The Salomon MTN Lab is a ski helmet built for a purpose. Resort hounds and lift addicts can move along; the MTN Lab is not for you. Those who toil to earn their turns, travel with a full avalanche setup, and those who seek solitude away from the hordes at the resorts, here's your helmet. With a super light weight, massive venting, and a design that meets the rigorous safety standards for both skiing and mountaineering helmets, this is a backcountry or ski-mountaineering enthusiast's dream. Furthermore, Salomon has included small touches that add significant value to the backcountry crowd. Pre-dawn skin? The MTN Lab has you covered with headlamp-retaining hooks on both sides. Warm day? Sweaty head? The Merino wool liner can be removed, washed, and even replaced with an included summer liner. It has its flaws, and it's going to disappoint those who don't understand and embrace its intended purpose, but if you find yourself out in the backcountry with some regularity and it fits your head, you'll find a lot to like in the MTN Lab.
REASONS TO BUY
Super lightweight
Immense venting
Backcountry-specific features
REASONS TO AVOID
Round fit not for every head
Vents can't be closed or plugged
Editor's Note: The Salomon MTN Lab review was updated on February 25, 2022. We provide additional tips on who this product is good for and help to compare other helmets.
Round fit not for every head, vents can't be closed or plugged
Pricey
Earpads are challenging to remove, dial hard to use with gloves, style
Velcro adhesive is easy to accidentally remove from the MIPS insert
Heavy, larger profile
Bottom Line
A quality helmet that caters to the skimo and backcountry skiing crowd
Deemed best of the best by our testers, there isn't a better combination of performance available from any model we have tested
Equally at home on the skin track as the resort, we reached for this budget-friendly helmet frequently on ski tours
A helmet that appeals to many riders and has the feature set and price to make it an excellent value
Equipped with MIPS, adjustable vents, and an adjustable dial, this model has high-end features and strong performance at a stellar price
Rating Categories
Salomon MTN Lab
Smith Vantage MIPS
Smith Mission MIPS
Pret Cynic X2 MIPS
Giro Ratio MIPS
Comfort(25%)
4.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Warmth(25%)
4.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Ventilation(20%)
10.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
Weight(10%)
10.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Goggle Compatibility(10%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Style(10%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Specs
Salomon MTN Lab
Smith Vantage MIPS
Smith Mission MIPS
Pret Cynic X2 MIPS
Giro Ratio MIPS
Measured Weight (in ounces)
12.7 oz
17.7 oz
16.9 oz
17.2 oz
21.7 oz
Rotational Impact Protection System
EPS4D
MIPS
MIPS
MIPS
MIPS
Adjustment System
Custom dial adjustment system
Boa Fit System
Adjustable Dial Fit System
RCS QR Fit System
In form dial
# of Vents?
20
20
18
12
10
Number of Sizes
3
3
4
4
4
Removable Ear Covers?
Yes (whole liner comes out and can be replaced with ear-less version)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Goggle Attachment?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Visor?
Yes (brim)
No
No
Yes (brim)
No
Audio Compatibility?
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Certifications
CE-EN1077, ASTM F 2040, EN 12492
ASTM F 2040, CE EN 1077 Class B
ASTM F 2040, CE EN 1077:2007 Class B
ASTM F 2040, CE EN1077 B06
CE EN 1077
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Color Update
For the 2023 model year, the Salomon MTN Lab helmet no longer comes in the Black/Blue color we tested. It is now offered in black (pictured above), rainy day (off-white), and bleached aqua (a light blue-greenish). -January 2023
The MTN Lab is a backcountry/mountaineering-specific helmet. As such, it's geared toward more active (see: sweaty) skiers who do more than indulge in gravity-fed resort skiing and riding.
Performance Comparison
These turns were earned! When skinning uphill, we appreciate the low weight and profile of the MTN Lab helmet from Salomon.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Comfort
As with most helmets, the personal fit will dictate a great deal of the overall comfort of a helmet. We found the MTN Lab to be a bit quirky fit-wise, and it earned one of the lowest scores of the group. The fit is a little broader and shallower than some of our other top-rated helmets, meaning those with more slender or tall heads might find the fit a bit off (or might need to consider sizing up or using a skull cap to personalize the fit). Those of us with more narrow heads seemed to feel like the ear pads rode a little high. That said, everyone's skull is different, and our testers with more rounded domes seemed to feel right at home in the MTN Lab.
There is a dial-fit system at the back of the helmet to cinch up the inner fit, which makes a big difference in personalizing your fit. We would definitely recommend testing the fit at your local retailer before purchasing.
Because the fit isn't for everyone, we recommend trying this model on first at a local gear shop, or ordering from an online retailer with a great return policy, before you dream up too many backcountry laps in this helmet. And if you ski with a liner or cap, be sure to wear it when testing for your size and fit.
Scoping out the next drop-in entry while ski touring in the Tahoe Basin. Many backcountry skiers will prefer the weight savings of the MTN Lab and not mind the lack in comfort.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Salomon decided to forego plush interior padding with this helmet, likely for weight-saving reasons. The result is that this helmet isn't as cush as lots of the competition in this review. When you get a good fit, it feels relatively comfortable until you compare it to a more padded option. If you feel the need for some extra padding, you can always toss on a beanie underneath.
Warmth
Warmth is where the MTN Lab struggles, or at least requires an assist from its owner. It scored relatively low, but let's get to the positives first. From the mid-skull down (including the ears), the MTN Lab has a soft, warm, Merino wool liner that should suffice on all but the coldest days on the hill (sorry, Jackson Hole in February). Unfortunately, the upper half of the liner is mesh, which is essentially insulation zero.
