REASONS TO BUY
Extremely affordable
Decent heat retention
Comfy ear flaps and chin strap
REASONS TO AVOID
Less eye-catching
Below average goggle fit
Not as breathable
OutdoorMaster Kelvin II Mips Review
Affordable helmets can be hard to come by, but this comfy model is inexpensive and relatively high-performing
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ February 13, 2026
Our Verdict
Ski helmets have gotten increasingly expensive over the years, but the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips is listed at a much more accessible price point that's a fraction of the cost of the high end competition. On chilly days, this helmet kept us warm thanks to its well-padded liner, earflaps, and chin strap, though it didn't vent quite as well on spring days. While the Kelvin II is very easy on the wallet, it still includes a wheel adjuster in the back of the helmet and a Mips liner for angled impact, which we rarely see in super-budget helmets. As long as the style of the Kelvin II isn't a deal breaker, this is a great choice if price is a priority.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We spent weeks upon weeks with the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips and found it to be a great buy for shoppers on the tightest of budgets. While it isn't the highest scoring ski helmet, it offers some of the best value in the entire lineup.
Performance Comparison
If you're needing the least expensive ski helmet possible, the Kelvin II might be a great fit. Credit: Zach Lovell
Impact Test
We took the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips to the ACT lab for third party drop-testing, and found it to land about average. When considering its price point, we found this helmet to perform very well.
Slow Impact Test Results
In the slow impact testing, the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips fell slightly behind, though still performed better than helmets twice as expensive.
Fast Impact Test Results
Of the slow and fast testing done at the ACT lab, the fast impact test was slightly stronger for the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips and bumped its overall scores.
As previously shared, the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips includes a Mips liner, which can help reduce the severity of an angled crash. We loved that such an inexpensive helmet still offers a Mips system, and makes the Kelvin II an even higher value purchase.
Comfort
The Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips is a spacious helmet that accommodated a variety of head shapes across our review team during testing. While there are other models in the lineup that ended up beating out the Kelvin II, it still scored very well.
In addition to the space of the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips, the tightening system comfortably secured our heads, though its wires don't go quite as far forward as some of the higher end options. We also loved the fuzzy fabric lining on the interior of the helmet, the ear flaps, and the chin strap, which offered some of the best against-skin feel in the whole review.
It's hard to beat the soft next-to-skin feel of the Kelvin II Mips Credit: Zach Lovell
Warmth
This was one of the top performing metrics for the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips, and we unanimously agreed that it was one of the warmer ski helmets in the lineup.
There's a substantial amount of padding/insulation in the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips that easily kept our heat in while on arctic lift rides and windy descents in the shade. The fuzzy fabric that made the Kelvin II comfy also made for a warmer ski helmet. Even when skiing in more intense snowstorms, we found this to be dependable protection from the cold.
Shady, cold days at high altitude still were no match for the Kelvin II. Credit: Zach Lovell
Ventilation
As is often the case with any of our warmest helmets, the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips isn't a particularly breathable option, especially with its abundance of fuzzy fabric in the liner and ears. While there's some airflow across the 14 vents, the Kelvin II fell further back in the pack.
Whether huffing downhill on a bump run or cruising down a groomer on a spring afternoon, we got fairly hot in the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips. As we trended towards later spring, sweat also became more common, even when we layered down. It's often challenging to find a helmet that's both warm and ventilated, and the Kelvin II leans more towards heat retention than maximum airflow.
On warm sunny days, be prepared to get a bit hot wearing the Kelvin II. Credit: Zach Lovell
Usability
This is a fairly user-friendly ski helmet, with a traditional chin strap buckle, an effective sizing wheel, and a goggle retainer that's reliable. However, it's a heavier helmet that wasn't exactly compatible with many goggles.
The Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips is wider than most of the helmets we tested, causing some gaps either on the sides or above the goggles. While larger goggles worked better, the helmet naturally caused gaps to form throughout a day of riding, with the helmet often slightly tilting back on its own. At 21.5 ounces in a large, the Kelvin II also isn't the lightest helmet out there.
Overall, the Kelvin II is user friendly, but it's a bit heavy and doesn't offer the tightest fit with goggles.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips?
If you're hunting for a bargain-priced ski helmet, look no further than the Outdoor Master Kelvin II Mips. While it doesn't boast the top overall scores, the Kelvin II is a comfortable helmet that's got great heat retention and a heavier duty design. If you don't mind the looks of this fairly bulky helmet and a bit of goggle gap isn't a deal breaker, put this on your finals list.
What Other Ski Helmets Should You Consider?
If you're looking for a helmet with better ventilation, look at the Pret Fury X Mips or the incredibly comfortable Smith Vantage 2 Mips. If you're wanting a budget model but don't mind dropping a bit more cash for more performance, consider something like the Smith Descend Mips for comfort on a tight wallet. The Giro Ratio Mips is also well-priced and has excellent impact test scores.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare OutdoorMaster Kelvin II Mips versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best on a Tight Budget |
|---|---|
| Price | $70 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | Affordable helmets can be hard to come by, but this comfy model is inexpensive and relatively high-performing |
| Pros | Extremely affordable, decent heat retention, comfy ear flaps and chin strap |
| Cons | Less eye-catching, below average goggle fit, not as breathable |
| Rating Categories | OutdoorMaster Kelvin... |
| Impact Test (30%) | |
| Comfort (25%) | |
| Warmth (20%) | |
| Ventilation (15%) | |
| Usability (10%) | |
| Specifications | OutdoorMaster Kelvin... |
| Measured Weight (Large) | 21.5 oz |
| # of Vents | 14 |
| Audio Compatibility | Yes |
| Removable Ear Covers | Yes |
| Goggle Attachment | Yes |
| Visor | No |
| Adjustment System | Adjustable Dial Fit System |
| Rotational Impact Protection System | Mips |
| Certifications | ASTM F2040-18 /CE EN 1077:2007 Class B |
| Number of Sizes | 3 |
—Zach Lovell
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