Things You'll Need:
- A bike or sports retail store (online or actual retail space)
- <br>A rubber band (if you have long hair)
- <br>Sunglasses
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Step 1
Purchase a helmet. It should comfortably fit your head--you can adjust fit by putting in the extra padding that often comes with the helmet, and sizing it for yourself. If you can wiggle the helmet back and forth, it's too loose; if you feel pressure on your skull, it's too tight. Either way, it's a bad fit. Make sure the helmet is comfortable and secure, and doesn't wiggle too much.
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Step 2
Fit and sit are the most important thing with a helmet. Ideally, for the perfect fit, when you clasp the strap under your chin, you should be able to fit one finger comfortably between the strap and your chin, no more and no less. The Y in the side straps should meet just below your ears. With a good fit, you will almost forget you are wearing the helmet.
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Step 3
When putting the helmet on, it should sit forward on your head. If you're wearing sunglasses, there should be a gap of no more than 2 to 3 inches between the edge of the helmet and the top of your sunglasses (unless you have really big sunglasses, and then there shouldn't be a gap at all). Rule of thumb if you don't wear sunglasses--there should be a gap of no more than 2 to 3 inches between the edge of the helmet and your eyebrows. With different facial types, this isn't always perfectly accurate, so another way to measure this is to get the helmet level to a place where when you look up, you can see the edge of it, but it isn't obstructing your view.
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Step 4
Inspect it if it gets dropped--cracks in the shell mean the helmet is weakened, and may not give you the protection you need.
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Step 5
Depending on how often you ride, and how you care for the helmet, replace the padding often. If you ride quite a bit, you might want to replace the padding every six months. If you don't ride often, you can replace the padding less frequently. Keep in mind that the padding will start to lose its puffiness and effectiveness after a while, so always check the wiggle. If you find the helmet slipping, buy new pads.
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Step 6
Always check your straps. With use, they can loosen, so always take the time to adjust accordingly and make sure the fit is right.
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Step 7
If you have long hair, always make sure to keep it pulled back off your face. When you purchase the helmet, be sure to bring a rubber band to pull your hair back, so you can fit the helmet according to the shape of your head when your hair is in a ponytail. It may make a difference in which helmet fits the most comfortably.
