Video transcript…
Intro
Hi and welcome to simplypiste.com – today we’re going to take a detailed look into how to choose the right sized helmet for you, what key points you need to keep in mind whilst actually fitting your helmet to get the optimal fit and what key features to look out for.
Choosing the right size
Choosing the right size of helmet is something we get asked all the time, but it’s actually quite simple, all you require is a measuring tape…and your head!
So holding your measuring tape, simply rest it just above your eyebrows and measure the entire circumference all the way round. Also worth noting at this stage is to ensure you take note of your size in centimeters as most helmets are measured in metrics.
Now when choosing a helmet you may notice the measurements are categorized under heading such as small, medium, large and so on. Each heading will then contain measurement ranges, so for example the helmet I have here is a SMALL and ranges from 52 – 55.5cm – this range helps when wearing items such as hats or beanies underneath the helmet; So please keep in mind that if you plan on wearing an item underneath then you need to keep an additional centimeter or so free within the measurement range which you are looking at.
And that’s it – its that simple! Once you’ve got the measurements of your head you’re ready to get ordering!
Fitting Your Helmet
So there are a few key points to note whilst ensuring your helmet fits correctly:
Once the helmet is on you shouldn’t be able to slide the helmet from side to side or back and forth, if this is the case then the helmet is too big.
It also shouldn’t be too tight either, as this can cause a cut in the blood circulation around your head – The helmet should be comfortable and fit nice and snug around your head for the optimal fit.
The chin strap must also clip up properly, so make sure it is fastened up safely, isn’t so loose that the strap is dangling below your chin but again not too tight that it cuts off blood circulation, it should simply hug comfortably under the chin.
Once you have checked both of these points the last thing you would do is tighten the fit system. Different brands have different designs however these are usually situated on the back of the helmet, if I turn around you will be able to see mine – and you simply tighten this until you have the best fit for you.
Technical Features
There are a wide range of technical features to look out for when choosing your helmet, however we are going to look at the main areas to keep in mind when choosing the right helmet for you.
Firstly let’s take a look at the padding:
All modern helmets will feature some type of internal technical padding, this makes it fit very comfortably and acts as a shock absorber if you happen to bump your head.
The thing to keep in mind with padding is that different brands will design their padding in different ways, some helmets have more padding than others for added protection, whereas certain brands will technically design the padding to mold around the shape of your head for the upmost comfort.
Also Incorporated into the padding is the earpads as you can see on either side here. They are designed to protect your ears from the weather and any knocks and bangs which you may encounter, and again for the upmost comfort. Some brands will also feature removable earpads which allows you to wash them and simply remove them if you do not wish to use them!
All helmets are made from highly protective shells which are both strong, durable and lightweight. Single impact ski helmets are the most common and as the name suggest are designed to take a single large hit then be replaced. Multiple impact ski helmets are a relatively new design that feature harder and more scientifically advanced protective materials so can withstand more amounts of impacts – although it is obviously not advisable to take too many bangs without replacing your helmet!
The helmet will also be designed with a specific type of ventilation system; Again there are many variations of ventilation types depending on which brand you choose, however they are all designed to allow the air to get inside the helmet, circulate around and keep you cool and dry whilst out on the slopes.
As you may have noticed on the back of the helmet, most will also feature a goggle clip. It’s not a feature which you MUST use as some people simply prefer to have their goggles strapped around their heads – however a common style is to have your goggles strapped around the outside of your helmet to keep them out of the way, and the goggle clip is just a great feature for piece of mind that your goggles will stay attached to the helmet as you simply slot them through here and clip it down, locking the goggles in place.
And finally most new helmet designs will feature some form of audio compatibility to ensure you can listen to your music whilst out on the slopes. Again, these come in many different variations depending on brands but are all designed to allow you to feed your headphones and the cables up inside the helmet to keep them out of the way and be inconspicuous whilst skiing or snowboarding.
Summary
So to summarise:
To get the correct measurement for which helmet to choose simply measure the circumference of your head just above the eyebrows
When fitting the helmet, ensure it’s not too loose but also not so tight that it cuts off blood circulation
And Key features will vary from brand to brand however the key areas to look out for are: Padding, Earpads, Protective Materials, Ventilation, Goggle Clips and Audio Compatibility.
So that’s a detailed look into what you’ll need to keep an eye out for in terms of choosing the right helmet. We hope this has been of help and please feel free to browse our other departments here at simplypiste.com.
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