How to Choose a Helmet

Helmet is very important for safe sports. There are a lot of helmets available. Many helmets are designed for a specific type of sports. Therefore, When selecting a helmet, you need to consider the type of riding, to consider the environmental conditions, proper fit to your head, above all, and of course your budget.

1. Following Certified Standards

1. You should Select a helmet, that is certified for the right sports. There are several standards for helmets, including standards for many specific countries, and internationally accepted standards. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes standards for helmet safety, for a variety of sport activities, they includ bicycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, equestrian, and many others. The Snell Memorial Foundation publishes standard for a variety of sport actives, that are internationally recognized.
   1. Make ensure the helmet you are buying is certified to one of these standards. ​CPSC in the USA, Snell or other applicable standard outside the USA.
   2. All certified helmets provide the minimal level of protection, even the lower cost helmets. More expensive helmets provide additional features, and may be more comfortable, but do not provide additional safety.
   • The following is a list of a few of the cycling helmet standards .
     • US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US) Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets. Final Rule that took effect as U.S. law on March 10, 1999. (“CPSC”)
     • CEN European Standard Helmets for Pedal Cyclists, and for Users of Skateboards and Roller Skates, EN1078, February, 1997. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (“Europe”).
     • Japanese Industrial Standard, Protective Helmets for Bicycle Users. JIS T 8134-1982. Translation by Japanese Standards Association.
     • Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 2063:2008—Bicycle helmets.

2. Checking the Fit

1. Select a helmet that fits. For the helmet to be effective it must fit properly. The helmet should fit tightly enough to prevent it from coming off your head, in case of an impact, meanwhile it allows comfort for long term use.
2. Check that the helmet sits down about halfway on your forehead. In case of a forward fall, you want the helmet to hit the ground before your face. Do not cock the helmet back onto the back of your head.
3. Try it on to make sure it fits properly. If you are not sure, seek help. Proper fit is very important to ensure the helmet works, when you really need it.
   • Choose an adult helmet for adults, and a child’s helmet for children. As children grow, be sure to constantly reassess the head size, and move on to the next size as needed.

3. Wearing the Helmet

1. Select a helmet designed for your activity. Helmets come in a variety of styles, designed for different types of cycling. Road bike helmets are lightweight, while BMX helmets and mountain bike helmets may offer more protection, and they often include visors and more secure straps, it keeps the helmet properly positioned during extreme activities.
2. Choose a helmet, that is comfortable enough to be worn for your entire ride. If you do not wear the helmet, it will not protect you.
   • Check the chin straps, in order to ensure they can be tightened enough, in order to hold the helmet securely without digging into your chin or face.
   • Make sure the head bands and/or padding are comfortable.
3. Wear your helmet all the time when riding. Even a low speed crash can cause considerable damage, in case you head meets the pavement or ground.

4. Choose the right cleaning agent

We recommend that you use two kinds of cleaning agents for your helmet liner cleaning. The traditional method is baby shampoo, gentle shampoo on the liner material will not have any damage, it will not leave any nasty residue. But as a mature father, we can not always so “steal” home BABY shampoo to use, so recommend another product, blue moon neutral detergent liquid. You can do so, in a sink filled with warm water, pour the cleaning agent, stir evenly into the liner full of infusion for 10 minutes, rubbing, cold water thoroughly washed until you can not see the drum, squeeze excess Of the water (you can use the dryer), naturally dry until completely dry

In conclusion, the above is what we should consider when choose a helmet. They are not very complex, but if you could think all in your mind, that would be great to buy a good helmet.

June 21, 2019