Helmet shipped without box in plastic sleeve - should I use or return?
 

Ordered a helmet online. It arrived today in an opaque plastic bag without any padding. Knowing what packages go through, a box of some kind would have given it more protection. I've been told that even one collision makes a helmet no longer safe to use.

Would you use this helmet or return it?

Do you buy more of your bike "stuff" locally or online? Wish the world was less complicated!

I'd return it. Online is fine IME but you have to order genuine products from reputable sources. Order from some ad on FB or from Ali and you are rolling the dice.

Yes, shelbyfv good point. This was from Amzn (sold and shipped by).

EZ return then. :thumb:

Did you inspect it?
Is there any sign of a mark on the outside?
Does shipping a helmet in a bag make the seller unreputable?

If no box gets under your skin return it.

I think the point is that he cannot know if the unprotected helmet was dropped during shipping. That matters, not like buying socks. IME Amazon is usually OK with packaging but they may have just passed it along as received from mfg. OP, what brand is it?

Some helmets ship without boxes. Giro Lever for instance? No box, they get shipped about 12 bagged helmets in a big box. Giro Fixture however, comes in a box.

My last helmet, from amzn, came in a bag, along w/the rest of my order. Im convinced it is a cheaper version of a brand name helmet. I like it.

I would inspect the shell for any damage and if nothing visible, I would keep it. Since there wasn't a head inside the helmet if it did get dropped, it shouldn't have impacted the liner. At least, lets hope it hasn't been on someone's head. But if you're not comfortable with it, the zone has a great return policy, use it. :)

amazon products.
 

email the manufacturer & ask if shipping in a bag is standard procedure.and ask if there are any ways to determine if its genuine or counterfeit.

Did you order some no-name brand of helmet? Hard to believe that any of the common and well trusted helmet manufacturer's would not have made a pretty box to put their helmet in.

So based on that assumption, I'd send it back. Not so much because it may have gotten banged around. Which in most cases isn't going to hurt your helmet. But because I want a brand name helmet that can be trusted. Or has a lot of money for my estate if it turns out they messed up something.

The reason they say to replace your helmet after a collision... which by the way, they are talking about a collision to the helmet with your head inside of it. And that will result in the foam inside getting compressed to some extent. So it loses some of it protection ability for certain future collisions.

It's unlikely that the helmet had a head or anything else inside it as it was shipped. So the foam is probably okay and the helmet is probably okay. But seriously, I'd go down to a bike shop, Walmart, Target, Academy Sports, Dicks', REI and anywhere else that I could try on the helmets to see what fit me the best. A helmet that is too loose and wobble on your head is just as uncomfortable as a helmet that is too snug in one place because my orb doesn't match the orb that the brand is designing their helmets for.

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice.

shelbyfv The brand is OutdoorMaster. I have returned it and plan to purchase a helmet locally. If anyone has suggestions for favorite shops in NYC, I am "all ears".

Bellitte Bicycles in Jamaica, Queens is amazing, and the service is top notch. Tell them Doug sent you...

Thank you - I will check them out.

Definitely buy your helmet from a reputable bike shop where you can try them on and get good advice. Fit is very important and I would stick with well known helmet brands like Giro, Met, Specialized, Lazer etc. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a decent helmet, but you don’t want to be rolling the dice on Amazon.

It’s worth a little research on helmets before you go to the shop. Below is a great independent site to check out helmet crash tests and price range. More expensive helmets are not always safer, but usually lighter and more ventilated. Fit is very individual and largely unrelated to price, although you usually get better adjustment systems on the top models.

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html

As noted immediately above, fit is extremely important. Some brands mights not fit your head shape well. And then there is getting the proper size. I see so many people with ill-fitting helmets. Some might not as well be wearing them. I have to believe they bought them online without trying them on first.

The only thing I'll add is when trying on a helmet, if you wear a skullcap, cap or Headsweats or some other head covering, bring with so you find the right size/fit.

Quality or authenticity of the helmet aside...

When you purchase something at a discount through Amazon Warehouse, often times the original packaging will be damaged or even non-existent. I think many of those items are returns from someone else.

But since it's Amazon, you can just send it back if it doesn't work out.

Get a helmet that employs MIPS technology.

I know I would be extremely unhappy if something that was supposed to protect me wasn't itself protected during shipping. It may be perfectly fine, but that MAY BE would most likely continue to bother me. I'd return it. When I read the post, I couldn't imagine that a helmet would be shipped like that!!

freeranger Me either! Thanks for "getting it".

As Kask says, "Get a Kask so you dont end up in a casket".........