My best friend's accident made me realize that danger is something that affects me personally
"Hibiki (Harada Hibiki), who I used to ski with regularly, hit his head on a tree last season and survived. When something happens to someone close to you, it really hits home, and you start to see that kind of danger as something that affects you personally. What happened to him made me realise that even if you ski carefully, it can happen again. Until then, I only wore a helmet when I was attacking for filming or skiing in alpine areas, but I always found it heavy and cumbersome..."
So says Takuma Oike, who is based at Hakuba Norikura Ski Resort and skis in mountains around Japan, mainly in the mountains of Hakuba, as well as in Alaska and South America. When he was competing in mogul skiing, he used to wear a helmet during practice and competitions, but since he shifted his focus to filming, he hasn't always worn one
Until now, I only wore a helmet when I was attacking alpine skis or jumping in the backcountry, but an accident close to home changed my attitude and I updated my approach to helmets
The goggles he has chosen are Anon's "Merak WaveCel."
Anon started in 2001 as a goggle and helmet brand, with Burton as its parent company. Initially, it was popular in the snowboarding scene, but now it is a brand trusted by top ski riders such as Eric Pollard, Karl Fostevedt, and Michelle Parker.
In Japan, the Nozawa Onsen Ski Club has adopted their helmets and goggles, and many key skiers in various regions, such as Katsuyuki Kono, Takuma Oike, and Toru Kawaguchi, are big fans.
One technology that has been attracting particular attention is the new "Wave Cell" safety technology that was introduced in last year's model. This is a system in which the porous cell structure laid out inside the helmet expands and contracts to absorb impacts to the head
What's unique about this material is that it undergoes three stages of structural change to protect the head. When impacted, the cells first bend, reducing the initial force of the collision. Next, they crush like a car bumper. Finally, the bent and crushed cells slide, diverting the force of the impact away from the head. This is all done in the split second of impact, and watching the video will give you a better understanding of how this works
"Wearing a helmet puts me in a good frame of mind and has a positive effect on my riding." -- Takuma Oike
Takuma Oike, who often skis with children, wears a helmet when skiing at his local Hakuba Norikura Ski Resort. He says that with an adult wearing a helmet as a role model, the children feel more confident and confident skiing. So, let's hear his impressions of the helmet he uses
"I learned that even a slight collision with a rock or tree can lead to an accident like Hibiki's, so I want to be fully prepared with safety measures. I haven't had any serious falls yet, so I haven't really experienced the benefits of the WaveCell, but I have plenty of confidence in it. The
best thing about this helmet is how light it is. Up until now, I've been using heavy helmets that made my head feel like it was shaking, which gave me a sense of protection in its own way, but this one is so light I hardly notice I'm wearing it.
The BOA system allows for fine-tuning of the fit, but it's so comfortable to wear to begin with that it fits even more snugly.
There are also plenty of vents, and you can open and close them with a single lever, so it doesn't get stuffy. I mostly ski with them open. The shape of the breathable WaveCell also helps with ventilation."
Another thing I really like is that the strap buckle is magnetic, making it easy to put on. On alpine ridges, there are many tense situations where putting on skis can be stressful. The more severe the conditions, the more careless you become, so it's really helpful that the straps snap on easily. With buckle-type buckles, both hands are required to put on and take off, but with this, you can concentrate on skiing
Also, when I put on a helmet, a switch flips on for me. The moment the chin strap clicks into place, I'm like, "Let's do this!" Wearing a helmet puts me in a more alert state of mind, which has a positive effect on my riding."
The Merak WaveCel helmet used by Takuma Oike weighs 480g. Its lightness contributes to a comfortable riding experience. It also reduces strain on the neck, which is a plus. While it comes in sizes from S to XL, even if you think you've found the right size for your head, you'll often use a balaclava or neck warmer when riding on snow, so precise size adjustments are necessary. In such cases, the "BOA® 360° In-Shell Fit System," which allows for fine adjustments, is very convenient. The ventilation system, with its 19 vents, is also a welcome feature, as it allows for easy control of the environment inside the helmet.
The BOA dial is easy to turn even while wearing gloves. It can be precisely adjusted to suit your head condition, so you can always maintain a comfortable fit
Wave cells can be seen through the ventilation holes. They also function to expel all steam from the head
The overhead ventilation holes are easy to open and close with just one lever. They can be opened and closed freely, so you can use them according to the situation
It goes without saying that it pairs perfectly with Anon goggles. The R at the top of the goggles matches the shape of the helmet, creating a perfect fit
"It's so light. Once you put it on, you can't go back." --Yuhei Yamada
Let's take a look at the impressions of another skier who uses Anon helmets extensively. Yuhei Yamada, also known as "Kun-san," who is based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, is a heavy user of Anon helmets. He uses them
not only for everyday skiing in the park and powder, but also for freeride competitions, backcountry, and street skiing, regardless of location, from December until around Golden Week when the snow disappears. Moreover, he uses his Anon helmets not only during the season but also during the off-season, so he makes full use of them all year round.
"I use Oslo WaveCel. I have a wide skull, but the Logan and Oslo I used last year have an internal shape that doesn't pinch. What's more, they have a BOA system, so it's easy to adjust the fit when wearing a balaclava during the peak season and when wearing it directly in the spring. With the Logan I wore last year, if I fell or got covered in snow, snow would get in through the ventilation holes, and my head, hair, and balaclava would get wet, but that doesn't happen with the Oslo. I thought that the lack of ventilation holes would prevent sweat from escaping, but I haven't noticed any such inconvenience
Before using the Wavecell, I didn't really care about the weight of my helmet, but compared to the model from two years ago, the Wavecell model is overwhelmingly lighter and has a sharper silhouette. Once you put it on, you'll never want to go back to the way it was
Another great benefit is that the inner layer is easy to put on and take off. I use it during off-training, and even though I have to wash it more often, it doesn't feel like a hassle."
Helmets are now an essential item for skiing. Nearly 60% of skiers who pursue freeriding always wear helmets while riding.
In that case, comfort, functionality, and reliability in the event of an accident become the standard for selection. Anon helmets are a top choice because of their high functionality, reliability in terms of safety, and design that appeals to all tastes. Get an
essential helmet to safely enjoy a long season.
Merak WaveCel
Merak Wave Cell
Sizes: S-XL
Colors: WARM GRAY, PEACOCK, BLACK, MULBERRY
Price: ¥35,000 + tax
Oslo WaveCel
Oslo Wavecell
Sizes: S-XL
Colors: BLACK, WARM GRAY, Shantell Martin, MULBERRY, Jade
Price: ¥25,000-¥26,000 + tax
For product details and information about Anon, please visit our website
Photo/Go Ito