Best Snowmobile Helmets Reviewed that are Worth Buying

Snowmobiling is a lot of fun until you crash or hit something. It can be dangerous and can cause serious injuries. That is why you should wear all safety gear when riding your snowmobile.

Helmets are the most important for safety because a head injury can be lethal. Now you might be thinking that you can buy any off-the-shelf helmet and you will be good to go. But that is not true (or safe) when it comes to snowmobiling.

There are specially designed helmets for snowmobiling. These are made of high-quality ABS or polyester alloy plastic that performs excellently even in extreme cold. Similarly, the front visor is dual-pane which reduces fog/condensation for better visibility. Other features are specific to helmets made for snowmobiling, like a heated visor, breath box, chin curtains, and specially designed vents.

I have bought a lot of helmets over the past decade and found some solid choices. And some terrible helmets that you should stay away from. Here in this article, I have listed the best helmets that I can recommend to anyone. Here I have mentioned both the budget and premium ones.

If you are thinking about using a motorcycle helmet for snowmobiling, I have discussed it in detail here.

Best Budget Pick

These are my budget-friendly recommendation, and their price lies between $85 to $200. All of these can be used for snowmobiling.

1 Storm HB89

This helmet by 1Storm is a modular helmet that you get for $70 on Amazon. But you can not use it as it is. You have to spend $15 more and install a breath box in it. It will prevent the condensation or fogging caused by breathing in extreme cold.

This helmet is available in small to xx-large sizes. It is made of thermoplastic alloy, which is sturdy and durable in cold climates.

There are two visors. One is smoked (inner) to filter UV rays, and the other is a clear (outer) shield. The inner liners are comfortable. But if the helmet does not fit you perfectly, it will not be comfortable anymore.

My only complaint about this helmet is its weight at 2270g. That makes it not the most comfortable helmet if you want to ride on longer routes. 

For a total of $85, it is an excellent budget-friendly helmet. And, if you can spend more than $85, I have mentioned more premium choices below.

Pros

• Budget friendly at $85.
• Dual visor with UV protection.
• Lightweight and Durable build quality.
• Removable liner for easy washing.

Cons

• No breath box included.
• Uncomfortable at longer routes.

Typhoon TH158

This snowmobile helmet from Typhoon is a clear winner from my previous mention. And it should be at the price of $180 on Amazon.

It has a better build quality and weighs only 1814g. It also features a heated front shield, and the design makes it very comfortable for long routes. It is one of the most comfortable helmets that I have ever used. It has dual visors. One of them blocks the UV rays of the sun, and the other is a clear visor.

The clear-visor is electrically heated and powered by the snowmobile’s battery. The heated-visor reduces condensation and prevents fogging caused by breathing. The modular design is very convenient, and the opening-closing mechanism is not affected by the cold. This helmet is available in small to xx-large sizes.

Overall, it is a very durable and lightweight helmet. There is no breath box included. But there is a chin curtain which is enough to prevent fogging.

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Dual visor with UV protection.
• Lightweight design and comfortable liners for riding on long routes
• Heated shield included to prevent fogging

Cons

• No breathe box included
• Chin curtain might not fit all

HJC Dosta Snowmobile

HJC Dosta CS-R3 is another budget-friendly helmet. The MC-1SF variant of this helmet is specifically designed for snowmobiling. 

It has a breath box and a heated visor. It weighs only 1560 grams and feels very comfortable to wear. 

It is made of polycarbonate plastic which is sturdy and durable. 

It has three vents that increase the airflow through the helmet. There is a speaker pocket where you can install a Bluetooth communication device. 

Still, I have some complaints about this helmet. There is no sun visor or a peak to prevent sunlight. You can connect the heated shield with your snowmobile’s battery, but the wire does not come included with the helmet.

At $200 on Amazon, these things are a must-have for me when looking for helmets for snowmobiles. But the weight of this helmet makes it an appealing choice for someone who likes to ride on long routes.

Unfortunately, it is a full-face helmet. So if you need to stop during a long ride, you will need to take off the whole helmet instead of only lifting the visor.

