Tail-Wags helmet covers

When we started skiing a couple of months ago, we already had helmets and goggles thanks to my tobogganing paranoia. Then of course we added all of the other ski essentials and started taking lessons at places like Mont-Tremblant and Blue Mountain.

I kept seeing kids with helmet covers, and thought, “Oh, how cute.” Then counted the loose change I had left in my wallet after paying for the many thousands of dollars’ worth of ski gear, clothes, lift tickets and lessons.

But as my kids got better and better and they started coming on runs with us, I quickly learned that those helmet covers aren’t just cute — they’re about safety, too. I mean, you can imagine the number of kids who are kitted out in similar snowsuits, right?

Enter Tail-Wags.

THE GOOD

They really are very cute. There’s just no denying it. On our most recent visit to Tremblant, we had about 20 different parents stop to ask about the Tail-Wags helmet covers my kids had on each day. Miss Q was affectionately called “princess” the entire day she wore the tiara helmet cover. And she loved every second of it.

Tail-Wags has several styles from which to choose, both full price and on sale as well as adult and kids’ sizes.

The fit is very good, and Tail-Wags require very little effort to put on kids’ helmets.

The company is Canadian (yay!) and everything is handcrafted right here at home.

I like that these protect my kids’ helmets from getting scratched. Miss Q’s had some paint marks on it (from what, I have absolutely no idea) and these helmet covers totally cover those up, too.

At around $30-45 per helmet cover (regular price), Tail-Wags are reasonable — especially when you consider that your child will likely wear a good helmet for up to five years if there’s a dial in it to grow with your kid’s head.

Now let’s get back to the safety discussion. As kids are whipping past me on the slopes, I really like being able to easily identify which ones are mine. Between the helmet du jour and their snowsuits, it’s not hard to quickly spot my two — even in a sea of children wearing similar colours. If I see a Minion or a unicorn take a nosedive, I know I need to motor to their rescue.

But the safety message is more than that. It’s about wearing a helmet in the first place. After all, at many ski hills, helmet use isn’t mandatory. (Crazy, I know.) So part of the Tail-Wags mom-preneur’s goal is to encourage people to personalize their helmets so that they actually wear them. Looking cute is one thing; saving lives is quite another.

There’s an opening at the back for your child’s ski goggles, but…

THE GAFFE

While The K Man’s goggle strap is the standard variety of a snap at the back in the centre of his helmet, Miss Q’s helmet has two areas under which her goggles slide. There’s no snap, and these don’t line up with the single slit in the back of the Tail-Wags helmet covers. We solved the problem by simply putting her goggle strap underneath the helmet cover, but be aware that these are designed for that single strap with a snap.

I’m nervous about the googly eyes coming off easily. Only time will tell.

THE GEARS

4.5/5