Updated November 18th, 2024
Skiing and snowboarding are a lot of fun. Accidents do happen no matter how good a skier you are or how careful you are. One of my ski friends got a concussion standing in the lift line after being run over by an out of control skier. Wearing a helmet can help protect your head, keep you warm, and help defog your goggles. Good helmets don’t have to be super expensive. There are many good options under $100.
The 7 Best Budget Ski Helmets Under $100
- BEST OVERALL: OutdoorMaster Diamond 2 MIPS
- TOP PICK: Smith Optics Mission MIPS
- BEST VALUE: Wildhorn Drift
- BEST UNDER $50: Outdoor Master Kelvinn 2
- Giro Ledge
- Outdoor Master Emerald
- Oakley MOD3
1 – OutdoorMaster Diamond 2 MIPS
☆ Best Overall
Specifications
- Construction – PC Shell with in-mold EPS liner
- MIPS – Yes
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Get 25% OFF site wide with code BLACK25 during BLACK FRIDAY SALE at OUTDOOR MASTER
What we liked:
- Very comfortable to wear
- Advanced PC Shell with in-mold construction with MIPS
- Adjustable venting including goggle defog vents
- Bungee attachment for goggle straps
What we didn’t like:
- Not available in an extra large size
Styling is a little bland
Bottom line:
A great value MIPS ski helmet that is very comfortable with the latest freestyle trends in styling
Summary
The OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS Ski Helmet is the latest offering from OutdoorMaster. I have personally been wearing one for most of this winter. It is very comfortable with a lot of good features. It is a large improvement over the popular Kelvin helmet while still keeping the price low under $100. This helmet uses advanced in-mold construction with a PC shell and EPS foam inner. It has MIPS technology to make the helmet safer in angled impacts and glancing blows. The ear pads are deep and have pockets to use with speakers for those who like listening to music on the slopes.
Review
See our full review of the OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS helmet to learn more.
2 – Smith Optics Mission MIPS
☆ Top Pick
Specifications
- Construction – ABS shell with EPS Foam liner and Koroyd
- MIPS – Optional
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
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What we liked:
- Plenty of room to wear a hat underneath
- Comfortable for a long day on the mountain
- Helps to keep your goggles defogged
- Uses koroyd honeycomb energy absorber on the sides
What we didn’t like:
- Size adjuster feels a bit cheap
- Earpads are difficult to remove
Bottom line:
A comfortable ski helmet with advanced koroyd energy absorbers and MIPS that is great for any day skiing at a resort.
Summary
The Smith Mission helmet is the mid level offering from Smith Optics. It has every feature almost any skier would want. It has adjustable vents, AirEvac goggle defogging vents, adjustable sizing, and removable ear pads. The ear pads have pockets that will work with blue tooth speakers. It has an ABS plastic shell with EPS foam energy absorber. It has Koroyd honeycomb for better energy absorption and weight savings around the sides. The Mission helmet is available with and without MIPS. It’s worth it to spend the extra $20 to get the MIPS version.
Review
See our full review of the Smith Mission MIPS helmet to learn more.
3 – Wildhorn Drift
☆ Best Value
Specifications
- Construction – Polycarbonate In-Mold
- MIPS – No
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – No
- Audio Compatible – Yes
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What we liked:
- Lightweight at 13 oz for a size large
- Low cost with lots of features
- Effective adjustable vents
- Perforated liner material that is comfortable and dries quick
- Wrap around ear pads that are audio compatible
What we didn’t like:
- No MIPS version is available
- No goggle defog vents
Bottom line:
A good basic starter helmet with adjustable venting and audio compatible ear pads.
Summary
The Wildhorn Drift Helmet comes from one of the official suppliers of the US Ski Team. It is a step up from the most basic ski helmets with a few extra features. The price is still very affordable under $100. The helmet is ASTM 2040 certified to keep you safe. It uses a polycarbonate shell with in-mold EPS foam construction. There is no MIPS version of this helmet. The Drift has adjustable venting with a slider on top of the helmet. It does not have goggle defogging vents. The earpads are easy to remove. They come with pockets for putting in your favorite Bluetooth speakers.
Review
See our full review of the Wildhorn Drift to learn more.