Note: No medium or extra-large sizes are available at Amazon. You have to order directly from the manufacturer. It might affect pricing, and you are not going to get free Amazon returns.

Pros

• Very lightweight and comfortable for long routes
• Features a breath box and electrically heated visor
• Built from durable polycarbonate plastic
• Built in speaker pocket for bluetooth communication devices

Cons

• No sun visor or peak to prevent sunlight
• Limited color options

Best for Most

These helmets cost $270 to $350. They are reliable and comfortable helmets that are equipped with handy features.

Castle X EXO-CX950

For the upgraded segment of my recommendations, Castle X EXO-CX950 is my first choice. It is because of its snug (but comfortable) fit, modular design, dual-pane electric visor, and comfortable liners. There are cheek pads inside the helmet that help it to fit better. It also helps to prevent cold air from hitting on your face and keep the cheeks warm.

It weighs 1780g for a large size. The weight can be further reduced by removing the peak when not needed.

The outer shell of this helmet is made of advanced polycarbonate, which feels sturdy.

The visor has a wide viewing angle. The clear-visor is dual-pane and electrically heated. If you are riding in extremely cold conditions, you can connect the heated visor with the battery of your snowmobile to reduce condensation and fogging. The wires used to connect the helmet to your snowmobile’s battery are included in the box.

There is also a sun visor that can be slid up or down using a slider. If you do not like a sun visor, the peak is also there to provide shade in direct sunlight. 

There is a breath box already installed, which fits better than most due to cheek pads. And there is a speaker pocket for Bluetooth-enabled communication devices. 

For $270 on Amazon, this helmet for snowmobiling has excellent comfort, a heated visor, and outstanding protection. There is also a 5-year warranty that gives this helmet a slight edge over other options.

Pros

• Comfortable fit for long rides
• Appealing look
• Dual pane and electrically heated visor to prevent any fogging
• Speaker pockets for communication devices
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• No color options

509 Delta R4

509 Delta R4 is an excellent option in helmets. This manufacturer specifically designs helmets for snowmobiles, and Delta R4 is one of the best they have to offer. It is a modular helmet with an easy-to-open Fidlock mechanism.

This snowmobile helmet is made of a poly-alloy shell and weighs 1900 grams. The liners are of dual-density EPS that makes them more comfortable on longer rides. 

There is a clear-visor and a sun visor. And, the sun visor can be slid down by a slider button on the left side. The clear-visor is dual-pane and also electrically heated to reduce fogging. The wires to connect the visor with the snowmobile’s battery are included in the box.

There is also a peak to block direct sunlight. If you do not want the peak, you can remove it and make the helmet more lightweight. It will make the helmet more comfortable for long rides.

There is a breath box that is also removable to adjust or clean the liners.

At $350 on Amazon, it is an expensive helmet, but it is worth the price. But if you want to spend less, you can get Castle CX-950 and save $50.

Pros

• Comfortable inner liners for long rides
• Removable and adjustable peak
• Dual pane and electrically heated visor to prevent condensation

Cons

• Expensive as compared to rival brands

Best Premium Helmets

Premium means excellent build quality, reliable features, and long-lasting helmets. They will cost you about $350 to $400, but they will surely last five to six years.

509 Altitude 2.0

Altitude 2.0 Carbon Fiber from 509 is the most durable helmet that I have ever used. It costs $400, but the build quality and the features are worth spending that much. It is a snowcross helmet and looks aggressive. 

The outer shell is made of carbon fiber, which is one of the strongest and lightest materials. That makes it weigh only 1150g for the large size. And, this makes it very comfortable for long rides. 

The liners are comfortable and do not put pressure or cause fatigue while riding. 

There is a peak to prevent direct sunlight, but sadly there is no visor. This helmet is designed to be used with goggles. I am not going to complain about the lack of a visor. And if you plan to buy goggles, I only recommend 509 dual-pane goggles because others might not fit well.

When I used it for the first time, I did not miss the visor. The peak is angled so perfectly that it blocks almost all sunlight from hitting the eyes. There is no fogging or condensation on the goggles because they stay above the nose only.

