Your health and safety is the most critical factor when you ride. The cost of not wearing a helmet can be very severe if you take a nasty spill, but that doesn’t mean a helmet needs to cost a lot to keep you safe.
I’m a certified snowboarding instructor who has helped hundreds of students improve their skills in the snow. I’ve also helped teach them about safety and how important helmets are when you ride.
The Giro Ledge MIPS is my top choice for the best budget snowboard helmet under $100. This option comes with MIPS tech that provides an extra measure of protection for your head and brain, which isn’t always available on a budget helmet.
In this post, I’ll show you a few other solid budget options so you can find an affordable helmet that meets your needs as a rider.
Time to start saving safely.
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Who Should Get This
The helmets in this guide are for snowboarders on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice quality or safety when it comes to their gear. They are all affordable but will still give you reliable protection against impacts if you fall.
Every model here has a slew of features that give you a great item at an incredible price.
These can work for any type of boarder at any ability level. Saving some money can help you get better boots or a board, which is another bonus.
Top Budget Snowboard Helmet under $100
Here are my top picks for the best budget snowboard helmets under $100.
1. Giro Ledge MIPS
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: MIPS tech, stack ventilation, Auto Loc 2 fit system, tunding dial fit, audio compatible
- Construction: Hard Shell, EPS liner
- Safety: CE EN 1077 B
The Giro Ledge MIPS (review) is my top pick for a budget snowboard helmet. MIPS technology is usually found on higher-end models, so anytime you can find it for under $100, that’s a steal.
This helmet comes with a hard shell construction over the top of an EPS liner. This two-layer design is at the heart of MIPS safety and provides a sliding effect that can help dissipate the effects of hard impacts.
The Ledge is also a very comfortable option, thanks to an Auto Loc 2 fit system. This is a self-adjusting design that contours to the shape of your head so you get a secure fit without needing to adjust much.
Ventilation is another area where this helmet stands out. It has stacked vents that help pull in cool air across your head while letting it escape out the back. This will keep you cool and prevent moisture from building up inside.
You can’t adjust the airflow or a BOA fit system, but those are easy tradeoffs for the price.
==> You can also get it on Evo or DICK’S or Christy Sports.
2. Anon Griffon
- Best for: Women’s
- Key features: Comfortable, lightweight, strong construction, passive venting, BOA fit system
- Construction: In-mold, EPS liner
- Safety: ASTM 2040 / CE 1077 B
The best women’s specific budget helmet is the Anon Griffon. This option will keep you well protected while also offering quite a bit in terms of comfort.
It features an in-mold shell construction that is popular on many higher-end options. When you can find that on a budget option, you know you have a good deal.
There is a strong and durable polycarbonate shell for your first line of defense against impact. An EPS liner underneath adds another layer of safety and works with the outer layer to diffuse impacts if they happen. This construction is very lightweight.
The Griffon also comes with a passive ventilation system that encourages excellent airflow. Critically placed vents draw in cool air from the front when you ride and funnel it over your entire head.
Another great feature that this budget helmet has is a 360-degree BOA fit system. You can get a customized fit with the turn of a dial. This translates into a ton of comfort and increased protection.
It does have a tight fit, so this is not a good option if you want to wear a hat underneath.
==> You can also get it on Walmart or Fun-sport-vision.
3. Anon Rodan
- Best for: Fit
- Key features: Comfortable, lightweight, BOA fit system, passive ventilation, fleece liner, Fidlock buckles
- Construction: In-mold polycarbonate, EPS liner
- Safety: CE 1077 B / ASTM 2040
The Anon Rodan is a great fitting helmet that also comes in at a budget price. It is very comfortable and will keep you safe, no matter how or where you like to ride.
A BOA fit system is key to making this helmet stand out in that category. This allows you to get a customized fit in seconds with the turn of a dial. You can also adjust the BOA dial as you ride if the temperature changes and the materials expand.
The Rodan has an in-mold shell construction that uses a strong but lightweight polycarbonate shell on top of an EPS liner to keep you safe and absorb impact. This material is very light.
Passive ventilation allows you to stay cool and comfortable while helping to reduce moisture from building up.
It does have a bulky feel, but that doesn’t take away from the comfort and fit.
==> You can also get it on Burton or Evo or Backcountry.
4. Retrospec Traverse H1
- Best for: Cheap Option
- Key features: Very affordable, good ventilation, adjustable fit dial, goggle clip
- Construction: ABS outer shell, EPS liner
- Safety: EN 1077 2007
If you are looking for a very cheap snowboard helmet that will still deliver quality and comfort, check out the Retrospec Traverse H1.
The most alluring aspect of this option is its price, and it comes well under $100. Thanks to a strong ABS outer shell and EPS foam liner, it still provides plenty of safety and protection.
The H1 also has ten different vent holes to provide you with adequate airflow and keep you comfortable in various conditions and temperatures.
An adjustable dial lets you get the perfect fit that will stay secure on your head for long days on the slopes. A goggle clip is also included to help your lenses stay firmly in place.
This helmet is on the heavy side and isn’t the most comfortable option.
5. Giro Surface
- Best for: Ventilation
- Key features: Great airflow, hard shell construction, In Form fit system, comfortable
- Construction: ABS hard shell
- Safety: CE EN 1077 B
The Giro Surface has some of the best ventilation of all the budget helmets. If you struggle with heating up or foggy goggles, this helmet can really improve your situation.
It’s built with 6 Super Cool vents that do a great job of sucking in cool air and spreading around the entire surface area of your head. This keeps you dry and cool as the temperatures outside change.
The Surface also comes with an In Form fit system that results in a comfortable and secure fit that doesn’t take much effort to dial in.
A hard shell construction provides plenty of safety and does a good job of limiting the effects of hard impacts.
This helmet doesn’t have any customizable features in terms of venting or fit.
How to Choose Snowboard Helmet with $100 Budget
When shopping for a budget helmet, or any helmet, keep the following factors in mind to get a quality option.
Durability
Durability is one of the essential functions of a helmet. The item’s primary function is to protect your head, which means it needs to hold up in the event of a hard crash or tough fall.
When looking at affordable models, always go with ones that utilize strong construction and tough materials.
Ventilation
Snowboarding is a demanding sport. As such, it’s easy to overheat as you work your way down the mountain. To prevent that, get a helmet with vents. The slots help bring cold air in and push warm air out.
Fit
You want your helmet to sit on your head in the right way. That means a fit that’s snug without being too tight or uncomfortable.
When first putting your helmet on, it helps to shake your head from side to side. If the helmet moves around, you need something smaller. If the helmet pinches or feels uncomfortable, you should go a size up.
Sizing pads or internal padding are important as well.
Useful Tips
A helmet protects you on the slopes, but just having one doesn’t mean you’re safe from harm. Every snowboarder at every level needs to take basic precautions, so they don’t run into trouble on the mountain.
As mentioned above, there are many features to look for when getting an affordable helmet. While we covered some of the most important, there is a wide range of attributes you should know about. If you’re interested in those, check out the in-depth breakdown here.
My Verdict
The Giro Ledge MIPS is my pick for the best snowboard helmet under $100. This quality helmet features MIPS technology that goes above and beyond to keep your head safe if you hit it hard. The fact that it’s also a budget option is pretty great.
It’s easy to assume that all cheaper snowboard helmets offer less protection than more expensive options, but that’s simply not true. While on the lower end of the price spectrum, all of the items in this guide will keep you safe on each and every run.
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