Finding a suitable (and comfortable) helmet

[IndigoJo]

I went the other day to a big 'chain' moto accessories shop near my home to get a helmet. My last attempt at CBT failed because my glasses misted up; it was January, I was using the school's helmet which was a full face type and they did not seem to know what to do about it and I was in a bit of a panic. So this time I decided to be prepared and went to get a helmet in advance, and explained to the staff that I needed one that was "glasses friendly". I was initially looking at 'open' helmets, but the store assistant somehow persuaded me to get a full-face helmet which was mostly comfortable, except for around the cheeks, where it pushed my face in such that if I opened my mouth, I couldn't close it again without biting the inside of my mouth. The assistant gave the impression that this was a common problem. His colleague told me that it was something that would solve itself in time, and that some people had done things like stuffing towels inside a new helmet in order to force the cheek pads out. But really they made me feel like a difficult customer, I wanted to be prepared for my CBT and got the impression that they couldn't do anything else for me and I don't know any other bike supplies shops. It was a Shark helmet that cost about £140.

 

Were they correct and will this resolve itself? Or was I foolish letting them persuade me to buy something I didn't really want? Where's the best place to buy these sorts of things?

[Simon Davey]

Hi @IndigoJo welcome to the forum.

To be honest, that does sound like it could be a little too tight, but, it also sounds like after an hour or two, it might be the perfect fit. 

Difficult to tell without standing next to you whilst you are wearing it. 

I had the same issue with my Shark helmet, now it's so comfortable, although it feels like it's ripping my ears off when I remove it. 

[bonio]

You did the right thing by going to a shop and asking for advice. And tthey might be right. A helmet needs to be tight enough so that it won't slide across the scalp if you grab hold of it with both hands and try to move it. It turns out that this is a lot tighter than you'd expect.

Also, the linings do compress with time, especially the cheek pads.

I've had this same issue with new helmets... you get used to it after a while and then a few months later I've noticed the problem has mainly gone.

The important thing is that it's comfortable. If I were you I'd try wearing it while watching telly before your next cbt. Try half an hour one night, then an hour the next. If you get the beginning of a headache or you feel your head is in a vice, then it's too tight.

[Shepherd]

I'm on my 4th helmet in 2 years because of fitment. I was trying to get one that fitted from the start. I finally realised I had to buy one a little smaller than I thought, and the padding soon softened and is now a good comfortable fit.

If you can imagine your Nan with her hands squeezing either side of your face whilst you try to avoid giving her a kiss goodbye because of her scary moustache. That's the sort of pressure you should have.

 

or maybe that's just me

[RideWithStyles]

Pinlock which will help the visor from misting but also glasses slightly as the mist will be drawn and absorbed by the pinlock. Don’t use the chin or neck curtain that the helmet may have. 
vents open and slow breathing exercises with the helmet will help.

[daveinlim]

I wear glasses all day. 

I bought a reusable glasses wipe that had something on it that stops your glasses fogging. Makes a huge difference to my glasses in the rain or cold when they fog up.

 

I've a pinlock in my visor too. Definitely essential.

[AstronautNinja]

10 hours ago, Shepherd said:

I'm on my 4th helmet in 2 years because of fitment. I was trying to get one that fitted from the start. I finally realised I had to buy one a little smaller than I thought, and the padding soon softened and is now a good comfortable fit.

If you can imagine your Nan with her hands squeezing either side of your face whilst you try to avoid giving her a kiss goodbye because of her scary moustache. That's the sort of pressure you should have.

 

or maybe that's just me

Maybe a photo would help me invisage your nan?

[keith1200rs]

10 hours ago, daveinlim said:

 

I've a pinlock in my visor too. Definitely essential.

In winter, certainly. When the temperatures are above 14C I remove mine for a clearer view.

[RideWithStyles]

The anti reflective coatings that are a cost option that optician's offer are some what effective too.

[keith1200rs]

What you probably need is a hydrophobic coating - never tried one and don't know what they cost. 

[RideWithStyles]

53 minutes ago, keith1200rs said:

What you probably need is a hydrophobic coating - never tried one and don't know what they cost. 

That’s the inherent properties of the anti reflective coating naturally.

 

for the visor on the outside if you have a pin lock on the inside, rain ex (this needs the water based one and not the car windows version) and nikwax does a water based hydrophobic coating, you could put them on your glasses but there effectively more for larger water droplets rather than moisture. 

[Fiddlesticks]

33 minutes ago, RideWithStyles said:

That’s the inherent properties of the anti reflective coating naturally.

 

for the visor on the outside if you have a pin lock on the inside, rain ex (this needs the water based one and not the car windows version) and nikwax does a water based hydrophobic coating, you could put them on your glasses but there effectively more for larger water droplets rather than moisture. 

I've been using the car windscreen rain repellant on my visors for the past couple of years. Should I not be doing?

[Throttled]

My last few helmets have all been modified by me removing a layer of padding from around the cheeks. Take the liner out, and you should be able to get at the padding, which comes in layers to create the different sizes. I appear to be a size bigger about the mouth, so there is no safety issue to removing that layer.

 

As for glasses and steaming up, I find a visor that can be left slightly open is the best way, otherwise I can cope without glasses, so I just carry a case in my jacket pocket. I have not found an anti-fog coating for glasses that can cope with inside a helmet in the rain.

[JRH]

10 hours ago, Fiddlesticks said:

I've been using the car windscreen rain repellant on my visors for the past couple of years. Should I not be doing?

There are 2 rainX car and motorcycles. The car version is for glass and the instructions advise against using it on plastic, ie visors.

[RideWithStyles]

On 19/07/2024 at 12:00, Fiddlesticks said:

I've been using the car windscreen rain repellant on my visors for the past couple of years. Should I not be doing?

No as it attacks and weaken the lexan plastics.

some of these hydrophobic coatings (many on the market and not really governed or regulated) will either melt/soften it but most of the time harden and brittle the plastic, it might not to mega obvious to the casual eye but trust me if you put a new and old one that’s been treated over its service time to flex or hardness tested you’d see it. And a stone shot at you from a car or hgv tyre can penetrate it.

Edited July 22, 2024 by RideWithStyles