It has a removable breath box so you can remove it and increase the airflow inside the helmet. The only cost would be the cold air hitting your face. 

There is a Fidlock chain strap, which is easy to use as compared to others. If you like to film your riding experience, you can also mount a Go-Pro on it. 

The only thing that I can say against this helmet is there are no goggles included. Also, the liners are non-removable, so you can not easily wash/clean them. 

By no means its a budget-friendly choice. But you get what you spend. And at $400 on Amazon, this helmet will last a long time and offer excellent protection and safety.

Pros

• Carbon fiber outer shell provide more durability
• Extremely lightweight design makes it comfortable for long routes
• Removable and adjustable peak
• Fidlock chain strap is very easy to open/close
• Go-Pro mounting capability

Cons

• No goggles included since there is no visor
• Inner liners are non-removable

FXR Maverick

FXR Maverick is a modular helmet with the excellent build quality and reliable features. It is a reasonable choice to consider for long-term usage. 

The shell is made of advanced polymer alloy, which is sturdy and lightweight. The inner liners are made of dual-density EPS. 

For further protection, there is a stainless steel strap around the chin area. The chin of the helmet is easy to lift with gloves.

There is a drop-down sun visor that can be slid up or down with a slider button. The clear-visor is dual-pane and electrically heated. The wire used to connect the heated-visor with the battery comes included.

There is a removable breath box that does not cost comfort over long rides. All the inner liners and the breath box are removable and washable. The vents on the chin also help to reduce the drag at high speeds.

The helmet weighs 1930 grams for a large size. It might not be satisfactory for everyone, and you might feel like removing the helmet for a while on long routes.

It is a reliable and durable helmet. For $365 on Amazon, it’s a reasonable option to consider because it will surely last five to six years.

Pros

• Excellent build quality for longer durability
• Stainless steel chain bar to make is more sturdy
• Dual-pane and electrically heated visor

Cons

• Uncomfortable for long routes
• Expensive as compared to other brands

Skidoo Modular

Skidoo helmets are a popular choice among snowmobilers, and this one is no different. I have seen many fellow snowmobilers using this helmet. 

It is a modular helmet and is available in all sizes. It does not look attractive, but it works well in every condition. 

It is made of polycarbonate material, which is strong but not lightweight. It makes the helmet weigh 2267 grams for the large size. It is not a comfortable helmet for long rides. 

It covers the head properly and blocks cold air from every side. The inner liners are comfortable and soft to touch. 

There is a clear visor and a sunshade visor. The sunshade visor can be slid up or down with a button. Skidoo says their clear-visor is optically correct, but I did not feel any difference compared to other helmets. Maybe they all are optically correct?

It has a speaker pocket to install a Bluetooth-enabled communication device. 

There is a breath box and helmet absorbent mask included in the package. The absorbent mask absorbs any condensation inside the helmet and prevents fogging. It is a handy thing, especially if you do not have a heated visor. I recommend buying some more masks if you are going to buy this helmet.

My only grievance with this helmet is its looks. For $375 on Amazon, I expect some good looks and at least a few color options.

Pros

• Strong polycarbonate build makes it durable
• Covers whole head and blocks cold air from every side
• Absorbent masks are good to prevent condensation
• Speaker pocket for communication devices

Cons

• Heavy weighed design makes it uncomfortable for long routes
• Design looks old
• Expensive to what other helmet brands offer same for less price

In the end…

After testing different helmets from different manufacturers, I have come to know that price does not indicate build and comfort. If your budget is around $180, Typhoon TH158 is a great choice for most people. You can also use it with motorcycles by removing the breath box.

Castle EXO-CX950 is another great option that excels in many aspects, but it retails for around $180 on Amazon. 

If you have $400 for a helmet, Altitude 2.0 carbon fiber is the best lightweight and durable option that retails for $400 on Amazon. It is very lightweight and sturdy.

There are a lot of helmets on the market. I have likely missed one or two. So if you have any recommendations for me to check out, please tell me in the comments.

Sources:
Recommendations for snowmobile safety
Snowmobile Injuries and Deaths in Children: A Review of National Injury Data and State Legislation
Snowmobile Injuries in North America