Helmet fit?

Honest, I'd much rather buy from a local brick-and-mortar retailer, and this is why...

In preparation for my first autocross in 8 years, I ordered a helmet from a reputable Big Name online retailer

After reading the fitting guidelines and wrapping a measuring tape around my head five times to be sure I got an accurate measurement, I ordered a large.

When it arrived, I was like Ralphie unwrapping his Red Ryder BB gun in A Christmas Story. In this story, rather than shooting my eye out, I nearly tore my ears off putting it on the first time.

I know a helmet should fit tight, but just how tight? I can barely slide my glasses on. Will it loosen up a bit with use? Or should I immediately order the next size up?

Portsmouth, if your profile is accurate?

You're pretty close to HMS Motorsport in Danvers. I'd just go there. They're super helpful and have a pretty decent helmet selection.

Helmets don't loosen with time. If they did, imagine them loosening in a crash!

You should have even pressure keeping the helmet in place without smushing your face or causing pain. My HJC XL size was too small and thoroughly compressed my cheeks into the bones. That helmet also had serious premature wear. However, my Bell XXL size is perfect. It's still snug, but it applies even gentle pressure across my face and I can "shonk" it onto my head with a finger's worth of force (unlike the HJC XL which required two hands pulling down to get it on). You're too big if you can swing your head side to side and get helmet movement (I borrowed a Bell XXXL before buying the XXL).

Translate my text dump into a fitment guide and you'll be fine. You want the biggest helmet that still has even pressure on your face and doesn't wiggle when you shake your head in a "nope" motion. If you have to pull it hard on your head, it's probably too small.

Thanks for the advice folks.

In reply to kylini:

There's the key: "compressed my cheeks into the bones." Yup. Looks like I return the Zamp large and replace it with an extra large and hope I can get a loaner on Saturday.

In reply to cmcgregor:

Oops, time to update my profile, still in NH, not Portsmouth, much farther from Danvers. Shucks.

It's one thing if the helmet is snug, but also watch out for pressure points. I have kind of a square head and many brands of helmets are painful to wear more than a few minutes. In my case, Simpson and Shoei fit pretty well. You can take care of minor pressure points by compressing the foam slightly in those areas, but of course you don't want to go too far as that compromises the protection.

stuart in mn wrote: It's one thing if the helmet is snug, but also watch out for pressure points. I have kind of a square head and many brands of helmets are painful to wear more than a few minutes. In my case, Simpson and Shoei fit pretty well. You can take care of minor pressure points by compressing the foam slightly in those areas, but of course you don't want to go too far as that compromises the protection.

I don't think I've ever bought a helmet that didn't hurt the first time I wore it. Something about corners in my skull, and I'm not even German.

I find a real good sweatin' helps them fit better. If its absurd tight, move up a size.

Does your region have loaner helmets at the event? Test those out and see if anyone will let you try theirs on for a few minutes between groups or before/after the event.

Definitely make sure you're comfy with glasses on, I don't like taking my helmet on and off after every run so I leave it on for each session and I'd it weren't comfy it would be miserable.

Who are you running with on Saturday? Most of the clubs out here have loaners, if you're going to Devens. I'm sure someone will be able to help you out. New England has a really great autocross community

I'm a big fan of online shopping, but I always suggest to novices to buy helmets from brick and mortar stores. Helmet sizing and specific fit vary between brands, and even between models within brands, sometimes. I think it's worth it to test fit helmets in person and make sure you're really getting the size and model that work for you. Oh, and given your description, your helmet is too small, or at least not the right shape for your head.

I've been through this myself and it's a little strange figuring it out. I was lucky enough to be near a great motorsports shop, and even then I wasn't sure about what they put me in. But over time, and comparing notes with a bunch of others at various tracks, I came to understand it better.

I think this site does a good job of covering it.

hemet size guide

In reply to cmcgregor:

I was going to the SCCNH autocross school day at NHMS, something they do at the beginning of the year. It's a moot point now, turns out I have to work this weekend.