Choosing a helmet isn't just figuring out your size and your favorite paint job. It's buying a helmet that will actually work to protect your head in the event of an impact.
There's no sugarcoating it: Helmet fitment determines just how much safety your helmet can provide. In fact, a DOT safety rating is only valid for a correctly sized helmet!
When your helmeted head experiences an impact, the impact-absorbing liner is designed to manage those forces. But if there’s too much of a gap between the helmet and your head, you're basically setting yourself up to get smacked by your own safety gear.
If the liner doesn’t fit well against your head, it can’t function as intended. On the other hand, if the helmet is too tight because there's too little of a gap, the helmet will simply be uncomfortable. It'll become distracting or painful or you'll just stop wearing it.
A good fit prevents both problems and allows the helmet to do its job. All helmets are not created equal with respect to fitting your noggin. That doesn't mean you have to pay big bucks to get good protection and fit.
There are plenty of options on the market for all price points, head shapes, and riding styles. You just have to pay attention when picking out your next lid. Feeling overwhelmed?
Choosing the right helmet doesn't have to be a daunting task with our full guide to walk you through it (see Articles and interest section of this webpage). If you can shake your head, use a measuring tape, and find a friend to lend a hand, you can do this!