The MTN Lab is designed with ventilation in mind (see below) much more than warmth, and you may have to make up for this by adding layers elsewhere. The vents are large and plentiful. Unfortunately, they're also plug-less. No slider to close the vents, no rubber plugs, nothing. If it's dumping out, it's going to pile up in neat little stacks, just the size of the vents, starting on the mesh liner, directly on top of your head. It's perhaps the MTN Lab's most significant flaw, but one that you can mitigate by wearing a skull cap (or another hat of your choice) underneath the helmet. Also, knowing that the backcountry hardcore is a group of innovators and DIYers, there are many creative ways you could plug the vents when necessary using things you likely carry in your backcountry pack already (duct tape, anyone?).
The two liners, summer on left, winter on right that come with the Salomon MTN Lab.
Now, should you have to do these things? No. We just know that regular users of the backcountry tend to be both willing and able to improvise and that, to them, duct tape is a badge of honor. It's also possible that the folks at Salomon are so committed to backcountry safety in this, their backcountry-specific helmet, that they don't want you out in the backcountry when it's stormy and avalanche danger is at Defcon 1. Ideally, you're out making skin tracks under bluebird skies, and much of this section of the review is irrelevant.
The permanently-open vents, make the MTN Lab a bit cool on a storm day. We suggest using a skull cap or other liner when there's precip in the forecast.
Ventilation
Now that we've dispensed with the negatives let's get to where the MTN Lab shines. It is easily one of the most ventilated helmets on the market and a top dog in our group of contenders. It is one of the highest-scoring helmets in this metric. You've got two vents in the front, forehead-level; six on the top, three back on both sides; and four more at the back of the helmet flanking the goggle strap.
To say that the ventilation in the MTN Lab is extraordinary isn't hyperbole. We're confident you could ski the mean streets of Phoenix in August and feel well-vented (okay, that's a stretch). The mesh-topped liner also adds to the incredible ventilation. If you'd still like to pair it down further, you can remove the liner altogether to exorcize the Merino wool liner and ear flaps, at which point the MTN Lab starts to look like a climbing helmet hybrid.
The MTN Lab, while phenomenally well-vented, can't close those same vents, making it susceptible to the elements.
We also appreciate that you can remove the liner for washing. Backcountry users know that after a few trips, just about anything that's been up and down a few laps gets funky. It's nice to know you can clean your helmet just like you (hopefully) clean your socks.
With the liner removed, the MTN Lab becomes more like a climbing helmet.
If you clean your liners (as we would recommend on occasion), hang or lay flat to dry. No need to risk shrinking up your liner to save a few hours.
Weight
Weight is another category that the MTN Lab shines in. At a featherweight 12.7 oz., it's pushing just how lightweight a ski helmet can be while still offering the necessary protection.
When it comes to weight, it's evident that Salomon is going all-in on a backcountry-specific helmet. The fight against gravity as you skin up a mountain is battle enough. Every ounce you can leave at home makes your journey quicker and easier, which should make you happier. Whether you're a committed weight-weenie, right down to the uber-light ski setup, or you just want your ascents to be easier, the MTN Lab won't hold you back.
This Salomon helmet is the lightest we've tested to attach to a pack, a major reason why it earns our Top Pick for ski touring.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Goggle Compatability
There is nothing revolutionary about the goggle fit of the MTN Lab. It's not going to be the reason you buy it, nor is it going to make you reconsider your purchase. A bungee strap pulls down from the back and hooks to keep your goggle safely secured on the helmet. The goggles we tested didn't leave any noticeable gaps or obvious points of discomfort.
One point to add is that Salomon, in its commitment to all things backcountry with this helmet, did include two headlamp retainers (one on either side) to keep your headlamp fixed firmly on the front of the helmet and the straps from riding up on the rounded edges.
The headlamp retainer seems like a minor feature, but actually does a great job keeping your headlamp from slipping off the top of the helmet.
We were curious, so we tried headlamps on a few other models. Sure enough, with a little bit of action (which you could certainly expect skinning uphill and skiing downhill), they tended to slide up and off the top of the helmet. While mainly a niche use of this Salomon helmet, it's clever, and it works. You'll be the envy of the skin line on those dark morning ascents and evening laps. It is an awesome feature but limited in usefulness to a smaller group of people.
Style
Style may be in the eye of the beholder, but in our opinion, the MTN Lab is a smooth-looking helmet. It's not loud or showy or particularly stylish; it's classic. For those style-conscious backcountry skiers, it should match up one way or another to the rest of your gear. It also comes in three color options, black, rainy day (off-white), and bleached aqua (light blue-greenish).
Should You Buy the Salomon MTN Lab?
The MTN Lab is built for a specific purpose and a specific crowd, and if you are looking for a traditional and cozy helmet, you may have to look elsewhere. It's not for everyone, but for those who spend most or all of their days providing their own uphill ride, it's a great helmet. The MTN Lab isn't the cheapest helmet we tested, but it is one of the most discipline-specific. If you're a committed backcountry skier, the price shouldn't scare you off.
What Other Ski Helmets Should You Consider?
The MTN Lab offers features built around being in the backcountry more than any other helmet we tested. If you are geared similarly toward being in the backcountry, this helmet should have your attention. Given the increased danger of backcountry travel, a bump in price in just about any backcountry-specific gear is understandable. You can also consider that, to a degree, you're buying two helmets in one. It's a ski helmet; it's a mountaineering helmet; it's both. Our favorite backcountry-focused option to consider is the Smith Summit MIPS. If you spend your time on skis running laps on resort groomers, the Smith Vantage MIPS is our top recommendation.
Made for exploring the snowpack outside the resort, the MTN Lab is not an all-around champ. But for its intended use, it's pretty awesome.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
