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I’m ashamed to admit it, but on a hot summer day years ago, I foolishly decided
to leave my helmet home. An hour later, due to miscommunication between my
buddy and myself, we collided and I took a bad fall. I landed on my head and
for about 30 seconds was paralyzed, unable to even crawl. Later, at the hospital,
the doctor said it was a minor miracle I’d recovered. The worst part was looking
my family in their faces and realizing that because of that stupid decision to
leave the helmet behind, I almost changed all our lives. I’ve worn a helmet since
and try to convince everyone else to, also.
Why Helmets Are Cool
Apart from their life-saving potential, helmets provide other benefits. One of the
most surprising is their ability to cool the head. It’s counterintuitive, but
better helmets insulate the head from heat. Helmets are made of polystyrene, which
is similar to what a cooler is made of—a material that keeps heat out. Also,
modern helmets have venting systems that force air through the helmet providing a
cool breeze over the scalp. Tests have shown that these features actually make a
helmeted rider cooler than a bareheaded one—even on a hot day or tough climb.
Another worthwhile feature, especially for mountain biking or touring on a bicycle
with an upright seating position such as a recumbent or hybrid, is a visor. These
keep sun out of the eyes improving visibility by reducing glare and cutting down a
bit on sunburn. They’ll also knock away small branches that might hit you in the
face as you ride past on narrow trails.
Modern helmets are also brightly colored, a clear signal to motorists. And because
they’re on the top of your head, the highest point on your body, they make you much
more visible in traffic.
Find a Fine Fit
Head and helmet shapes vary so the most important rule is to try on several models
and brands to find the type that fits your head best. Start by trying on any helmet
to see what size you are. Or you can measure your head just above the eyebrows with
a tape measure to get an idea (small is roughly 20 to 22 inches; medium: 22 to 23.5
inches; and large: 23.25 to 24.5 inches).
Usually helmets come in at least three sizes depending on the manufacturer. You’re
looking for one that offers a snug fit. Ask at the bike shop for help if you have
questions. They’re more than happy to lend a hand and they have the experience to
point you toward a helmet that’s right for your head shape, riding style, and
budget.
Generally speaking, there are round and oval heads and helmet shapes that match. You
can tell when the helmet fits right. It’ll feel snug all the way around your head.
To test it, try to move the helmet side-to-side and front-to-back. If there’s more
play side-to-side than front-to-back, you’ve probably tried on a round-shape helmet
and you probably have a more oval shaped head.
Keep in mind that all helmets come with fitting kits. These pads adhere to the inside
of the helmet to customize it to your head. The helmet however, should almost fit
your head before you add any fitting pads. Otherwise, you may have to put in a lot
of pads to get it to fit, which will compromise the fit. In a really good fit, you
may need no pads or only two pads, one on either side or end to snug the
helmet a bit.
Fit doesn’t depend only on pads and helmet size. Most helmets today include
retention devices, which are comprised of wide straps or a plastic web-like retainer
built into the back of the helmet that holds the base of your head. These are
adjustable also to fine-tune fit. And, when the retention device is properly set,
it helps hold the helmet in place. This is a great feature when you’re riding over
bumpy terrain.
Picking a Model
You can spend from $30 to $150 for a bicycle helmet today. Surprisingly, almost all
quality models will protect equally well. How can you tell a good one? Look for a
sticker inside the helmet that says CPSC or ASTM. If it has one or both of these
stickers, the helmet has passed rigid testing standards. Most helmets today at any
bike shop will have passed these tests.
Consider how you’ll use the helmet, too. As I mentioned, for off-road use a visor is
a handy feature. You may not want it for road use, however, as if you ride with your
head down, the visor can block vision a bit. Many helmets today come with removable
visors though, which allow you to use the same helmet and customize it for
the conditions.
As you spend more money for a helmet, you don’t get more protection. What you get
is more vents for increased cooling, lighter weight, which makes an energy-saving
difference on long rides, and slightly more advanced strap and retention systems.
You might feel a difference worth paying for by trying on these helmets and if so,
you should buy one. Usually, the more you ride, the more you notice the design
enhancements.
When trying on helmets, after fit, look for comfortable straps and ones that have
a secure locking device (so they don’t change adjustment all the time). You want
soft pads too that can’t chafe your head, an overall design that appeals to you,
and a price that suits your budget. Remember: you don’t have to spend a lot.
You’ll find very nice helmets that look almost identical to the big buck models in
the $40 to $75 price ranges.
Other Considerations
When you get the helmet home, don’t ignore the owner’s manual. Study it. Even if the
shop adjusted the helmet to your head, it’s important for you to understand how
the helmet should fit because as you wear the helmet, the straps will change
adjustment.
Many people make the mistake of tipping the helmet back on the head when adjusting
it because they think it’ll feel cooler that way. That’s a big mistake because a
tipped-back helmet can’t protect the face in a crash.
The helmet must sit square on the head so that the front of the helmet will hit
first if you go over the handlebars. The straps are what adjust the helmet so it
will remain in this position naturally when you put it on. When done, you should
be able to lightly tug on the helmet and it shouldn’t move or tip excessively. It
should want to return to the proper position automatically. Also, when the helmet
is adjusted, the small strap buckles on either side should rest just beneath the
ear lobes. Instructions in the owner’s manual explain in detail how to adjust the
straps for the proper helmet fit.
Another important thing you can find out about in the manual is the guarantee. Some
makers offer replacement policies for a crashed helmet. You won’t get a helmet for
free but you may save some money by returning your helmet with a letter describing
what happened.
Finally, helmets don’t last forever. Helmet manufacturers recommend getting a new
helmet at least every five years. This is important for your protection in a crash.
The materials in a helmet break down slightly over the years and helmets just
naturally take a beating in use as you toss them in the truck, drop them
and ride.
Go out there and get a great helmet. Your family and friends will thank you.
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