Sweet Protection Ascender Helmet Fit Makes the Uphill Much More Enjoyable

Sweet Protection was founded by Norwegian athletes in 2000 with a simple goal: to enhance safety in their respective action sports.  The Ascender MIPS Helmet is the result of over 25 years of research and development in this field. 

While it may not be for everyone, this helmet holds its own against competitors and is undeniably a top-tier choice for dedicated backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering brain buckets.

Is this a Ski Helmet or Climbing Lid?

Once the initial color shock wore off, the simple and polished design of the Ascender MIPS became obvious.  This helmet is clearly engineered with the backcountry skier and ski mountaineer in mind.  It boasts an impressively low profile and excellent ventilation and, at under one pound, it hits a sweet spot for weight, especially given its solid construction and certification as a proper ski helmet. 

The interior size adjustment is intuitive, and the goggle attachment points on either side are straightforward and effective.  While the Ascender’s appearance is almost more bike helmet than ski helmet, its sturdy build and thoughtful construction left me eager to test it out in the hills.

And if pink and turquoise don’t jive with your kit, fear not.  Sweet Protection offers 7 other unique colors to choose from. 

Field Testing

March in the Tetons was the perfect month to field test gear.  With ample snow and a mix of wind and temperature swings, I had the chance to ski with the Ascender MIPS helmet on multiple occasions, across various locations and conditions.  All said and done, I spent a couple of days storm touring on Teton Pass and two more days in Grand Teton National Park – including a bootpack up The Sliver donning the this helmet with MIPS technology.

It took a moment to find the right fit for my head (possibly due to my growing head of hair) but, once adjusted, I came to enjoy how the Ascender fit.  Its unique profile may not work for everyone, so I’d recommend trying it on first if possible.  If the fit and sizing works for you, however, you’ll likely love it.  The adjustment system, as mentioned earlier, is easy to use, and I had no trouble fitting a thick buff underneath during the colder, stormy days on Teton Pass.  Having the ability to do so is critical on those colder days, given the Ascender’s low profile and minimal side protection.

The Sweet Protection goggle attachment system performed well, keeping my goggles secure without any slippage even with its simple design.  While the Ascender is designed with Sweet Protection goggles in mind, I found that my Smith goggles fit just as well.

Weight and Venting

One of the standout features of this helmet is its weight-to-protection ratio. While not as light as a dedicated climbing helmet, the Ascender offers one of the best helmet protection ratings for ski mountaineering helmets at such a low weight. I hope I never have to test the MIPS impact protection for real, but the helmet’s solid construction and fit leave me confident in its performance should it ever come to that.

The ventilation system is another huge selling point, especially for spring ski mountaineering adventures when the sun is out and temperatures are on the rise.  I toured with this helmet on and was impressed with its breathability.  Even moreso, while setting a bootpack in The Sliver, I was very pleased with how cool my head remained during a higher-output activity.

Over the course of my testing, the Ascender MIPS helmet held up beautifully through a variety of conditions. While its unique fit might not work for everyone, if it does suit you, the Ascender could easily become the last style of ski mountaineering helmet you’ll ever own.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Excellent ventilation
2. Lightweight with a low profile, yet still rated as a true ski helmet
3. Easy size adjustment mechanism
4. Works well with both goggles and sunglasses
5. Available in multiple colors

Cons

1. Limited side impact protection, despite certification
2. Unique fit that may not work for everyone

Overall Impression

Sweet Protection’s Ascender MIPS Helmet ($230.00) is a standout in the growing category of ski mountaineering helmets.  The Ascender offers all you would want in a dedicated ski mountaineering helmet – lightweight, breathable, and highly protective – but would not translate well to a more climbing oriented helmet. 

If you are looking for a “quiver killer” helmet that will join you at the crag in the summertime, this is not it.  But, if you are in the market for a dedicated ski mountaineering helmet that excels on both the ascent and descent, has top tier protection ratings, and is sure to keep your most precious asset safe in the mountains, Sweet Protection’s Ascender MIPS is a great choice.

One look in person and you might even find yourself buying it in pink.  

Related MIPS Helmets We Have Tested Skiing & Snowboarding

1. Sweet Protection Switcher MIPS Helmet
2. POCito Obex MIPS Helmet
3. Smith Maze MIPS Helmet