How to NAIL your headwear for skiing. // DAVE SEARLE

In this video we do a deep dive into the systems I use for Faffing less and skiing more. Getting your helmet/goggle/sunglasses/hat game strong will give you a better experience on the mountains.
Check out my Instagram for more tims and content.
/ davejsearle
Check out my website to hire me as a guide.
www.davesearleguiding.com/
Smith Summit helmet.
www.smithoptics.com/en_US/p/h...
Pursuit Sunglasses
www.smithoptics.com/en_US/p/s...

[@alexanderdylanthomas1891]

These are a fantastic source of information, even for those of us who have spent a lot of time in the outdoors. Keep up these fantastically informative videos, as I use them to show friends what to take on our yearly ski tours down here in Aus!

[@DaveSearle]

Glad you like them!

[@jancermak1717]

Hi, I had a similar problem with earpads in smith vantage, just can´t hear anything ... And itś quite warm when going uphill. So now I´m using my mtb trail helmet Poc tectal and it´s game changer for me. It´s light, super ventilated, got a strap in back for goggles, got mips and because it´s designed for mtb, you don´t have to worry about safety... For ski touring and spring sessions it´s awesome.

[@jmsueiro]

Love the format. keep up the great work!

[@DaveSearle]

Thanks!

[@lulzmoney99]

Ever tried anon goggles with magnetic face mask? Total game changer. The mask hangs a bit away from your face so when the mask gets wet (which it always does) you don’t feel it on your face. It’s also a great mask in a variety of temps. Lens swapping is also super easy. Anon helmets also have wavecel. I’ve tried quite a few goggles and nothing compares to the M4 largely because of the mask system and easy lens swapping.

[@SwiftAnthony]

Very useful, thanks! Especially the 5 panel cap, i already made a mistake of wearing the cap with the top thingy underneath the helmet :)

[@DaveSearle]

You're welcome!!

[@samkochevar983]

Great video! I have a pair of Smith glasses that I use for trail running and mtb and I love them. Being able to swap lenses is such a nice feature. I haven’t been able to commit the funds to get into skiing yet, but your videos always make me want to give it a try.

[@DaveSearle]

Nice! Yeah I think they work very well and they are making more photo chromatic lenses too. Yeah skiing is expensive!

[@SuperZbros]

Skiing is expensive to start but once you get set up it’s really not that bad, if you have enough money to travel a bit an ikon pass is like 500 dollars and you can skii all over the US, a lot of places have phenomenal deals that allow you to ski cheap, I personally have a nitro pass, 400 dollars a year and I have full access to loon in NH, and Sunday river and sugarloaf in ME, I can’t afford to travel far but those places are all driving distance for me, sugarloaf is my favorite, almost 1000 acres, 400 acres of back country, and I only pay 400 dollars a season to go there!

[@DMC619]

I use the smith vantage for on piste skiing, never used a helmet before. But to stop family worrying I wear it and now I wouldn’t go without it.. so light and warm and doesn’t block my vision. It’s weight 440 grams so it’s light, I do like the ear covers as my ears can get cold and I don’t have a problem with hearing.

[@LaggerSVK]

I have also vantage and I am 100% satisfied. Such a very nice gear. Would recommend anytime.

[@jenniferbutcher759]

Anon M4 Googles w integrated mask and changeable lenses = total game changer, I have been skiing for 30 years, and this is by far the best goggle I have ever used, way better than other goggles I have used from Uvex, Oakley,and Smith. Anon M4 Goggles also integrate well w my Smith Vantage helmet which has removable ear pads…. I am not a sponsored skier

[@PhilippKlein]

Very useful! I’d love to try the Pursuit glasses, they look mega but are quite pricey

[@DaveSearle]

Yeah they are really nice!

[@richardbraxton3340]

Smith ran a 50% off sale last spring which made the price a lot more palatable! If you can snag them with a discount like that they're perfect for basically everything.

[@Skyhook77]

noice, cheers!

