Bern

Brand overview and significance

Bern is an American helmet brand founded in 2004 on Massachusetts’ South Shore with a simple idea: make low-profile lids that look good and perform year-round for bike, snow, and skate. From the start, the company’s identity leaned into freeski and snowboard culture—clean silhouettes, a slim fit under the goggle strap, and all-season liners that convert a park or freeride helmet for summer two-wheel use. Today Bern designs from the U.S. and serves riders globally through its North American and European operations, with snow-specific models certified for ski and snowboard use and widely seen in parks, on chairlifts, and in sidecountry laps.

What sets Bern apart is the focus on comfort and style without compromising standards. Compared to many hard-shell helmets of the 2000s, Bern popularized a compact, skate-inspired look (brimmed or brimless) that still ticks the safety boxes. The result is gear that feels natural in freeski edits and on everyday resort laps alike—relevant to Skipowd readers who mix park, pow, and piste and want protection that disappears on the head but not in the footage. For official product information and size charts, see Bern Helmets.

Product lines and key technologies

Bern’s snow lineup revolves around adult and youth shells with two clear style paths: brimmed (the look many associate with the original icon) and brimless (a pure skate profile). Within those shapes, the brand offers multiple constructions. ZipMold+ is Bern’s proprietary liquid-injected foam process that targets a strong strength-to-weight ratio and a tidy exterior finish. ThinShell (EPS) pairs an ABS or polycarbonate shell to EPS foam for a classic, durable build. Many models add rotational-impact systems (MIPS) and Bern’s Compass Fit for quick, on-head micro-adjustment. Seasonal kits matter here too: audio-ready ear pads and convertible liners let one helmet cover winter and shoulder seasons with minimal fuss.

Names you’ll encounter include Macon 2.0 (brimless), Watts 2.0 (brimmed), and Hendrix (a more vented, modern take), as well as youth families like Nino/Nina. Snow certifications typically include EN1077B and/or ASTM F2040, with select models carrying bike/skate certs for off-season use. The takeaway is consistency across the range: low-profile fit, simple adjustment, and options for riders who prefer a brim or a totally clean front edge.

Ride feel: who it’s for (terrains & use-cases)

Freestyle skiers who live in the park—or spend half their day on side-hits—tend to favor Bern’s compact shape and predictable goggle interface. Ear pads are secure but not bulky, so you can hear call-outs on drop-in and keep situational awareness when lanes get busy. All-mountain and freeride skiers will appreciate the stable, “set-and-forget” fit; once the dial is snug, the helmet stays planted through chunder and late-day chop without hot-spots. If you tour, the lighter constructions paired with efficient vents suit mid-winter approach tempos; flip to a breathable liner on spring missions and you still get dependable coverage for firm-snow exits. Parents often choose Bern for kids because the youth shells mirror the adult fit and accept cold-weather liners, extending use through the season.

Team presence, competitions, and reputation

Bern’s visibility comes from two channels: a broad ambassador program and grassroots partnerships. The brand has supported regional freeski/snowboard circuits and partnered with resorts to normalize helmet use across events and public programs—one example is Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire, where Bern has appeared as an official helmet partner for series stops and local initiatives. Rather than chasing only World Cup podiums, Bern leans into the everyday culture that powers freeskiing—park laps, film days, and community contests—so the gear you see in edits closely matches what’s on the shop wall.

Geography and hubs (heritage, testing, venues)

Bern’s product DNA reflects East Coast sensibilities—weather that swings from ice to storm in a day, tight trees, and high park mileage—yet the helmets are equally at home on western jump lines and alpine bowls. In the U.S., California’s Mammoth Mountain is a natural visibility hub thanks to its long park season. In Europe, the Innsbruck scene offers near-daily feedback loops on park and all-mountain flow; the dedicated freestyle zone at Axamer Lizum sits minutes from Innsbruck and hosts consistent public builds. For broader North American resort laps and storm-day trees, Utah’s mix of park and powder terrain makes a strong test bed—see Utah on Skipowd for a sense of that variety.

Construction, durability, and sustainability

Durability is tied to shell choice and how you ride. ThinShell EPS constructions bring tried-and-true impact management with a tough outer shell; ZipMold+ trims bulk without a flimsy feel. Many snow models are audio-compatible, and ear pads detach without loosening the helmet’s overall structure—handy for spring. Compass Fit’s rear dial distributes pressure smoothly, which helps reduce hot-spots on long days. On the care side, Bern recommends timely replacement after a significant impact and periodic refresh as materials age; the brand also runs a lifetime crash-replacement program and a 1-year manufacturing warranty to keep riders protected with minimal downtime. Packaging and blog guidance encourage breaking down retired helmets and recycling what’s feasible rather than landfilling.

How to choose within the lineup

Start with fit and silhouette. If you prefer the classic park look (a slight brim that helps manage goggle drip and sun), focus on the Watts-style shells; if you like a pure skate profile or wear your goggles under the lid, the Macon-style brimless shape keeps lines minimal. Prioritize rotational-impact protection (MIPS) if you ride rails, spin often, or simply want an added layer for off-axis falls. Cold-weather comfort matters: check ear-pad coverage, fleece density, and vent layout for your climate. East Coast or high-wind regions often favor fewer, better-placed vents to keep heat predictable; big-elevation zones and spring park sessions may push you toward more open designs. Finally, confirm certifications if you want true year-round utility—snow certs for winter, bike certs for shoulder seasons—and choose a colorway that reads clean on camera if you care how clips look.

Why riders care

Bern resonates with skiers who want helmets that feel invisible in use, look dialed in media, and still meet the standards for real mountain days. The brand’s strengths are practical: a secure, micro-adjustable fit, convertible liners for four-season value, and construction options that balance weight with confidence. Add in community-level partnerships and everyday-rider programs, and you get a label that supports how most of us actually ski—laps with friends, camera days at the park, surprise storm bumps, and the occasional tour—while keeping style and safety aligned.