Salomon MTN Lab Helmet

Adjustment System

The MTN Lab has a standard adjustment dial on the back of the head, it’s easy to operate, and cinches the helmet down tight. It’s easy enough to adjust that I’ve caught myself fiddling with it while skiing if my helmet is feeling loose.

Cy Whitling reviews the Salomon MTN Lab helmet for Blister Gear Review.
Cy Whitling in the Salomon MTN Lab Helmet, Olympic National Park, WA. (photo by David Steele)

The plastic trusses that hold the adjustment system in place snap in and out of the inside of the helmet; they’re not attached permanently. I really appreciate this, since in a crash, or if the helmet is just bumping around the back of your car, those trusses can take a beating, and I’d much rather have them pop out than break, rendering the helmet useless.

Venting

The MTN Lab breathes as well or better than any ski helmet I’ve ever used. The vents do a good job when moving slowly, climbing, or traversing, and really cool things off once you get skiing. It’s still warmer than an unlined climbing helmet, but that’s a compromise I’m willing to make in exchange for the added protection.

Goggle Attachment

The MTN Lab’s rear goggle attachment system is easy to use. It’s just an elastic cord with a hook, and a large tab that’s easy to operate, even with gloves on. (I tend to wear my goggles under my helmet, so I pulled it off.)

Headlamp Clips

There are clips for a headlamp strap on the front of the helmet. They do a great job keeping a headlamp in place, but are a little small if you want to try to stick your goggle strap up there.

Helmet Bag (you should actually read this section)

Finally, the MTN Lab comes with the best helmet bag I’ve ever used. Normally—if I use a helmet bag at all—I just stuff my goggles, helmet, gloves, and facemask into one. The end.

But the MTN Lab’s bag has three clips that allow you to attach it to the outside of any pack, and cinch it down so that your helmet doesn’t bob around. While I prefer to use a helmet cradle that’s built into most smaller packs, for larger missions (like our trip to Olympus) it often becomes necessary to throw the helmet on the outside of the pack. The helmet bag makes this easy and secure, and this particular attention to detail really makes a difference.

In Use

While the MTN Lab is definitely optimized for backcountry travel, it is also rated for inbounds use, and I first wore the helmet on closing weekend at Grand Targhee. It did a good job of staying put over two days of snowblading shenanigans, and I set off on the Mt Olympus trip excited to test it in the backcountry.

After ten days of inbounds and backcountry use, I’ve been very impressed with the MTN Lab. I notice its low weight, and I appreciate its breathability and dual rating on longer, more mountaineering-focused trips, while also finding it to feel comfortable enough and protective enough that I don’t hesitate to use it inbounds, either. Salomon does offer the MTN Charge, which is a more freeride-focused touring helmet, that gets you a bit of added protection in exchange for more bulk and weight.

After a few crashes and run-ins with tree branches (plus three weeks banging around in the back of my car) the MTN Lab is still going strong. The outer shell very thick, and feels more like a very thin plastic layer over the foam of the helmet. This outer shell is a little scratched up, but I haven’t noticed any structural damage.

Bottom Line

For skiers getting into terrain that involves exposed climbing and mountaineering, the Salomon MTN Lab helmet represents a nice solution to the dilemma of comfort vs. protection. It’s lightweight and well designed, allowing you to move faster and more comfortably in the mountains without sacrificing safety.

 

13 comments on “Salomon MTN Lab Helmet”

  1. For what it’s worth, I find the helmet reasonably comfortable without the liner. Certainly better with a hat or toque, but totally doable. The rest of this review totally reflects my opinion on the helmet, which I quite love for touring.

  2. Are you sure that’s a MTN lab? Looks like a mtn patrol to me. And is the same weight as one. Labs come in white/grey and yellow, patrols in black

  3. You said you don’t like ear flaps. This has removable ear flaps so I can’t believe you didn’t test the helmet with the liner and without the ear flaps for us. How could you not figure that out? If you can’t figure out how to remove the removable ear flaps you really shouldn’t be doing equipment reviews. Fail.

  4. Hey James,

    As I noted in the review, the earflaps are part of the liner, so they are removable — but only if you don’t mind taking the whole liner out. As I also noted in the review, I’ve been using the helmet without the liner or earflaps, and have just worn a hat underneath. It’s been very comfortable and I like the added brim.

    Finally, as I mentioned, Salomon said they are coming out with a new summer liner without earflaps this year. Once that is available I’ll update the review with my impressions.

    As I enter my second winter with this helmet it’s still my favorite option for long tours, big trips, and climbing exposed lines, although I am excited to try the new Dynafit ST helmet.

    Thanks for the comment!

  5. great review. just got the helmet and agree w/o liner its not so comfortable or secure (head wobble test), so curious to hear if you’ve compared to the Uvex p.8000, which appears quite similar in style but has a removable liner, separately removable ear pads, and without liner appears to still have some padding to make it more comfortable. also $50 cheaper, though slightly heavier (+50-60g).

  6. Hello,

    Thank you for the great review.
    I’m contemplating between getting a duel certified helmet like this one, or a dedicated ski helmet with MIPS technology for the extra protection. While weight and ventilation are factors to consider a tend to get cold and not to worry about an extra 100 gr. Are there any safety issues to consider when using a ski helmet for winter climbing? Are climbing certified helmets safer for falling rocks or ice?

    Thank you,

  7. Hello,

    If you can, you should test ski helmets (skitouring helmets in particular) on safety and impact, because I bought a Salomon MTN Helmet, based on the positive reviews in terms of performance, weight, comfort, etc, but it got dented in the boot of my car lying between backpacks and skis. Salomon said it was no longer safe to use (reviewed the images I sent them). I bought it, used it for two days (brilliant helmet in terms of use), but have to throw it away now because of this. My old UVEX helmets have had crashes, hit by tree branches, etc, with only minor dents or scratches. Here it was so badly damaged that it was no longer safe to use. What would have happened if I had fallen at high speed or a if a rock had hit it….?

  8. Did you guys only test a black one? Other reviews mention that the white helmet is a color magnet and will discolor/pick up colors from anything it rubs again. Is that true? I’d prefer white but not if it’s going to be a color sponge.

  9. coming in late here – but OP wrote that his 59cm circumference head is a good fit for this helmet in M size. However, Salomon helmet sizing for M is 56 – 59cm. So he muts have been straddling the M and L sizes but yet he wrote that there was enough wiggle room to size down and up. Surely not up if the helmet’s size limit is 59cm according to the official literature. Thinking of the MTN helmet too, but I am between the sizes at 59cm also.

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