New to the snowmobile market last season, Vemar helmets are made in Italy and distributed throughout North America by Motonation, a company in Santee, California. Vemar’s Jiano modular lid is DOT-certified and features a dropdown internal sun shade that’s activated by a side-mounted lever that has near-vertical motion.
The Vemar Jiano Modular Helmet Build
A thermoplastic outer shell encloses a dual-density polystyrene inner shell to provide a solid protection platform for this helmet. Built in two distinct shell sizes for better fit, the Jiano definitely runs small for American heads. I needed a size XXL instead of an XL like I normally wear, and still found the chin bar clearance near my jaw to be marginal. Weight is slightly less than 4 pounds, depending on size.
There is no internal face mask in this helmet, which is right up my alley as I just can’t stand a wet, slimy breathing contraption over my face all day. There are no filters to replace or little tubes that freeze shut or break like I’ve experienced with other modular helmets.
Other key features include metal-to-metal chin bar latches, adjustable chin bar and crown vents, and a quick-release chinstrap buckle. Quick release buckles are hard to find on helmets these days, so this feature is a very nice plus. The snow version includes a no-tool, anti-fog dual-lens face shield that can be installed and removed pretty easily. A protective soft cloth bag is also included.
Chin bars are tested for the European regulatory approval, a certification the Jiano also carries. This helmet’s chin bar latches shut a little more easily than some others I’ve tried, however, the tiny release button on the inside-bottom of the chin bar takes some getting used to and definitely requires the removal of a glove to operate it. That means I won’t be reaching for this helmet when the wind is howling or the thermometer reads below zero.
The internal sunshade operates very easily with one finger even on the fly, and it fit me exceptionally well in the down position. No matter what helmet I’m wearing, I ride with my face shield open one notch most of the time, and I experienced no significant issues with fogging.
Overall, I rate this as the best internal sunshade that I’ve tried, with one reservation. The 50 percent smoke tint does an excellent job of handling both primary and reflected glare in sunny weather, but is essentially worthless in the overcast conditions that predominate in the Great Lakes basin where I ride — its true value might be determined by where you use it most. A yellow or peach tint option is definitely needed for less than totally sunny weather.
Vemar Jiano Modular Helmet: High Value
The $275 Vemar Jiano is available in black, white or silver ranging from XXS to XXL. The optional electric shield with a two-piece convenience cord is $124. Replacement standard dual-lens shields are $74, and replacement inner sunshades are $35. Warranty is a full five years, so the price becomes very attractive when amortized over the anticipated life of this helmet.
I found the Vemar Jiano to be a moderately comfortable, reasonably easy-to-use helmet that is well suited to snowmobiling. If you’re ready to move up from ordinary helmets to something better, the Jiano is definitely worth consideration.
— David Wells
