Be Safe and Learn How to Find the Right Fitting Helmet!

Motorcyclists should get into the habit of wearing a helmet when riding their motorcycle, but any old helmet won't do. It's important that you have a properly fitted helmet - and we can help!

The right fitting helmet reduces your risk of injury. But the catch is your helmet has to fit properly to get the full benefit of wearing it.

Why wear the helmet if it isn't going to protect you? Sure, they come in a ton of colors and fancy designs, but looks shouldn't be why you are buying a helmet. Do not get caught up with brand names and price.

Buying a motorcycle helmet is all about fitment, and knowing how to find the right one is vital.

Why You Need the Right Fit

Obviously, a helmet that is fitted correctly is going to be more comfortable, making it more likely you'll wear it. There is no point in investing in a helmet if you aren't going to wear it.

You will also find that the individual features on the helmet are based on you wearing one that fits correctly. These features are things like ventilation, sound dampening, and view range.

These features are designed to be in a certain location on your head while wearing the helmet. When you wear the wrong size helmet they are in the wrong spot, and unable to do their job effectively.

The whole point of wearing the helmet is to function as a safety device to protect your head. If you have a helmet that isn't fitted correctly, it cannot function as its intended purpose and level. It can be noisy, allow wind to slip in, shift and lift while riding in high speeds. It can even come off in an accident.

Safety Ratings

When shopping for the right helmet, you might also want to consider the safety rating. There are 2 safety ratings in the US.

DOT

Helmet manufacturers will need to meet certain safety standards to label their helmets as a DOT FMVSS 218 approved helmet. The helmet must be a certain thickness, usually at least a inch thick. Have sturdy chinstraps, solid rivets, be at a certain weight and design.

SNELL

The Snell Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that applies extensive impact testing on helmets. The manufacturer's can submit a model to be tested. If the helmet withstands its testing, they become SNELL Certified. The latest standard is SNELL M2015 Certified.

To learn more about these ratings, check out Helmet Safety Ratings, Explained!

Types of Helmets

There are three basic types of helmets. Buying a helmet is about safety, so look for a helmet that will adequately protect you.

A full-face helmet is going to be one solid construction that covers your entire head and face, hence the name. There will be a moving face shield over your eyes that you can lift and lower.

A modular helmet will look like a full face helmet when on. The difference is that the chin bar or entire front part over your face will lift up.

A open face helmet or half helmet do not offer any face protection and only cover the top and sides of your skull.

Measuring

Measure the circumference of your head by starting in the middle of your forehead. Go around the widest part of your head. Right above your ears and about 1 inch above your eyebrows. Don't hold the tape too loose or too tight.

You can use a soft tape measure or a piece of string to go around your head. Then measure the string length on a ruler.

Use this number to find your size on the helmet manufacturer's size chart. Keep in mind, that each manufacturer has a different size chart. Some brands have a size chart assigned for certain models.

Fitment

You should feel snug in your new helmet. It may even feel a bit tight or a bit of pressure at first. Aim for snug, not painful or squeezing tight.

Look for any "hot spots." These are specific points where there is extra pressure. They often occur on your forehead, back of the head, or temples. Read below about Head Shapes and Addressing Fitting Issues.

Pressure in the cheek area is normal and if you have trouble talking, that's actually OK.

How to Try on a Helmet

Hold the chin straps in each hand with the bottom of the helmet facing you. Gently pull your hands apart and slip it down over your head.

Sizes

Most helmets are marked XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL. The actual sizes between manufacturers will vary.

Look at each manufacturer's size chart to determine proper fitment. You could wear an M in one brand and an L in another.

Head Shape

Helmets come in three main shapes, round, intermediate oval, and long oval. The helmet shape you choose needs to match your head or you will never find one that fits no matter the size measurement.

Take a picture of the top of your head. Compare the distance between your ears and the distance from the front to back of your head.

Pull your hair tight against your head when you take the picture. You want to focus on bone structure and not the hairstyle.

Round helmets fit heads that are mostly circular. It may look round or a wide oval shape.

Long oval head shapes have ears that are narrowly placed together while the distance from front to back is much longer.

Intermediate Oval appears average oval in shape, in the middle of round and long oval.

Addressing Fitting Issues

If the helmet you are trying on is not snug around your head, then it is too big for you. Try on the next size smaller.

If the helmet is super tight and causing pain evenly all over, the helmet is too small. Try on the next size bigger until the helmet fits snugly but not painfully.

When the hot spot is on your forehead, you've chosen a helmet too round for your more oval shaped head. If your cheeks are being smushed into your face, the helmet is too oval for your round face.

When the hotspots are on your temples or pinching towards the back of your head, the helmet is too narrow. Look for a wider through the middle helmet.

If the helmet doesn't have hotspots but your cheeks are not compressed, you need thicker cheek pads.

If the cheek pads are compressing your cheeks too much try compressing them manually for a while. You can take them out of the helmet and put them under something heavy for a few days. This artificially speeds up the break-in process.

If your in between sizes or the model does not fit your head shape, try another brand or model. Our head shapes vary and so does each model.

Don't Fall into These Traps

There are many common misconceptions about buying helmets that have been passed around over the years. Many of them are wrong, do not believe them, no matter what your friend's brother's cousin has said.

Glasses

You do not need a bigger helmet because you wear glasses. You just need to find a helmet that makes wearing your glasses comfortable.

This may mean wearing a different style helmet. You also want to take a look at your frames, and purchase a pair of glasses specifically for riding.

Ponytails

My helmet needs to fit my ponytail. NO, this is just plain wrong. Helmets are not engineered to have your ponytail in there.

Take your high ponytail out and put the helmet on. You should also consider braiding your hair or you'll end up with a ton of knots from the wind.

Food and Drink

I need more room in the face to eat and drink. This is most common among those who are buying modular helmets.

Do not sacrifice safety for convenience. It does not take a lot of effort to take your helmet off to eat or drink. You shouldn't be doing either while riding.

Ears

Do not size up to "fit your ears", your helmet is supposed to be snug while putting it on. The proper way to put your helmet on is by grabbing the straps in each hand and gently pull it slightly out. This can help eliminate the ear issue. The helmet curves a bit at the bottom which can make it quieter and secure.

Sweaty

The helmet makes my head sweat. You are outside in the elements so you're are going to sweat. To help with this issue, look for a helmet with proper venting and sweat wicking fabric.

Comfort Liners

I'll just switch out the liner to make the helmet fit. This doesn't always work as the outside shell and EPS liner may be the wrong size for your skull. The comfort liner is for comfort, not safety.

My Old Helmet Was More Comfortable

Your old helmet has years of wear and has been broken in. You may not remember, but at one time it was a more snug fit.

The side and cheek pads of your comfort liner may compress over time. So relax and give your new helmet time to settle in.

My Head Size Matches My Height and Weight

Your helmet size has nothing to do with your height or weight. Head size is totally independent of these, which is why it's so important to measure your head. Some kids can wear adult helmets and some adults can wear children helmets.

I Always Wear The Same Size

You wore the same size in the past. But it is actually a common misconception, that all brands and models have the same size charts. It is actually difficult to wear the same size in every brand. That's because each manufacturer has a different size chart. Some brands have several size charts depending on their models. The shapes of our heads and the model also effect the fit.

Pick out Your Right Fitting Helmet

Measure your head, figure out your shape, and start trying them on. When you find one you like, wear it in the home for a while.

If after 45 minutes you're still comfortable in it, then it's the one for you.

While you're buying the right fitting helmet, don't forget the rest of your safety gear.

If you have any questions, you may contact us at 800-940-4633 or email us at info@xtremehelmets.com