Ski touring helmets & goggles · Test magazine 2020
Tech talk with Adam Pfeiffer, POC
Product Manager Snow Helmets & Goggles · Print page 89
Who is Adam Pfeiffer? Product Manager Snow Helmets & Goggles at POC
Adam Pfeiffer is introduced in the BACKLINE 2020 test magazine as Product Manager Snow Helmets & Goggles at POC. He has skied since early childhood. In Åre and during his studies in Östersund, he used his spare time to work as a ski instructor and enjoy alpine skiing, off-piste skiing and ski touring.
In the interview, Pfeiffer identifies ventilation, low weight and lasting comfort as key qualities of a good ski touring helmet. It should remain comfortable while walking and climbing and withstand the demands of long tours. POC works with athletes, including Jeremy Jones. In development, Pfeiffer stresses the balance between weight, protection and durability: materials and densities of key helmet components are tailored to the intended use.
For classic ski touring, Pfeiffer cites CE 1077 certification, with additional EN 12492 climbing helmet certification for ski mountaineering and terrain exposed to rockfall. Before the season, he highlights dry storage away from excessive heat, checking the EPS/EPP liner for visible cracks and checking the production date inside the helmet. In the interview, he recommends a three-year lifespan, depending on use and care.
What makes a good ski touring helmet?
The most important aspects are ventilation and weight – above all having a ventilated and relatively light helmet that stays comfortable for walking and climbing over long periods. We work with many athletes who spend a lot of time touring on skis and snowboards, in particular Jeremy Jones. Another aspect is that you need a helmet that can withstand the strain of a long tour while also mastering the specific challenges of that tour. In the end the best and safest helmet is the one you always wear comfortably, so that you never take it off.
Which certifications should you look for in a touring helmet?
For classic ski touring, helmets should carry CE 1077 certification. These are optimised for protection in possible falls. For ski mountaineering and tours in terrain exposed to rockfall there is an additional climbing helmet certification, EN 12492.
What is possible from a weight perspective, and where is the balance between weight and safety?
That is an interesting question. You can always try to make helmet constructions lighter, but you also have to consider quality with regard to long-term use. That means there is a point at which weight affects the level of protection. This applies above all to skiing and ski touring, where helmets are subjected to even greater stress. We focus on research and use our knowledge of critical helmet components to optimise materials and densities and hit the sweet spot, making sure the helmet is a perfect fit for its application. In the end you can make any helmet very safe for a test by adding material, but ultimately it has to be a product that skiers want to use from both an aesthetic and a practical point of view.
What should you check on an older touring helmet before the coming season?
First of all make sure the helmets were stored in dry rooms that were not too warm over the summer, as long storage can affect the material. If there are visible cracks in the EPS/EPP liner – which would mean it is in poor condition and no longer offers optimum protection – check the production date inside the helmet. Three years is a recommendation for a helmet''s service life, but that depends on how it is used and cared for.
