Picking the right lid goes beyond simply deciding which design you like best, but where do you start?
Whether looking to kit yourself out for the first time or treating yourself to some new attire, choosing a new helmet can have you scratching your head on what to look for. To help make it easier, we’ve rustled up five tips to help make sense of all the options.
- Choose a type
One of the easiest ways to narrow down your choices is by thinking about what you will be using the helmet for. Think about the kind of riding that you do the most. If you’re commuting all-year round in a country like the UK, then it might mean that an open face helmet is not the way to go. If you’re planning to use it for track days, then a full-face option – like the Aeron GP – may be for you. Your bike and riding style will help concentrate your options to either full-face, flip-front, adventure, or open-face helmets.
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- Safety, safety, safety…
While we don’t want to focus on the negatives, the main role of a helmet is to keep your head as protected as possible in the event of an accident. But don’t worry, there’s no need to be bamboozled by all the letters and numbers and sparkly claims, the latest regulation is ECE 22.06 so if you’re keen to have the most up to date then be sure to look for that stamp of approval. Also, you may want to look for options like the SHARK Spartan GT Pro that features the SHARK Emergency Release System that allows the lining to be pulled out with the helmet still on your head to enable the helmet to be removed easily.
- Get the right size
This one may sound obvious but it’s extremely important – and easy to get wrong. Getting a new helmet is more than simply measuring your head and choosing that size, as different helmets have differing fit styles. Just like brands of shoes, some will naturally fit your feet more comfortably than others. Look for things like SHARK’s ‘Best Fit’, helmets created after a 3D scanning campaign. The best bet to make sure you get the most comfortable fit? Try it on! Spend some time in it to see if there are any pinch points after five minutes. Bear in mind, though, that it will feel tighter than your own one as there’s an element of ‘bedding in’. Speaking to experienced staff will also help as there are a variety of modifications that can be made to personalise the fit to you – for example, different sized cheek pads.
- Comfort is king
Now that you’ve got a helmet that fits, you can think about the other elements to help make your ride as comfortable as can be. Good ventilation is always high on the list – and not just for warmer weather. Well-designed ventilation will help prevent fogging and getting all hot and bothered even in a rainstorm. Look for helmets like the Spartan GT PRO with adjustable inlet and venturi-effect outlets. It’s also good to bear in mind removal linings so you can wash them to keep your helmet fresh and/or anti-wicking and anti-bacterial lining materials if you don’t think you’re going to wash them much!
- Added features
We say ‘added features’, but sometimes this step can come at the very beginning as it might be what whets your appetite for a new helmet in the first place! Take the SHARK Skwal i3 for example, featuring the world’s first integrated active brake lights, or the SHARK Aeron GP with its patented ‘Adaptive Aero System’ – in which case you’d just work backwards through the list.
Other features to consider could be how easy it is to fit a comms system; whether it has an integrated sun visor; a chin curtain; a free additional visor in the box; easy fit for glasses… The best thing to do would be to visit www.nevis.uk.com and have a browse, find your local authorised stockist, and then go into a dealership and try it on!
