How tight should a full face helmet be?

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How tight should a full face helmet be?

15 posts & 13 voices | Started 3 months ago by drookitmunter | Latest reply from steezysix

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"My tight helmet"

drookitmunter - Member

After my pal lost a couple teeth and after witnessing a spate of accidents I've bought a full face helmet for the more exciting rides. It's a Specialized Deviant II.

I measured my head before ordering at 54cm. The small claims to fit 51 - 57cm.

It's a real struggle to put it on or pull it off as it pulls my ears. Although once it's on it feels snug. However, the padding puffs my cheeks up like a chipmonk and I can't imagine this'll be ideal once I'm hot and sweaty!

My question is.. how tight should a new helmet be? Will the fit become less of a squeeze over time? (stop sniggering at the back!)

Posted 3 months ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Like a motorcycle helmet.

I haven't worn of those for a while, but the standard always was that it didn't move about on your head (side to side or forward/back). Mine was always snug....

Posted 3 months ago #
meddle - Member

Mine's snug and gives me puffer cheeks :D, as long as it's comfortable I wouldn't worry too much, you just get used to being hot and bothered in the summer with it on.

What I hate most is taking it off in the cold as your head is so used to being warm then the sweat freezes.

Posted 3 months ago #
scruff - Member

if its still new it will bed in a litle bit, but it sounds a bit tight. Shape is as important as size (!).

Posted 3 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

Sounds about right to me - it will bed in a bit.

Posted 3 months ago #
deviant - Member

Sounds perfect actually. The padding around the cheeks will compress the more you wear it, reducing the hamster effect! A loose full face is next to useless.

Posted 3 months ago #
jambon - Member

Your jaw should be snug on the padding.

For general riding I've been using a Met Parachute for years - enough frontal protection for most riding and it feels like a well fitting normal lid when on - so much so that I've often gobbed a mouth-full of spit into the front guard by mistake. Nice.

Posted 3 months ago #
drookitmunter - Member

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like I should just wear it and see how it goes. I'll wear it in the office for the rest of the day I got it new for £90 from Ae7 so I'm sure I could easily sell it on if I change my mind down the line.

Cheers!

For general riding I've been using a Met Parachute for years

I seriously considered the Met Parachute as I don't really want/need a full on DH helmet. I just want to protect my expensive teeth and preserve my face. Loads of folk on here and on other forums said the Met would be useless in many situations. A friend of mine said he was out with a guy who crashed wearing one and it lodged in the roof of his mouth. Nasty!

I don't personally have an opinion on the Met as I haven't seen one in the flesh but there was enough doubt floating around to put me off buying one.

I'll still be using my XC helmet for most of my riding.

Posted 3 months ago #
IA - Member

Aye, they bed in a bit. As for how tight, shake your head about and it shouldn't wobble about...

Sometimes when new they feel a bit like they'll rip your ears off, but they're fine in time, and you get the knack of pulling them off. Depends a bit on the lid, some are worse than others.

Posted 3 months ago #
frogstomp - Member

drookitmunter » I seriously considered the Met Parachute as I don't really want/need a full on DH helmet. I just want to protect my expensive teeth and preserve my face. Loads of folk on here and on other forums said the Met would be useless in many situations. A friend of mine said he was out with a guy who crashed wearing one and it lodged in the roof of his mouth. Nasty!

I don't personally have an opinion on the Met as I haven't seen one in the flesh but there was enough doubt floating around to put me off buying one.

Another option may have been the Urge Archi-Enduro.. full-face but light and a bit more open/ventilated so better for longer rides...

Posted 3 months ago #
b r - Member

tbh A helmet is best bought in a shop, having tried on a selection/sizes...

And tighter than a tight thing is how I like mine.

Posted 3 months ago #
drookitmunter - Member

tbh A helmet is best bought in a shop, having tried on a selection/sizes...

And tighter than a tight thing is how I like mine.

Agreed but all the shops in Edinburgh have very limited stock - IE 2 full facers each. And those with stock only had medium/large.

All the mediums I tried were a bit flappy, but I couldn't find a medium Specialized to try on.

Posted 3 months ago #
jonke - Member

I had an impromptu landing head first today. I had a Met Parachute on. I could feel the face guard being bent back and take the impact as I landed and my face is still attached. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be if i had been wearing an open face lid. Wouldn't use it for downhill but for general trail riding its a winner.

Posted 2 months ago #
simon_g - Member

Explained well in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KytJa4i96v4

Essentially tight enough that you can't rotate it easily, but not so tight it's squishing your head.

Posted 2 months ago #
steezysix - Member

As others have said it should be snug. Put the helmet on and push the chin guard towards your mouth - ideally it shouldn't move enough to come into contact (imagine landing face first and you'll see why tight cheek pads are a good thing!)

Posted 2 months ago #

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