The Oakley Mod 3 Ski Helmet – Test and Review

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Updated May 9th, 2024

If you are looking for a new ski or snowboard helmet, take a look at the Oakley Mod 3 Helmet. It has all the essential features that a good helmet should have at a price of $200. It has available MIPS, adjustable vents, anti-fog vents, and BOA fit system. Read my Oakley Mod 3 helmet review to learn everything about the Mod 3 helmet and why you should get one.

Oakley Mod 3 Helmet Review and Test

Pricing

The Oakley Mod3 helmet retails for $160. The MIPS version retails for $200. This puts it at a similar price point as the Smith Mission and Anon Echo helmets for both MIPS and non-MIPS versions.

MBS – Modular Brim System

The Oakley Mod helmet series feature their MBS or Modular Brim System. These helmets have a brim that can be detached and replaced. The Mod3 helmet comes with a couple of options to use. There are more available from Oakley so you can have great goggle integration no matter which goggles you use. No one should have to have a gaper gap when wearing this helmet.

MIPS – Multi-directional Impact Protection System

The Mod3 is available in a MIPS or non-MIPS version. MIPS is a layer in the helmet under the EPS foam energy absorber that allows the helmet exterior shell to rotate relative to your head. This means that for an angled impact such as a glancing blow, the helmet shell will rotate without forcing your head to rotate. This reduces the forces going into your head and spine reducing your risk of injury. Learn more about MIPS here.

Safety certifications

The Oakley Mod 3 helmet has ASTM F2040 and CE EN1077 certifications on both the MIPS and non MIPS version.

Hybrid construction

The Mod3 helmet has hybrid construction. It uses an ABS shell with EPS foam liner in the front and sides for extra protection and increased durability. It uses a In-Mold construction on the top and rear for weight savings. This allows you to have the toughness of an ABS shell where you are more likely to impact and beat the helmet up. The brim parts are held in with 2 screws. You can swap them out in a few minutes with a phillips head screwdriver.

HYDROLIX removeable liner

The helmet has a removable padded mesh liner and uses Oakley’s Hydrolix material. This material is designed for breathability and fast drying. Your helmet won’t feel like a sloppy sponge on a warm spring skiing day.

BOA helmet fit system

The helmet uses a BOA fit system instead of the standard size adjuster enabling you to get a perfect fit. BOA uses a small cable around the inside of the helmet. Standard size adjusters just tighten a plastic band. Functionally BOA works the same as a standard size adjuster. It feels like the sides are being pulled in more on BOA helmets instead of just the back tightening. It gives you wraparound comfort instead of just the rear of the helmet squeezing in.

Fidlock magnetic buckle

A magnetic helmet buckle that makes it easier to buckle and unbuckle your helmet with one hand or with gloves on. These take a little getting used to but once you figure out how to hold the buckle to get it to latch they work quite well.

Adjustable venting

It has 4 adjustable vents and 2 fixed vents at the back. The vents are in an X shape on top of the helmet. You will either like how this looks or you won’t. The helmet ventilation channels are effective and will keep your head cool on a warmer ski day. The vents can be closed on cooler days or to keep snow out. This helmet has great all mountain versatility.

Goggle anti-fog vents

The helmet channels air through your goggles. Vents under the brim draw air through the goggles and channel it back through the helmet for better anti fog performance. They are always open making sure your ski or snowboard goggles always stay fog free. They work best when combined with Oakley goggles that have vents aligned with the helmet vents.

Removable ear pads

The ear pads can be removed with minimal fuss in a few minutes. You do not need to remove or unhook the size adjuster to get the pads off.

Appearance

The Oakley Mod3 and Mod5 helmts are a bit polarizing when it comes to style. No one will mistake either one as a helmet from any other brand. The Mod 3 has X-shaped vents on top of the helmet. The hybrid construction seams give it an updated design aesthetic. The Oakley logo is prominently displayed on the front of the helmet. You will either like or hate the appearance of this helmet. I think they look good in black where some of the lines are hidden. I do not like the white helmet or mixed color helmets.

Sizing

I measured my head to be about 60cm. The Mod3 is available in Small, Medium and Large with the following sizes. Small (51-55cm) / Medium (55-59cm) / Large (59-63cm). 60cm puts me a little bit into the large size range. I am able to fit the helmet okay. My wife who has a wider head can get it on but it’s not comfortable. She needs Asian fit versions of helmets. The Mod3 has no Asiant fit version or XL size for people with larger sized heads.

Goggle compatibility

I tried the Mod3 with several pairs of goggles. It works well with large frameless oversized goggles such as Oakley Flight Deck’s with the standard MBS brim that comes on the helmet. It also includes a second interchangeable brim that works with lower profile goggles such as the Oakley A Frame. I also tried out the helmet with a set of Anon M4 Toric goggles and OutdoorMaster Ultra XL goggles. I was happy with the fit and appearance with all of these goggles. I didn’t see much gap with any of them. See the below images.

How does it fit, feel and perform?

I found this helmet to be really comfortable. It is a bit wider inside than my Anon Echo MIPS helmet and feels like it has a bit more padding.

I was able to easily fit a thin hat under the helmet without the helmet feeling scrunched. Size wise it feels similar to the fit Smith helmets have. They are wider than Anon helmets. They are not as wide as Giro helmets.

The chin strap has plenty of length. I had plenty of extra strap left after setting it to use a hat and neck gaiter.

The material inside the helmet feels really nice. It doesn’t feel like fleece so will feel less spongy on a hot sweaty day. It may be less warm because of this. Since you can fit a hat inside and close the vents this shouldn’t be an issue.

The Oakley goggle and helmet combination has a reputation for great anti-fog performance. The brim ventilation in the mod series helmets works great at keeping air moving through your goggles. The Mod3 with Flight Deck will resist fogging as good as any helmet and goggle combination out there.

Oakley MOD 3 Snow Helmet

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The Verdict

I am pleased with the Oakley Mod 3 helmet. It has distinctive Oakley styling for those who don’t want a cookie cutter dome shaped ski helmet. It has MIPS available for those who want the safest helmet possible. The MBS system will let it work with almost any goggle available. If you want the best ski helmet to go with your Oakley ski goggles this is a great choice.

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