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Helmets and head shape: a discussion.
Hey all, so I'm shopping for a new helmet, my old Giro non-mips Synthe getting a bit long in the tooth. but have rediscovered I have an odd shaped head: I have sort of a high dome that makes all helmets sort of perch on top of my head like a mushroom cap, leaving 2 inches or so of the side of my head above my ears exposed, and more of my forehead than I think is best for safety. Additionally, My head and face is also kind of small and oblong, making the helmet stick out on the sides in a way that's sort of silly. The synthe fits the oblongness of my head pretty well, but still looks like a mushroom cap. I was wondering if anyone else has similar problems, and what helmets/models fit them better? There are a bunch of brands I haven't tried yet, but of the ones I have, Giro, Bontrager, Specialized, Bell, they all sort of have the same issue. Does anyone know of a brand or model that is *deeper*, allowing the helmet to sit lower on my head? I haven't tried Kask or Catlike or any of those more esoteric brands because they are locally hard to come by, but I would seek them out if I had reason to believe they might fit better. Thanks for any guidance you can give me! |
My Bolle The One sits so low the bridge of my sunglasses fits right against the brim of the helmet. No "forehead gap." It is kinda wide, though.
Kask helmets sit fairly low. The Oakleys fit like hats-- so they feel like they "sit on top." I personally think those Giros make everyone, regardless of head shape, look like an acorn head. They sit high on everyone. I buy each new helmet by just trying on all the helmets and buying the one that feels the best. I don't look at the prices first. I trend to cheapness, and will sacrifice comfort for cash if I know the price in advance. |
Mountain bike helmets cover lower on the skull. Try a few and see if you like them. I did a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised to find they fit well, were comfortable on my Frankenstein shaped noggin, and had clearance in the back for my ponytail and bandanna knots, while still covering the base of the skull more effectively than most road bike helmets.
However I got a Bell Formula MIPS, mostly because I wanted a hi-vis yellow helmet and it was among the few REI had in stock in that color. There was also a very comparable Giro, but I got the Bell. Not much difference between 'em, although the Giro strap is softer, more comfortable and less fussy. My older Bell Solar was more oval shaped, which initially seemed better suited to my skull. But the newer Bell was shaped more like the Giro, and both of those were comfortable as well. No complaints after two weeks and a few rides in summer heat. The Bell Formula MIPS seems more minimal than the Bell Solar, but that's due in part to less stuff protruding out the back. It probably still offers adequate coverage. But if I had to go with a mountain bike helmet instead that would have been fine. They fit well too and didn't look dorky once the visors were removed. |
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
(Post 20433648)
My Bolle The One sits so low the bridge of my sunglasses fits right against the brim of the helmet. No "forehead gap." It is kinda wide, though.
Kask helmets sit fairly low. The Oakleys fit like hats-- so they feel like they "sit on top." I personally think those Giros make everyone, regardless of head shape, look like an acorn head. They sit high on everyone. I buy each new helmet by just trying on all the helmets and buying the one that feels the best. I don't look at the prices first. I trend to cheapness, and will sacrifice comfort for cash if I know the price in advance. |
Originally Posted by Wheever
(Post 20435002)
Kask was one of the brands I was thinking of seeking out. Don't know much about Bolle, but will look into them. Thanks for the info! I have a mojito.. one thing to be aware of, there's no way to adjust how far down the straps meet the V under the ear. Can be a problem if your ears are lower on your head than Kask thinks they should be as you end up with the straps crunching your earlobes. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3911e0dfef.jpg |
The adjuster on the back of his helmet looks to be all the way out-- like his head is at the intersection of S/M and M/L, so he wears the smaller size opened all the way up, presumably to save a few grams. The Vertigo and Protone do seem to sit closer to the ears. My Vertigo 2.0 does, for sure.
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quite surprised marketers havent segmented their models into general fit, in the way that fizik does with their snake-bull-giraffe-unicorn saddle system
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Just a suggestion...https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35d7cd368d.jpg
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It might be worth trying the POC Trabec helmet. I bought mine because it was the first MIPS helmet I got my hands on that both fit and was a color I'd buy. (I will only consider white and yellow helmets.)
It has much better coverage than road helmets. I've been wearing it for 4 years and love it. Very comfortable. I put it on and forget it until I take it off. Ben |
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
(Post 20435148)
The adjuster on the back of his helmet looks to be all the way out-- like his head is at the intersection of S/M and M/L, so he wears the smaller size opened all the way up, presumably to save a few grams. The Vertigo and Protone do seem to sit closer to the ears. My Vertigo 2.0 does, for sure.
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Originally Posted by surak
(Post 20435909)
I just bought a Bontrager Ballista sized small because I was between that and medium, and it ends up sitting slightly too high over my temples like OP is worrying about with his helmet, though in my case it's because my head is wider than it is deep. I think the medium size would be too big though, so I'm fine dealing with the helmet otherwise.
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Originally Posted by redfooj
(Post 20435623)
quite surprised marketers havent segmented their models into general fit, in the way that fizik does with their snake-bull-giraffe-unicorn saddle system
Yeah, I am too. I mean, many manufacturers are making "Asian fit" shoes and glasses, and many shoe manufacturers make a wide. it doesn't seem a reach to add a "deep" dome head option to a couple of sizes. You know, "medium deep fit" or similar. |
Originally Posted by Wheever
(Post 20436169)
I tried out a ballista size medium, and it fit fine in terms of being comfortable, but it just sits so high up on my head. I tried the small, but my head is too long front to back. Side to side was fine. |
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