Ski Helmets and Goggles: Choosing Right When You Rent

Even when people choose skis and boots carefully, helmets and goggles are often taken on a "whatever they give me" basis. Yet a badly fitting helmet doesn't protect you, and goggles with the wrong lens either dazzle you or leave you in the dark. This guide helps you pick both correctly in two minutes when you rent.

Why a helmet is a must

A helmet protects your head in falls, in a collision with another skier or when you hit icy ground. Wear one whatever your level. Beginners fall more often; advanced skiers go faster — both benefit. For children, a helmet isn't even up for discussion; see our guide to renting kids' gear.

How should a helmet fit?

• Right size: helmet sizes are based on head circumference. Measure just above your eyebrows, or try a few sizes in the shop.
• Position: the front edge should sit one or two fingers above your eyebrows; your forehead shouldn't be exposed.
• Shake test: with the chin strap open, shake your head forwards, backwards and sideways. If the helmet doesn't move but doesn't press either, the size is right.
• Chin strap: tight enough to fit one finger underneath.
• Dial: most rental helmets have an adjustment dial at the back; use it to fine-tune the fit.

The inside label shows whether the helmet meets a ski-helmet standard (in Europe, EN 1077). Don't accept a helmet with visible cracks or deep impact marks; the protective foam may not offer the same protection after an impact.

Goggles: lens categories

Ski goggle lenses are grouped by how much light they let through:

• Category 0–1: very light lenses. For overcast, snowy and foggy weather, or night skiing.
• Category 2: changeable weather; a versatile choice for partly cloudy days.
• Category 3: sunny days. The most commonly used category at Turkish resorts in clear weather.
• Category 4: very intense sun and high altitude. These lenses are not suitable for driving.

Tell the shop what the weather is doing that day. At high, open resorts like Erciyes, light reflecting off the snow is strong on sunny days, and a dark lens keeps your eyes from tiring. On flat-light days, though, a dark lens makes it hard to see bumps in the piste.

Goggles and helmet together

Always try goggles with your helmet:

• There should be no gap between the top of the goggles and the helmet; an exposed strip of forehead is very unpleasant in the cold.
• The goggles shouldn't press on your nose or restrict breathing.
• The strap should sit in the clip at the back of the helmet.

Goggles are very personal gear; bring your own if you have them. If you wear glasses, ask for over-the-glasses (OTG) ski goggles.

Preventing fogging

• Don't push goggles up onto your forehead or helmet; body heat and sweat fog the inner lens.
• Don't pull your neck warmer up over your nose; your breath goes straight into the goggles.
• Don't wipe the inner lens with your hand or glove; it damages the anti-fog coating. Let it dry instead.

Other protection

• Back protector: recommended for fast skiers and park users.
• Wrist guards and impact shorts: very useful for beginner snowboarders; see our snowboard rental guide.

At hotel-centred resorts such as Kartalkaya, ask whether a helmet is included in a package rental. Find shops renting helmets and goggles at your resort in our list of rental shops.