Sweet Protection Grimnir TE Helmet

- Carbon fiber reinforced polymer shell
- Impact Shields technology to distribute pressure and absorb energy
- Embedded mounts for GoPro and Contour cameras
- Removable, washable liner
- Infused polygiene odor control technology

- 26 ventilation outlets

- Multi-directional Impact Protection System

- Padded chin strap

- Removable ear pads

- More vents on the back as well as the OcciGrip fit system and Goggle strap retention device

- OcciGrip system that lets you customize fit

- Goggle strap retention system is a simple strap and snap

The Sweet Protection Grimnir TE helmet is all about protection. In fact, it’s one of the most advanced snowsports helmets ever made. This thing is like having a second skull – except stronger. There are three reasons for this and we’ll start with the outside and work in:

CRP Shell Tech – The Grimnir TE helmet features a carbon fibre reinforced polymer shell that provides incredible strength-to-weight ratio, rigidity and impact performance. Although it’s carbon fibre, don’t expect this helmet to be the lightest on the market – it’s weight can be attributed to the fact that Carbon is heavier than plastic, which most other helmets are made of.  As well, stainless steel is used over all vents to make sure that these are as penetration proof as the shell. This feature is unique to Sweet Protection as nobody else in the industry does this.

EPS Liner – This helmet also features a moulded shock absorbing expanded polystyrene liner with Impact Shield inserts – these inserts distribute the impact force to the head over a larger area in zones where the cranium has less protection. For instance, where your skull has weaknesses, such as at the temples, the helmet is more rigid. And where you’re head is flatter and harder, like the sides and top, the shell is more elastic.

MIPS – The inner multi-directional impact protection system imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the head. (Similar to the way the cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain.) This layer absorbs much of the rotational violence created by an angled blow. 

Conventional helmets are tested by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface, but very few ski and snowboard accidents occur that way. Most of the time we’re glancing off trees or the ground. The Grimnir TE is one of the first helmets to take into consideration the different ways we smash our noggins doing the sports we love and have addressed them with the three systems listed above. You can’t really buy better protection – but that protection will cost you, specifically US$450 per helmet. 

Aside from the ground-breaking protection the Grimnir TE helmet offers, it also has some secondary features I like. For instance, the removable ear pads and washable liners are handy, the ventilation is excellent (26 outlets) without being too cold and it’s one of the few helmets on the market with embedded mounts for GoPro and Contour cameras. This last point is really important because Sweet Protection has reinforced the carbon fibre shell underneath these mounts so the cameras don’t act like hard rocks punching through soft butter if you crash on them. This helmet is the only snow helmet that is certified to take a full impact with a camera mounted on. This is due to reinforcements around the mounts (extra carbon fibre) and the general strength of this helmet.

One thing I want to note about the Sweet Protection Grimner TE helmet is fit. The OcciGrip system at the back can be finicky, especially if you have gloves on, so you’ll want to spend some time with it at the outset customizing the fit to your head. 

In short, the Sweet Protection Grimner TE helmet is one of the most robust and technically secure devices you can put on your head. Some snowsports enthusiasts may bawk at the price but, really, how much is your brain function worth to you?

A close up of the bad-ass looking carbon shell and one of the Go-Pro mounts.