Frontal lobe coverage and ample front vents: Mammut Haute Route.
A ski tourist returns to backcountry touring and seeks a lightweight helmet that is, yes, light and inexpensive. He’s checking out Mammut’s Haute Route.
I have recently returned to backcountry skiing after almost a ten-year break. Previously, when I (infrequently) skied at an actual ski area, I used a 2001 Boeri ski helmet—perfectly round, no ventilation, basic Styrofoam, pretty heavy—and when I did a backcountry tour, I didn’t carry a helmet at all. Ten years of age has also added ten years of concern about getting injured, so I wanted to find a modern ski helmet.
My helmet experience comes mainly from the cycling world, with my first helmet being a mid-80s Bell VI Pro, then the first Giro foam helmet, followed by a progression of helmets from different manufacturers. I typically have 100+ cycling days/year and replace a helmet every 3-4 years, even without an impact. All cycling helmets meet CPSC/Snell Foundation/ASTM safety requirements if they are sold in the U.S., but more expensive helmets most often weigh less, have better ventilation, and typically have advanced impact mitigation systems (Multi-directional Impact Protection System/MIPS or similar proprietary systems) that decrease the g-forces during impact. Helmet weights have reached a plateau where it is difficult to meet the safety requirements while further reducing weight by large amounts, with the most expensive options from each manufacturer ($300+) weighing less than 300 grams. For me, a cycling helmet has to maximize safety while fitting and ventilating well enough that I don’t notice the helmet at all.
With zero experience in the ski-helmet world, I had similar requirements for a new touring helmet: a basic model helmet with full protection that was light enough that I would carry and wear it. Price was a moderate concern, mainly due to not being completely sure what I needed. Helmet sizing and fit are different between manufacturers, so trying on the helmet was important, resulting in a local purchase of a Mammut Haute Route ski helmet.
Mammut Haute Route: Side view showing coverage and venting.
Top of the lid: six vents.
The Haute Route is priced at roughly $140 retail, at the lower end of available ski helmets, but has many of the features you see across the spectrum of helmets: adjustable fit, headlamp/goggle retention, decent ventilation, triple certification (alpine skiing/climbing/cycling). The actual weight for a size large is 403 grams on my scale, which is in the middle of most current offerings (other than super light climbing-specific helmets that might weigh 200 grams less). At this price, the obvious features that are lacking compared to more expensive options are MIPS protection and possibly better ventilation. In the cycling world, MIPS or similar anti-rotation designs are ubiquitous in mid to high-end helmets, but this feature was out of my price range for this purchase.
Like many helmets, a spin wheel adjust the internal harness system. It’s easy to use and is functional.
The straps are easy to adjust and, like the internal harness, are sized to fit over a beanie.
I currently have about 10 days of use with this helmet, so I’m not assessing long-term durability. Does the helmet do what it is supposed to do? In general, yes. Adjustability is great with the rear dial, with the ability to adjust small when wearing a thin liner hat (like the one Mammut includes for free with the helmet) up to a full winter hat. The chin strap is a standard adjustable buckle that is easy to adjust yet stays where you set it. Overall comfort is great, padding is well designed, and not too firm or soft. I have skinned uphill at ski areas and done tours in various temperatures, and the ventilation seems adequate with a thin hat. With a warmer winter hat, the helmet was perfectly warm during descents.
Thankfully, I have not required the safety protection of the helmet due to impact, but triple certification makes me feel comfortable that it will do what it needs to do in a crash or impact.
Side impact: check.
The back-of-the-head protection gets the first bump, too,
All helmets that meet a certification level will provide the same level of protection, so a helmet choice comes down to how many extra features you want and the helmet’s fit. The critical features for me are that the helmet has to be safe for the conditions I will use it in, plus light enough and comfortable enough that I am willing to carry it. Mammut’s Haute Route helmet meets all those criteria and is reasonably priced.
Buyer beware: my experience with ski helmets consists of only two helmets separated by almost 25 years of innovation and research, but I’m quite happy with this helmet. As I gain more experience, the only added feature I might like to see would be a Haute Route MIPS version, but Mammut currently doesn’t appear to offer any ski-specific helmets with MIPS in the U.S. market.
The Haute Route lid on a Mammut model. Photo: Mammut
The Stats
Triple Certified (bo0 yah): Biking (CE EN 1078), climbing (CE EN 12492), and alpine skiing and snowboarding (CE EN 1077)
Skimo approved? ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) racing approved!
Construction: Hybrid construction with ABS hard shell, EPP & EPS foam for best protection and low profile fit.
Headlamp and Goggle attachments: Check!
Weight (certified): Size large 403 g (the helmet is offered in three sizes).
Price: $139.95
