A total of snow sport helmets have been rated using the STAR evaluation system. Our impact tests evaluate a helmet's ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head resulting from a range of head impacts someone participating in a snow sport might experience. Helmets with more stars provide a reduction in concussion risk for these impacts compared to helmets with less stars.

• infoUnderstanding the rating system
  Our ratings are an independent and objective assessment of helmet performance for consumers, free from manufacturer influence.
  
  We rate each snow sport helmet based on the results of 12 impact tests in our laboratory. A drop tower designed to match helmet-to-ground characteristics in snow sports is used to test the helmets. We measure linear acceleration and rotational velocity for each impact, which are correlated to concussion risk.
  
  
  We test 6 impact configurations that include 3 impact locations (front, side, and rear) and 2 anvil angles (high and low). The high impact angle represents impacts on steeper slopes that are associated with higher forces across the snow. The low impact angle represents impacts on flatter slopes that are associated with higher forces into the snow. Our impact velocities are based on real-world snow sport head impacts and current testing standards.
  
  Each lab impact is weighted to contribute equally to the average helmet's overall score. We compute concussion risk from each test's measured peak linear acceleration and rotational velocity. Each risk is multiplied by its weighting factor and then summed together to calculate an overall score. The overall score estimates the number of concussions the average person would sustain if they experienced identical impacts to those tested at rates matching their weightings.
  
  A lower score indicates better helmet performance.
  
  The score values in these ratings are not comparable to score values in our helmet ratings for other sports. This is because there are differences in test methods, impact conditions, risk calculations, and impact weightings specific to each sport.
• file_downloadTechnical Documents
  Test Protocol: Keim S, Begonia MT, Kieffer EE, & Rowson S. (2022). Snow Sport Helmet STAR Protocol.
• sticky_note_2Notes about these ratings
  A lower score offers better protection.
  
  Cost shown is the price of the helmet at the time of testing.
  
  *Any person in any sport can sustain a head injury with even the very best head protection. This analysis is based on data trends and probabilities, and therefore a specific person’s risk may vary. This variation is likely dominated by genetic differences, health history, and impact factors such as muscle activation.