OutdoorMaster Review: Is Their Ski Gear Any Good? (2026)

I’ve ended up testing a ridiculous amount of OutdoorMaster gear over the last few seasons.

It started with their Pro goggles, mostly because I kept seeing them everywhere and wanted to know whether a cheap magnetic goggle could actually be any good. Since then I’ve ridden in several of their goggles, tested their helmets, travelled with their boot bags and tried a handful of the cheaper accessories.

The results have been pretty mixed. Some of it is genuinely impressive for the money and has stayed in my gear rotation. Other stuff I would never buy again.

So this is everything I’ve actually used, what I think is worth buying and where I’d spend more elsewhere.

OutdoorMaster also gave us a discount code. It doesn’t change what we say about the gear, but CHASERS20 gets you 20% off, if you decide any of it is right for you.

Jump to: Pro Goggles · Diamond 2 MIPS · ELK MIPS · Gloves · MZ04 Headphones · Kelvin · Overall Verdict · 20% Discount

Gear I've Tested

1. OutdoorMaster Pro Goggles

I originally picked up the OutdoorMaster Pros because I kept seeing them everywhere and wanted to know whether a ~$60 magnetic goggle was actually any good. I rode them for a week in mixed light, light snow and a few cold mornings, and I’ve kept them around since.

They’re better than most cheap goggles I’ve tried. The frame doesn’t feel bargain-bin, the triple-layer foam is surprisingly comfortable and the magnetic lens system has stayed secure even when I’ve knocked them around. I’ve also used them with helmets from Smith, Giro, Salomon and OutdoorMaster without any major goggle gap issues.

The lenses are where you notice the price difference. They’re perfectly clear enough for normal resort riding, and the low-light lens handled flat light and snow better than I expected, but you don’t get the contrast or definition of a good Smith or Anon lens. I’ve also had some fogging in warmer/wetter conditions, particularly once you’re working hard.

One thing I would recommend is getting the Lens Bundle rather than the basic single-lens version. Having the extra tints makes these much more useful across a full trip, and replacement lenses are considerably less painful to buy than they are for premium goggles.

Would I buy them again?

Yes. They’re still one of the few genuinely cheap goggles I’ve tested that I actually kept in my gear bag. I wouldn’t swap my premium goggles for them, but for beginners, occasional riders or as a backup pair, they’re very hard to argue with.

Read my full OutdoorMaster Pro Goggles review →

2. OutdoorMaster Diamond 2 MIPS Helmet

I originally took the Diamond 2 MIPS to Chamonix specifically to test it, but ended up riding in it for most of the trip. I’ve used it since across normal resort days, teaching days and warmer spring conditions.

I’d previously used and recommended OutdoorMaster’s cheaper Kelvin helmet, and the Diamond 2 is a noticeable step up. The biggest differences are MIPS and proper adjustable ventilation. The top vents do make a difference on warmer days, while closing them keeps things comfortable on colder lift rides.

Jess has the same helmet in white and came away with pretty much the same opinion. Her only real complaint was that she’d have liked a bit more airflow on warmer days, which is fair. The vents work, but they’re not on the same level as the more elaborate systems you get on premium helmets (from the likes of Smith or Oakley).

Fit has been solid for both of us. The dial adjuster stays put, the padding is comfortable for full days and we’ve had no major issues pairing them with larger and normal-sized goggles.

You can tell where the money has been saved compared with the afore-mentioned premium helmets. It’s heavier, the liner is comfortable rather than luxurious and the ventilation isn’t as sophisticated as a high-end Smith or POC. But none of those things have bothered me much in normal resort use.

For me, the Diamond 2 hits a better sweet spot than the Kelvin. You’re spending a little more, but the adjustable vents and MIPS make it a helmet I’d be happier wearing regularly rather than simply recommending because it’s cheap.

Would I buy it again?

Yes. If I were buying an OutdoorMaster helmet now, this is the one I’d choose. The Kelvin still makes sense if you want to spend as little as possible, but the Diamond 2 is worth the extra money.

3. OutdoorMaster ELK MIPS Helmet

The ELK MIPS is the other OutdoorMaster helmet I’d happily recommend, although for most people I think the Diamond 2 above is the better buy.

I’ve ridden the ELK enough to get a good feel for it, and there’s plenty to like. It has MIPS, a secure dial-adjusted fit and comfortable padding, but with a cleaner, slightly more freestyle-looking shell than the Diamond. The partially hollowed ear pads are also surprisingly good. They feel less clammy and make it easier to hear what’s going on around you.

The main compromise is ventilation. Unlike the Diamond 2, the vents are fixed, so you can’t block out snow or rain on crappy weather days. Having said that, I definitely found the ELK warmer overall. That’s actually quite nice on cold resort days, but less so in spring or if you’re hiking around.

Would I buy it again?

Yes, but only over the Diamond 2 if I preferred the ELK’s styling or found it significantly cheaper. At similar prices, I’d buy the Diamond. It has the same MIPS protection but adjustable ventilation and is simply the more versatile helmet.

