A properly fitted bike helmet can mean the difference between walking away from a fall and being seriously injured. It is very important that your helmet fits correctly if you want to give yourself the best possible protection.
Helmets come in all sorts of colours sizes and designs. If you are unsure at all of what you need, then make sure that you speak with an expert. Your safety while riding any types of bicycles should be one of your top priorities.
To help you to choose and properly fit the right helmet for you, follow our instructions below on how to wear a bike helmet. This is not something that you should rush, so make sure you dedicate enough time to get the right helmet for you.
1. Choose a helmet style
When you are first learning how to wear a bike helmet, the number of helmet choices can be a little overwhelming. You might all of the different styles of motorcycle helmets a little intimidating. There are a few basic styles of helmets out there to choose from.
Be sure that you think carefully about what you want out of your helmet, are you looking for style over safety? If so, you might want to rethink that decision.
2. Open face helmets
These allow for the most range of movement for your head and can have you feeling really free on the back of your bike. The helmet will also only offer limited protection to your face and chin.
This is often called a half helmet as it only really protects half of your head. There are some significant risks with this design of the helmet. However, if you really want to feel the wind on your face but still have protection then this is the one for you.
3. Full face helmets
This is the style of motorcycle helmet that most people will first think of when you say the words “motorcycle helmet”. This style of helmet covers the entire face and head. There is also a face shield that will stop bugs and debris from hitting your eyes and skin.
When travelling at speed, this can save the sight in your eye so the face shield can be well worth the extra expense and slight discomfort.
4. Modular helmets
These allow you to experience the best of both worlds the face protection part of the helmet can be detached when you don’t want to use it, then easily clipped back in.
The real advantage to these helmets is that you can enjoy the safety of a full-face helmet, then if you stop to eat or drink something you don’t need to remove the entire helmet for a quick snack or to hydrate.
5. Know what head shape you have
Now that you have chosen the style of helmet that you want, it is time to get your gear sized properly. Helmets need to be a tight fit so as such they come with different head shapes in mind. There is long oval, intermediate oval and round oval.
For the most part, everyone’s head will fit into one of these three categories. If you are unsure of your head shape, then just pop into the store and ask them to take a look. An experienced member of our team will be able to direct you to the right shape and size in no time.
6. Try the helmet on
There is no substitute for figuring out if a helmet is the right fit or not like actually trying it on. You will know right away if the helmet fits you or not. It should be snug and not move around at all. You should also be able to remove it without too much discomfort. At the same time, it should not slip off too easily.
7. Test the helmet out before riding
The last thing that you want is to find out after a 10-minute ride that the helmet is painful to wear. After all, you will need to keep that same helmet on until you get home. New helmets always take a little bit of time to break-in. This is why it is best to get used to wearing them at home.
You might feel a little silly wearing it to watch TV, but it will be worth it in the long run. A quick 20 to 30-minute test should do the trick.
8. Get out on the open road
The best way on how to wear a bike helmet is to experience it on the road. Wearing a helmet on your bike will be a lot different to when sitting on the couch. There is no substitute for getting on your bike and taking your new head protection for a spin.
With new helmets, it’s advised that you take the bike out for a few shorter rides before taking a long ride across the country just to be sure that you are happy and comfortable with how it feels.
