The Bern Watts EPS snow helmet is an exceptionally lightweight solution that offers many features considering the cost, that it will have all of you snowboard and ski fanatics eager to call one your own if you’re looking for a solid helmet under $100. This thin shell model is extraordinarily versatile and it not only can be utilized as a snowboard and ski helmet, but also for various non winter sports as well. For those of you looking to upgrade in headgear, keep in mind that it’s not going to be easy to match this combination of security and comfort that this year’s version has brought to the table. Alongside the protection you get, this snowboard and ski helmet comes with a fashionable visor that is not only going to offer a trendy touch, but more importantly, it’s there to help avoid snow seeping through your goggle lenses. This is a helmet that includes everything you might consider necessary on your winter journey with a little more on top of it all, so let’s take a dive into this Bern Watts EPS and see just why it’s been rated so highly by users around the snow gear realm.
Features of the Bern Watts EPS
- ABS hardshell with EPS foam
- BOA liner and fit system
- Top of the line ventilation
- Audio-prepared ear pads
- Winter liner included
- 17 oz weight
- Comes in two constructions, hard hat and thin shell
- Built in soft foam
- Crank fit with micro adjustable fit system
- Comes in various sizes to meet all demographics
Overall Snowboard and Ski helmet build
The Bern Watts EPS brings a reliable snowboard and ski helmet, and the main highlight we’d feel to list first is the helmet build. This snow helmets shell includes a few appealing features, but something particularly impressive is the shell’s outer layer, which is a rigid ABS high-impact plastic surface which is going to help soften any impact. This shell can protect your head against abrasions, or sharp objects and it is going to assist the spreading of impact energy over the greater portion of the helmet in the event of a fall. The helmet’s inner liner is EPS (hence the title), which contains expanded polystyrene foam. This is indistinguishable from Styrofoam, and is renowned for being the optimal material for the interior of your headgear. What makes the inner lining more unique is that it is designed to absorb hard impact, and in the event of a fall the inner liner can make or break how your head takes the fall. Comfort on the mountain is an underrated quality that should always be considered before your ride. The Berns Watt EPS offers a snowboard and ski helmet and more impressively an inner liner that essentially replicates a beanie that would otherwise be used. The put a lot of effort and energy into this part of the helmet (rightfully, so), and took out a lot of fancy features to keep the price down yet keeping an advanced protection system in one.
The sizing of the Berns Watt EPS snowboard and ski helmet is also a nice touch, in that the various sizes that this product offers can meet the needs of head sizes of all different sorts. The helmet itself comes with an adjuster in the back so you basically have more breathing room. With that said, the fit of the helmet is as advertised, and also fits well with goggles of all different brands. Because this particular helmet brand is so dynamic and has so many different fits, it is important that you correctly measure your heads circumference before making this purchase. A good helmet should feel snug enough to feel like you are properly secured, but definitely not too tight. Due to the light fit and the various vents, if this is a helmet that feels too tight, definitely seek changes in your size. What’s important to consider while thinking about making this investment is that if you might also need a helmet during your summer adventures, whether that be bike riding or skateboarding, this is a multi dimensional helmet that can meet your demands in any activity you are partaking in.
Additional Berns Watts EPS features
It’s safe to say that the Berns Watts EPS comes as the whole package, but there are a few other features that should be acknowledged before you rider’s make your final snowboard ski helmet decision. The BOA fit system is a big plus with this one, a fit system we’ve often seen in a lot of snow boots and higher-end helmets. Instead of using straps to keep that fit snug, you merely twist a dial at the back of the helmet to attain a 360 squeezing onto your head until you feel it’s perfect (the helmet also comes in 3 different sizes). This feature plus the ABS and EPS security make the helmet worth it alone.
The Watts EPS is hugely popular for its audio system integration as well, although we’ve seen this start to be a trend with nearly every helmet that’s come out the past 3-4 years or so. If you replace the earpads, you’ll have built-in speakers that let you listen to your tunes if you want to listen to music or hear from your friends during idle moments on the mountain. You can also simply add ear buds to the helmet, which can be a solid replacement. The Berns Watts EPS is a snowboard and ski helmet that is compatible with most goggles, and it isn’t ever an issue to find an issue in this department. Finally, a great bonus to this helmet selection is that it is compatible (but sold separately) with a hard storage/travel case so your helmet can appear brand new each and every time you whip it out on your winter shred.
The final word on the Berns Watts EPS
There are a lot of great choices out there when deciding on the right snowboard and ski helmet fit for you, but it’s undeniable that you’re going to find a helmet that is as versatile and as fashionable as the Berns Watts EPS. The price range for this helmet is not only particularly low compared to similar helmets, but for how often you can use it, and for various sports, it is certainly going to be worth your while. In terms of the cons involved in this helmet, it might not be as tech savvy as some of the other helmets on the market. Such as a high-tech venting system, MIPS incorporation, etc. — This isn’t a helmet that is not going to provide state of the art technological support if you wanted those bells and whistles, but in terms of protection of impact and overall fit, this is a helmet that is just as good as anything out there. You’re getting the essentials here.
For some competitors out there, be sure to read our best snowboard and ski helmet guide as we include 10 to help you compare and contrast. You can also read our best snow helmet under $100 for others within this exact price range. Regardless of others out there however, protecting yourself on the mountain is very important, but finding a helmet that contains comfort mixed with safety is always going to be paramount, and the Bern Watts EPS snow helmet will bring you exactly this.