[@mattjustice5112]

Hi Dave thanks for all the content, very useful . How do the smith pursuit shades fit with the sirocco helmet as I noticed you swapped to different shades and I need a all in 1 sunglasses really . Cheers!

[@DaveSearle]

They work really well actually. No issues

[@mattjustice5112]

@@DaveSearle ah thanks perfect!

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

Even a thin beanie can stuff up the fit of a Helmet. If you think you will want to wear extra insulation under a helmet take it with you and try the helmet on with that type of hat. Make sure you can adjust the helmet for a good fit with and without the hat. Any helmet that fits over a thicker hat will probably be too loose without.

[@DaveSearle]

That the nice thing about the smith summit that you can take the thin pad out to adjust for a thicker beanie without compromising the fit or protection.

[@adeadlyfart13]

This message is brought to you by Smith@@DaveSearle

[@WhimsHealthJourney]

Great video! Was worth the wait. I used the petzl siroco for a while for ski touring and found the straps, chin and back of the head, not very comfortable to use with gloves on the pick of the mountain. Never had problem with cold hears I'll give a look to the other smith helmet. Now i use something from giro with hear warmers that's about 440 gram. So still ok for me. I do have problem as someone with longer high volume curly hair to find a comfortable cap, that work non the less with a helmet.(see my profile picture for reference) Any recommendations for something with a cap and a hair hole? Cutting my hair for now is not an option, my wife likes it and i like her, so at least for the time being it stays 😂 Cheers

[@DaveSearle]

That’s a problem I haven’t faced so I don’t have the answer for you I’m afraid! I hope you can find a solution

[@thecommission5730]

sick brain bucket & nose guard la gooma too

[@DaveSearle]

👍

[@Azerbott]

thank youuuuuu

[@jackasscou]

About the helmet I don't really care about the weight : I consider my helmet as my most important protection and I really dont mind carrying extra grams for that ! Also I don't feel the earpads are muting the sounds around me, I have a Oakley Mod5 and I feel no hearing differences with or without the helmet. For the hats I love tu use balaclava, it's like the perfect all in one : easy to carry, I grab a thick one and a thin one, one on my head the other in my backpack and I'm ready for cold and warmer days ! Thanks to them I never use a beanie under my helmet and I personally think its more comfortable.

[@DaveSearle]

Fair enough! I guess for some myself included where you spend 99% of the day going up sometimes, a light helmet is better option.

[@DubKicker101]

The ear muffs muting sound isn't really a subjective metric. It's literally: is there a piece of plastic + fabric over your ear, or is there not - impossible to not hear any difference. Physically, they let through less sound and while I think it doesn't necessarily have to influence your skiing, most higher level people take them off for a reason.

[@DubKicker101]

@@DaveSearle Also, are you not able to just take out the muffs on that first helmet? I can do it on all my helmets, so you might get more use out of it that way.

[@Tightshipskipski]

Words to live by, faff less ski more.

[@DaveSearle]

🙌🙌

[@greggoldman893]

Ive been looking for the little nose protector forever! If you mentioned where or how to get it, I missed it. Can you past a link in your description? I’d love to get one.

[@DaveSearle]

It comes with the smith pursuit sunnies I’m talking about.

[@wrongwaywalters]

You should check out the outeru face glove flex! Its a game changer and integrates with other systems perfectly.

[@jackpowell106]

@@DaveSearle Where did you get the Photochromic versions in Europe?

[@DaveSearle]

I’m on the smith team so I get access to all their products.

[@jjblecha6492]

does the level not have removable ear pads?

[@DaveSearle]

Yes they do actually. On initial inspection I thought they weren’t but they are removable.

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

And what ever you do make sure to actually do the flipping helmet up tight enough. Chin strap and Nape adjustment. It's no effin good if the 1st impact drags it off your head and then you say hello to a tree or rock ......

[@leenestle]

I’ve had no problems hearing with the pads on my smith helmet. Perhaps I have super hearing but it’s a non issue for me.

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

If nothing else the fate of Schumacher should make you seriously concentrate on getting a decent helmet that will actually protect your head.

[@dave_mayes]

He was wearing a helmet. There was apparantly a GoPro mount/camera attached that may have contributed.

