Each helmet serves its particular purpose, as features like Pinlock systems, dropdown
sun shields, and Bluetooth integration all play a factor in the helmet one chooses.
Aside from those creature comforts, here are five important things to consider when
shopping for a new helmet.
Safety Certifications
There are a slew of helmet certifications these days—including SHARP in the UK and
CRASH in Australia—but we’re going to focus on the three most common
certifications: DOT, ECE, and Snell. DOT is the safety standard for helmets in the
United States and is often criticized for operating on an honor system. While DOT
does test helmets, they may be on the market before the tests begin and the
standards are the least rigorous among our list. Next, the ECE is the European
version of DOT but its standards are more thorough. ECE is implemented in 50
countries and recognized by all major racing organizations in the world. On the other
hand, Snell is a private non-profit organization that bases its standards on
motorcycle racing impacts. Snell tests helmets with a higher variety of velocities and
angles than DOT and they also test the chin bar and visor of each lid.
Materials
Along with certifications, numerous materials make up the horde of helmets on the
market. Thermoplastic is the most inexpensive, but construction needs to be thick
because the material is the weakest of the bunch, resulting in a heavy helmet.
Fiberglass is lighter, stronger, and costs more, but they’re susceptible to cracking on
impact. Composite helmets mix fiberglass with Kevlar and result in a highly durable
shell without the fracturing qualities of fiberglass or the weight penalties of
thermoplastics. Of course, carbon fiber helmets occupy the highest echelon of
market, as production is labor-intensive and the construction is of the highest quality
and strength.
Coverage
All those materials don’t help protect your noggin if the helmet doesn’t provide
sufficient coverage. Unless you ride a cruiser, a half or three-quarters helmets
probably won’t do the job, so we’re going to concentrate on modular and full-face
variants. Modular offers just that—modularity. Riders can achieve the coverage of a
full-face for higher speeds while also providing the benefit of increased airflow in its
3-quarters configuration. However, that added convenience can come at a price as
the majority of modular helmets don’t meet Snell certification standards. Due to
their fixed chin bar, full-face helmets carry the highest safety ratings. Full-face
helmets do offer the best protection on the market but the lack of modularity does
restrict the airflow of the helmet, which leads us to…
Ventilation
Your head can get pretty hot inside a plastic lid stuffed with padding. Ventilation
allows cooler air to enter the front of the helmet and forces stagnant air out a
rearward vent. As our editor Jason learned in a recent review of the Bell Eliminator,
tabs on both sides of the visor are helpful, as most people lift their shield while
holding in the clutch. The level of acceptable ventilation is also region-dependent, as
our friends in Arizona would undoubtedly benefit from a helmet with higher airflow.
However, do keep in mind that more ventilation leads to more wind noise.
Emergency Release Padding
You know what they say, dress for the slide, not the ride, and you should do the same
when it comes to shopping for a new lid. In the event of a crash, a rider’s helmet will
inevitably have to come off for medical evaluation. Emergency release systems help
EMTs or physicians safely remove the helmet without causing further damage to the
patient’s head or spine. Most models with emergency release padding contain
stickers that instruct medical personnel on how to remove the cheek pads. If you
purchase a helmet with those stickers, don’t remove them, you never know when
you—or your rescuers—will need them.
Reference: https://www.rideapart.com/articles/370295/5-tips-helmet-shopping/4359896/