I’ve seen the OutdoorMaster Diamond series around almost as much as the Kelvin. Usually on people who wanted something a bit nicer without jumping straight into Smith or Giro money.
The Diamond 2 MIPS sits right in that middle ground. It’s still affordable, but it adds proper adjustable ventilation and MIPS, which are often the first things missing on budget helmets.
I wore this one on a mix of cold teaching days and warmer spring laps to see if it actually earns the price jump.
Short version, it’s a genuine upgrade. Longer version below.
Full Review
The Diamond 2 MIPS supposedly sits in a spot a lot of people want. A helmet that feels properly built, vents well and includes modern safety features, without paying premium-brand prices.
And actually, for the price, it looks pretty good too (I went for Matte White).
But is that a bunch of hype and marketing BS?
Having previously recommended the cheaper Kelvin helmet to my students, I was keen to test this one out. It reportedly offers a lot more helmet for a marginally higher cost.
I’ve now ridden it extensively over normal resort days, teaching days and warmer spring conditions. Just day-to-day riding where comfort, heat management and fit actually matter. Here are my thoughts.
1. Fit and Comfort
Fit is straightforward and forgiving.
The shell shape works for most head shapes, and the dial adjuster (which you can just about make out in the picture below) does what it should without feeling flimsy. Once you’ve got it set, it stays put and doesn’t loosen off through the day.
The padding is comfortable enough for full days without hotspots or pressure points. It’s not plush in a luxury sense, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. More importantly, it stays comfortable after a few hours, which is when badly designed helmets usually show their flaws.
Ear pads sit naturally and don’t press awkwardly. The helmet doesn’t feel top heavy, and it doesn’t wobble when riding choppy snow or taking small knocks.
For most people, sizing true to normal helmet size is the right call.
2. Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the Diamond 2’s biggest strengths compared to other similarly budget friendly lids. It uses adjustable top vents, with fixed intake and exhaust vents at the front and back.
The adjustable vents actually do something. Open them on warm days and you feel heat escape. Close them on cold lift rides and you don’t get blasted with cold air through the top.
Okay, you can’t close the front and rear vents completely. But they’re small enough that they don’t blast cold air in your face on lift rides. With the top vents closed, the helmet does stay reasonably warm. With them open, it vents noticeably better on sunny or spring days.
This sounds basic, but it’s one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades you can have in a helmet. It makes the Diamond 2 much easier to live with across a full season instead of feeling locked into one temperature range.
It’s not the most advanced venting system on the market, but it’s effective, simple and reliable.
3. Build Quality and Safety
The inclusion of MIPS is a big deal at this price point.
MIPS is designed to reduce rotational forces in angled impacts, which is exactly the type of fall most people actually have while skiing or snowboarding. You’re not usually slamming straight down. You’re catching an edge, twisting, or getting spun around.
You don’t feel MIPS while wearing the helmet. It sits there quietly doing its job without affecting fit or comfort.
For a lot of riders, MIPS is the line they don’t want to go below anymore. The Diamond 2 clears that bar without inflating the price.
Beyond MIPS, the Diamond 2 is a pretty standard modern resort helmet in terms of construction.
It uses a hard ABS shell with an EPS foam liner, which is still the most common and proven setup for ski and snowboard helmets. ABS holds up well to knocks and daily abuse, and EPS is designed to crush and absorb energy in a real impact.
It’s fully certified for snow sports use, and everything about the shell, padding, and retention system feels solid enough. It’s not doing anything experimental, like Smith’s Koroyd tech. But it ticks all the important safety boxes.
4. Compatibility
Goggle compatibility is solid. The Diamond MIPS helmet pairs well with most standard goggles without gaps or pressure points. The goggle strap sits securely at the back using the retainer strap. No gaper gap, except with very small goggles like the Smith I/OS.
It’s also compatible with their ski helmet headphones, which is nice.
5. Any Downsides?
A few, depending on expectations.
It’s not the lightest helmet out there. You’ll only really be aware of this if you’re coming from a high-end lightweight lid though.
The liner is comfortable but not premium. If you’re used to top-tier helmets with ultra-soft padding, this won’t feel luxurious by comparison.
And while the vents work well, they’re not as expansive or finely tuned as what you’ll find on much more expensive helmets.
None of these are dealbreakers. They’re just reminders of where this helmet sits in the market. Can’t argue too much at this price point.
6. Pros & Cons
Who This Helmet Is For
This is the helmet I’d point most people to now.
If you want MIPS, adjustable vents, a comfortable fit and a helmet that feels properly thought through without paying premium brand money, the Diamond 2 makes sense.
It’s ideal for:
- Beginners who want to buy once and not upgrade again next season
- Progressing riders who are starting to ride faster or push terrain
- Instructors and regular resort riders who spend long days on snow
- Anyone who runs hot and actually wants vents that do something
If you’re standing in a shop or scrolling online thinking, “I want a decent helmet but I’m not paying luxury prices,” this is exactly that middle ground.
Who This Helmet Is Not For
If money truly isn’t a concern and you want the lightest, most refined helmet you can buy, this isn’t it.
It’s also probably not for you if:
- You’re chasing the absolute best ventilation systems on the market
- You want the lightest possible in-mold construction
- You’re deep into premium brand territory already
If you’re in that category, I’d point you toward something like the Smith Nexus MIPS instead. That’s a different price bracket (prepare yourself) and a different level of refinement. This helmet isn’t trying to compete there.
The Verdict
This is the helmet I’ll be steering most students toward going forward.
For a relatively small step up in price from the cheapest options (like the Kelvin), you get MIPS, adjustable ventilation and a noticeably better overall feel. At that point, it’s hard to argue against it.
It also sits far enough below premium helmet pricing that it still makes sense. You’re not creeping into “maybe I should just buy a Smith or POC” territory. You’re firmly in good value, good protection, sensible choice land.
That’s a rare sweet spot and OutdoorMaster have nailed it here.
Final Thoughts
What I like most about the OutdoorMaster Diamond 2 MIPS is that it lowers the barrier to entry for proper head protection.
You no longer have to choose between a bare-bones helmet or jumping straight into premium prices. This sits in the middle and makes it easier for people to do the right thing without overthinking the cost.
It’s comfortable, well ventilated and includes MIPS at a price that still makes sense for the average rider.
It’s not a luxury helmet. It’s a sensible one. And that’s exactly why it works.
Hope that helps!
