Get the Right Bike Helmet Fit Use our expert tips when you shop to get the best helmet for you A snug bike helmet fit is key if the helmet is to do the job of protecting you in an accident. Like sneakers, helmets are made on different molds that vary among brands. Unlike shoes, though, there are no standard “measurements” in helmet sizing. Most helmets list a measurement of the head circumference it will fit. This can help narrow the options, but your head might be a medium from one maker and a small from another. Most of the models we tested come in a single “universal” shell size while other adult bike helmets, including the top-rated Scott Arx Plus ($125) come in multiple sizes. The goal is to find the helmet that fits your specific head shape as closely as possible and requires few if any pads to achieve a snug fit. The best way to do this is to go to a bicycle shop and try on different brands and different helmets within brands. “Try on the size you think you need, and then try a size smaller,” says Rich Handel, Consumer Reports' assistant test project leader.

(Warning: Don’t be tempted to buy a larger size for your child, thinking she will grow into it!) If you wear a hat under your helmet, or put your hair in a ponytail, make sure your head is ride-ready before you go helmet shopping. If you’re buying a bike helmet online, check the return policy to make sure you can exchange it. If you ride a comfort bike or a cruiser that puts you in an upright position, you might be fine with a less-expensive mid-weight helmet. victory motorcycle dealers in houston texasIf you ride a racing bike with dropped handlebars in an aerodynamic position, consider a lightweight model that may decrease the strain on your neck muscles during day-long rides at high speeds. motorbike shop port macquarieAnother factor that’s especially important to performance riders is ventilation—rated by our testers at 20 mph on a motorized bicycle. red wing boots irving texas

Mountain bikers should consider a helmet with a removable visor to protect for your face against branches or other hanging obstacles. Follow our tips to make sure you get the best bike helmet fit for you. The helmet must be level on your head. The front edge should be no more than an inch or so above your eyebrows. The strap should fit closely under your chin. Straps should meet just below your jaw and in front of your ears, forming a V under your earlobes.honda motorcycle dealers in reno nevada Find out how we tested bike helmets and which ones topped our Ratings. And find tips for choosing the right bike rack for your car. How Do You Know Whether the Helmet Fits? Push the helmet side to side, then front to back, and give it a twist. (The skin at your temples should wrinkle.) The helmet should move only a little bit. If it’s too loose and your helmet has an adjuster knob, tighten it, or if your helmet came with extra pads, use the thicker ones.

If it’s too tight, turn the knob to loosen it or use the thinner pads. Will It Stay Put While You’re Riding? With the heel of your hand, push up on the front edge of the helmet. If it exposes your forehead, shorten the front straps. Then grab the back and try to push the helmet forward off your head. If it covers your eyes, shorten the back straps. You’ll know the chin strap is tight enough when you open your jaw halfway and feel the helmet press down on your head. Getting a good bike helmet fit and then wearing your helmet every time you ride is just one part of bicycling safety. Follow the rules of the road and make sure you are visible to drivers. The safest move is to avoid an accident in the first place. Current Bike helmet ratingsHelmet Sizing and FitYou wear a helmet to protect your head from injury, but you won’t get the maximum protection unless it is properly sized with a snug, aligned fit. The information below is designed to guide you in achieving a safe, secure helmet fit.   

Fit TipsLook at the bike helmet example to the right. A helmet fits properly when:It sits squarely on the head with the front of the helmet low on the brow to protect the foreheadThe padding exerts firm, uniform pressure all around the head so that the skin on the forehead moves as the helmet is rotated from left to right and from front to backIf the harness isn’t correctly adjusted, it’s possible for the helmet to be knocked off or out of place. The harness is correctly adjusted when:The helmet sits squarely on the head with the front low on the brow to protect the foreheadThe front and rear straps form a “Y” just below and forward of the earsThere is no slack when the chin-strap is fastenedGeneral Tips:Do not wear a helmet tipped back on the head. Even if you can form the “Y” around the ears and eliminate slack, helmets worn on the back of the head are more likely to pop off and do not protect the foreheadBuckle the chin strap securely at the throat. Connect the buckle according to the instructions provided with your helmet, and pull on the strap until it is snug against your throat.

This ensures that your helmet will not come off at high-impact  Signup for Discounts20% coupon for new e-mail signups. Safety ResourcesBike Helmet Safety Make Sure the Helmet Fits Bike accidents are the second leading cause of serious injury in school-age children. Each year, an average of two bicyclists are killed in the Seattle area, and more than 200 are severely injured. Head injury is the leading cause of bicycle-related death and disability. Bicycle helmets can reduce these risks by 85%. Wearing a helmet is required by law in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and many other Washington cities. However, many kids either don't have a helmet or won't wear one. We want to change that! Through the Kohl's Helmet Safety Program and Seattle Children's, we hold free monthly helmet fittings and giveaways for kids throughout Washington. Check out when and where we will be this year and come visit us to get your child properly fit with a new helmet. A helmet won't protect your head if it doesn't fit right.

Learn how to properly fit bike helmets for your family. Here is an easy, three-point check to test for proper helmet fit (PDF) (Spanish). Helmet sits level on your child's head and rests low on the forehead, one to two finger widths above the eye brows. A helmet pushed up too high will not protect the face of head well in a fall or crash. The straps are even, form a "Y" under each earlobe, and lay flat against the head. The buckled chin strap in loose enough so that your child can breathe. There should be enough room so you can insert a finger between the buckle and chin. It should be tight enough that if your child opens their mouth, you can see the helmet pull down on top. Why are helmets needed? Helmets provide the best protection against injury, whether you child is riding a bike, scooter or skateboard, or using skates. Wearing a helmet can prevent about 85% of head injuries from bike crashes. However, a helmet will only protect when it fits well. Help your child get in the habit of wearing a helmet by starting when they're young.

Be a good role model and wear a helmet yourself. How do I choose a helmet? Choose a helmet that meets safety standards. For biking, riding a scooter, recreational rollerskating and in-line skating, look for a CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) or Snell sticker inside. For skateboarding, or aggressive, trick or extreme skating, look for a helmet that has a sticker inside saying it meets ASTM F1492. It is not enough for the helmet just to look like a skate helmet. There are some helmets that meet both the CPSC and ASTM F1492 standards. They are multi-sport helmets and can be used for biking, skating, riding a scooter and skateboarding. Don't be fooled into thinking that helmets that look "skate-style" are always multi-sport. Look for the two safety standard labels to be sure they are dual-certified.Expensive helmets are not always better. Choose one that fits properly, and that your child likes. Check used or hand-me-down helmets with care, and never wear a helmet that is cracked or broken.

Used helmets may have cracks you cannot see. Older helmets may not meet current safety standards. What are the pads for? Helmets come with fit pads to help ensure a proper fit. Use the pads where there is space at the front, back and/or sides of the helmet to get a snug fit. Move pads around to touch your child's head evenly all the way around. Replace thick pads with thinner ones as your child grows. How do I check the fit? If you can move the helmet from side to side, add thicker pads on the sides or adjust the universal fit ring on the back if the helmet has one. When done, the helmet should feel level, fit solidly on your child's head and be comfortable. If it doesn't fit, keep working with the fit pads and straps or try another helmet. Teach your child to take their helmet off before playing at the playground or climbing on equipment or trees. The straps can get caught on poles or branches and prevent your child from breathing. Leave hair loose or tie it back at the base of the neck.