[@thecrew9985]

yes there was a gopro mount. most mounts that attach to the very top of the helmet do not break away easily, compromising the structural integrity of the helmey

[@counterfit5]

His helmet kept him alive, which… 😬

[@MetalDataCards]

Should have shown the Smith Vantage with removable earpads instead of the summit.

[@markthomasson5077]

The current approved Skimo helmets are rated for both skiing and climbing

[@DaveSearle]

Not sure which helmets you are speaking of exactly but the petzl meteor for example isn’t rated for CE EN 1077 which is the alpine ski helmet norm. It has its own ce rating which is for ski touring. The summit is rated to en 1077 and for mountaineering and for biking.

[@markthomasson5077]

@@DaveSearle ha..I don’t know exactly. I do a wee bit of Skimo racing in Scotland. I don’t have a specific helmet, but looking into it I noticed that upgraded the regulations a couple of years ago.

[@markthomasson5077]

ps, I just use a cycle helmet.

[@DaveSearle]

Basically, anything is better than nothing but lighter climbing helmets don’t have the same safety standards for skiing despite them saying they are rated for ski touring.

[@markthomasson5077]

…but for ski racing, telemark, I have a Class A

[@adeadlyfart13]

Are you sponsored by Smith?? Just curious, by all of your choices.

[@DaveSearle]

Yes. I mentioned that at the start of the video. I chose to work with them because I liked what they are doing.

[@jothugs]

sunglass brand? 9:32

[@DaveSearle]

Smith.

[@jothugs]

@@DaveSearle what about those nose cover?

[@DaveSearle]

@jothugs comes with the smith pursuit

[@NordsternOutdoor]

i'm gonna be honest, this sounds like one big smith ad with you reading their sales points.

[@DaveSearle]

That’s a shame. I try as hard to be as genuine as possible when talking about the gear I use. For context, smith didn’t pay me for this video, and although I’m supported by them and yes this gear was given to me it was a company that I chose to work with because I really like their products and how they perform. Thanks for the feedback and I’ll work on being clearer about my relationship with brands and keeping things informative but genuine. Dave

[@NordsternOutdoor]

Thanks for the honest reply. I can imagine it’s difficult to avoid this when having all the incentives to please the sponsor. Maybe it’s just me being overly sensitive. But it really sounded like that to my ears. For example, the lack of criticism for what you clearly seemed to deem a bad idea (lack of goggle strap or what that’s called on back of the helmet). I guess when sponsored by a company, one has to especially willing to point out flaws in order to still appear genuine? Cheers

[@DaveSearle]

@NordsternOutdoor yes it’s a fine line to walk. Anyway I just want people to know my heart is in the right place and all the companies I work with are companies that I have approached because I want to work with them and I in general feel like what they do is good or great and only a few things that I don’t agree with. Thanks for the feedback. Best wishes Dave

[@jonathanmarguet4374]

i usually immediately remove the ear flaps when i buy a helmet

[@Flougdd]

About helmets: I did my first ski touring years with a heavy resort slope ski helmet and really it wasn't that demanding. I think it's really important to precise that the "specific light material quest" is absolutely not important for the vast majority of people and it's just about buying and consuming more and more. Planet doesn't need it, and base fitness training makes up for the extra weight. Once not a newcomer anymore, you can start looking for optimization. Otherwise, always great to share habits. Greetings

[@fwblok836]

Helmets are only useful for snowboarders!

[@_ShaDynasty]

You forgot the gap gap

[@DaveSearle]

The gap gap??

[@_ShaDynasty]

@@DaveSearle gaper gap

[@DaveSearle]

@JasonInThailand if we don’t mention it then maybe it will stop being a thing

[@eliterolo]

Pointless to wear a beanie under helmet with some kind of technology as MIPS. Defeats the propuse of the helmet. Just wear a ski mask. Don’t be afraid to have your head a bit cold.

