Atomic Four AMID Pro Ski Helmet Review

The morning had been bluebird, bright, and borderline hot at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. As the day progressed, though, the weather started to turn. Big, dark storm clouds loomed to the south and seemed to be drifting in my direction.

My Atomic Four AMID Pro Helmet had been helping ventilate my head all morning. But I knew that if it started getting cold, this helmet and its merino-insulated liner would also keep my noggin warm.

Every helmet fits and feels a little different, but the Atomic Four AMID Pro has got to be one of the comfiest I’ve ever worn. Not only does it regulate temperature well, but between the self-molding pads and 360-degree fit system, this helmet also felt like a near-custom fit.

In short: The Atomic Four AMID Pro Helmet ($220) is a mid-weight, comfortable helmet for skiing and snowboarding. It’s rated above industry safety standards and designed with audio compatibility, self-molding pads, and a 360-degree fit system. It ventilates well and offers the option to remove the ear pads and goggle clip. Whether you spend your time in the park, on the bumps, or in the trees, this helmet is a solid option.

Compare the Atomic AMID Pro Helmet to those on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Ski Helmets.

Atomic Four AMID Pro Helmet Review

The Four AMID Pro helmet is a freeski helmet designed in collaboration with Atomic’s Freeride Team. It has an “urban-inspired” low-profile look, and was designed with numerous safety technologies, cooling and ventilation features, and an easy-to-use magnetic Fidlock Buckle.

As far as helmets go, this one is pretty sleek. It doesn’t have adjustable vents, a mount for cameras, or any other external features. All of the bells and whistles of the Atomic Four are built into the helmet itself.

I tested a size Large on this helmet over numerous ski days at resorts around Colorado, in weather that ranged from warm and springy to cold and stormy. Throughout my testing, I wore several different pairs of goggles with this helmet, including the Oakley Line Miner, the REVO Carver, and the Smith 4D MAG XL.

Safety

Of course, the number one reason why anyone wears a helmet while skiing is for protection. On this front, the Four AMID Pro helmet delivers in excess. “AMID technology” stands for Atomic Multi-directional Impact Deflector.

According to Atomic, this tech offers 40% greater impact protection than industry standards require. It’s a dual-density foam system that provides protection from impacts from all directions, similar to MIPS.

The helmet also uses Holo Core technology, which extends the helmet’s “crumple zone” in the event of a crash, maximizing shock absorption. Atomic claims this technology offers up to 30% more than industry safety standards require.

While I didn’t test the crumple zone or impact absorption of this helmet, the fact that Atomic went above and beyond the required safety standards gives me confidence that this helmet would protect me in a fall.

Comfort & Fit

I said it once, and I’ll say it again: The Four AMID Pro is one of the most comfortable helmets I’ve ever worn. My size Large fits similarly to other size Large men’s helmets I’ve worn before. Atomic does not list any information about the helmet’s circumference range. According to Atomic, a size small weighs 380 g. My kitchen scale weighed my size Large at 20.3 ounces (577 g). It’s mid-weight, but it wasn’t heavy or cumbersome to wear.

The liner is made with Merino X-Static, which not only helps regulate a person’s temperature but also has antimicrobial (and anti-odor) properties. This helmet’s 3D-molded ear pads aren’t bulky and don’t press into my ears. Instead, they’re almost concave, creating a space where my ear isn’t being squished against my head.

The 360 fit system makes it easy to dial the fit and make the helmet perfectly snug. That improves comfort and prevents the helmet from shifting around when I’m skiing. Even if I hit a bump at speed or land hard off a jump, I haven’t noticed this helmet twisting or slipping forward. It stays securely in place.

Atomic used its “Live Fit” system in the Four AMID Pro helmet, which is supposed to self-mold to your head. I can’t say I felt it doing this (it’s not like memory foam, where you can feel it molding around you). I can say, however, that the padding felt comfortable, wasn’t bulky, and insulated me well on colder days.

Style

I’m a fan of Atomic’s smooth, nearly featureless shell on the Four AMID Pro. It’s a sleek design that isn’t busy with nobs, switches, big vents, camera attachments, or anything else. It’s low-profile and clean-looking.

If you want to go for more of a park look, the Four AMID Pro offers the option to remove the ear pads and goggle clip. I never did this because I love the protection ear pads offer, but it’s a stylistic option.

The removable goggle clip is pretty unobtrusive. It’s essentially just an elastic strap that hooks to the rim of the back. It was a little hard to clip with gloves on, but not impossible. Once it was clipped, I never had an issue with it coming off.

Ventilation

I found the Four AMID Pro helmet was warm when I needed it to be and ventilated well when I wanted to cool down. Without adjustable vents, you have to rely on Atomic’s built-in Aircon system, but it seemed to work well. It uses wider and more air channels through each layer of the helmet. That helps move more air through the headwear and better ventilate the wearer.

What Color Is That?

My only real gripe with this helmet was its color. I got what Atomic refers to as “brown.” To me, this helmet is clearly more of a burgundy wine color. I got this helmet as a testing sample from Atomic, so I can’t complain. However, if I spent $220 on a helmet that I thought was going to be brown and opened the box to discover this color, I’d be disappointed.

Scratches & Dents

I haven’t had this helmet for very long. I only used it on a handful of ski days this season. Still, the helmet collected a surprising amount of scratches and small dents from transportation and general use. I never knocked my noggin while I was testing this helmet, but it’s got a few notable dings already.

These don’t affect the helmet’s protection or performance at all — they’re just aesthetic issues. But I’m somewhat surprised at how easily they got there.

Atomic Four AMID Pro Helmet: Who Is It For?

Ski helmets can be finicky. They all fit differently and use different (usually proprietary) technologies to ventilate and insulate. But when you find the one that fits, feels comfortable, and looks good, you don’t want to let it go. I’ve gotten attached to some of my ski helmets, and I could see myself getting attached to this one. The Four AMID Pro is a streamlined and stylish piece of ski and snowboard gear.

Skiers and snowboarders looking for a comfortable, well-ventilated, adaptable helmet should check out the Four AMID Pro from Atomic. The fit was great, and my temperature always felt well-regulated while I was wearing it. And, of course, it offered me peace of mind, knowing that my head was protected in excess of industry standards.

Dedicated backcountry skiers and ski tourers might want to seek out a helmet that’s slightly lighter and offers adjustable ventilation. But this helmet will work great for most resort skiing and side-country.

I really enjoyed using this helmet last season, and I’ll be busting it out again when snow starts flying this season.