K2’s top of the range helmets are their Diversion MIPS for men and Virtue MIPS for women, which were both new for winter 2021. They share the same construction and multi-sport certification, but are available in different colours and size ranges.
SkiKitInfo.com got to test the Diversion MIPS, to let you know if these helmets are any good. All the points apply to the Virtue MIPS too.
The helmet boasts a decent list of features but this doesn’t always translate into a great product, in real-world scenarios. Watch the video, below, to see what we think about this new helmet, and if it could work for your needs.
We’re not paid by the brands to feature their kit. We don’t receive any commission or income from them for reviewing their products. They don’t have any say in what we write or report about their kit. We test and review so you can get the best information available about the kit you’re interested in. We want to help you make informed decisions. Hey, we all want a massive smile on our faces when skiing, and the right kit helps.
Ski, snowboard, cycle & skate certified
One of the key benefits of this helmet, rather than a feature on it, is that it’s certified for various sports. You can use it for skiing and snowboarding, along with cycling and skating, in the US, Europe and UK*. This adds real value, as this is such a good looking helmet you can readily use it year-round. It’s not the cheapest helmet, at £165 / €189.98 / $189.95*, so the fact you can use it for multiple sports does help to justify the expense.
It’s also better for the planet. Making, shipping and owning one item made of plastic, like a helmet, is less polluting than two or three times as many.
Remove the earpads and neck roll and it looks like a top-line skate or urban / dirt cycle helmet. Pop those bits back on and it looks superb when skiing and snowboarding. Some of this is personal choice but we think K2’s nailed it with the looks, apart from the Black / Gunmetal one – not to our taste; the all black looks far better.
TESTED: K2 Diversion / Virtue MIPS helmet
The Diversion and Virtue MIPS helmets employ a hybrid construction. This combines the lightweight in-mold design you may be used to from cycle helmets with a tougher hard-shell.
The hard-shell is over the top, along the bottom edge and where the rear vents are. This is a key benefit of hard shell, as they can readily include adjustable venting. You’ve got separate venting control on the top and rear of the helmet, to tailor the airflow for your needs and the prevailing conditions.
MIPS in the name lets you know there’s a MIPS sliding layer between the liner and the EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, and is designed to better protect your brain in angled impacts. Watch the video to find out more.
Goggle strap retainers
This harder material also allows them to put goggle strap retainers on the side, rather than at the rear. This is different to most helmets but works superbly well. This feature stops your goggles from flipping backwards, off the helmet, when you lift them off your face.
It also works well when ski touring, to hold a head torch. If you like a bit if touring, check out our review of K2’s entire Wayback and Talkback touring ski range.
Stave off those stinks
The full-wrap, wicking liner is removable and washable; great for keeping odours at bay. You can also remove the ear pads and neck roll, for those spring riding sessions or when out on your bike or skating.
Comfortable fit adjustment
Fit adjustment is taken care of with a dial on the rear, which snugs the helmet right around your head, rather than just shoving you forward in the helmet.
This is a really comfortable helmet and the design is great for year-round use. It looks really good on and with a range of colour options it’s pretty easy to match your taste.
Extra info
*Certification
The K2 Diversion MIPS and Virtue MIPS are certified to ASTM F2040 for snowsports and CPSC for bicycle, roller / in-line skate and kick scooter in America.
They’re also certified to EN1077 (Class B) for ski and snowboard, along with EN1078 for bicycle, skateboard and roller / in-line skate in Europe. The European standards (EN) are currently aligned with the British Standards (BS EN1077 and BS EN1078), but they may change in the future, following Britain leaving the European Union.
Gimme More
Want to see more kit tests and reviews then subscribe to the SkiKitInfo.com YouTube channel for industry leading gear test videos, or check out What’s New for 2021? for more gear reviews from SkiKitInfo.com.
Want to see more of what K2’s got to offer, you can visit their site at K2snow.com.
Independent, honest, unbiased reviews & tests
All of the info, reviews and testing by SkiKitInfo.com is independent and unbiased, to give you a full and honest appraisal of the products. Brands don’t pay us to review their kit or have any say in how the review turns out. We’re all passionate ski experts and want to provide you with the best information available.
Quoted Prices
*Prices quoted here can be a mixture of recommended retail price from the brand and prices that you can currently get the kit for from retailers in that territory. The prices may therefore be less or more than you can find in-store / online and are only intended to give you a guide as to what you may expect to pay.
Always ensure you do adequate research when buying ski equipment to ensure you’re getting the best service and advice from the retailer, combined with a price that works for your budget. Don’t always assume that cheaper means better value.
0 Comments