While it is somewhat subjective, a correctly fitting helmet should feel snug around the head without any pressure points. It should also be easy to put on and not take any effort to get off. It is also important that the chin strap fit tightly, allowing no more than two fingers beneath it. This prevents the strap from being pulled out of place, which can cause strangulation in a crash.
Size
A helmet should fit snugly – if you can easily slip a finger between your head and the padding it’s too loose. Likewise, it should be hard to get the helmet off your head. Getting it on and off repeatedly softens the inner lining of the helmet a little so that over time your head will mould to it more. But if you can put a couple of fingers between your head and the chin strap, it is too tight.
If the chin strap is too tight it will press into your throat making it difficult to breathe while riding. It’s also possible that it will cut off your blood supply to the brain in the event of an accident. A correctly sized helmet will fit snugly without any points of increased pressure (hot spots). If the helmet moves up and down or around when you shake your head it’s too loose.
Shape
The helmet should be snug on your head, with the interior coming into contact with most of it, to know more click here gcmag.com.au/how-tight-should-a-motorcycle-helmet-be-ensure-your-safety/. This means it should not be so tight that it puts pressure on your forehead, or causes “hot spots” (pressure points causing pain when touched). A new helmet will loosen up slightly as it is worn and breaks in, but it should never become so loose that you can lift it off your head from the front or back.
One good way to check the fit of a helmet is to try and slip your pinky finger between your forehead and the padding. This test will let you know if the helmet is too big for you because the gap it leaves between your forehead and the helmet can affect the effectiveness of the helmet in a crash. It is also a bad idea to have too much room in the jawline. A gap in this area can lead to choking and may not be as comfortable for riding.
Ventilation
Whether it’s hot or not, you’ll want to make sure your helmet has enough ventilation. Look for a cushioned comfort layer in the interior of the helmet that’s made from an open-cell foam wrapped in another textile material to wick away perspiration and keep you cool during riding. It should also be easily replaceable to fit a different head shape. In addition to the cushioned comfort layer, most helmets have vents that can be opened or closed according to the weather. This can significantly reduce noise levels and allow air to move over the helmet, which helps prevent fogging.
The chin strap should be tight enough to secure the helmet in place but not so tight that it feels uncomfortable or causes pressure on your chin or forehead. To check if your chin strap is tight enough, try shaking your head while wearing the helmet to see if it moves around. If it does, your helmet is too loose and won’t provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
Comfort
There is a fine line between a snug helmet and one that causes pain points after just a few minutes of wearing. Ideally, the helmet should feel snug enough that all or most of the inner liner is in contact with your head and not too tight as to cause pain. It should also be loose enough that the chin strap does not press into your chin or throat, which could make it difficult to breathe and speak. The chin strap should also be tight enough to prevent the helmet from shifting on your head, but it should not be so tight that you can’t fit two fingers between it and your chin or throat.
Try the helmet on for at least half an hour, if possible. An overly tight helmet will reveal itself after this amount of time as the chin bar and comfort padding compress to conform to your head shape. Once you have the perfect fit, you can ride in confidence with your head properly protected.
Conclusion
Many helmets come with padding that can be added to improve the fit. This is also a good time to play around with the chin strap and tighten until it is snug but not so tight that you can’t slide your pinky in between your head and the helmet.
