amor fati

I'm want to get a Catlike Whisper Plus helmet but I'm a little divided about what size to get. My head, where the helmet would sit, measures 58.5 cm around. The medium whisper is said to be for size 54-58cm heads, the large is for 59-61cm heads. Can someone who has worn one of these give me advice about whether I should get a medium or large. Most helmets I've worn before are size large and my current helmet, which fits quite nicely, is for 57-59cm heads. I live in the U.S. so trying one on at the LBS is, unfortunately, not an option.

scirocco

I can't advise directly because I take a smaller size, but I found the sizing runs large. My head measurement is 55.5 yet I can fit comfortably in a small which is supposedly only good for up to 53. In Giro helmets I would usually take a medium.

If you google it you'll find one or two comments on various forums where people on the edge between two sizes have gone to the larger size and it's been HUGE.

I would suspect as you are only 0.5 cm larger than the "supposed" max for the medium size that you will be fine with the medium.

I think botto on this forum has/had one and may be able to advise.

Garfield Cat

I would contact the U.S. Distributor Serotta in New York

Serotta
41 Geyser Road
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866


Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
General questions?:
Call (518) 584-1221 or info@serotta.com
Specific questions?:
Call (518) 584-1221 or serotta.concierge@serotta.com
Website questions?:
webmaster@serotta.com

clx1

I have one, it's a great choice. They come up pretty big so I would go for the medium.

Velo Gator

I was going to say it seems like they run small.

WHOOOSSHHH...

Don't do it. They look like a rounded block of swiss cheese!

amor fati

This is precisely what I found when I did my original google search. Some said they sized big, others said the opposite. Frustrating. Apparently the original Whisper was definitely on the large side, more so than the Whisper Plus. Hopefully, I'll find time to contact Serrota tomorrow.

dat59

I have a pretty similar size head to you and I wear a M.


Great helmet, saved me once last season.

scirocco

Large, small, whatever. Let's have numbers. I'll say it again - my head is 55.5cm and I have no problem fitting my Small 2009 Whisper Plus which is advertised as 50-53cm. In fact there's even a little adjustment left. I cannot fit into a Small in a Giro or Bell.

I call that sizing large, but maybe others would differ.

Garfield Cat

Did you contact Serotta?

brianbeech

Your LBS doesn't even have one?

urbanknight

I don't see how that would help. Chances are, they will just look up their sizing chart and quote that. If it was common knowledge within the company of them not fitting true to size, I imagine they would change the sizing chart.

Anyway, things I avoid ordering online include shoes, gloves, and helmets. Unless you already have that brand (and maybe even model), you have no idea how it will fit.

Garfield Cat

Competitive Cyclist is a dealer and they have a Youtube review. In that review they do talk about the different shape heads and that the Whisper Plus fits the more round shaped head as opposed to an oval shaped head. This could be the issue about sizing.

amor fati

So, lucky me, something turned up on craigslist this past weekend which i've never seen before in my area: a Catlike Whisper helmet! It was also, fortuitously, a size medium. So after wearing it for several days on my commute I feel I can safely give a critique. PLEASE NOTE what I'm about to say is in regards to the original whisper helmet, NOT the whisper plus. It appears that for my 58.5 cm head medium is the right size. I think I am at about the limit for the medium since I have been either leaving the retention system on the last notch or one notch in. Even though i can rock the helmet fore and aft just a bit when i'm not strapped in i do feel a slight bit of tightness on my forehead. This, like stated above, appears to be due to the general design of the helmet and seems to affect a lot of people with this helmet. It is due to the fact that the foam is really beefed up in the forehead section compared with the rest of the helmet (which appears like a good idea seeing as there is so little of the helmet to begin with). I guess in order to make the helmet look good they moved more foam inward rather than outward. When I'm riding I don't notice this tightness at all, however, and hardly notice I'm wearing anything at all. It may be just my imagination but the helmet seems to reduce aerodynamics slightly. Overall, I'm really happy with it.

Also, I got a response from Serotta, which contradicts what I've said a bit but there you go (of course she is talking about the Whisper PLUS in this case).

Thank you for your interest in Catlike, it is a brand I have ridden for over 10 years and love the fit, the weight and ventilation the helmet provides. Based on what you are telling me about your head measurement, I would suggest trying a Large. You should be able to close the retention system to fit you head properly. We find that most people fit the helmets just fine, with an occasional head shape challenge; we can take it one step at a time.
What color are you interested in? I have attached a PDF of what we are offering in USA CPSC helmets currently, and I have good stock levels right now.

Please let me know if you would like us to ship it to you in Hawaii .
Thank you,
Bonnie Mavis

Bonnie Mavis, VP Sales
Serotta
41 Geyser Road
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518.584.8100 x102
206.200.2005 mobile
bonnie@serotta.com
www.serotta.com

I agree that with the retention system, which works well, I could probably use a large but I'd rather pick the smaller helmet since it's possible. The powerpoint she sent me is kinda cool too but I don't know how to upload it here.

robncircus

Just got one a few weeks ago. FWIW, I was coming from a top of the line Specialized from 2009. The Catlike is more a circle shape. If your head is oval (like mine), it can be tight on the front and back. Mine felt good in the shop but after a few rides I'm not psyched about it. I spent a fortune on it so I'km hoping as I lose weight this month my head gets skinnier hah. FWIW mine is the Whisper Plus. I will say they are extremely well made.

scirocco

Wow. They are recommending a helmet advertised as 59-61 for a person with a 58.5 head. In a range that runs large anyway. I guess they have to err on the side of caution. You won't have any trouble fitting in the Large, but you may look like a mushroom.

Johnny Rad

I've got a Catlike Whisper Plus in L.

My dome measures ~57cm. I pretty well fill out the L with the retention straps about ~25% tightened up.

It's a good helmet - two thumbs up.

Enjoy

WonTian

+1

But really, it's a nice helmet.