Helmets, those terribly bulky, unstylish, blocks of plastic that some lame-o’s wear to protect their noggins. Well, you can go ahead and trash that preconception, the helmets of 2005 look nothing like the ugly, inefficient headwear of the past. For ‘05, companies have redoubled their efforts to make helmets fit comfortably, look stylish, and even sound good, with the addition of headphones.

	Product:	Leedom - Prophet
	PR Blurb:	The brand new Prophet from Leedom features In-mold technology providing lightweight, progressive protection on the hill. This is the lid for tech junkies and style conscious peeps in need of protecting their noggins. The Prophet features 15 vents total: 8 adjustable intake vents operating on an easy access slide and 7 exhaust vents with a mesh overlay. The liner is breathable brushed fleece with comfort padding for the ultimate snug fit. The edge of the helmet is capped with a secondary micro-shell to prevent dings and the neck curtain is removable with integrated concealed snaps for a seamless look. Helmets have never been so polished.
	SBG Comments:	While the Prophet doesn’t really break any new ground, it is an exceptionally good looking and comfortable helmet, and should be considered by those in the market next fall. The venting is superb and the attention to detail by Leedom is commendable.
	Product:	Marker - M3
	PR Blurb:	Marker’s all0new M3 helmet raises the standard for in-molded helmet design and construction. It features exclusive FledFoam - a multi-impact, super0lightweight protective material made of a special polyurethane and polystyrene. During laboratory testing, FlexFoam sustained multiple impacts to the same area of the helmet without causing dysfunctional damage. This is the most advanced helmet available today.
	SBG Comments:	Marker is pretty well know in the Ski industry, but hasn’t really pushed that hard in the snowboard market. The M3 helmet appears to be a step in that direction though. The helmet definitely has a snowboard style to it, it fits extremely well, and it’s so light that you don’t even feel it on your head. Multiple impact protection is the big rage right now, and the M3 provides it. The helmet also has antibacterial liners, so you can wear it over and over and over again, without developing a hockey-locker smell.
	Product:	OVO - Awol
	PR Blurb:	Our Awol series stands alone for its quality components and its great price. With a Coolmax halo fitliner, a sweet chimney venting system, and great helmet colors, the Awol line proves year in and year out that they have style that lasts. OVO’s exclusive brimmed design prevents snow and water from collecting on top of today’s modern goggles. All models equipped with the OVO Ripcord TM, A removable chimney vent that’s functional and easy to use.
	SBG Comments:	OVO has some pretty sick looking helmets, especially the Leather and Titan series. But the Awol caught our eye because of its distinctive style. The lip at the front of the helmet appears to be extremely effective and keeping snow and water out of your goggle vents. Also the Awol is one of the helmets that is compatible with OVO’s new Stereotype ’sound infused earpads’ that clip on, in place of the stock earpads.
	Product:	Pro-Tec - B2 Snow / Signature
	PR Blurb:	A sweet blend of classic style and revolutionary technology, the B2 educates all others in design, comfort and safety. Ageless flare and four different shell sizes make the B2 fit right on your head. New multi-impact SXP technology can take lots of hits, so your wallet doesn’t have to. Signature helmets come complete with each rider’s sponsor sticker sheet.
	SBG Comments:	Pro-Tec’s new B2 is definitely one of the better helmets on the market for 2005. The SXP multi-impact is a great feature, and will save you a bundle of money in the long run. The sticker-sheet idea is pretty rad too, buy a pro’s signature helmet, and get a whole sticker collection to go with it.
	Product:	Pro-Tec - Descent / Signature
	PR Blurb:	The Pro-Tec’ Descent snowboarding helmet is set-up with the Bernoulli active venting system to draw heated air out of the interior so you stay comfortable and cool. It matches a tough, in-mold micro shell with an EPS impact liner, a removable and washable interior, and detachable ear flaps. It is equipped with a RECCO’ microchip inside the helmet for quick location in the event of an avalanche. Its adjustable quick-release chinstrap is secure yet easy to unbuckle, even with gloves or mittens
	SBG Comments:	The Descent helmet is a great one for riders who hike a lot, as the Bernoulli venting will help chill any hothead. Make sure and check out the details on the signature series. Several of the riders have coordinated their helmet scheme with their other pro-model gear; for example, Tara’s helmet matches her boot line.
	Product:	R.E.D. - Hi-Fi Audio
	PR Blurb:	Rebuilt from the inside out, we took the protection, comfort and fit to the next level. Using an in-mold construction process that fuses the shell and protective foam together, we have created a lightweight, low profile helmet with a high strength-to-weight ration and an improved fit. For the freestyle rider that feeds off music, the new Quick Clip, removable earpads with built0in speakers will take your riding through the roof. Using a design that mimics DJ0style speaker housing, the speaker earpads provide true sound quality and bass boom reproduction. The speaker’s cord, with volume control, plugs into any MD, CD or tape player and automatically unplugs from the speaker if you crash (so your helmet doesn’t get wrenched off your head upon impact). Thanks to the easy-access mute button, you no longer have to nod your head and pretend like you understand what your buddy is babbling about. Progression always come with a price, if you’re gonna get broken off, you might as well be bumping beats.
	SBG Comments:	As far as I know, Capix was the first helmet company offering detachable headphone earpads, but R.E.D. has done way better. Everything about this helmet is right, it’s super lightweight, it fits your head like a glove, the speakers fit around your ears so they don’t get uncomfortable, and the chin buckle ratchets so its super quick to tighten and release. The quick disconnects for the earpieces are a completely new design, and it works flawlessly; much better than any of the snaps that other helmets offer.
	Product:	R.E.D. - Shaun White
	PR Blurb:	As the lightest snowboard helmet on the planet, the low profile Shaun White Hi-Fi’ comes with a custom-padded fit to his specifications. This kid’s been in a helmet his whole life; he knows the meaning of comfort. The Quick Clip removable ear pads offer streamlined protection and a solid seal against driving snow and wind so your ears are always nice and toasty. If music gets you motivated, get your hands on the speaker-equipped Quick Clip ear pad accessory and crank your skills to the next level. Shaun’s brother Jesse created the graphics for the second year in a row.
	SBG Comments:	Shaun has been rocking helmets forever, and so it is no surprise that his pro model is killer. His helmet will be battling it out with the Marker M3 this year as the lightest helmets; both are almost weightless, and both look pretty sick. Shaun’s helmet does have the benefit of clip-in headphones, something many riders will definitely want to take advantage of.