Recommended helmets | 2022-23 season highlights! These are the helmets with "highly rated" reviews from pro shops!

More and more people are wearing helmets not only for park rides, but also for backcountry, ungroomed courses on slopes, and tree runs. At the same time, there is a wide variety of helmet products available, making it difficult to choose. Safety, comfort, lightness, design? There are many points to consider when choosing a helmet, but first, let's take a look at the recommended helmets for the 2022-23 season, as recommended by our expert pro shop staff, who say, "This is good overall," and "It has great features and points."

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Recommended helmets for the 2022-2023 season

K2 | DIVERSION MIPS

Both functionality and price are good!

◆Official Website:https://k2snow.com/ja-jp

It's both lightweight and durable, and the MIPS BPS system reduces brain damage. It's designed to fit Japanese heads, so it's comfortable to wear. The price is also reasonable

Reviewer:
ski & snowboard shop Narrows
Takao Ban, owner

SMITH｜Maze

Recommended as a first helmet

◆Official Website:https://smithjapan.co.jp/

It's lightweight and has a simple design, and even though it's the same shape as the Asian fit model, US model, and MIPS model, you can choose from a wide range of sizes and functions. It's not too expensive, so it's recommended as a first helmet

Reviewer:
Ishii Sports Links Umeda Store
Staff / Mio Suegami

POC｜OBEX BC MIPS

A high-performance model that delivers outstanding performance in the backcountry

◆Official Website:https://www.full-marks.com/poc/

The "OBEX BC MIPS" boasts outstanding functionality for backcountry use. It features a built-in ID chip; once registered, emergency responders can instantly access necessary personal information in the event of an accident, enabling a swift response. It also incorporates RECCO reflectors to increase the chances of being spotted.

Furthermore, it offers exceptional versatility. While it has a smart, compact appearance, the interior is very spacious, providing a comfortable fit even for wider heads. If you've struggled to find a helmet that fits properly, give this one a try.

Reviewer:
TOYRU
Store Manager / Minoru Takanashi

POC｜OBEX WF MIPS ASIAN FIT

A model that combines safety and design at a high level

◆Official Website:https://www.full-marks.com/aclima/

In the world of snow helmets, where it's rare to find one that balances both safety and design, this helmet achieves a high level of both. The Asian fit is great even for someone with a large head like me; it fits comfortably and doesn't cause any pain, which is a huge plus.

The built-in MIPS system absorbs impact to the head, allowing me to ski with peace of mind. When paired with POC goggles, it's a "Cinderella fit"—I was amazed! Its lightweight design also means less strain on the head even during prolonged wear, which is another significant advantage.

Reviewer
Recommendation:Fullmarks Harajuku
Store Manager / Shiro Kondo

BERN｜MACON 2.0+

I like that it doesn't make you look like a mushroom even when you wear it

◆Official Website:https://www.yts-store.com/c/bern

I like that the helmet doesn't look too big and doesn't look like a mushroom. The all-season model, which doesn't have ear flaps, is great because you can customize the look with your favorite balaclava or beanie. The "MACON 2.0+" is a winter model available only in Japan that adds two features to the standard MACON 2.0: a vent cover to prevent snow from getting in and a goggle clip

Reviewer
Recommendation:OFF-1 (Off One)
Staff / Keiji Takagi

SPY | Galactic Mips

It can be worn cool or cute and the specs are perfect

◆Official Website:https://www.spyoptic.jp/

The Galactic goggles have a really lovely and adorable design!
They can be worn in a cool or cute way, but the specs are perfect, fully equipped with MIPS!
The small visor is also really cool, not only does it enhance the style, but it also protects your goggles from snow and rain, so you can ski hard without worrying about fogging!

Reviewer:
NATURAL
Staff / Seiko Tsuji

BCA｜BC AIR

It's surprisingly light at just 340g! You'll forget you're wearing it!

◆Official Website:https://backcountryaccess.com/ja-jp

Weighing just 349g, it's so comfortable you'll forget you're wearing it. Numerous ventilation holes mean you won't feel hot even when wearing it while hiking. It can get cold in the dead of winter, so it's best to choose a size that allows you to wear a balaclava or beanie over it. If you plan to use it mainly from spring to summer, a tight fit is fine. The ear cuffs are easily removable

Reviewer
Tyrol
Owner / Iwao Saeki

K2｜STASH

◆Official Website:https://k2snow.com/ja-jp

First of all, it's light. You wear a helmet for a long time. If it's heavy, your neck will get tired, so it's nice that it's light. I also like the simple design

Reviewer:
TRUNKBASE
Owner / Mikiya Tanno

Sweet Protection｜Switcher MIPS

The best-selling hybrid shell structure, which also won an ISPO Gold Award, is still going strong

◆Official Website:https://sputnikshop.jp/collections/sweet-protection

Introduced in 2018 as a new standard for the brand and a recipient of the ISPO Gold Award, this best-selling model features a hybrid shell construction. Its high adaptability to external environments, allowing one helmet to handle the entire season from start to finish, and its ease of use and versatility despite incorporating innovative technology, make it a recommended freeride helmet for a wide range of users. The

advanced hybrid shell construction, combining a hard shell and in-mold construction, simultaneously distributes impact loads from key areas of the head while providing the necessary elasticity in impact. In addition, it features the MIPS system, protecting skiers from various accidents.

Reviewer:
COMPASS HOUSE
Junhiro Murai,

All the checkpoints were great!　

Good fit, not too big, light, and compatible with goggles

Reviewer:
PeakPerformance Sapporo
staff

GIRO｜TOR SPHERICAL

Recommended for those who don't want to compromise on weight, impact resistance, breathability, or safety

This helmet has a slight brim, but it works perfectly with various types of goggles. While many helmets have recently come equipped with MIPS, this model features a special MIPS technology called MIPS SPHERICAL, jointly developed by GIRO and MIPS. This helmet is recommended for those who don't want to compromise on weight, impact resistance, breathability, or safety. It's also nice that it doesn't make your head look too big when wearing it

Reviewer:
SKI SHOP VAIL
Staff / Yuta Shiraishi