10 Best Helmets of 2015

You only get one brain, so it’s best to keep in intact.

Designed for folks who want to push beyond the resort boundaries, the Couloir is approved for both skiing and alpine climbing. It will protect you from rockfall and tomahawks. Removable interior insulation and ear padding allow this helmet to transition seamlessly from midwinter powder to spring corn. [$225]

At just 320 grams, the Route is one of the lightest helmets on
the market. Equipped with a Boa-designed dial-fit system, the helmet will cradle your head with or without a beanie. Side-mounted clips keep goggles or a headlamp in place on more adventurous pursuits. [$150]

The Germans have moved beyond bindings with last season’s introduction of a line of protective gear and goggles. The slope-styled Clark features an XDry liner that wicks moisture and facilitates breathability, a magnetic chin- strap clasp that keeps everything in place, and a wheel-fit system for one-handed adjustments on the fly. [$99]

The new Camber delivers several of Smith’s best helmet technologies, including lightweight in-mold construction, adjustable venting, a dial-fit system, an antistink liner, and optional Skull- candy audio earflaps (sold separately), at a wallet-friendly price. The Camber integrates perfectly with any of Smith’s goggles to en- sure a gaper-gap-free fit. [$130]

Tipping the scales at just under a pound, the Dissent is a freeride-inspired dome piece that won’t weigh you down. Its Rollsys fit system dials in a head-cradling fit, and its 13 adjustable vents ensure your noggin won’t overheat.
The Dissent is also approved for biking, making it an all-season crowd pleaser. [$140]

A lightweight helmet with almost more air vents than we can count, the Luxe, from Park City–based Pret, uses a unique cooling system that prevents direct airflow to your head, thus eliminating the dreaded brain- freeze effect. Ladies will also enjoy the ridiculously soft ear pads and the easy-to-use magnetic buckle system. [$130]

Lined with a small airbag that automatically fills and decompresses around the shape of your head, the Quest delivers a precise fit every time you don it. Its breathable hybrid-shell construction allows air to pass to your head between layers of ABS plastic, designed to deflect small impacts like branches, and EPS foam, which absorbs big hits. [$180]

The Berkeley retains its low-profile, skate-inspired look but gets a nice upgrade with a fleecy liner and a crank system that delivers a more secure fit. Like many Bern helmets, the Berkeley can pull double duty as a summer lid if you remove the liner. It meets established norms for both snow-sport and bike helmets. [$100]

Equipped with adjustable venting and a fit system that automatically forms to your head, the Discord is the newest style in Giro’s revolutionary softshell line. It’s built with dual-density vinyl-nitrate foam that protects against big spills but also withstands low-energy impacts without compromising the helmet’s safety. It’s also available in dude-friendlier colors and sizes. [$150]

The Affinity offers subtle styling, excellent fit, and a wealth of features. Atomic’s Live Fit technology uses a large strip
of memory foam to swaddle your melon in a secure but not-too-tight fit. Two adjustable ventilation zones let you fine- tune the airflow into the helmet, and a hybrid shell made from both ABS plastic and EPS foam handles impacts both big and small. [$140]