For an ever-growing number of skiers and snowboarders, a helmet is becoming essential piece of kit – as indispensable as ski boots or their jacket. These days all major pro-level freestyle competitions insist that competitors wear lids, and they’ve been mandatory on the Freeride World Tour for years. While there aren’t many resorts that legally require people to wear them, they are increasingly becoming part of the furniture on the hill.

In many ways then, it’s surprising that a company the size of Oakley are only just launching a range of helmets for the first time this year. But according to the brand representatives we spoke to, they were keen to make sure they had the product absolutely spot on before they launched it.

The Mod 3 is one of two models they’ve launched in this inaugural season. It’s cheaper than its cousin, the Mod 5, but this is still a high quality product. The Mod in the name refers to the modular brim. If you’ve got particularly large goggles, you can loosen two screws and slide the brim off to make sure you get a snug fit between your goggle frame and helmet. Not only does having this option make the helmet more comfortable, it also helps you avoid the infamous “punter gap” – and the tell-tale strip of sunburned forehead which goes with it.

“The modular brim makes the helmet more comfortable and helps you avoid the infamous ‘punter gap’ – and the tell-tale strip of sunburned forehead which goes with it.”