How to Choose a Ski Helmet for Touring , and Freeride
Not the same helmet, not the same constraints
Certifications, protection, weight: everything that matters for safe off-piste skiing.
A downhill ski helmet is designed for a single purpose: ski down, ski back up, ski down again. It doesn’t have to handle the heat of a climb on a ski- skins , nor the impacts of unsecured terrain. In ski- Touring , and freeride, the requirements change. The helmet must be lighter, better ventilated, and certified for more challenging conditions.
We design helmets with the same high standards as our skis: every design detail serves a purpose, and every technical choice is based on real-world use. This guide will help you understand what sets a Touring helmet apart from a freeride helmet, what certifications actually guarantee, and how to choose the one that best suits your riding style.
Why do you need a specific helmet?
That's the first decision you need to make. Both helmets exist for good reasons, and each is designed for a different purpose.
Touring
You wear your helmet during the ascent, sometimes for several hours. A helmet that’s too heavy or poorly ventilated becomes a problem: overheating, discomfort—you end up putting it in your pack and climbing bareheaded. A Touring helmet must be light and well-ventilated enough for you to keep it on from start to finish. And if your route includes alpine sections (ridges, rocky outcrops, cramponing), mountaineering certification is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
For freeriding
The terrain is unsecured. The risks of impact are different from those on a trail: rocky outcrops, trees, high-speed falls on steep slopes. A freeride helmet must provide maximum protection, including against oblique impacts that cause the head to rotate—the most common type of impact in real-world situations.
Certifications: What They Guarantee
Certification standards are not marketing labels. They are precise testing protocols that measure a helmet’s ability to absorb an impact under specific conditions. Each standard covers a different scenario.
EN 1077: Skiing.
The standard certification for alpine skiing. It tests the helmet’s resistance to a vertical impact at moderate speed, simulating a fall on the slope or a collision with an obstacle. This is the minimum requirement for any ski helmet.
EN 12492: mountaineering.
Designed for rockfall and impacts in rocky environments. The helmet is tested for penetration resistance (a sharp object falling onto the helmet) and its ability to remain securely in place during a fall. Recommended whenever a route Touring includes technical sections in the mountains.
EN 1078: bicycle.
Useful for mountain biking or road biking approaches up to the start of the “ Touring.” A triple-certified helmet (skiing + mountaineering + cycling) covers all three uses with a single helmet.
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact System).
This is not a standard but an additional protective technology. The MIPS system incorporates a movable inner shell that slides a few millimeters during an oblique impact. The goal: to reduce the rotational forces transmitted to the brain. Most real-world impacts are not perfectly vertical—MIPS addresses this scenario.
Selection Criteria
Weight
In Touring, every gram on your head makes a difference on the climb. A helmet weighing under 400 g is a good benchmark for Touring. In pure freeriding, weight is less critical than protection; however, a lightweight helmet is always more comfortable over a full day.
Ventilation
A full-face helmet overheats within 20 minutes of climbing. An effective ventilation system regulates temperature without creating a cold draft during the descent. The most advanced systems allow you to open or close the vents depending on the phase (ascent or descent).
Fit
A helmet that moves doesn’t protect. It must fit snugly against the skull without any pressure points. Three-dimensional adjustment systems allow you to tighten the helmet along three axes to precisely conform to the shape of your head. This is the most important factor after certification.
Ear pads
Removable is best. On ascents in mild weather, you can remove them for ventilation. On descents in extreme cold, you can put them back on. Modularity makes a difference in everyday comfort.
Goggle compatibility
Make sure the goggles fit snugly with the helmet, without any gaps at the forehead (which let in cold air and snow) or uncomfortable overlap. Each helmet shape has its own compatibility requirements.
STEALTH 3NORM
The helmet Touring
The STEALTH is a triple-certified helmet: EN 1077 (skiing), EN 12492 (mountaineering), and EN 1078 (cycling). Three standards, one helmet. That’s what makes it a complete “ Touring ” tool: it covers the bike approach, the ascent in alpine terrain, and the ski descent—all without changing gear.
Its DualShell In-Mold construction combines a rigid polycarbonate shell with high-absorption foam, reinforced laterally with ABS. Weight: 350 g in sizes XS–S, 394 g in sizes M and L. The Air Assist ventilation system regulates airflow during exertion. The SeasonFit lining is adjustable for summer and winter, and the ear pads are removable. The Fit3D adjustment system ensures a precise fit without pressure points.
Who it’s for: the backcountry hiker who wants a single helmet for everything from the approach hike to the summit, and the adventurer who climbs and skis the same routes.
SEND MIPS
The freeride helmet
The SEND is built around MIPS technology: a movable inner shell that reduces rotational forces during oblique impacts. This is the most effective protection for freeriding, where falls rarely occur in a straight line.
Its hybrid In-Mold DualShell construction combines a rigid shell with high-absorption foam, striking a balance between strength and lightness. Weight: 387 g in XS-S, 421 g in M, 440 g in L. The Insul Tech liner is soft and insulating. The Fit3D system is featured on both helmets in the ZAG line.
Who it’s for: freeriders who ski in challenging terrain (forests, couloirs, steep slopes) and want maximum protection against oblique impacts.
How to Choose Your Size
Head circumference is measured with a tape measure placed horizontally around the skull, just above the eyebrows and ears, at the widest point. This measurement, in centimeters, determines the size.
Both helmets feature the Fit3D adjustment system. Once the correct size is selected, the rear dial allows for fine-tuning in three dimensions to conform to the shape of the skull. The test: shake your head without fastening the chin strap. If the helmet stays in place, the fit is good.
→ ZAG Helmet Size Guide
The Essentials
In cross- Touring , and freeride skiing, a helmet is not optional. The terrain is unsecured, conditions are unpredictable, and the risks are real. A good helmet—certified, properly fitted, and suited to your style of skiing—is what allows you to hit the slopes with peace of mind. It lets you focus on skiing, not on fear.
→ Helmet Collection
→ Complete Guide to Skiing Touring
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