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Where to buy Wildhorn Outfitters Drift Snow Helmet:
Amazon
Beneath the top megacorp brands in the ski and snowboard helmet space, there is an emerging subcategory of newer brands offering skiers and riders quality gear at prices that won’t absolutely yardsale your wallet. Tucked at the foot of the legendary Wasatch Mountains is one of these companies.
Wildhorn Outfitters is quickly making a name for itself as a new-age organization serving up exceptional value for high-performing products. Wildhorn’s snow catalog predominantly offers helmets and goggles, and one of the standouts in their lineup is the Drift snow helmet.
Designed to meet the needs of a really wide range of riders (even Olympians), the Drift helmet is warm, comfortable, and dependable, with a few extra features to sweeten the deal. Plus, it sits at a price point that leaves you with enough to afford lunch at the lodge.
Let’s dive into more about the Drift helmet, why it should be on your list of affordable options, and how Wildhorn became an official supplier of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.
Things we like:
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Low-profile, lightweight design -
Comfort and fit with the Fine Tune Adjustment wheel
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Versatile specs to fit a wide range of skiers and snowboarders
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Ample ventilation with 13 vents
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Budget-friendly price
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Audio compatibility
Things we don't like:
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No MIPS safety certification (There is a MIPS version available at a higher price) -
Not the warmest in harsh conditions
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Not the most stylish helmet
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It sits a little high up on your head which leaves a goggle gap
Where to buy Wildhorn Outfitters Drift Snow Helmet:
Amazon
- Material and Construction: Lightweight hybrid half-shell polycarbonate in-mold shell
- Safety and Protection: Expanded foam liner
- Adjustability: FTA (Fine Tune Adjustment) wheel
- Ventilation: 13 vents and dual adjustability
- Sizing: S: 51-54cm M: 54-58cm L: 58-63 cm
- Audio: Audio speaker compatible with removable Snap Fit ear pads
- Weight: 1lb (453g)
The Drift Ski and Snowboard Helmet Safety and Performance
While it’s certainly an attribute, the lightweight feel of the Drift helmet gave me a bit of pause as to how much protection it really offered, especially since it is noticeably missing a MIPS lining.
That said, the overall construction, including a polycarbonate shell that is fused to the EPS foam liner, along with the design of the helmet, provide enough protection for the majority of skiers and snowboarders and can dutifully handle most of the bumps and bruises dished out by intermediate riders.
The Drift helmet also comes with a ASTM F2040/EN1077 class B safety certification, which should add a little peace of mind. But, if that isn’t enough, there is a MIPS Pro version of the Drift helmet at a higher price point of $150 from the Wildhorn website, which is still a very good deal.
One additional note here: We love that the one-piece ear and neck liner where the FTA wheel sits extends a bit longer down your neck compared to other helmets. It adds warmth but also a little extra protection too.
Wildlhorn Outfitters Drift Fit, Adjustability, and Warmth
The Drift helmet is ultra-lightweight. Almost 8 oz lighter than the Anon Windham Wavecel, for comparison. The light feel and low profile are the standouts of the Drift, but we were surprised by how comfortable it is as well. At first glance, the inner lining looked a bit scant, but we found that the lining molded nicely after a few times out, and the earpieces, which can be a bit of a problem spot, were comfy and unobtrusive.
Wildhorn employs its own proprietary FTA (Fine Tune Adjustment) fitting wheel, a deviation from the more popular BOA system, but we found the FTA tightening system worked well and provided a snug and precise fit.
Wildhorn also uses its own VNT ventilation system, which provides more than enough airflow with 13 vents, and the open and close adjuster has a halfway point, which is a nice perk when using it on the lift or on the fly with gloves on. The Drift isn’t the warmest helmet on the market but it worked well enough on moderate weather days, but you may need to shop around or opt for the Drift Pro MIPS for tougher weather conditions.
