Importance and Safety of Snow Helmets
Helmets are essential to protect your head and life from falls and collisions in dangerous situations such as racing and backcountry skiing. Wearing a secure and properly fitting helmet is the best way to enjoy winter sports activities in comfort.
Is your helmet safe?
| Things to check | If you keep using it … |
|---|---|
| 1. Are there any unevenness or cracks? | In the event of an impact, the impact cannot be properly spread out. |
| 2. Is the outer shell or parts faded? | If the parts are deteriorated over time, the helmet will not perform as it should. |
| 3. Is there a gap between the outer shell and liner? | The impact shock-absorbing property of helmets is extremely reduced. |
| 4. Is the chin strap frayed? | In the event of accidents, helmets may come off, and lead to serious injury accidents. |
The helmet will deteriorate over time. Even if you wear a helmet, it cannot protect yourself from risks in case of emergency without safety problems. Please check the checklist below. We recommend replacing your helmet with a new one every 3 to 5 years. A helmet should be exchanged with a new one every three to five years.
Three points to consider when choosing a snow helmet
1) Choose a helmet that fits your head.
The shape of a Japanese user's and a Western user's head differs greatly. Helmets designed to fit the long front-to-back head shape of Western user's may cause pressure and pain, especially on the sides, when worn by Japanese user with round head.
SWANS helmets are designed to fit the shape of Japanese heads, making them comfortable to wear.
2) Choose the best fit for your purpose
Choose the helmet that best suits your purpose, either for racing or freeride. Also, choose a hard shell with excellent impact resistance, or an in-mold shell that is lightweight and safe. Choose a helmet with functions such as air intake hole opening/closing and size adjustment that suit your purpose.
3) Check the compatibility with Goggles
Make sure that your goggle or the goggle you are purchasing is compatible with the helmet. Choose a helmet that doesn't affect the fitting or restict breathing by interfering with your goggle and doesn't give any gaps between the goggle and helmet.
The correct way to wear a helmet
1. Put the helmet on properly without any gaps on the top of the head.
2. Pull the chin strap tightly and fasten it securely so that the belt does not loosen.
3. Adjust the goggle strap and put on the goggle without letting it become too loose.
4. Wearing the goggle strap inside the helmet is not recommended for safety reasons.
