When it comes to ski safety, the Wildhorn Drift Ski Helmet stands out not just for its protection but also for its remarkable comfort and style. Its adjustable ventilation system allows skiers to easily manage their temperature on the slopes, making it ideal for both descents and leisurely runs. Choosing the right helmet doesn’t just protect; it elevates your entire experience on the mountain.

The Wildhorn Drift ski helmet is better than many cheap ski helmets. It’s made with a special kind of plastic that’s stronger and more durable. It has a unique ventilation system that you can adjust to keep your head cool. It’s also very lightweight, weighing just 13 ounces. Overall, the Drift is one of the best affordable ski helmets you can buy right now.

Wildhorn Drift Ski Helmet | Test , Review and Recommendations

The Wildhorn Drift is the basic ski helmet from Wildhorn Outfitters. It’s very popular on Amazon, with more than 5,000 reviews. Wildhorn is known for making gear that skiers and snowboarders like. I’ve been impressed with every Wildhorn product I’ve used, and the Drift helmet is no different. Instead of using a simple, heavy ABS plastic shell.

Wildhorn chose a more advanced polycarbonate material that’s built into the helmet. This helps keep the helmet lightweight, even though it’s an affordable option.

Wildhorn gave us a Drift helmet to test. We chose a black, size large Drift for this review. Keep reading to find out everything about the Drift.

Style

The Wildhorn Drift is a simple ski and snowboard helmet with a straightforward design. The outside has a few gentle lines on the sides that add some style.

The vents on the front and top give the helmet a bit more flair compared to other basic snow helmets. It’s made from a single piece, so you can’t get it in two-tone colors. However, it does come in about 10 different colors.

Construction – (8.5/10)

The Drift is made with a polycarbonate outer shell and has an EPS foam liner inside. It features some extra silver plastic parts on the inside that make it look more polished. These silver pieces also appear to be part of the ventilation system.

When you look into the vents, you see the silver layer instead of just looking straight into the helmet. Most other basic ski helmets don’t have this extra detail and just show the inside of the helmet through the vents.

The helmet has removable earpads and a liner that wraps around the back. This design helps keep the helmet warmer by reducing air leaks around and behind the ears.

A drawstring helmet bag is included with the helmet. It’s made from a softer and more comfortable material compared to the bags that come with higher-end helmets from brands like Smith.

Safety Features – (8.0/10)

The Drift helmet has a standard EPS foam liner that helps absorb impacts. It meets safety standards ASTM F2040 and EN1077 class B. However, it does not include MIPS or any other advanced safety features.

Comfort and Fit – (9.0/10)

I have a size large Drift helmet. The size seems to be just right for me. I usually wear a large in most helmet brands, though I sometimes need an XL for certain models. The large Drift fits well, but I need to tighten the size adjuster by about 30%. There’s still some extra room inside.

The helmet fits snugly around the sides, and the earpads press close against my ears with no extra space.

The chinstrap has plenty of extra length for people with larger heads. I still have over an inch of extra strap left when the chin strap is adjusted properly. I dislike ski helmets with short chinstraps on larger sizes, so I’m glad Wildhorn made sure there’s more than enough length on the Drift.

The helmet liner and chinstrap are made from a smooth, breathable material that helps manage moisture and dries quickly. There’s enough padding to be comfortable but not too much.

The earpads are made from a similar material. The liner can be removed for cleaning, and you can take it out on warmer days if you don’t need it.

Warmth (9.0/10)

The helmet feels warm and cozy on cold days when the vents are closed. The vents don’t let air directly into the helmet, which helps trap heat inside. The EPP foam works well as both insulation and an impact absorber.

Ventilation (8.5/10)

The Drift has 13 vents that you can adjust using a slider on the top back of the helmet. Wildhorn calls their venting system VNT technology. The vents lead into an air chamber above the helmet, which has separate holes to let air into the helmet.

This design improves airflow inside and helps keep snow and rain from getting directly into the helmet on cloudy days.

The helmet provides a lot of ventilation and does a great job cooling your head on warmer ski days. The only thing it’s missing is vents to prevent goggle fogging. The Drift doesn’t have these vents.

Weight (9.5/10)

My size large Drift weighs just 13 ounces, making it one of the lighter ski helmets available. It’s impressive considering it still includes a size adjuster and adjustable vents. Many other lightweight helmets skip these features.

Goggle compatibility

The Drift has a regular brim shape that fits well with most ski goggles, so you won’t have a big gap between the helmet and goggles. The back of the helmet has a rubber strap holder that snaps into place, keeping the goggle strap securely in position.

Audio compatible Ear Pads

The helmet comes with ear pads that are compatible with audio systems. The ear pads have Velcro closures on top, allowing you to insert helmet speakers. However, there isn’t enough extra space for me to use the helmet comfortably with the speakers installed.

It should be fine for someone with a smaller head. Wildhorn offers a discount on their Wildhorn Alta speakers when you purchase the Drift helmet.

Check out our guide to the best ski helmet speakers for more information.

Recycled Packaging

Wildhorn uses recycled packaging for all their shipments. We get a lot of packaging from the products we review, and we throw away a lot of it. I appreciate any brand that uses more eco-friendly shipping materials.

Recommendation – Buy or No Buy?

The Wildhorn Drift is a lightweight ski helmet that offers excellent ventilation and comfort. It’s among the lightest helmets available. However, it lacks MIPS or a MIPS version.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, entry-level helmet and don’t need MIPS, it’s a great option to consider for its value.

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