The Drift Snow Helmet Style Points
The shape and the profile of the Drift helmet provide a sleek, stylish look and feel. It has a modern design, and the subtle brim is a nice touch. It also comes in a wide variety of colors to complete your snow setup.
Its minimalistic look definitely has more of a freestyle aesthetic, like the Oakley MOD1 Pro. And when paired with Wildhorn’s extensive goggle lineup, you’ll have a bit of an insider style credibility in the liftline.
Shout out to the talented designers at Wildhorn for their work in creating the very slick “W” logo using a mountain icon as well.
Audio Integration
The Drift helmet includes removable ear pads via a plastic snap-tight clip. When removed, a velcro pocket is accessible to insert audio speakers. Because of where the velcro pocket is located and where the FTA wheel sits, it is easiest to use true wireless Bluetooth speakers as there would be a bit of interference in trying to use speakers that use a wire to connect around the back of your neck. It isn’t a deal breaker, but it would be nice if they included a slot in the liner to feed wires through if needed.
Why You’ll Love This Helmet
The Wildhorn Drift helmet has everything most riders need, without any unnecessary extras, at a price that won’t crush your equipment budget. The light, comfy feel makes it so you kind of forget you’re even wearing it, and you can customize your setup easily because of this helmet’s simplicity.
The ventilation on this helmet is excellent, it is audio-compatible, and it comes with a ringing endorsement from three-time freestyle skiing Olympian Ashley Caldwell, who says:
“The Drift is my go-to helmet. It’s crazy comfy, has great style, and I can go full send knowing that I’m protected. Best helmet at the best value, bar none.”
All-in-all it’s a straightforward, affordable helmet that looks great and includes all of the most important aspects to a helmet designed to suit the needs of the majority of skiers.
Get to Know Wildhorn Outfitters
Born in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Wildhorn is a rider-founded outfitting company whose focus is designing, testing, and building great gear at reasonable prices. With their headquarters sitting among world-class skiing and riding, it’s no surprise that their gear comes rider-tested, rider-approved.
A Gold Standard for Gear
Wildhorn Outfitters is an official supplier of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is America’s National and Olympic governing body. Their high-quality equipment is used by some of the most elite action sports athletes in the world.
Wildhorn’s offering included ski and snowboard helmets and goggles, mountain bike helmets and eyewear, apparel and outerwear, snowshoes, travel gear, and even audio and accessories.
With a lineup of durable, stylish gear that gives users a bit of mountain cache at a wallet-friendly price, their catalog is worth exploring.
Related Reviews
Things we like:
-
Low-profile, lightweight design
-
Comfort and fit with the Fine Tune Adjustment wheel
-
Versatile specs to fit a wide range of skiers and snowboarders
-
Ample ventilation with 13 vents
-
Budget-friendly price
-
Audio compatibility
Things we don't like:
-
No MIPS safety certification (There is a MIPS version available at a higher price)
-
Not the warmest in harsh conditions
-
Not the most stylish helmet
-
It sits a little high up on your head which leaves a goggle gap
Frequently asked questions
The top benefit of a helmet is, of course, safety. Protection against falls, collisions, and the elements should be paramount for anyone hitting the slopes. There are several safety standards for helmets which we’ll dive into further in the next FAQ. On top of safety, the next priority should be warmth. Modern helmets should be able to substitute for ski hats, liners, and baklava-type dressings. Next should be fit and feel. With the fine-tuned tightening systems now becoming virtually standard in helmets, there should be no reason for a poorly fit helmet anymore. Last but not least, you want your helmet to be stylish and inspire confidence.
There are two safety testing standards for ski and snowboard helmets ASTM F-2040 (American) and CE-EN1077 (European). These are the minimum requirements for a helmet to be released for purchase and should only be the baseline for your consideration when purchasing a helmet.
Without any major crashes, a helmet should last around 4 to 6 seasons. Even a quality helmet can start to wear and loosen over 5 years and should be replaced to ensure its safety features are fully functional.
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