is missing, but there is a Recco reflector for location in an avalanche.

8. K2 route

Our overall judgment: good

Price: € 120
Weight: 320 g (medium)
sizes: Small (48 – 51 cm), Medium (51 – 55 cm), Large (55 – 59 cm), XLarge (59 – 62 cm)
standards: Ski and bike

Test result: 2.8

Comfort: ★★★ ★★

Operation: ★★★★★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"This helmet is too big even in small. With a thin hood, however, it achieves an acceptable fit."

Martina Monuth

The holes in the route promote ventilation, but do not allow too much wind and cold inside. The earmuffs are a bit draughty due to the mesh material. The width adjustment and chin strap work well, side pressure points can reduce comfort.

9. CASCO Speed Gams

Our overall judgment: good

Price: € 190
Weight: 350 g (medium including disc)
sizes: medium (54 – 58 cm), Large (59 – 63 cm)
Standard: Climb

Test result: 2.9

Comfort: ★★★ ★★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"The visor protects against wind and snow, but makes the helmet bulky when stowed."

Gerald Valentin

The Speed Gams is aimed at ambitious ski tourers who are looking for well-ventilated head protection. The only satisfactory fit can be optimized with a thin hood. The high-quality lenses are foldable and improve visibility in bad weather.

10. CAMP Speed 2.0

Our overall assessment: satisfactory

Price: € 100
Weight: 270 g (one size)
Size: 56 to 62 cm
Standard: Climb

Test result: 3.1

Comfort: ★★★ ★★

Operation: ★★★★ ★

Indoor climate: ★★★★ ★

"The low weight is unfortunately offset by a fit that does not suit my head."

Martina Humpel

The Speed 2.0 has 22 vents and is perfect for competitors who have to wear a helmet when climbing. The spartan equipment is reflected in moderate comfort, but the usability is good. No helmet for big heads.

11. SALEWA Vert

Our overall assessment: satisfactory

Price: € 160
Weight: 400 g (small / medium)
sizes: Small / Medium (54 – 58), Large / XLarge (59 – 62 cm)
standards: Skiing and climbing

Test result: 3.2

Comfort: ★★★ ★★

Operation: ★★★★★

Indoor climate: ★★★ ★★

"This voluminous part is difficult to fit in the backpack, but offers protection from the cold in a snow storm."

Lukas Huber

The massive Vert comes with a removable inner lining and ear pads. The equipment is high quality (great chin closure!), But not the ventilation. The fit is for women or men with smaller heads are not optimal.