Safety in Excess
Helmets are definitely something any rider should consider especially if they’re getting to a level where they could be getting too gnarly for their own good. Are they going to save your life indefinitely? No, but they can prevent serious injuries non the less. When it comes to picking out one, it’s just like when you bought your snowboard boots, the best helmet is the one that fits YOUR head. Luckily enough there’s a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Unfortunately there’s also people that take helmets to a level that should only be delegated to a novelty act.
Case in point RuRoc helmets. Now these guys could have been fine just doing helmets or even just doing their helmet and goggle combo, but no they take it one step even further to make it a fully enclosed goggle, helmet, face mask combo. Is this something that is coming way out of left field at hyper speed? Definitely!
Pink Power Ranger?
Now I fully understand that Power Rangers were cool in the early 90′s and that age demographic is finally out procreating. This does make them somewhat more safety conscious, but was there honestly a need to try and attract these people with memories of their childhood? Let alone offering a mommy and me option, which seems even more absurd. But it’s OK even the old man can get in on this and there could be a whole family running around doing bad karate movies on their snowboards while fighting off guys in crappy costumes.
But it’s not age discriminatory, oh no you could easily attach the black helmet to the Star Wars fanatics from the 70′s and early 80′s. Perhaps Knife Show could find a use for it as a prop in one of their Gnar Wars edits. The only way it would get better is if it had a voice synthesizer that lets you talk like James Earl Jones. Think about the potential for fucking with people on the hills. Kid comes up claiming a trick you could say, “I am not amused!” Someone has a weak style, “The force is weak in this one”. Perhaps voice modulation is the next step for them? Who knows?
But going one step further for demographics perhaps this could bring out your inner Charlie Sheen from the 80′s cult classic The Wraith, now all you need is a Turbo Interceptor! Although the blood lust for vengeance would probably over whelm any user and they would end up blowing up the magic carpet or the Poma.
Now here’s a little video they did demonstrating the basic use of this Halloween costume.
Anyone else notice a slight resemblance to Dynamo from The Running Man? All he’s really missing is some super flashy goggles and it’s pretty close.
Is this over kill for when you’re on the mountain? Seems like a lot more extra pieces to lug around and looks like there would be some issues with snapping the mask in with gloves on or in blustery conditions. Is the helmet safe? Probably just as safe as anything else but I’m guessing with all the add-ons it weighs more than most of the others on the market. So all that is left to know is who honestly rocks one?
Popularity: 6% [?]
I wouldn't wear one of these for two reasons.
The first – well, you hit the nail on the headgear. It's fugly.
Also, if a person were to get in an accident and injure their neck or head an emergency responder would have to move the head/neck more than if the rider had regular goggles and a helmet, those can be easily cut apart.
What! You mean this isn't cool?
oh wow…I wonder if they take returns?
Jk! but this is definitely over kill, I can understand why some people want full face helmets but there's plenty of options from companies like Giro that don't look as ridiculous as this.
Apparently they were being used for F1 racing, which makes more sense than snowboarding! They really just don't suit the current style of our sport…
It isn't any more difficult to remove than any other helmet/goggle/guard/whatever combo.
Fills a niche, just like asspads and whatever other safety crap is on the market.
Can anybody say GAAAANGSTAAA
I think its a good idea in principle, not from the safety point of view just from the wind shielding and keeping warm on the chair etc. Surely its the best way to wear a face mask that wont leave your goggles fogged up.
The only problem is that it all looks too much like a storm trooper!
I think this could actually pass on the mountain. It's not really over-the-top ridiculous as there's some utility in having that shield across the exposed part of your face. Sure it's not 100% practical, but how many things in life really are?
Black the entire thing out and it looks passable IMO.
First thing that pops into my head is quality and compatibility issues. Are the goggles vented enough to prevent fogging? With the xtra heat encapsulated by the face mask will the googles vent well enough? Obviously you have to buy their goggles. Do they have replacement lenses just in case you scratch the originals? Are you stuck with only a mirror tint option? Im wondering if they started in F1 racing did they really research things like my above questions or did they just look for a place to expand their existing product in tough economic times?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlt05VbspAQ
watch this link for the Wraith Trailer, OMG man!
imagine if our snowboard jackets had all those wires on it…we can never do tree runs again.
ciao.
can i get the turbo interceptor with it????
[...] Safety in Excess over at The Angry Snowboarder, you’re gonna want to check this out. [...]
This is the first time I’m disappointed with a post, As well s the commenters. I was actually surprised to find this under “Bad Ideas” and even though it’s two years old, all these questions could’ve been answered with a quick google trip.
1) It was made by SnowBoarders and Free-skiers
2)Everything is interchangeable. The goggles do come with extra lenses and the face mask weighs nothing.
3)The mask it optimized to drive your breathe away from your goggles, so it’s seamless.
4)It used in F1 by the Pit Crews to protect themselves from everyday pit mishaps.
5) ALL HELMETS LOOK DORKY.
OH no I didn’t make you happy WAH!
When you wear it all together it actually weighs 1.4kg… which I think is pretty light to be honest. Also, if the mask is overkill the beauty is you don’t have to wear it