Need Helmet Help!
 

Laides and Gentlemen,

I need some assistance in purchasing a helmet. I am in need of a safe and stylish helmet for work. Unfortunatley I have a very large head. My hat size is 8 3/8's and my circumfrence is 26". I have been attempting to locate something via google and other online means but have been unsuccessful. If anyone has any advise or suggestions they would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you all,

Giro makes some larger helmets.

I don't wear a helmet, but if I did, I would buy it through the LBS. Same thing with shoes. Online purchases requiring fit can go horribly awry.

Besides, that's one of the ways the LBS keeps its head above water, and I'm all for supporting the local economy as much as possible.

Good decision on wanting to wear a helmet.

Yes, you should go to several LBS's and try on different brands and models of helmets because they make each one a bit different. I could not find a helmet to fit my head snug enough so that it wouldn't come off if hit from the side. It appears my head is longer then it is wide. I went to several LBS's and even Walmart and nothing. Then I read a review of a person who had a similar experience as mine and bought a Lazer helmet and it fit. So I bought a Lazer helmet and it fit's perfectly. This helmet fitting problem for me is relative new, I had some issues before but found that the Original Bell, then later a Bell Metro fit great, but the original is no longer made and the Metro was too hot for hot days. I also once had a Garneau that fit perfectly but they changed their designs and now it no longer fits. No local LBS sold the Lazer I had to order on the internet.

By the way speaking of Walmart helmets, they are rated by the same standard as all helmets are and they have to pass those standards in order to be sold in the USA. The Walmart helmets, which they do sell the lower end of Bell an Schwinn branded helmets but are not made as sturdy as others; by sturdy I mean the straps are flimsy and plastic internals are thin and highly likely to break in normal usage.

Perfect fit is based on this: http://www.bhsi.org/fit.htm One paragraph speaks of putting your palm on the front edge and if it moves more then an inch after adjusting the straps then it doesn't fit your head. BUT they left out one important thing...the same applies to the side!! If the helmet moves more then an inch when you do the same thing on the left (or right) side of the helmet it doesn't fit, and that was my problem with today's helmets until I found the Lazer. I had no problems with front to rear movement with a lot of helmets, it was the side to side issue. This is important because if your in an accident you want the helmet to stay on, not get ripped off your head leaving your brains exposed, or the helmet moves enough and there's a secondary impact (which occurs in a lot of accidents) and the helmet has shifted exposing a vital area that you strike in the secondary impact.

Look at some of the Lazer helmets in their large size. You should be able to get a fit there. Bells tend to fit better if your head is round, Giro is sized more for a long oval...

Specialized helps me look cool when I'm not.

Good luck finding a bicycle helmet that possesses either characteristic!
Or you can pick any helmet and make pretend that it provides "safety" and is stylish, just like the helmet promoters advertise.

In case you haven't spotted it yet -- Giro Venti? It's like a Giro Indicator, but it's bigger, listed with a 25.5" circumference. It would be worth a try.

http://www.giro.com/us_en/venti.html
http://www.bicyclebuys.com/helmets/HelmetMTB/GIVE0PART
http://revolutioncycles.com/product/...ti-61619-1.htm

Thank you all for your comments.

Some other ideas here: http://www.bhsi.org/bighead.htm

You maybe able to find some helpful info from this link . http://www.helmets.org/index.htm in that there are several manufacters listed , a call maybe in order directly to them if your LBS is unable to help.

Well, why would you ask about this instead of just going to local stores and try them on? How can we advise you on what will fit OR what you will think is stylish?

Sorry, but it just seems silly when all you need to do is go try some on.

To be fair to the OP --

I've seen maybe two helmets in any of my local shops that are made for extra-big heads.

And, if there's maybe one -- or zero -- local shops near the OP, he won't get to try anything on anyway.

Got you beat. My noggin is about 26.5 in, and my hat size is 8 1/2 long oval. The only candidate I found was the Bell Triton. Bought 3 on closeout a few years back. They appear to still be available at:

http://www.extremesupply.com/product...LEHELMETS.html