Review: Anon Merak WaveCel Helmet
By Snowboarding Expert
Andrew Trager
9 photos
The Curated Take
4.5/5
The Anon Merak WaveCel Helmet is an excellent choice for skiers and snowboarders seeking top safety features, comfort, and adjustable ventilation. Its WaveCel and MIPS technologies provide advanced head protection. The helmet is comfortable with a customizable fit, soft padding, and a BOA dial for fine-tuning. It also has closable vents and a magnetic chin strap for easy handling with gloves. However, its higher price point and small goggle clip that opens to the bottom may be drawbacks for some. Overall, it's a premium helmet choice, especially for those prioritizing safety and comfort in unpredictable weather conditions.
Ideal for
- Top safety features
- Extra ventilation
- Comfortable helmet
Not ideal for
- Price point
- Goggle clip is small and opens to the bottom
Waterproofing
The ability to close the venting on the Merak is great for snowy or rainy days. When the weather changes, I just slide them closed. It is very convenient and...Read more
Durability
The Merak has been designed and built very well. The slider for closing the vents is low profile, so it won't crack and is tight to keep the vents from...Read more
Comfort
The Merak has padding inside to ensure it is not rough on the wearer's head. The BOA fit helps to customize the Merak to one's head. The ear pads are...Read more
Ventilation
Rain, snow, heat, the Merak can handle it all. On warmer days, keep the vents open to help let some hot air out. If it's cold, close them to keep...Read more
Adjustability
The BOA adjustment dial on the back can fine-tune the fit. I can also easily adjust on the fly with gloves if I overtighten or don't tighten enough at the...Read more
Protection
The Merak helmet has MIPS and WaveCel tech to ensure protection in the unfortunate event of a crash. MIPS will help to disperse impact force, and WaveCel will crumble to...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Andrew Trager
About the helmets
- Model: Anon Merak WaveCel Helmet
Test conditions
- When I bought this: November 2023
- Where I’ve used it: Stratton, VT
- How many times I've used it: 3
Expert Reviews of the Anon Merak WaveCel Helmet
Andrew Trager The Anon Merak helmet is a premium helmet full of features. This helmet offers closable vents to help keep snow and rain out on stormy days and help me cool off on warm ones. The Merak has a magnetic chin strap, which is very easy to navigate with gloves on. The padding on the inside is very comfortable, and the BOA dial on the back helps to tune in that ideal fit. When falling in the park, the WaveCel tech has given me peace of mind. This helmet integrates perfectly with goggles, leaving no gap between the goggles and the helmet brim. The slight brim is just enough to cover the top of my goggles to keep snow out, but not overpowering where it starts taking away from the sleek design. The ear coverings have removable padding so that I can add Bluetooth inserts. The only flaw I've noticed with the Merak is that the goggle clip on the back is relatively small and opens to the bottom with no clip. I am concerned that this can lead to the goggle strap slipping down; however, the sticky compound on the inner of the goggle strap has kept my Anon M4 goggle strap in place without issue. Most goggles have this sticky compound on the inner of the straps to help prevent the strap from sliding. All in all, the Merak is an excellent helmet.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Helmet style | Half shell |
| MIPS | No |
| Helmet venting | Adjustable Venting |
Review Ratings
Waterproofing
4/5
Andrew Trager gave 4 of 5 stars. The ability to close the venting on the Merak is great for snowy or rainy days. When the weather changes, I just slide them closed. It is very convenient and easy to do, even with gloves on. The helmet keeps the water out and my head dry. The slight lip that covers my goggles also helps to do the same.
Durability
4/5
Andrew Trager gave 4 of 5 stars. The Merak has been designed and built very well. The slider for closing the vents is low profile, so it won't crack and is tight to keep the vents from opening or closing on their own. The chin strap clasp is a stronghold to prevent it from unclipping, and the BOA is sturdy and not loose.
Comfort
5/5
Andrew Trager gave 5 of 5 stars. The Merak has padding inside to ensure it is not rough on the wearer's head. The BOA fit helps to customize the Merak to one's head. The ear pads are soft and help keep my ears warm as well.
Ventilation
5/5
Andrew Trager gave 5 of 5 stars. Rain, snow, heat, the Merak can handle it all. On warmer days, keep the vents open to help let some hot air out. If it's cold, close them to keep the heat in. Close the vents on rainy and snowy days to help keep one's head dry. The vents are easy to operate with gloves on and have a sturdy design so that they won't break.
Adjustability
4/5
Andrew Trager gave 4 of 5 stars. The BOA adjustment dial on the back can fine-tune the fit. I can also easily adjust on the fly with gloves if I overtighten or don't tighten enough at the beginning of the day.
Protection
5/5
Andrew Trager gave 5 of 5 stars. The Merak helmet has MIPS and WaveCel tech to ensure protection in the unfortunate event of a crash. MIPS will help to disperse impact force, and WaveCel will crumble to do the same. These are two of the newest helmet advancements out there, giving added peace of mind.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Andrew Trager The Merak WaveCel helmet is great. I didn't realize how uncomfortable my old helmet was until I tried this one on. The padding is soft and comfortable, and the BOA dial really does help me get the ideal fit. Everyone's head is a different size and shape, so a truly dialed-in fit is fantastic. The ear pads have foam cutouts so someone can drop in Bluetooth audio chips. I use outdoor tech ones, and they fit perfectly. The slight brim on the Merak helps keep snow and rain out of my goggles, and the helmet shape creates a seamless fit. The magnet chin strap clasp makes clipping the helmet a breeze with gloves on, and the WaveCel and MIPS safety technology gives extra peace of mind. The closable vents help let hot air out on warmer days and help to prevent snow and rain from getting in on stormy days.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Andrew Trager My favorite moment with this helmet was putting the closable vents to good use. It was a warmer and rainy day at Stratton, and closing the vents helped keep my head dry. Also, the lip that covers the top of my goggles helped keep water out, which typically results in fogging.
Why did you choose this product?
Andrew Trager I chose the Merak because I've needed a new helmet for a while. I've always been impressed by the quality of Burton products (they make Anon), and I recently purchased Anon M4 goggles. I hoped they would integrate nicely, which they do. I also liked the closable vents to cool off or keep dry. The Northeast (where I spend most of my days) can have very unpredictable weather, and the Merak keeps me prepared for anything.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Andrew Trager The Merak is a premium option and is by no means cheap. I have learned, though, that one gets what they pay for. I did not want to sacrifice safety or comfort. If someone is looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Smith Holt is a great alternative.
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