Helmets

[benjinyc]

imo, I think MIPS is overrated esp if you are wearing a beanie under it, that beanie basically does what the MIPS inserts does on impact

[pow_hnd]

As I've always said...

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Study Finds Ski Helmets Don't Prevent Severe Head Injuries

The main limitation for head injury prevention that helmets miss the mark on is the fact that a helmet will have little to do with slowing down or stopping the brain from moving in the skull when accelerations are applied to the head. Their primary protective mechanism is to prevent lacerations and skull fractures, not closed head injuires

This 50-Year Study Reveals Surprising Insights on Ski Helmets and Injury Prevention

“My position on helmets is that if you are in the typical fatality scenario of impact with a fixed object such as a tree, a helmet is not likely to have any benefit. The forces involved will simply overwhelm the helmet’s protective abilities,”

Ski Helmet Use Isn’t Reducing Brain Injuries

[Vanni]

I use a normal snowboard helmet, I think Anon something with mips, without the ear pads but I wear a dakine balaclava ( a lightweight one for normal season days and a wool one for really cold days) and I feel good like that, I even don't know if it's a good idea to wear a beanie under the helmet, my idea is that if you hit something with your head the helmet doesn't work the way it is supposed to do, but maybe I'm wrong.

I don't know, but in some helmet description they say you can do both ways (goggle over or under, and beanie under)

Smith Method Mips description:
Removable goggle strap lock for streamlined shell when goggles are worn under helmet
Beanie compatible

[Vanni]

Yep, go up a size if you're getting one with MIPS and want to wear a beanie underneath. I fit into a regular Smith Maze in medium with a beanie on, but the MIPS Maze in medium doesn't fit me with a beanie (the large does).

great! This helps a lot. I'm looking at the Smith Method Mips (Maze replacement), so it's relatable

I have a Giro skate/bmx helmet with MIPS that I wear with beanie/goggles under
got it on sale for like $40

its literally the same as their ski/snow one, it just doesn't come with the ear covers that I wasn't going to use anyways

IMG_8F2EE59417F7-1.jpeg

Thanks! So I think I'll get a size M instead of the S, and I should be OK
Also thanks for the pic, everything seem to fit good

[eleveneightnate]

I'd love to leave my helmet at home, but after a freak accident where I slammed the back of my head into some early season low tide rocks and cracked my Maze, I'll probably never go without it now. I had blurry vision for months from the impact to my occipital lobe, but I would've cracked my skull open otherwise.

[benjinyc]

Thanks! So I think I'll get a size M instead of the S, and I should be OK
Also thanks for the pic, everything seem to fit good

there's these velcro attached fabric sweat liners you need to remove for a nicer fit, I suggest putting tape over the velcro, otherwise the fabric of the beanie and goggle strap can start to fray quick

[G.D.]

I'd love to leave my helmet at home, but after a freak accident where I slammed the back of my head into some early season low tide rocks and cracked my Maze, I'll probably never go without it now. I had blurry vision for months from the impact to my occipital lobe, but I would've cracked my skull open otherwise.

I had a bad wipeout at Lake Louise few years back; hit the back of my head directly on the ground at high speed, after catching a bump unexpectedly. Knocked me out for a few minutes, and that's with my helmet. Can't imagine experiencing that without one; who knows how much worse my concussion would've been had I not worn one .

Totally get the arguments for and against, but personally don't feel comfortable riding without one. Esp after that exp, hard to shake off mentally ngl .

[pow_hnd]

.

Totally get the arguments for and against,

I have absolutely no argument against helmets in any way shape or form.

I just point out there is basically zero statistical evidence of improved outcomes.

That the experts say they offer almost no protection in a life or death situation.

Also, I am glad that nobody on here has been hurt any worse than they have been.

But the anecdotal evidence provided by you any many others proves nothing, and again, statistically there has been no drop in brain injuries since the widespread adoption of helmets in the sport.

Which is a bummer.

[eleveneightnate]

I just point out there is basically zero statistical evidence of improved outcomes.

It's sounds like that's true for certain types of injuries, but not all. From that Ski Mag article:

"My position on helmets is that if you are in the typical fatality scenario of impact with a fixed object such as a tree, a helmet is not likely to have any benefit. The forces involved will simply overwhelm the helmet’s protective abilities,” he says. “On the other hand, if you are involved in the more typical head injury scenario; a fall to the snow surface, the helmet can offer significant protection and can convert what could be a serious concussion to either no injury or very minor injury."

And the Dartmouth study:

“What we found, like you said, was that helmets do protect against some injuries, which is great,” Porter said. “They protect against skull fractures and cervical spine injuries. But at the same time they have limitations. And in our population, which is severely injured patients who are evaluated by the [Dartmouth-Hitchcock] trauma center, we found that helmets are not protecting against more serious head injury, like intracranial hemorrhage or brain bleed.”

So, basically, accidents like my fall that would've been a cracked skull instead of some annoying blurry vision and headaches. Or taking a branch to the head, or slamming your head on hardpack and getting knocked out. I personally don't expect protection beyond that. If companies are claiming their helmets stop serious things like brain bleeds, though, that's fucked.

(and for the record, I'm not trying to be preachy at all. i totally get not wearing one and i ditch mine for pow days every now and then)

[pow_hnd]

If companies are claiming their helmets stop serious things like brain bleeds, though, that's fucked.

MIPS tech claims to to do just that, so yes, it’s fucked.

And of course, yes a helmet will protect against lacerations…

I personally would take the idea that they protect against skull fractures with a Alaska sized grain of salt..