How to choose the correct motorcycle helmet size

When it comes to picking a motorcycle helmet, there are lots of things you’ll want to consider. What level of protection does it offer? Does it have a stylish design?

While these are all vital factors, the most important step when buying a helmet is finding the right size. A helmet can be packed with the latest safety technology, but if it doesn’t fit your head properly, it won’t offer the required level of protection.

To help you find the perfect fitting helmet, we’ve pulled together this step-by-step guide.

Size guides

Finding the perfect fitting motorbike helmet is an easy process, and most brands have size guides that will help.

Each size in the guide will correspond to a head measurement, so you’ll need to measure your head beforehand. Here’s how:

  • Wrap a tape measure around the circumference of your head roughly one inch above your eyebrows.
  • Take the measurement in both centimetres and inches as different size guides will use different measurements.
  • Compare this measurement to the size guide – if you’re in-between sizes, always try the smallest helmet first.

Testing a helmet

While size guides should help you find the right size, it’s always best to try a helmet on in person. It’s important to remember that we all have different head shapes and this can influence which helmet is the best fit.

When trying a helmet on in person, always make sure that your head is pushed in as far as possible with the chin strap securely fastened and the top of the helmet just about your eyebrows. You can then carry out these easy tests to find the perfect fit:

  • The helmet should feel snug around your head and tight around your cheeks. If it doesn’t, the helmet is too big.
  • Try moving the helmet. It should pull on your skin and there shouldn’t be any excessive movement from side to side or up and down. If there is, you’ll need a smaller size.
  • Grab the back and base of the helmet and try pushing upwards. Then try doing the same by pushing the helmet from beneath the chin guard. If the helmet starts to come off, you’ll need a smaller size.
  • Bend your head forwards as far as possible – the chin guard shouldn’t be touching your chest.
  • Then do the same backwards. Again, your helmet shouldn’t touch your back.

Follow these steps and you’ll find a helmet that’s the right size, ensuring you’re as protected as possible while on the bike.

Motorcycle helmet top tips

As well as finding the right size, there are lots of other things you can do to maintain your safety while wearing a helmet. Here are some top tips:

  • Never wrap your hair inside your helmet or place anything on your hair inside the helmet as this will affect the way the helmet fits around your head.
  • Never try to modify the position or fitting of a helmet by inserting extra padding.
  • As a helmet’s padding can wear or change shape over time, it’s important to check your helmet at regular intervals using the steps laid out in the above video. If the helmet no longer fits, it’ll need to be replaced.

Now that you know how to find the right size, it’s time to pick your new motorcycle helmet. Here at Halfords, we have a range of stylish options packed with the latest safety technology.

Shop motorcycle helmets

You can find lots more expert advice over on our help and advice guides.

05/23