[@DaveSearle]

The smith summit comes with a beanie it’s not defeating the purpose of the helmet at all. Why do you say that? As long as the inner lining (mips) is held stationary in your head then the pips system will work. Weather that’s with the padding or with a beanie it doesn’t matter. A beanie like this is a lot more practical and warm.

[@danb.709]

@@DaveSearle I have long been under the belief that a hat with any significant thickness interferes with the optimal fit and safety of a helmet, and buying a helmet too large for that purpose isn't what they are designed for either. If some are designed for that now, it's different but I don't think most older ones are. I seem to remember that a number of years ago wearing a hat under a helmet was specifically recommended against by some manufactures, I thought Smith was one of those manufactures, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps mips is what changed things. Also extremely loose fitting helmets with beanies and large over-the-ear headphones is a fad with park kids in the US, and probably other places too. It is discouraged by our ski patrol.

[@DaveSearle]

@@danb.709 I agree, If you buy a helmet to large then that would cause problems with the fit if you weren't using a beanie. If the helmet is snug on your head with a beanie underneath then I don't think that is an issue at all. Yes Smith sell the summit mips with its own beanie. what I'm talking about there is removing the padded liner and replacing that beanie with something a little thicker and warmer. Again not a drastically changing how the helmet was designed. Bigger helmets like the Vantage that have a thicker integrated liner should be left alone and the idea with those is they are plenty warm enough by design. The purpose of this video is to show a modular system than is super useful when backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering where you have to deal with the extremes of temperature that is involved with that. If your skiing around your local ski hill then a normal design helmet like vantage or Nexus would be better.

[@eliterolo]

The helmet comes with the beanie yes. To use when you’re not wearing the helmet. The technology is supposed help your head to “roll,slide” with the liner and minimize confusions, having an improper fit won’t help with it and you most likely would get your brain shaken off. Don’t believe me. Look it up. Helmets are also design to keep your head warm. They know you going in the snow and cold weather. The part that actually gets colder are your ears. That’s why you got ear pads. But why are the ear pads removable? Well in more warm days you can use the helmet without them.l without compromising the technology in the liner that’s supposed to keep you safe. I like your video overall. But please don’t spread bad tips about proper use of protective gear. Just look it up and you will understand it. Besides that I do like your videos, and I enjoy them a lot. Stay safe and keep riding.

[@DaveSearle]

@@eliterolo Yes I'm well aware of how helmets work and how MIPS works also. As I mentioned in the Video I work with Smith who designed this helmet and I'm telling you that it is designed to use the beanie with the helmet on colder days when you are riding which is why it doesn't come with ear pads. What you are suggesting makes no sense to use a helmet that doesn't have ear pads without a beanie. What I am talking about is in this video is changing that beanie for a different one. I'm not spreading bad information I'm simply telling everyone how it works. I appreciate what you are trying to say but It seems like you are either confused about what I'm saying or misunderstanding how this specific helmet actually works.

[@AlpenBrot]

It's not about the gear. It's never about the gear.

[@DaveSearle]

Skiing is heavily gear dependant. Without gear you're just walking around in the snow. There is a clear difference between good gear and bad gear and that is you'll have a better time with good gear. If you haven't figured that out yet then I feel sorry for you.

[@africanjew1596]

@@DaveSearlearen’t you a bit petty… obviously no gear won’t work but old/used gear is just as capable as this new stuff if you have correct technique which I figured you would’ve known… I feel sorry for you!

[@AthelstanEngland]

Helmets for parks, hair for slopes.

[@DaveSearle]

I don’t understand?

[@michizer0]

If you need goggles the weather is too bad for skiing

[@DaveSearle]

😂

[@counterfit5]

What? I wear goggles all the time. My eyes are super sensitive to wind, and I added contacts to the equation too, which also require goggles.

[@BMH1965]

The video name is wrong - you need to write that video is not normal skiing.

[@DaveSearle]

Oh I’m sorry. Let me change it.

