How Should A Helmet Fit

A helmet is the most critical safety accessory for any bike rider. It protects your head from crashes and impacts, even during terrifying accidents. So, you remain safe from fatal injuries. It brings us to the importance of choosing the fitting helmet for our heads.

Well, while selecting the helmet for the bike, you shouldn’t just look at its safety features, comfort, and color schemes. You must also consider the correct fitment of the helmet. So, how should a helmet fit your head?

Technically, the helmet on your head should fit snuggly. It mustn’t be too loose or tight. Also, the helmet shouldn’t be a burden on your head. Finally, the helmet should be on the same level as your head without tilting back or front.

As you choose the helmet, you must consider this fitting suggestion closely. Also, you may look at the sizing chart of a helmet for people of different ages. So, let’s take this discussion of helmet sizing and fitment deeper.

The Importance Of Right Fitting Of The Helmet

We will primarily consider the helmet’s safety features, manufacturing materials, comfort, and longevity. Also, we will look at the color and design of the helmet. Sadly, we often overlook the importance of proper fitment for the helmet.

But little did we know that the helmet’s safety features only apply with a suitable fitting. If your helmet has a wrong fitment, it will most likely not offer the same level of protection. Also, its Dot and SMFC safety rating will largely depend on its fitting.

Once you have the right fitting for the helmet on your head, you can expect it to deliver exemplary performance. It will have coherence with the SMFC and Dot ratings. Or else, a helmet of the wrong size may fail to protect the head and forehead from injuries. It happens even if the helmet has a high impact and shock-absorbing rating in SMFC and DOT testing.

How Should A Helmet Fit?

When you wear a helmet to ride your bike, it’s a careful process. You can’t just pick any helmet and get into the roads with your road bikes or MTBs. As you put the helmet on your head, it must feature the correct fitment.

That’s why you must choose a helmet with a snug fitting on your head. You must wear the helmet and check if it fits nicely on your head while buying it. Also, there’re other considerations for a helmet with the correct adjustment.

Your helmet will fit snuggly without additional tightness or looseness.
The helmet mustn’t tilt back or forward on your head. It must be on the same level as your head.
The front edge of the helmet must be less than or equal to the 1-inch level of your eyebrows. It will protect your forehead from injuries.
To check the perfect fitting, you may push the helmet sideways. It won’t move with the proper fitment. If you notice any movement, you have to adjust it.
Plus, you should try loosening or tightening the helmet strap for the perfect fitting. Sometimes the strap of your helmet will become too loose to cause the movement.

Following these easy-to-maintain suggestions, you may get a suitable fitting for the helmet.

How Is Helmet Size Measured?

You might want to learn how should a helmet fit on your head. For this, you must understand the technique of sizing a helmet. So, how the helmet manufacturers will measure its size?

You will get a one-size fitting for most of the affordable helmets. However, many manufacturers will still offer different sizes of a helmet within reasonable pricing. It ensures better comfort and security with the helmet.

Also, the manufacturers follow two critical rules for bike helmet sizing. It includes:

Many helmet manufacturers will size their products into three different categories. It includes small, medium, and large helmets.
Other manufacturers will size their helmets in exact diameters in inches. So, you can measure your head and choose the helmet accordingly. The diameter of the helmet varies largely from 50cm to 66 cm.

These days, many manufacturers have opted for a different helmet size technique. They will attach an “age-level recommendation” for their helmets. It includes toddlers, children, youth/XS, adults, etc. For instance, the helmet of a toddler will be 45cm to 50cm. On the other hand, a medium-sized helmet for an adult biker will be from 54cm to 56cm. And the most oversized helmet with a tag of “X-Large” will be around 60cm to 66cm.

All these helmet sizes incorporate the bike riders’ actual head sizes. So, you must know your head measurement to pick the right size of helmet. It will also stop you from trying too many helmets as it is unhygienic.

Tips on measuring your head for the right helmet size:

We have already discussed that your head size is key to picking the right size of the helmet. So, how do you measure your head? Well, the steps are so easy that you will be overwhelmed to know them.

First, get a measuring tape. You should get in from local hardware stores with ease. It won’t cost you more than $5 to $7.
Now, call for a family member or friend. Once the helping hand arrives, tell him to put the tape measure around your head. It should circulate in the upper part of your forehead.
Then, he can take note of the diameter of your head, and you can save it. For correct measurement, we suggest you calculate the diameter of your head two to three times. It will be the size you will look for while buying the helmet.
If you don’t have any helping hand to measure the head diameter, do it yourself. Stand before a mirror and wrap the measuring tape around the head.
Carefully check that you have covered the back part of your head. Now, you know the diameter of your head precisely.

Adjusting Tips For Your Helmet To Get The Right Fitting:

As you look at the helmet’s sizing, you find that each category has two to four centimeters of variations. Helmet manufacturers do it purposefully so that the helmet fits well for multiple people with identical head sizes. For the best adjustment, they include a strap with the helmet. You may use the belt to adjust the helmet on your head appropriately.

Ensure that the helmet sits right above your eyebrows and covers the forehead. You must do this while placing the helmet on your head.
Look at the left side of your helmet and hold the buckle there. You will find a strap divider there. You should slide it right beneath your earlobe, so the strap fits flat.
Now, look at the right side of the helmet. If any slack comes from the left side, adjust it for a comfier fit. Also, you must repeat the second step for tightening the strap.
As you fasten the buckle, ensure that the chinstrap threads correctly through the right strap. You will find a keeper there. Tuck the chinstrap with it to stop t from loosening or tightening.
Finally, adjust the chin strap around your chin to find a suitable fitting. Also, you should hear a click sound when the buckle fastens appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my helmet is too small?

If you find the helmet fitting too tight on your head, it suggests that the helmet is too small for you. So, you should choose a bigger size for the helmet.

Will a new helmet loosen up?

Yes, a helmet usually loosens up after 20 to 48 hours of use. After this period, you will experience 15% to 20% loosening of the strap. So, when choosing the helmet, be aware of this loosening fact.

Should my motorcycle helmet squeeze my cheeks?

No, your helmet mustn’t squeeze your cheeks. Your cheeks should remain free for easy movement as the helmet covers your forehead and cheek with improved flexibility.

How tight should a full-face helmet be?

Professional bikers and industry experts recommend that the helmet be neither too tight nor too loose. You should enjoy a snug and comfy fit with the helmet.

What size helmet do I need for a 22-inch head?

You will need a 56cm to 58cm of helmet for a head with 22 inches diameter. You can easily convert the head diameter into centimeters to find the right size for your bike helmet.

Conclusion

This in-depth guideline on how should a bike helmet fit will help you choose the correct helmet size. You must also check the ventilation and sweat removal facility. Also, look for the helmet’s visor, full-face protection, and shock-absorbing rating. All these features are essential to enjoy maximum comfort and safety when riding your favorite road bike or MTB.