Should a Helmet be Tight?

Undoubtedly, helmets save lives, and it’s a basic need if you’re riding a motorcycle. Now the question is, should a helmet be tight? 

Yes, the helmet should be tight so that they do not wobble while you riding on highways. 

So how tight your motorcycle helmet should be? And how to buy a helmet according to your head size. No worries! In this post, we’ve covered all the questions that you might have. 

Should a Helmet be Tight? 

As mentioned above, the helmets should be tight enough not to wobble and create a distraction when riding a motorcycle.

But your motorcycle helmet shouldn’t be too tight so that they stop blood flow and create any severe medical conditions. The thumb rule when purchasing a motorcycle helmet is to try them. If it is too tight and too loose, it’d be better not to go with that helmet. 

What’s the Need to Buy a Fit Helmet?

Buying a fit helmet is the most ignorant factor among riders. And that’s why we must create awareness to buy well-fit helmets. 

What’s the Need to Buy a Fit Helmet?

Great safety.

Overcoming distractions.

Promote blood flow.

Great Safety:

We are all aware that helmets provide us the safety that we need while riding the motorcycle. 

But do you know? Wearing a loose or too tight helmet reduces safety, and there’s no point in buying an ill-fitted helmet. We recommend purchasing a great fitting helmet to maximize safety.

Overcoming Distractions:

While riding, your focus should be on the motorbike and road, and any distraction could cause a severe accident. 

A loose helmet could rise because of airflow and create a distraction that might cause a severe accident. Thus great helmet fitting is essential. 

Promote Blood Flow:

Your brain needs sufficient blood flow to work efficiently. And it becomes more essential while you’re riding. 

Too tight helmets restrict the blood flow by creating pressure from all sides. So, to avoid any severe medical condition when riding, it’s better to go with the best-fitted helmets. 

How to Test Helmet Fitting?

So far, you have learned the importance of helmet fitting and the need to buy a fitted helmet. Now you must understand the way you test the fitting of a helmet. 

Before testing the fitting of the helmet, we recommend you to wear a helmet and tighten the chin strap as you do. After wearing the helmet, you need to grab the front part of your helmet and move the helmet from right to left. 

If your head moves along with the helmet, then it’s a clear indicator that the helmet is perfectly fit for your head. Or you can perform a comfortability test when tightening the chin strap. 

The ideal helmet should fit comfortably on your head. Also, some people perform thumb tests to measure the size of the helmet. 

But nowadays, thumb tests are the most significant misleading factor while choosing the helmet for you. Even if you can insert your thumb between your cheeks and helmet, then consider the helmet ill-fitted for you. 

And please remember that your helmet shouldn’t be tight enough, so it starts to block blood flow. 

Helmet Fitting Case Study:

You can’t wear a helmet with a ponytail.

Helmets have nothing to do with your body size and height.

Buy a thin glasses frame if you can’t find good size helmet because of glasses.

Ponytail and Helmet:

You can’t fit your head with the ponytail in the ideal helmet. And it’s the best indication if the helmet is made for you or not.

In case you have a problem fitting your helmet, then we’d recommend wearing your hair down. Or you can set your hair so that your head can fit perfectly in the helmet. 

Helmet and Body Height:

Many people still think that body weight and height influence helmet size. But believe us, the helmet size has nothing to do with your body weight and height.

Your genetics influences your head size. So next time, don’t focus on your body weight and height to buy a helmet for you. 

Helmet and Eye Glasses: 

Generally, nowadays, helmets can easily fit well if you wear regular eyeglasses. But if you can’t find a great helmet, then we’d recommend choosing thin frame glasses which can perfectly fit when wearing a helmet.

How to Measure Helmet Size?

Before measuring helmet size, you need to know the actual measurement of your head.

You can use a measuring tape when measuring the outer circumference of your head. Or you can use any non-elastic string or any non-elastic rope to measure the head circumference. 

If using string or rope, please measure the head circumference carefully. Measure the distance from one ear to the second ear through your back head. Please pay attention that the measuring tape shouldn’t be tight and try to measure at the comfortable position as much as you can. 

Some people use their hats to get a rough estimate, but we strongly recommend measuring your head size with measurement tapes only. 

Types of Helmets?

Measure your head size for a helmet? Now it’s high time to know the type of helmets in the market and which one is excellent for you. 

In the market, you’re going to find five types of helmets named: 

Types of Helmets:

Full face helmets.

Open face helmets.

ADV dual sport.

Dirt helmets.

Modular helmets.

Full Face Helmet:

Full face helmets are one of the most popular helmets, usually love by almost all riders.

This type of helmet comes with a 3D surrounding frame and believe to be well-secure and safe. If you generally ride at a higher speed, then we’d recommend a full-face helmet for you.

The most significant disadvantage of this type of helmet is that it’s not well ventilated. Also, some people don’t like the weight of this helmet. We recommend buying a full-face helmet made from lightweight material. 

But in search of buying a light full-face helmet, please don’t compromise on your safety. 

Open Face Helmet:

Open face helmets also called half helmets, these helmets are well ventilated and give maximum airflow during riding. This type of helmet is cheaper and lighter than full-face helmets. 

Unlike full-face helmets, the half helmet doesn’t come with a chin protector. Thus, this doesn’t provide much protection to the riders. Open face helmets are generally worn by the cruiser and classic riders.

We recommend open face helmets to only those riders who don’t ride at the high speed and are big fans of ventilated helmets. 

Modular Type Helmet:

Modular type helmets are the perfect combination of full-face and open-face helmets. This helmet comes with hinges that give you the independence to use the helmet as you wish to do.

Modular helmets provide you excellent ventilation with safety that was missing in the open-face helmet. The only cons why people don’t love this helmet is its weight. 

However, nowadays, manufacturers are focusing on making this type of helmet lightweight. And soon, you’re going to witness lightweight modular-type helmets.

Dirt Helmet:

Dirt helmets are a lightweight option for those who don’t ride on the streets. This type of helmet comes with excellent ventilation support, which means all dust particles will enter your eyes. So it’s better to wear glasses below the dirt helmet. 

The only disadvantage with this type of helmet is that it doesn’t come with DOT. It means you can’t wear this type of helmet while riding on the streets. 

ADV Helmet:

ADV helmets are a great combination of street and dirt motorcycle helmets. They offer you excellent ventilation along with safety and thus consider the best helmet for adventurous riders. 

ADV helmets provide you excellent ventilation, face shield protection while riding on the streets. On the other hand, they provide you excellent safety if you’re riding off the streets. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Should a helmet be tight? Yes, the helmet should be tight so that they do not wobble when riding on highways. 

But your motorcycle helmet shouldn’t be too tight so that they stop blood flow and create any severe medical conditions. The thumb rule when purchasing a motorcycle helmet is to try them.

You can use a measuring tape to measure your head size. But please remember that the main goal is to find a comfortable helmet that protects your head from any severe accident.