4 – Outdoor Master Kelvin 2
☆ Best Under $50
Specifications
- Construction – ABS hardshell
- MIPS – No
- Adjustable vents – No
- Goggle defog vents – No
- Audio Compatible – No
Get 25% OFF site wide with code BLACK25 during BLACK FRIDAY SALE at OUTDOOR MASTER
Kelvin 2 MIPS
What we liked:
- Very good ventilation
- Stylish appearance
- Low cost
- Many color options
- Available in a MIPS version (Amazon only)
What we didn’t like:
- Vents aren’t adjustable
- No goggle defog vents
Bottom line:
A warm basic starter ski helmet with good amounts of ventilation available in a lot of colors
Summary
The Outdoor Master Kelvin 2 helmet is one of the best cheap ski helmets available today. It improves upon the original Kelvin with larger sizing and audio compatible earpads and some other smaller changes.
The original Kelvin is one of the most popular ski and snowboard helmets on Amazon. The updated version 2 is even better. It has many features that make it a great value for its price. This helmet has a tough ABS shell and EPS foam liner with 14 vents. The ear pads are easily removable and have pockets for fitting helmet speakers.
It is ASTM 2040F certified for head protection. This helmet is available in sizes small-large. The Kelvin 2 sizes larger than the original Kelvin did and has a longer chin strap. It is much more comfortable for larger heads and using with speakers.
There is a MIPS version of the Kelvin 2 as well. The MIPS version is only available on Amazon.
Review coming soon for the Kelvin 2. In the meantime you can see our review for the orignal Kelvin below.
Review
See our full review of the OutdoorMaster Kelvin helmet to learn more.
5 – Giro Ledge Snow Helmet
Specifications
- Construction – ABS Hardshell
- MIPS – Available
- Adjustable vents – No
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
What we liked:
- One of the cheapest MIPS helmets you can get
- Durable rugged construction
- Goggle defogging vents
What we didn’t like:
- Very bland styling
- Vents aren’t adjustable
Bottom line:
A cheap durable basic ski helmet that will last and protect for years of use on the mountain.
Summary
The Giro Ledge ski and snowboard helmet is the Giro entry level helmet with minimal styling. The helmet has conventional hardshell construction with an ABS shell and EPS liner. It has fixed vents that do not close and goggle defog vents. It is well made and durable feeling. I have used Giro helmets for biking for years and they have stood up very well to mountain biking abuse. Where this helmet shines is that it is one of the cheapest helmets available with MIPS if you buy the MIPS version.
6 – Outdoor Master Emerald
Specifications
- Construction – ABS hardshell
- MIPS – No
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Get 25% OFF site wide with code BLACK25 during BLACK FRIDAY SALE at OUTDOOR MASTER
What we liked:
- Low cost with lots of features
- Has adjustable vents and goggle defog vents
- Audio compatible earpads
- Wide and roomy fit
- Sturdy ABS hard shell construction
- Bungee goggle strap attachment
What we didn’t like:
- No MIPS version is available
- Chin strap could be longer
Bottom line:
The Outdoor Master Emerald is a good entry level starter helmet with lots of features for it’s price.
The Outdoor Master Emerald Ski Helmet is the latest entry level helmet from Outdoor Master. Their older Kelvin helmet is the most popular helmet on Amazon. The Emerald keeps the very low price of the Kelvin but adds several nice features.
The Emerald has a similar basic ABS hardshell construction with a size adjuster and removable fleece liner. It adds adjustable venting, goggle defog vents, and audio compatible ear pads. All of those were missing on the Kelvin helmet. The fit is a bit wider and larger which is an improvement. The chin strap is still on the short side.
The Emerald makes a really good starter ski helmet for anyone just starting out who doesn’t want to pay much. It still has ASTM 2040F safety certification. There is no MIPS version which we would like to see.
Review
See our full review of the OutdoorMaster Emerald helmet to learn more.
7 – Oakley MOD3
Specifications
- Construction – Hybrid shell with EPS liner
- MIPS – Available
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
What we liked:
- Modular brim system
- Hybrid ABS shell and in-mold construction
- Very comfortable ear pads and liner
What we didn’t like:
- Polarizing appearance. You will either love how it looks or hate it.
Bottom line:
A comfortable helmet with Oakley style and MIPS safety protection.
Summary
The Oakley MOD3 is the mid-priced budget offering from Oakley. It is a high tech advanced helmet with many great features. It has the Oakley modular brim system that lets you get rid of goggle gap on almost any set of snow goggles. The MOD3 uses a combination of ABS shell and in-mold construction. There are both MIPS and non-MIPS versions of this helmet. The styling of Oakley Mod helmets is a little unconventional. Some people like the look of this helmet. Others do not.
Review
See our full review of the Oakley Mod 3 helmet to learn more.
Ryan Craig
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days, I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible. Visit our About Us page and learn more.
ryan@lowbudgetadventurer.com