Need a good lid? Here’s how to get the perfect fit.
Shopping for a new lid? Have you read our Check you Gear blog and realized you’re long overdue for a new helmet? Just wanting to change the style? There is so much to look into when looking for a helmet that goes beyond the look. We thought about bringing you a step by step checklist to make sure you get the perfect (and therefore safest) fit!
We’ve all been there (maybe even recently): you’re at the motorcycle show and find the perfect looking helmet at the perfect price in the size you’ve always worn… but the fit is off. It could be that the interior shape isn’t right for your head. Not all brands have the same interior shape, so even if you’ve always worn a Medium in one brand, a medium size in another brand may not fit your head correctly.
Furthermore, helmet sizes aren’t universal and can deviate up to half a size between brands. This means that it is important to also look for the actual measurement in cm, not just the corresponding letter, when starting your search.
The best bet for a perfect fit is to have your head properly measured** and analyze your head shape, to help find the perfect match. After a proper measurement, take a look at the brands that have the best fit potential, and start trying them on.
**we can measure your head in-store or, if you have a flexible measuring tape, measure the circumference above the ears at the part of your forehead that protrudes outward the most… for most people that’s about an inch from the brow.
What is a good fit anyway?
When putting on a helmet, the most important fitment point is the crown. The helmet should fit snugly around the crown, without pinching. Most of the weight of the helmet should be supported by the contact spots around the interior perimeter lining with only some of the weight being supported by the top liner pad. When trying on helmets, keep each one on for a few minutes, to allow for any pressure points to become noticeable, which could make wearing the helmet uncomfortable on longer rides, or unsafe.
Ever tried to put on a full face helmet and can’t seem to get it past your cheeks? Did you just discount it as too small and go up a size? Most newer full-face helmets now have ECE certification, and part of the ECE testing procedures is to make sure the helmet doesn’t pull off easily, which means manufacturers make the cheek pads tighter than an older DOT or Snell helmet you may be used to. Thankfully, almost all manufacturers make easily removable and replaceable cheek pads (and liners), allowing you to customize the interior of your new lid for a perfect fit. Arai goes one step further, offering ‘Micro-Fit’ shims that can be removed or added to fine-tune that fit even further!
