Mountain Biking Helmets
A Mountain Biking Helmet is a very important gear of a rider. In fact, participants of Mountain Biking tournaments and events are required to wear helmets. Always choose a helmet that fits your head. Straps and pads are usually adjustable to give the helmet a snug fit to your head. Most manufacturers such as Bell, Giro, etc. have certifications from safety organizations. This is marked with a sticker which is found in the helmet. The number of vents and weight of the helmet are also important things one should consider. More vents mean better circulation of air and a cooler head. A light helmet also gives a natural feel to the head. Then of course, style! This is the least important thing to think about but it never hurts to look good!
There are also full-faced helmets for downhill mountain bikers. These helmets resemble the ones used in motocross races. The full-faced helmet is coupled with goggles and provides protection for the jaw or lower part of the face in case of a crash.
The most important thing when buying a helmet is that it fits properly on your head. It should be comfortable and can offer you the best protection. In this section, take a look at some guidelines in buying a Mountain Biking Helmet:
- Your helmet size is determined by the circumference of your head and is measured by wrapping a tape measure around your head.
- Align the front of the helmet above your eyebrows and hold both straps until the helmet fits well.
- Check for Gaps. Make sure there are no unwanted gaps between the helmet lining and your head. In addition, make sure the back of the helmet does not touch the back of your neck.
- The helmet should fit snug and nicely and it should not move when you shake your head.
- For full-faced helmets, try one of your favorite pairs of goggles and make sure it fits properly on your helmet.
Below is a table that you can use to convert the circumference of your head (in centimeters or inches) into a helmet size.
| Centimeters | Inches | Fitted Hat Size |
| 48 | 18 7/8 | 6 |
| 49 | 19 3/8 | 6 1/8 |
| 50 | 19 5/8 | 6 1/4 |
| 51 | 20 | 6 3/8 |
| 52 | 20 1/2 | 6 1/2 |
| 53 | 20 7/8 | 6 5/8 |
| 54 | 21 1/4 | 6 3/4 |
| 55 | 21 5/8 | 6 7/8 |
| 56 | 22 | 7 |
| 57 | 22 3/8 | 7 1/8 |
| 58 | 22 3/4 | 7 1/4 |
| 59 | 23 1/4 | 7 3/8 |
| 60 | 23 5/8 | 7 1/2 |
| 61 | 24 | 7 5/8 |
| 62 | 24 3/8 | 7 3/4 |
These are the basic guidelines when buying a Mountain Biking Helmet. Know what to look for in a helmet and choose the one that meets your requirements.
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
Home
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
