Looking for a new helmet for riding right now? Well, you’re spoiled for choice, because there has never been a wider range of styles and prices to suit everyone.
Whether you commute to work every day or only on the weekends, there is a “lid” for you. You just need to look for it.
When looking for a helmet, the most important thing to remember is to find one that fits well and is easy to put on. A helmet won’t protect you if you don’t wear it.
If you buy a super-light helmet, you’ll worry about it getting bumped when it’s under your desk at work. On the other hand, a solid commuter model won’t be much fun to wear when you’re trying to beat your personal best time on Strava while climbing the local hills.
If you do a little bit of both types of riding, look around and you’ll find a good all-arounder.
How to choose the best and high quality bicycle helmet
Below are tips to consider when choosing the best bicycle helmet to buy.
Helmet Protection Technology
The purpose of the helmet is, first and foremost, to shield your head from any blows that may be received in the event of a crash.
Although there are established controlled testing that ensure all helmets meet a specified degree of impact protection in order for them to be marketed, there are a wide variety of options available to consumers in terms of the materials, construction, and level of impact protection available in helmets.
The helmet may be disassembled into three distinct parts: the shell, the liner, and the strap system. In contrast to the rigid plastic that makes up the exterior casing, the interior is lined with foam and padding.
The exterior shell of the helmet is made of a strong plastic that offers resistance to puncturing and allows the helmet to slide on impact, which may reduce the amount of harm to your head, neck, and shoulders.
The inside liner of the helmet is constructed out of expanded polystyrene foam, which is essentially a more advanced form of styrofoam.
This material shields you from harm by absorbing some of the force of the impact and reducing the speed at which it travels to your skull.
Bike Helmet Fit and Comfort
Once you have determined the type of bike helmet you will need, the next most crucial step is to locate one that provides the most comfortable fit for your head.
In order to accomplish this, you need begin by determining the circumference of your head at its broadest point, which is often located about an inch above your eyebrows.
Size
In general, helmets come in small, medium, and large sizes. However, there is no standard for these sizes, so what one company calls a medium size may not be the same as what another company calls a medium size.
Because of this, you will need to measure the circumference of your head and compare it to the specs of the helmet to figure out what size it is.
To do this, just wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of your head, starting the measurement about 2 centimeters above your brow line.
If you were to hang upside down while wearing the helmet, it should fit well enough that it would stay in place even without the retention system.
Shape
Helmet shape isn’t something that a lot of brands talk about, but it’s important to know that each brand has its own idea of what a person’s head should look like.
The shape of helmets made in the United States tends to be more rounds, while helmets made in Italy tend to have a slimmer shape.
Even though you can measure the size of a helmet, you really need to try it on to know how it fits.
Retention system
But in this case, we’re talking about the system under the chin that keeps the teeth in place.
Some manufacturers call their retention system a ratchet system that is used to tighten an inner shell, but in this case, we are talking about the retention system that is under the chin.
When it’s fastened right, you should be able to fit two fingers in the space between the strap and your chin, and the strap should make a V shape under your ears. Both of these parts should be easy to change and stay in place once they are.
Tightening mechanism
Many cycle helmets have a secondary retention system that tightens an inner shell or brace around your head and occipital bone (the back and lower area of your head). This method makes a close fit, which gives the whole thing an extra layer of comfort and stability.
But you need to make sure that the shape of the shell is right and that you don’t just rely on the mechanism to tighten a helmet that doesn’t fit well. The helmet will fit right if you do this.
Pressure points
While trying on a helmet, be aware of any pressure points or unequal pressure across the helmet.
If there is any pressure in a particular location, it indicates that the helmet is either too large or too shapeless for your head.
Hair port
Consider purchasing a hair port if you have locks that are shoulder- or chest-length or longer.
The port at the back of the helmet can be used to allow ponytails without compromising the helmet’s overall fit or its level of safety.
Sunglasses
It is a good idea to make sure that your helmet is compatible with your eyewear if you are the type of rider who wears glasses or sunglasses.
While trying on helmets, the only method to verify whether or not this is the case is to bring your eyeglasses with you.
Make sure that the shell of the helmet or the mechanism for fastening it does not come into contact with the frame or the arms of your glasses.
Final words
It’s up to the person, and a lot of people, including many people who commute every day, don’t wear one and are fine.
Don’t let anyone make you think that you have to wear a helmet. It’s up to each person to decide.
But if you are in an area that doesn’t have good cycling infrastructure or if you are a sports rider who is more likely to be going faster, you will feel a lot safer if you wear a head protection device.
Since the middle of the 1980s, when helmets with hot colors and big shapes started to show up on our streets, there has been a huge jump in how helmets are made.
It’s not surprising that it took so long for them to be used by most people because many of them were so strange.
If you don’t like the idea of wearing a bicycle helmet, you should think again and give one of the newer models a try.
Not only are they great, but they can also help keep your head cooler thanks to clever air vents and channels.
Remember that even a few grams of plastic protection won’t make you invincible, so keep your eyes and ears open when you’re driving with other people. No matter what you do, you should always remember that.