Determining if your riding helmet is too big is crucial for safety. Based on fitting guidelines, a helmet is considered too large if it fails specific fit checks.
Here's how to tell if your helmet is likely too big:
How to Check the Fit of Your Riding Helmet
A properly fitting helmet should feel snug and secure without being uncomfortable. To assess if your helmet is too large, perform the following checks:
-
Overall Fit and Position:
- Put the helmet on your head.
- Observe its position. Is it sitting very low, obstructing your vision or resting on your eyebrows?
- Check if it feels loose all around your head.
- Reference Guideline: If the helmet is loose all around your head and sitting low on the eyebrows, it is too large.
-
The Wiggle Test:
- With the helmet on, try to wiggle it up and down.
- Pay attention to the skin on your forehead and your eyebrows.
- Reference Guideline: The skin on your forehead and your eyebrows should move with the helmet. If the helmet slides freely on your head and your skin doesn't move with it, then it is too large for your head.
Summary of Signs Your Helmet is Too Big
| Sign | Description |
|---|---|
| Loose All Around | The helmet feels noticeably slack and doesn't hug the shape of your head. |
| Sits Low | The front of the helmet rests too low, often touching or covering eyebrows. |
| Slides Freely | When you wiggle the helmet, it moves independently of your head and skin. |
| Skin Doesn't Move | During the wiggle test, your forehead skin and eyebrows do not move with the helmet. |
If your riding helmet exhibits any of these characteristics, especially the combination of looseness and low position or the free sliding during the wiggle test, it is too large for your head. A helmet that is too big cannot provide adequate protection in the event of a fall.
Choosing the correct helmet size is vital for ensuring maximum protection while riding. It's recommended to try on several sizes and potentially different brands to find the helmet that provides the most secure and comfortable fit based on these criteria.
