Anon Raider Review

Hands-On Review

The Raider takes simplicity to the max. With no adjustment system, no vent-closure system and not a lot of padding, there is little to break on this helmet. The sizing seems a bit off, and with no adjustment capacity our testers that fit well into a Large in other helmets were forced to wear a beanie or buff under the Raider.

Fit and Comfort

Designed for the snowboard/skateboarder in mind, this helmet is minimalist when it comes to comfort and padding. Everyone's head is different, but as mentioned above, it felt much bigger than other size Larges we tested, making wearing something underneath a necessity for our testers. The minimal amount of padding felt fine wearing a buff or hat underneath, but left our testers wondering how it would feel to take a hit wearing this helmet. For a more sophisticated build in a similar style helmet you should check out award winners Giro Ledge or Smith Maze.

Weight and Bulk

The Raider weighs in at 21oz for a size medium, making it the heaviest helmet we reviewed by several ounces, and earning it a 4/10 in that category. Whether or not this means more foam, a thicker shell and thus a more durable helmet is up for debate. It also comes in as one of our bulkier helmets, with a round, skateboard helmet feel and was hard to fit under the hood of our ski jackets. If you're looking for a lighter helmet in a similar style, the Smith Maze is the lightest helmet in our review, and the Giro Ledge came in right in the middle of the pack.

Warmth

Even with a thin beanie on underneath to mitigate the fit issue, our tester found this helmet to be drafty and cold. With vents that don't close and a big fit it did not create a great seal around the head. The POC Fornix is another skate-inspired helmet that rated a little warmer during our test.

Ventilation

On a cold day our testers could really feel air flowing through the vents, but also had the feeling that for a helmet designed for winter and summer use, they might not be enough to keep cool during the summer months. The ear pads are removable, however, which could help with its use as summer helmet. The vents are open straight through to the inside of the helmet, allowing for snow or rain to fall directly onto our testers' heads. The Smith Maze and Giro Ledge both have ventilation systems that seemed a bit more effective.

Goggle Compatibility

Tested with Smith goggles, our testers found a clean and tight interface between the helmet and goggles, leaving no gap. The removable goggle clip, however, was clumsy to use and didn't completely close against the goggle strap.

Style

The Raider is designed as a snowboard/skateboard helmet and in that regard it does well. It provides a bold look that does not try to be sleek or fast. Other helmets with a similar style and a slightly more sophisticated build are the Giro Ledge or POC Fornix.

Best Applications

Winter and summer use in mild climates might be the best place for the Raider to shine.

Value

For between $45 and its retail of $70, the Raider is a helmet that can serve two purposes, is durable and won't break the bank.

Conclusion