Help me design a new CONCEPT Snow-sports HELMET! (Small survey included)

Hey there Snowsporters!

I'm a student in my 4th year of study doing a Masters in Product Design and Manufacture, and as part of my final design project I've decided to design a snow-sports helmet with a difference!

Whenever I'm on the slopes I find that the balaclava covering my mouth and nose always gets moist as I breath in and out, and this moisture creates a cold, damp, smelly patch which is uncomfortable! My idea is to implement a detachable mouthpiece that provides comfortable ventilation and offers some added protection!

I've set up a simple 6 question survey that will greatly help me in my research phase of this project so please feel free to do that by clicking on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CYRWY7M

Please tell me in the comments below what you like from a helmet (EG: Do you listen to music when you ski - and would this effect what type of helmet you bought?).

All comments welcome and feel free to tell me about some first person experiences / problems that you've encountered whilst on the slopes!

FAQ: How is it different to other existing full face helmets that exist, such a Ruroc?
A: Ruroc has a detachable mouthpiece thats main focus is to provide extra safety for falls / collisions and is designed with the idea of either attaching the mouthpiece for the full day or removing it at the start of the day and not using it. My design will focus on trying to avoid the damp uncomfortable balaclava problem that I mentioned above (therefore will be lighter and more compact + easier to transport), as well as using a release / hook mechanism with a magnet allowing quick removal and attachment even with gloves on. (I found that some people prefer helmets without full face protection because its easier to talk to their friends at the bottom of a slope without something covering their mouth).

Thanks all
Richard

There's a simple solution to your problem; don't wear a balaclava!

LOTA wrote:There's a simple solution to your problem; don't wear a balaclava!

But what about windchill?

RichardBenc wrote:

LOTA wrote:There's a simple solution to your problem; don't wear a balaclava!

But what about windchill?

What about it? Never had a problem with a frozen face in 40+ years of skiing in all conditions. A helmet, goggles, a good jacket with high collar and one of those things that go round your neck and can be pulled up like a cowboy mask is more than enough.

As they say on the Dragons' Den - you're creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist!

Have to agree with LOTA.

Assuming you made any kind of what you deemed to be an improvement, it is most unlikely that any manufacturer what want to take up a minor change. The cost of retesting to EN1077, probably just the B level, would not be insignificant.

I've completed the questionnaire with comments.

I have a merino wool buff which does the job for me.

We use Buff's but they get quite damp and manky. I hate getting a cold chin/ face so good luck with your research.

I never wore a balaklava and never felt I needed it. It won't fit under my helmet anyway. Buff does a job well enough on those frankly rare very cold days when it gets below -15 at the top. I agree that any improvement in this direction will increase the cost of product and if I am to pay more I want to pay for real protection rather than removing what is a minor inconvenience.