headucation

Purchasing a new helmet, goggle or anything related to outdoor recreation can be a challenge online. We are here to provide some insight into what products and fit will work best for each individual.

As a company, Craniologie has been focused on providing customers with top of the line knowledge and products when it comes to your winter and summer activities. We have been a staple in the Colorado mountain communities for over 10 years and have now made it a point to provide that same experience with customers across the US.

Let's get started! First with Helmets:

Ideal Fit

  • Snug, but not tight. The helmet needs to be snug on your head to protect you appropriately. Keep in mind that the more you wear your helmet, the more the helmet will conform to your head and gradually get more comfortable.
  • Just remember that a snug and comfortable fit will protect you the best!

Features

There are a number of features that come into play when deciding on a new helmet. I have highlighted a few features that could come into play when making your decision.

  • Fit System - On many helmets, there will be some sort of fit system that can make the helmet more or less snug. This can really be beneficial once the helmet has been worn for a few weeks and begins to pack out.
  • Ventilation - Many helmets on the market nowadays will have a ventilation mechanism that can allow for more air flow. If you tend to run on the warm side, looking into helmets with vents that can open and close will help maximize your time out on the slopes.
  • Construction - This is where the biggest increase in price comes into play when it comes to helmets. Many traditional helmets use EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam with the shell of the helmet glued to the foam. It will still do the job when it comes to impacts, but may not hold up as long as some other options. Many helmets now are using a combination of either EPP or EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam with proprietary materials that act as a "crumble zone" in a car to reduce the force of the impact. This technique along with a hard-top shell construction, which is raised off of the foam ever so slightly, allows the helmet to be more durable on glancing impacts.

To summarize, there are many different factors that drive the cost of helmets. While we cannot say that any one helmet is safer than another, the choice should be made based on desired features and making sure the helmet is comfortable once you are able to try it on. Our goal is to provide the insight and knowledge so it makes the buying process easier.

Next up - Goggles:

Size

This can be the most tricky part of picking out a new pair of goggles. A goggle that is too large for your face can force the helmet up on your head, or it can be forced below the bridge of the nose creating restricted breathing and uncomfortable pressures.

  • Generally speaking, if you wear a medium sized helmet, a medium sized goggle will work best. The same idea can be applied if you wear a large helmet, a large goggle will most likely work best.
  • Most goggles will be sized similarly to a helmet. For instance, the Oakley Flight Deck has models that end in "S", "M" or "L" to indicate the size of the goggle frame.

Lens Options

There are many goggles on the market that are now sold with two lenses. The idea behind that is so you can switch your lens based on the lighting condition of each given day. All of our Smith and Anon goggles come with a sunny lens and a stormy lens. Additionally, those brands use a magnetic interchange system to make switching between the two lenses extremely easy and user friendly. Oakley is sold with a single lens that is more of an all-around lens that gets the job done in about every type of light.

Anti-Fog - Every goggle we carry has an anti-fog coating on the interior of the lens. This is extremely important to keep in mind because that anti-fog coating is water soluble. If the inside of the lens ever gets any moisture, let it air dry and do not wipe it out!! If you wipe out the lens while there is moisture on the inside, it will smear or remove the anti-fog coating. This goes for every goggle and it is extremely difficult (about impossible) to reapply any type of aftermarket anti-fog coating.

To summarize, purchasing a new pair of goggles is an important decision. It's tough to have confidence out on the mountain in you can't see what you are skiing or riding. All the goggles we carry at Craniologie have specific lens technologies to help bring out the contrast in the snow. The key with choosing the right goggles is get a pair that is sized appropriately and making sure you are aware of the lens options. Maintaining your goggle is key, too. Always store your goggle in the goggle bag it comes with and only clean the outside of the lens with the microfiber goggle bag to prevent any unnecessary scratches.

More than anything, we want our customers to be safe and have the products and knowledge to enhance their outdoor experience. We encourage everyone to use the chat feature on the website (found at the lower right corner of each page on the website), or reach out to chrism@craniologie.com with any questions or comments and we will get back to you as soon as possible!