December 2024

Helmet fit test

08/12/24 18:14 Filed in: Gear

I neglected to paste this in the previous article (ie, the one below):

Put your helmet on as normal. Grab the rear of the foam and try to roll the helmet forwards off your head. If the straps are adjusted properly and it fits well then it will not roll off the head. If it does roll off, you need to address your helmet's fit - maybe the wrong helmet or the straps are too loose.

Helmet fit

04/12/24 23:26 Filed in: Gear

I have seen so many cyclists with ill-fitted helmets lately I am proposing you go test your helmet fit to ensure it is OK. A poorly fitted helmet can do more damage than it prevents - depending on the accident. According to published literature, a loose helmet roughly doubles your risk of head injury and one that can come off during the accident (because it is too big, not strapped on) triples the risk. The stats suggest that a poor fitting helmet is perhaps slightly safer than not wearing a helmet at all - I assume sometimes people fall on the helmet the "right" way despite the poor fit (and are saved) but for me if my choices were a poor fitting helmet or no helmet, I'd go no helmet. A poor fitting helmet can also fall over the eyes without notice, causing an accident.

What does properly fitted look like?
The helmet, unstrapped, fits snugly (but not tightly) on the head with little to no gap anywhere between the skull and the foam. When strapped on, the straps are tight enough that only 2 fingers easily slide between the strap and the skin of the wearer. The splitter device where the 2 straps come together should be immediately below the ear - both forward and aft straps equally snug.
Wearing it jauntily tilted back so the entire forehead is visible is inviting brain damage in a crash and makes the helmet easier to roll off your head (in the test or in real life).

Michael Hanslip Coaching

If you want to go faster, you have to pedal harder

Helmet fit test

Helmet fit