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Winter/Arctic helmet options
Does anyone have experience of riding the Arctic circle in winter?
I am needing a helmet that wont fog up and freeze the visor. I currently have a Shoei Multitec with pinlock but i have managed to freeze that in the UK at -10 so with wind chill temperatures possible as low as -80 -90 i dont think it will work. Possible ideas are a motocross helmet and double glazed goggles or some sort of heated visor/snow mobile helmet. What are your thoughts? Thanks |
I found the best solution for a part time rider was a jet type helmet or MX goggles. The locals all seem to go for ski-mobile type kit, but in my case riding across places where they might check your ECE stickers, or the insurance might, plus the cost of new kit for a short trip every couple of years wasn't going to work out.
I've also added heating traces to a standard visor: https://sites.google.com/site/threew...ces/heated-kit This worked OK but getting enough power to melt ice but not the visor is impossible, you have to switch it on and keep it on, it will stay clear but not clear itself from nothing. I'm guessing the ski-mobile kit is a different plastic grade. I'm also very wary of reliance on electrical gear. The Scandanavians have access to plastic plugs that won't go brittle etc. and the experience to know when to switch on, when to take the battery indoors, where and when to grease up and so forth. As someone who rode in these conditions two weeks a year I needed idiot proof gear. Andy |
It depends a bit on how cold you expect it to be (winter riding or spring riding) and the duration of your exposure.
The snowmobile helmets work the best as they are designed to operate to any minimum temps you would be exposed to, keep your visor free and clear as they are heated and with some shrouding, keep the wind and air off you which keeps you warmer and minimizes the threat of frostbite. The MX helmets and goggles can work well in moderate conditions of moderate duration as you can cover exposed skin with balaclavas, etc. Over time though, the high air flow, can cool you down excessively. Plenty of snowmobilers will use these as well in a very broad range of conditions, but the riding is different and there is much more stop and start, getting stuck, drinking beer, etc. that breaks up the day. Motorcycle helmets are fine down to a certain limit, and then don't have enough airflow to keep your visor clear. You can introduce more airflow by cracking your visor, but then you'll get cold pretty fast. Beyond that, you have to go to a snowmobile helmet. Happy planning, where are you thinking of going? |
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Thanks for the replies guys and some really useful links there for me to consider.
We are heading up to Siberia. Salekhard is the destination but i would like to get up and see some of the Kara sea if I get time and i am not completely fed up of the cold. I haven't got a website yet but i have a just giving page which i will put a link up so that is is possible to track my location/see photos live once it is working. Patrick Evans is fundraising for British Heart Foundation |
You might found something here... Arctic Butt
Done three times over 1000 mile less than 24h there....:innocent: |
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