Sweet sunshine and a sweet position. Out and about while protecting the noggin with the Sweet Protection Ascender MIPS backcountry-specific helmet.
Sweet Protection’s Ascender MIPS ski helmet combines ascending-descending ski-specific certifications with a packable design that will likely meet the needs of backcountry skiers and riders.
Helmets protect your noggin but are an often-overlooked piece of kit. When I was a wee-kiddo first learning to ski, I thought helmets were for downhill racers in Lycra and snowboarders in baggy pants. It was the early 90s. Neon was in. Helmets were far from ubiquitous. My dad spoke of helmets in the lift line as though they were one of the seven signs of weakness (right up there with stopping for lunch in the lodge). I have no clue what changed the norm, but by the end of the millennium, everyone, my dad included, was wearing a helmet. Given this slow adoption, it’s no surprise that uphillers still tend towards that old climbing helmet in the garage.
Climbing helmets offer a lightweight, great for the uphill, low-volume design. Recently, however, the industry has started designing backcountry-specific helmets with the downhill in mind, too. What a time to be alive!
Roughly 25 years ago, a tight group of kayakers and skateboarders from Norway formed Sweet Protection, a company with a simple idea: design and build quality protective equipment for outdoor sports. They fly a bit under the radar in the U.S. backcountry market but have gathered a loyal following. Testing out the Ascender MIPS helmet offered me a chance to examine why the brand is catching on.
The Ascender MIPS was designed with mountain guides in mind, meaning it was made for the up and the down. At 430 grams, its heavier than most climbing helmets, but lighter than most downhill ski helmets. Sweet Protection split the difference, while maintaining the standards for downhill protection and uphill functionality.
The Smith Vantage, Solomon MTN, Ski Trab Aero, Movement 3Tech, Mammut Haute Route, and Julbo Peak LT all offer similar ski protection. The Sweet Protection Ascender airs on the heavy side, with more foam and a beefier build. It’s a great cap if you want a well-vented, low-profile dual-cert helmet and choose slightly more protection over gram counting.
The Ascender MIPS provides ample venting for the ups.
A buff underneath adds some cold-weather protection.
The Ascender is triple-rated (CE EN 1077 / ASTM 2040 / EN 12492), meaning it is officially certified for downhill skiing, which is not a common feature in backcountry helmets. I have long taken issue with advertising that showed helmets as ski rated when they are only “uphill rated.” The idea of an “uphill helmet rating” makes no sense; it’s good to see companies working to achieve a full downhill rating. That said, A downhill rating opens its own can of worms—a primary difference, for example, is vent size. If a ski pole can poke through a vent, the helmet is automatically disqualified. Still, I can’t help but feel better in a downhill-rated helmet despite knowing the ratings are a bit bunk. I feel like to get the rating, the company thought hard about downhill protection, which is not necessarily the case for whoever designed my climbing helmet.
The MIPS system, which is incorporated into the Ascender, is also slowly becoming a standard option in newer helmets. It adds a bit of volume by suspending an inner shell that can rotate on elastic upon impact. I have heard there is some evidence a beanie under a helmet does the same thing, but as someone who doesn’t always wear a hat, especially in mountaineering contexts, I appreciate the addition.
The MIPS system and twist-adjustment system shown is similar to those featured in many cycling helmets.
Like any good climbing helmet, the Ascender MIPS accommodates a headlamp. For stormy days, goggles work well with this lid.
A lightweight webbing and rear-strap design helps keep the volume down, but I also think the adjustment release is not very smooth, and I wish there were a bit more range in the rear strap. The straps also have a tendency to twist. The helmet also sits a bit high, making it feel a bit top-heavy and tough to wear over more than a thin-liner hat. (All heads are uniquely shaped, and optimizing a helmet for a universal fit is a tough standard.) Lastly, as part of the less is more backcountry design, the lid does not have padded/insulated ear flaps. If it’s cold and you’re going without a beanie, consider a low-profile headband or buff for some added comfort range on the descent.
I’ve been using the Ascender MIPS most of the season. Overall, the helmet is confidence-inspiring. I really appreciate how burly the foam feels. I am especially impressed with how packable it is, given its beef. It also beats out my previous ski-rated helmet for ventilation. The Ascender MIPS is comfortable and light-ish, given the constraints of a downhill ski rating.
That said, the Ascender MIPS is a well-designed everyday backcountry helmet that succeeds in offering maximal protection alongside packability. It integrates well with Sweet Protection goggles. And for that matter, like many ski helmets, it should accommodate your goggles of choice or big-wide sunglasses (as shown in the photos). The helmet is light, solid, and well designed.
Basic Stats
Weight: 430g
Certs: Triple certified (CE EN 1077 / ASTM 2040 / EN 12492).
Shell: Dual density shock absorbing EPS, with ample venting for uphill travel.
Fit/Sizing: Twist-knob adjustable fit system, and comes in three sized ranging from small to M/L and L/XL/.
Price: $230.00
I really like the trend of dual density foams in helmets. Helmet certs all deal with the hard, skull fracturing impacts, but real life tends to have more of the smaller, low impact hits. I know that the dual density foam concept is not certified, but I feel it’s better than not having it, (as long as it still passes the certification tests).