Giro Nine.9 Ski and Snowboard Helmet - Titanium, Large Review

Sure, other manufacturers claim that their snowboarding helmets are vented--push a switch, turn a dial, buy a vowel and maybe you'll feel the wind... ...when you're free falling off a cliff or struggling to maintain a grip on the mountain in gale-force winds. The fact is that many snowboarding helmets cook your head like a hardboiled egg whenever you're at a dead stop or trudging up a ridge. That's why Giro designed their Nine snowboarding helmet with no less than a dozen heat dispensing vents that suck cold air to your brain faster than you can gulp your way to a ice cream headache. Maybe that's a tad bit overstated, but the fact is that the Nine cools your head faster and better than any other snowboarding helmet we've seen. If you're still a little freaked about the notion of fighting a permanent ice cream headache through the fall line, keep in mind that you can seal out the cold with the improved Weatherstrip insulated vent plugs. The Nine features a lightweight, injection molded polycarbonate shell that's cut short in the tradition of other great Giro snowboarding helmets. With the snap-fit earflaps and neckroll you can easily remove the ears for enhanced peripheral vision on those awesome blue bird days. A handy goggle loop is a functional work of art that not only looks good but it also locks your goggles to your helmet so you'll have one less item on display at your next yard sale (if you're scratching your head, consider how much gear you lost during your last major digger--if you can't remember, that's probably because you need this helmet). Main features: * Deep goggle notch * EPS liner * Goggle loop * In-Molded short shell helmet design * Large ear opening for improved hearing and equilibrium * Lightweight * Meets ASTM Standard 1447 for shock absorption, retention and coverage * Twelve vents * Twelve Weatherstrip vent plugs