[@gregsmith7821]

I cant beleive the misinformation in this vid! I don't even know where to start. Wearing a climbing helmet while skiing is better than nothing?😢 Wearing hats under helmets?😮 To precis what could be an enormous crtitque: Wear a correctly fitted, mips equipped helmet, rated specifically for skiing, with the strap done up correctly. Wear it directly next to your head, as intended, not on top of a beenie. If it doesn't fit as intended, it won't work as intended, to protect your scalp, skull, brain and neck. If you are rightly concerned about ear flaps that effect your hearing, choose a helmet where these are perforated and/or removable. Don't wear sunglasses when skiing, it's dangerous. Instead, wear goggles, that will help to protect your face, as well as your eyes.

[@DaveSearle]

The climbing helmet that I mention in this video is rated for ski mountaineering and I stand by the statement that wearing it is better than nothing. That’s not saying it is the best option by any means in terms of protection from a skiing crash but in the context of using this helmet it would be for situations where you are more likely to get nailed by a rock falling on you than you hitting your head because you fell over. As for wearing hats the summit helmet has mips and also comes with a hat for wearing underneath. All I’m talking about in this video is adjusting that by using a different hat. No helmet gives perfect protection but making them more practical and easier to use will make people more likely to use one than not which is the point I want to get across in this video. I hear a lot of folks making excuses for not wearing a helmet such as they can’t hear properly or it’s too much faff changing between systems. In terms of sunglasses. They are a lot more practical for backcountry skiing where you are working hard and sweating hard. Obviously if you feel like you need the orotection of google then that’s what you need. I don’t intend to misinform anyone and actually a lot of people found this video very useful and interesting helping them to have a better time when backcountry skiing.

[@gregsmith7821]

@@DaveSearle With respect, I can see you are trying to do the right thing by encouraging the use of helmets.👍 Climbing helmets protect from falling rocks, not collision from falling. Totally diferent and often mistaken. They can often contribute to neck injury, when involved in impact, caused by a fall, particularly onto snow. Helmets are compromised if not fitting correctly. Any design (mips or not) that claims the same level of protection with or without an under layer is compromised. Wear your glasses when walking. Take them off and replace them with goggles when skiing. You can even get glasses and goggles with the same lenses, so as not to effect vision.

[@DaveSearle]

When ski mountaineering I’m often at higher risk from a climbing type impact, eg a rock or piece of ice hitting me. Often a fall would be deadly regardless of a helmet. Yes there is a spectrum of protection from different helmets category’s and the summit is bellow the vantage for sure but it’s lighter and rated for both skiing and climbing which is a very very good thing for backcountry skiers. Goggles may provide slightly more protection but for a lot of folk skiing with goggles on in the springtime when it’s well above freezing would be pure torture. Sunglasses like the pursuit are an absolute game changer for a lot of people and they are designed for skiing. Thanks for your comments but please don’t claim I’m misinforming people.

[@alexcheney6692]

What Dave is showing is a very functional and practical setup for ski mountaineering. Based on many of the negative comments on this video, I would say they are probably being made from people who aren’t doing the same type of skiing Dave does day in and day out. Most of the time while ski mountaineering you need to be much much more aware of your surroundings and your primary concern isn’t a fall or being hit by another skier. Overhead hazard from rocks or equipment is much more likely. If you fall off a cliff, that helmet is wearing you for protection. Goggles are too warm at times and can greatly limit your vision. They are seldomly used for half of ski mountaineering. Furthermore, when ski mountaineering, you need to be able to protect yourself from the elements while also managing sweat and comfort in a variety of temps and sunlight. A traditional ski helmet doesn’t really allow for that without modification, removal or adjustment. Finally, MIPs or similar systems provide a marginal protection enhancement against concussion, they really are a “up sell” that works by allowing the helmet to rotate and dissipate more energy than compression alone. You can probably actually get the same effect by wearing a beanie or cap underneath a non mips equipped helmet.

[@gregsmith7821]

@@alexcheney6692 "you can probably actually" have an incorrect guess at anything in a comments section on the Internet. For example, the rotation in a mips system has to be precise, as does any cusioning in a helmet. Essentially, it is a finely tuned suspension system. Adding a beanie, puts these factors out and makes the helmet less protective.

[@Erick-qs1vz]

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