ALPINA product test: Visor helmet or ski helmet and goggles?

For most winter sports enthusiasts, helmets are now an integral part of their ski equipment. The selection of models is correspondingly diverse. Ski helmets are now available in a wide variety of shapes and colours, as conventional helmets worn with ski goggles or with an integrated visor. We have tested two helmet variants from ALPINA for you: the Gems ski helmet with Double Jack MAG Q goggles and the Alto Q-lite visor helmet.

Well protected with ALPINA

 Ski helmets protect against injuries to the head and face in the event of a fall and are therefore, quite rightly, an indispensable part of skiing today. Ski goggles are just as important. Because for safety on the slopes, good vision is also of great importance.

To ensure that the ski goggles fit perfectly with the helmet, they should ideally match the ski helmet. Alternatively, visor helmets are becoming increasingly popular, where the goggle lens is already integrated into the helmet.

The Bavarian brand ALPINA offers a wide range of goggles and helmets. In the field of ski goggles, it has long been one of the market leaders in Germany. The brand's innovative products and technologies always focus on protection and safety.

We tested two ski helmets and a pair of goggles from Alpina for a day on the slopes. Katrin wore the Gems helmet with Double Jack MAG Q goggles, Isabell was on the slopes with the Alto Q-lite visor helmet. The two unisex helmets are available in different sizes and colours.

ALPINA Gems

The ALPINA Gems is a lightweight freeride helmet where the first thing you notice is the large-scale perforated pattern structure of the Active Venting System. Especially on strenuous climbs or in sunny weather, this active ventilation on the top allows for better air circulation. The system can also be operated with gloves, so that the air supply to the head can be regulated as needed at any time. The Ergomatic harness buckle with the red push-button is also easy to operate and can be adjusted to fit using a multi-stage automatic locking system.

You can flexibly adjust the size of the helmet to your head with the rotary wheel of the Run System Ergo Snow. ALPINA uses lavalan® sheep's wool for the insulation material in the helmet, which is breathable and prevents perspiration odour. If necessary, the pads can also be removed and washed. For optimum protection in the backcountry, the cover at the back of the head is particularly deep.

Katrin's verdict on the ALPINA Gems

"My impression of the Gems ski helmet was thoroughly positive. I found the perforated pattern structure at the top of the helmet practical, as it is very easy to operate even when wearing gloves, allowing you to flexibly "vent" more or less depending on your exertion. The ski helmet feels very comfortable when worn, not least thanks to the soft padding inside the helmet. 

To ensure an optimal hold of the ski goggles, there is an expandable rubber loop at the back of the helmet with which the goggles can be fixed. This way, the ski goggles always stay connected to the helmet, even during breaks at the hut."

>> Shop ALPINA Gems

^{*We had the Alpina Gems in the black-rose matt colour variant.}

ALPINA Double Jack MAG Q

 The ALPINA Double Jack MAG Q ski goggles go with the Gems. The spherical Quattroflex lens with polarising filter enhances contrasts, minimises reflections and filters out disturbing stray light. The Double Jack MAG Q also comes with an additional mirrored lens that can be magnetically attached to the goggles. With just one movement, you can attach the lens to the frame when the sun is shining. If the view gets worse, you simply take it off again. 

The comfortably padded frame of the glasses adapts to the face. Thanks to the active ventilation flaps, fresh air can flow into the goggle body, which prevents the goggles from fogging up. It is also possible to wear the ski goggles over glasses. The inside of the adjustable strap is rubberised so that the goggles do not slip off the helmet. The Double Jack MAG Q's range of use extends from the slopes to freeride adventures and ski tours. 

Katrin's verdict on the Double Jack MAG Q

"I was particularly excited about the Double Jack MAG Q ski goggles with their magnetic lens. I had never worn such a model before. Attaching and removing the lens is very easy and does not pose any problems, even during the ride if necessary. The glasses never fogged up at any time.

On our ski day, we had cloudless skies and therefore very good visibility, which meant that I skied almost exclusively with the darker additional lens*. This was ideal, at least in the upper part of the ski area. It became more problematic further down, when we went through some woods. In changing light conditions, I couldn't see the contrasts in the shadows quite as well with the darker lens. 

Otherwise, the Double Jack MAG Q felt very good when worn thanks to its soft foam padding. The double rubber coating on the inside of the goggle strap is also practical and ensures a secure hold on the helmet."

>> Discover the ALPINA Double MAG Q

^{*We had the glasses with us in the colour black matt with the lens Q S1/ S black FM S3.}

ALPINA Alto Q-lite

For the ALPINA Alto Q-lite, on the other hand, you don't need any additional glasses. A high-tech lens is already integrated into the visor helmet. The Alto Q-lite thus offers 2-in-1 protection on the slopes. Here, too, the holes of the Air Venting System on the top of the helmet provide active ventilation. In bad weather, however, the holes can also be closed via the slider at the back of the head.

Even with gloves on, the visor is very easy to open and close. The newly developed translational-rotational mechanism is responsible for this. Thanks to this mechanism, the visor closes tightly around the face so that no cold air enters the goggles even at high speeds. Contrasts in the snow become more visible thanks to the lens' Quattroflex Lite technology, which makes the view much clearer. 

With the "Run System" wheel at the back of the head, the size of the helmet can be individually adjusted so that it fits really well. The Fidlock helmet closure is easy to open and close - even with one hand. The interior is made of high-quality lavalan® sheep's wool. The neck guard also ensures pleasant warmth and comfort.

>> Shop the ALPINA  Alto Q-lite

Isabell's verdict on the Alto Q-lite

"At the beginning, I still had doubts as to whether a visor could actually be as tight as a normal pair of ski goggles. At the end of the day, however, I was really positively surprised at how well my eyes were protected from the cold wind. And that was definitely necessary on our test day. After all, the temperature was only just under -15°C.

Even in changing light conditions between bright and shady sections, the view through the visor was very good. I can't judge how it does in foggy or cloudy conditions, as we had a cold but thoroughly sunny ski day.

The Alto Q-lite is really comfortable to wear. Once the helmet is on your head, flipping the visor up and down works smoothly even when wearing gloves."

^{We had the ALPINA Alto Q-lite in the charcoal-rose matt colour variant.}