Helmet sizing questions

qfrog · #1 03-30-2008, 09:04 PM

Hey guys I should have asked this earlier... I'm getting a new Bell helmet either Sport-3 or M4 (closed face) but I need to know what size to order. This feels redundant as I currently have a medium Mag 4 helmet with a 2000 SA rating. I've used my Mag 4 for a couple of years, but I feel any time I am buying a helmet I should consider the sizing options. There are two things which make me iffy on sizing... 1. I will be using a intercom type device to communicate with an instructor and 2 I wear my hair tied back as it is rather long. By my tape measure and wire attempts to establish my head size I am a bit too large for a small but I'm a little bit small for a medium which has a range of acceptable sizes. I'm not sure how to factor in my hair and use of an intercom. I don't have a small on hand for test-fit purposes. Depending on how I measure I'm between 22.5 and 22.750" which falls between Bell's 22.375 of the small and 22.750 to 23.125 of the medium.

I have of course left my Mag 4 at work, I'll try some of the fit tests Bell mentions in the owners manual come morning. I need to know what size by noon on Monday (tomorrow). I was just going to order another Medium but I stress out over matters which I manage to make myself uncertain of my choice. I also don't know how wearing a nomex hood or sock over my head will affect helmet fit. I don't wear one now but I might do so if I buy a race suit.

I appreciate any input you can offer.

Thanks in advance.

Mad Mike · #2 03-30-2008, 09:33 PM

I doubt an intercom installation will impact your helmet selection. Before getting my Peltor G90 I'd been using nothing but Bell helmets since my first Snell rated hat back in the mid-70s and there has always been room for an intercom (although none as slick or trouble-free as Peltors).

Add to that the fact that many helmets today are produced with intercoms in mind. When I installed Peltor headsets in "Cowboy" Kenny Bartram and Dennis Hotson's hats early in 2006 -

I found the Italian manufactured helemts (I can't recall the brand name) were equipped with pockets into which the speakers fit perfectly. A couple screws secured the mic boom to the hats, the wiring got tucked out of the way and away we all went.

Yeah, that's Pastrana in the white helmet ... it's a semi long story.

So far as fitment - the last thing you want is to have your head moving around inside your helmet. Tolerably tight is better than merely comfortable or loose so far as I'm concerned.

qfrog · #3 03-31-2008, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the input Mike...

I was reading this http://www.bellracing.com/public/med...it_Helmets.pdf on Bell's site... I may just be obsessing over nothing. With chin straip in place I can't pull my helmet off when I pull up on it or rotate it forward or backward. The skin on my forehead moves up and down when I rotate the helmet front to back on my head. Bell suggests that if you are between sizes start with the larger size, which is what I did. I'm not seeing any reason to move down to a small size at this point. I think I may leave my order in for the medium.

Mad Mike · #4 03-31-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qfrog

Thanks for the input Mike...

I was reading this http://www.bellracing.com/public/med...it_Helmets.pdf on Bell's site... I may just be obsessing over nothing. With chin straip in place I can't pull my helmet off when I pull up on it or rotate it forward or backward. The skin on my forehead moves up and down when I rotate the helmet front to back on my head. Bell suggests that if you are between sizes start with the larger size, which is what I did. I'm not seeing any reason to move down to a small size at this point. I think I may leave my order in for the medium.

The following info from Bell sounds like where you are with a Medium, "Next, check movement up and down, again, noting skin movement and resistance. If in either test there was little or no skin movement, and/or the helmet moved very easily, the helmet is too large. A properly fitted helmet will cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. And, it will feel to the wearer as if evenly distributed pressure is being continuously exerted around the head. NOTE: Helmets are a little like shoes, in that they do break-in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight as the customer can stand to wear it."

Sounds to me like a Medium is just about right for you. Wait til you switch to a European/Asian helmet and you have to translate S/M/L/XL into a numerical sizing. My Peltor is a 62 ("XL") while the Snell SA95 rated Bell M2 it replaced was a 60 ("7-1/2"). Despite the use/abuse that old hat's been through (over 25 rally events - including two RallyTruck flips after which I sent the helmet to Bell for inspection - a six-hour road race enduro, some solos and many test sessions) it still fulfills the 'moves skin' requirement. The Peltor has yet to be used in competition so it fits even more snugly than the Bell despite the apparent larger size but I'm sure it will be spot on once the new wears off. FWIW, BSI/Snell/SFI/FIA rated helmets over the decades I've been buying them have evolved toward ever more padding, better skin coverage with Nomex linings and, certainly, more protection for one's noggin.

leggwork · #5 04-01-2008, 07:56 AM

sounds like you've got your sizing questions answered. Just thought I'd throw in that a nomex head sock is a good thing to wear to keep your helmet dry from sweat.
cheers,
bruce