Race Helmets: What the Standards Actually Mean

A race helmet, with a fixed or detachable chin guard, a hard outer shell, and certification to the appropriate safety standards, is required equipment for slalom and giant slalom racing at FIS-sanctioned level. At club level, the requirements vary by competition, but the case for wearing one regardless of what the rules say is straightforward: it substantially reduces the consequences of a gate pole impact to the head or face.

The standards, the brands, and how to choose between them are covered below.

Why Race Helmets Are Different

A standard ski helmet is certified to EN 1077 Class B, which tests for impact absorption in a fall. It protects your skull against impacts with the snow or the ground.

A race helmet adds chin guard protection and, in the better models, certification to a different or higher standard that covers frontal impacts and penetration resistance. The chin guard specifically protects against gate pole impacts. In slalom and GS, poles are contacted by the skier’s body and, without protection, can contact the face, chin, and jaw at meaningful speed.

FIS requirements for SL/GS: FIS mandates chin guard protection for slalom at sanctioned competition, and it is commonly used in GS depending on level and applicable rules. The specific standard required has evolved. FIS racing helmets must meet specific FIS homologation standards (such as RH 2013 for speed events), which go beyond standard EN 1077 or ASTM certifications, and have been updated as safety research developed. The current applicable standard should be confirmed with FIS or GB Snowsport directly, as regulations evolve.

For club racing in Britain, check the specific competition rules: some events require FIS-homologated race helmets; others permit any helmet with a chin guard certified to the relevant standard.

The Standards Explained

EN 1077 Class A: The stricter European standard for ski racing helmets. Class A covers a larger area of the head than Class B and includes tests for penetration resistance. A Class A helmet provides better coverage than a standard ski helmet. Class A also provides greater coverage, particularly around the ears and sides of the head.

ASTM F2040: The American standard for ski helmets, including race helmets. Comparable in philosophy to EN 1077 but uses different test protocols.

FIS homologation: FIS maintains its own list of approved helmets for competition. A FIS-homologated race helmet has been tested and approved specifically for use in FIS-sanctioned events. This is the relevant certification for British Club racers entering the British Championships or other FIS events.

MIPS and equivalent: Multi-directional Impact Protection Systems (MIPS), WaveCel, and other rotational impact mitigation technologies address a different injury mechanism, rotational forces on the brain in angled impacts, from the direct impact protection that certification standards test. These are increasingly standard in premium helmets and may provide additional protection in certain impact scenarios beyond the baseline standard.

POC

POC is a Swedish brand founded in 2005 with a specific focus on protective equipment for alpine ski racing and, later, cycling. The founding mission was to develop protection that genuinely prevented serious injuries rather than meeting minimum standards.

POC’s race helmets are used widely at World Cup level and are among the most technically developed race helmets available. The construction quality, the integration of MIPS (in applicable models), and the specific design work for alpine racing, shell geometry that deflects pole impacts, chin guard integration, ventilation that works at race speeds, reflects a company that approaches safety engineering seriously.

For club racers: POC’s race helmet range includes models certified to FIS requirements at price points appropriate for club-level use. The Skull range (Skull Comp, Skull X-MIPS, and variants) covers the spectrum from accessible entry points to full competition specification.

The practical choice: The Skull X-MIPS or equivalent mid-range POC race helmet is the appropriate choice for most British club racers: FIS-certified, MIPS-equipped, with construction quality that reflects the brand’s safety-first approach, at a price point (around £200–350 depending on specific model and retailer) that is a reasonable investment for equipment that protects your face.

Head

Head’s race helmet range reflects the same World Cup involvement as their ski range. The Radar and Compact ERX series cover the FIS-certified race helmet market, with models appropriate for slalom and GS.

Head’s helmets are used at the top of the World Cup circuit and the construction reflects that involvement. For a club racer building a coordinated Head race kit (skis, boots, helmet), the Head race helmets provide a consistent brand approach.

The specific models in the race range change seasonally. Look for FIS certification and either integrated MIPS or the Head equivalent. The Boa Fit System on some models is separate: it concerns fit adjustment, not safety technology.

Fischer

Fischer’s race helmet line follows the same pattern: FIS-certified options appropriate for GS and SL, with construction informed by World Cup programme involvement. Less prominent in the UK market than Head or POC at club level, but worth consideration if you are building a Fischer race kit.

Entry-Level Race Helmets

Not every club racer needs a POC Skull X-MIPS from their first season. The entry-level race helmet market, helmets with chin guards certified to the relevant standard at £100–200, includes products from brands including Bollé, Rossignol, Atomic, and the lower tiers of the major race brands.

The key requirements at any price point:

FIS homologation (if required for your competition)
Chin guard: fixed or detachable, properly certified
Correct fit: the helmet must fit without movement. A poorly fitted helmet at any price point provides less protection than a correctly fitted one at a lower price.

Fitting a Race Helmet

Race helmets are fitted the same way as any ski helmet:

Measure head circumference at the widest point (above ears, around the forehead)
Match to the brand’s size chart (sizing varies between brands)
The helmet should sit level on the head, two fingers above the eyebrows
The fit should be snug without pressure points; the helmet should not shift when you shake your head
The chin guard (if fixed) should clear the chin in the closed position without pressing; check the jaw opening range with the guard down

Many club racers use detachable chin guard helmets, a ski helmet shell with a separately mounted chin guard that can be removed for general skiing and attached for race sessions. This provides a dual-purpose option. The chin guard attachment mechanism is an area where quality varies significantly; ensure the attachment is solid and the certified assembly (helmet + guard together) meets the required standard.

The Honest Recommendation

A POC Skull X-MIPS or equivalent mid-range race helmet from a safety-specialist brand is the appropriate long-term purchase for a British club racer who is training regularly in gates and entering competition. The cost, around £200–350, is proportionate for protective equipment that reduces the risk of a gate pole impact causing serious facial injury.

If budget constrains an initial purchase, a certified entry-level race helmet with a chin guard from a reputable brand is a reasonable starting point. The certification matters more than the brand at the entry level.

Helmet standards and FIS homologation requirements are subject to revision. Always verify current applicable standards with GB Snowsport before entering sanctioned competition. Safety equipment should never be purchased second-hand.