Motorcycle Helmet – [Can You Use It for Snowmobiling?]
Head protection is required in any type of high-speed sport. It is the kind of situation and activity that can lead to an accident and severe injury to a rider. As such, wearing a headgear is mandatory.
Can You Use a Snowmobile Helmet When Riding a Motorcycle?
While these German helmets are designed to keep your head safe while riding, their overall designs differ due to their features.
Snowmobile helmets are also lighter than your typical motorcycle helmet, which means their level of protection in a crash is not guaranteed. Snowmobile helmets are intended to keep you warm, not safe from high-velocity impact. So using them for motorcycle riding is not advisable.
Because of the insulation, using a snowmobile helmet might be hotter than when you are wearing a motorcycle helmet. The insulation will trap heat, resulting in a very uncomfortable ride. Although you can, it’s advisable not to use a snowmobile vintage helmet when motorcycle riding, especially during summer.
Motorcycle Helmet vs Snowmobile Helmet
Although they have different features, they are both designed to protect the head and neck of the wearer. Both the snowmobile and motorcycle helmets are designed to protect against impacts.
While there are many different standards and regulations for sporty-type riding, one standard is universal: helmet laws. Most countries have laws that require you to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. The benefits of wearing a helmet are apparent. A helmet helps prevent serious head injuries from accidents. And it is the law in many states. Despite this, you’d be surprised that many people don’t wear helmets because they think they are expensive or uncomfortable.
Helmets serve only one purpose: to protect the rider’s head. This is true whether you’re riding a motorcycle or snowmobiling as a sport. With a few exceptions, you should be able to use one helmet for both activities. Let’s take a look at the distinctions between the two:
Snowmobile Helmets
Insulation
Snowmobile helmets have better insulation to protect against the cold. This is important because snowmobiling is an outdoor sport, and it can get frigid. In fact, it’s so cold that snowmobile riders often use heated gloves and boots along with the helmet.
Lenses
Considering the snow and the bright sun, riding in the snow can be pretty bright. In fact, the sun can reflect off the snow and cause you to be blinded. Snowmobile helmets are usually dual-layered and tinted to help prevent this.
Breath Deflectors
One major problem in cold temperatures is the hot breath inside the helmet — this can cause fogging. These helmets are designed to prevent this.
Electrical Heating System
Certain brands and models also have an electrical heating system aimed at helping improve visibility when riding.
Chin Curtain
This little addition to the snowmobile helmet helps keep snow, ice, or cold wind from hitting your neck.
The outer layer of a motorcycle helmet could be argued to be just as crucial as the shield. The helmet’s hard outer layer helps protect your head from debris or accidents.
Impact Liner
The impact liner, like the outer shell of a motorcycle helmet, is designed to absorb as much of the impact from any accident as possible. The impact liner is a thick layer that helps stabilize your head and prevent brain damage.
Comfort Layer
A motorcycle helmet’s additional layer serves only one purpose: to make the helmet as comfortable as possible. It aids in the regulation of heat and sweat inside your helmet. It is frequently either removable or replaceable if it becomes old or damaged.
Chin Strap
Any helmet must be worn in a specific position just like Arai Corsair-X to protect you in an accident adequately. A chin strap will secure your helmet, and some are even padded to make them more comfortable to wear.
Vents
The addition of vents is one of the few similarities between the two helmets. Ventilation is more prevalent in full-face or sport motorcycle helmets. Nonetheless, almost all helmets include a ventilation system to cool your head. The majority of helmet vent options can also be adjusted.
Cheek Pads
Finally, many full-coverage helmets include cheek pads because they will be resting on your face for an extended period. They function similarly to the comfort layer, regulating your body temperature and sweat levels.
Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet While Riding in the Snow
A motorcycle helmet is not adequately insulated for a ride in the snow, so you will feel the biting cold if you only have a helmet. However, you can get away with it by wearing a balaclava or getting a convertible helmet.
An example is the Bell Star Carbon Helmet, which can be converted to a Star Snow Helmet with the double lens shield snow kit. You can get the electric shield snow kit separately. These options will allow you to have a convertible helmet, making it usable for motorcycle riding or snowmobiling.
Conclusion
Both motorcycle riding and snowmobiling are activities that need to be taken seriously. As such, it requires a serious investment in gears. Therefore, investing in the proper helmet for these activities is highly recommended. Remember: the point of wearing a helmet is to save your life in the event of a crash.
With that being said, it’s also highly recommended that you invest in a comfortable and appropriate helmet for the type of riding you are doing.
Thank you for reading this article! I hope you found it helpful.