4. OutdoorMaster Gloves

Hard pass.

I tested these in Jackson Hole, which admittedly isn’t the kindest place to test a cheap ski glove. But that’s also where you quickly find out whether a glove actually works.

The insulation just wasn’t up to genuinely cold conditions. Standing around in the wind at the top of the tram, my hands got painfully cold much faster than they should have. The construction doesn’t help either. Cold air seems to work its way through the seams and they never gave me that properly sealed-off feeling you want from a winter glove.

The other thing that drove me mad was the liner. Almost every time I pulled my hand out, the liner tried to come with it. Once you’ve got slightly damp hands, getting everything seated properly again becomes a faff.

For warmer spring riding or the occasional dry resort day? They’re usable. But that’s a pretty low bar for a ski glove.

Would I buy them again?

No. OutdoorMaster make plenty of budget gear where I think the saving is worth the compromise. These aren’t one of them. There are better cheap ski and snowboard gloves out there, and this is one bit of kit where I’d spend a little more. I didn’t even get a picture of them, because I “rage quit” them into the trash after lunch!

5. OutdoorMaster MZ04 Helmet Headphones

Surprisingly good.

I’ve tried plenty of helmet headphones over the years and most cheap (and expensive) ones annoy me pretty quickly. Tiny buttons, uncomfortable speakers, crap battery life or sound you can’t hear once you actually start riding.

The MZ04 has attempted to fix most of that.

The speakers sit flat inside the ear pads without creating pressure points, and I’ve happily worn them for full ski days. More importantly, the controls are genuinely usable with gloves on. The buttons are big enough that you can pause music, skip tracks or change the volume without taking a glove off.

Sound quality is okay rather than amazing. You’re never getting AirPods-level detail from speakers buried inside a ski helmet, but music stays clear at normal riding speeds and podcasts are easy to hear. There’s enough volume that wind noise doesn’t immediately drown everything out once you start moving.

Battery life has also been excellent. I’ve used them from first chair through to late afternoon without worrying about charging, and the Bluetooth connection has been completely uneventful.

My only real complaints are that the buttons feel a little cheap compared with premium options and there’s no app or EQ adjustment. Neither bothers me much on snow.

They’re just good helmet headphones. At OutdoorMaster’s price, that’s pretty impressive. I’m rambling now, so here are my brief thoughts:

Comfortable enough for full days
Controls actually work with gloves
Plenty of volume while riding
Reliable all-day battery
Stable Bluetooth
Sound is good, not audiophile good
No EQ or fancy features

Would I buy them again?

I think so. They’re easy to recommend over significantly more expensive competitors, which don’t deliver significantly more for your money (especially with the 20% discount for OutdoorMaster). But as I said, manage your expectations in terms of sound quality – helmet headphones in general are pretty lacking in that regard.

6. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet

The Kelvin is the cheapest OutdoorMaster helmet I’ve tested, and for the money it’s surprisingly decent. The fit is comfortable, the dial adjuster works properly and it feels considerably less shit than the price suggests. The main compromises are the basic liner, fixed ventilation and lack of MIPS.

The range has got a bit more complicated since I first tested it. There’s now a Kelvin 2 and Kelvin 2 MIPS, which improve on the original without costing dramatically more. However… I’m always hesitant when budget products are “upgraded” and the price creeps closer to “proper” brands. The new Kelvin Carbon Fiber definitely pushes the price high enough that I’d rather buy a premium Smith or Giro.

Personally, if I was spending more than the bare minimum, I’d skip all of those and go for the Diamond 2 MIPS. It’s a more meaningful upgrade and still relatively inexpensive.

Would I buy it again?

If I wanted the absolute cheapest helmet I could comfortably recommend, yes. It’s still a solid option for a beginner, occasional skier or as a spare.

But that’s really the Kelvin’s niche now. If you’ve got a little more money to spend, I’d buy the Diamond instead. I’d definitely skip the Kelvin 2 MIPS, which is now so close in price to the Diamond that it doesn’t make much sense.

Read my full OutdoorMaster Kelvin review →

My Overall Brand Verdict

OutdoorMaster is kind of a mixed bag. Some of their gear punches way above its price, especially if you’re just getting started or don’t care about flexing big brands. Other stuff feels like value-brand gear because… it is.

I’m certainly not here to convince anyone that OutdoorMaster is the second coming of premium snowboard gear. It’s not. But it’s also not just random Amazon trash either. They’ve clearly put effort into some of their products and when you snag the right ones, you get real value.

After testing a pretty big chunk of the range, I do think they’re strongest when they stick to what they’re good at: making functional ski and snowboard gear considerably cheaper than the big brands. The Diamond 2 MIPS, Ultra and Pro goggles, bags and waxing gear are all products I’d happily use again.

Once the prices start creeping towards Smith, Giro, Oakley and the other established brands, though, I’d generally buy the established brand instead. That’s not really OutdoorMaster’s lane.

Worth it? Yeah, for the right product. Just be selective.