Snowboard Club UK (SCUK) FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

Helmets dramatically reduce head trauma when experiencing a fall. Especially when venturing off-piste on rocky or woody terrain wearing a helmet can be a genuine life saver. Furthermore, you may notice that most of the really good and cool riders all wear helmets.
Standards have been determined by a battery of tests on helmet models, including testing the strength of a helmet's retention system under simulated hot, cold and wet conditions. Helmets undergo tests of multiple impacts and velocity forces against various sections of the helmet to determine performance in snowboard accidents.

Helmet manufacturers are noticing the rise in the usage of helmets by snowboarders and skiers and are thus coming with new types and designs every season. The focus is predominantly in making lighter, more durable and more fashionable helmets to encourage first-time buyers. Furthermore, helmet companies are trying to construct helmets which can be used for multiple activities aside from riding, such as climbing, skating and cycling.

The most important thing when buying a helmet is that it fits properly on your head. It should be comfortable and offer you the best protection.
1. Measuring Tape. Your helmet size is determined by the circumference of your head and is measured by wrapping a tape measure around your head.
2. Putting on Helmet. Align the front of the helmet above your eyebrows and hold both straps until the helmet fits well.
3. Check for Gaps. Make sure there are no unwanted gaps between the helmet lining and your head. In addition, make sure the back of the helmet does not touch the back of your neck.
4. Snugness. The helmet should fit snug and nicely and when shaking ones head should not move.
5. Goggle Test. Try on your favourite pair of goggles and make sure they fit properly on your helmet.
Please note that the producers of helmets all have different ideas on the shape of a human head. Although the size might be right the shape of the helmet mind not fit your particular shaped scull.

Below is a table that you can use to convert your circumference of your head in centimeters or inches into a helmet size.

Cm, Inches, Fitted Hat Size
48 , 18 7/8, 6
49 , 19 3/8, 6 1/8
50 , 19 5/8, 6 1/4
51 , 20, 6 3/8
52 , 20 1/2, 6 1/2
53 , 20 7/8 , 6 5/8
54 , 21 1/4 , 6 3/4
55 , 21 5/8 , 6 7/8
56 , 22 , 7
57 , 22 3/8, 7 1/8
58 , 22 3/4, 7 1/4
59 , 23 1/4, 7 3/8
60 , 23 5/8, 7 1/2
61 , 24, 7 5/8
62 , 24 3/8, 7 3/4

Beside your helmet and your snowboarding wear, your snowboard goggles are an essential piece of gear which is often underestimated. Good goggles protect you from the following:

 Sun & Ultraviolet rays The combination of high altitude and the reflection of the Snow causes sun's rays to hit you much harder during snowboarding or skiing than during other extreme sports. UV rays can damage your eyes and cause snow blindness.
 Snow and Ice During highspeed descends, you will want to prevent Snow and Ice particles from getting into your eyes and blinding you.
 Twigs Those who go off piste or into the backcountry will want to protect their eyes from twigs hitting their face as they descend through the trees.

Many goggles have multiple layers of lenses. Goggles with multiple lenses do not fog as fast as goggles with single lenses. In general, it is always better to buy goggles with multiple lenses.

Multiple lenses will help reduce fogging. Also, check that the lenses have been treated with anti- fogging chemicals. Another way of preventing fogging is venting. Many goggles feature vents at the top and bottom of the lenses, allowing fresh air circulation which will reduce fogging and provide fresh air for your eyes. The bigger the holes, the better the venting will be. However, bigger holes will cause more cold.

Lenses come in many colours with specific colours for specific light conditions:

 Black/Polarized: reduces glare without distorting colours making them suitable for bright sunny conditions, though they might be too dark at the end of the day.

 Green/Silver: Enhances contrast making them suitable for most brighter conditions.

 Yellow/Amber/Gold Lenses: Filters out blue light and brings out shadows, making them suitable for most conditions and especially in low to moderate light.

 Purple/Rose: Best used for low-light conditions as it brings out shadows and contours.

 Clear Lenses: Is best used for dark conditions such as sunset or cloudy conditions.

If you are going to use your goggles in sunny or bright conditions, make sure to have at least 95% UV rays protection.

If you wear glasses, you will want to make sure that the goggles fit well over your regular glasses. A better solution would be to buy goggles with lenses that correspond with your regular glasses. Your optician will be able to tell you which goggle frames can be fit with prescription lenses.

Goggles come in many shapes and sizes. Make sure to check for the following:

 Peripheral Vision
Make sure that when you buy goggles, you have a good degree of peripheral vision. You will want to make sure you have enough vision to see other Snowboarders and Skiers ahead of time.

 Fit with your Helmet
Make sure that your goggles work well with your helmet and that both systems are compatible. You do not want to buy expensive goggles just to find out that they just will not fit with your helmet.

 Fit and Strap
Make sure the goggles fit well and have straps that easily allow you to adjust the fit. Make sure the straps are padded and do not irritate your skin or stick to your hair.

 Padded for Protection
The inside part of the goggles must be padded so that when you crash on top of them, they will not press too hard or even cut into your face.

 Snug fit
Make sure you can adjust your goggles to a tight fit. Likewise, it must fit well on your nose and other features of your face. Bad fitting goggles will flip or lift off your face when you hit bumps.