[Andeh]

Last year I got a Giro Insurgent helmet to wear on the very few days that I ride at Northstar. I also thought I might wear it for some ebiking, but after trying it a few times, decided to keep it for park (the noise deadening, reduced airflow, limited visor adjustment, and weight are turnoffs). My head is ~59.5 cm, and am usually stuck on the low end of the L/XL shells. Some brands (like POC), I'm completely between sizes (can't get a medium on, my head swims in a large). When I got the helmet, I tried it on with the thicker pads and it seemed snug and secure, no pressure points. A little bit of a bobble head feeling due to the overall volume but I figured that was due to it being DH rated.

Anyways, what I've noticed a few times is when I hit a hard impact, the helmet rotates slightly forward and pushes my goggles down on my nose. Cranking my goggles as tight as possible helps a little bit, but doesn't stop it entirely. I never have that problem with my L Proframe RS, which has a ratcheting BOA along with the thick pads. I also never had that happen on my old XL TLD Stage, which didn't have BOA but also weighed 400g less than the Insurgent.

My questions for all you guys who actually DH or wear DH helmets regularly:
1) is the headbang goggle push common / normal?
2) if not, does that mean I have too big of a helmet?
3) if yes, what do you do other than crank goggles as tight as possible?
4) will a lighter helmet help? The Insurgent is already fairly light for a DH, but is quite a bit heavier than an Enduro FF.

 

[Gary]

No
Yes
Buy a helmet that fits better
maybe. But fit is the most important factor

 

[toodles]

Are your goggles fitting inside the helmet properly or fouling on the edge of the face opening? Like are they sitting firmly against your face? I've had weird brand mismatches that didn't work well together before. 100% goggles had a couple models that fouled on most other brands helmets for instance.

 

[Andeh]

I'm pretty sure it's not the goggles. I've got 3 pairs (2 Smith, 1 Oakley) and it happens with all. Like I said, I'm right in between most brand's sizing breakpoint (58.5-59ish depending on where I measure), so it's plausible that I should be downsizing. Right now I'm thinking I'll wait for the Labor Day sales, then pick up 3 different models in medium whose features I like, and return the 2 that fit worst.

 

[Gary]

Your full face helmet should be snug all round your head and cheek pads should also be snug... Er... Around your cheeks. . When the strap is done up the helmet shouldn't be able to roll forwards or backwards easily. If it does. It's not a good fit. We don't all have the same shaped head so you really need to try many helmets on until you find the closest fit to yours.
Good luck Cinders.

 

[slyfink]

no disrespect intended, but do you even wear a helmet Gary?! how are you in a position to offer advice on helmets?! or rather, why should anyone take your advice on this issue? I suspect, and hope (because your advice seems sound), you still wear a full face for DH, and much of your experience comes from working in a shop?

 

[Gary]

Ok. No idea why I'm bothering to justify MY personal choice to you. But here goes...
I do wear a full face. But only when riding uplifted downhill..
I've worn a helmet about 5 times this year. I record about 80% of my bike rides and Strava says I've done 282 rides this year with 155hrs of riding time. I'll let you work out how much OMG HELMETLESS riding that is over my lifetime.
Yes. Ive wrenched on and off in shops and other places since I was young. Dafuq that has to do with knowing how a helmet should fit?
None of my experience with how helmets should fit has come from working in a shop. Just years of life/riding experience and not being stupid. Despite some folks view of my reckless abandon of polystyrene hats.

 

[jonKranked]

gary's first helmet was a haggis

 

[Gary]

Mmmmmm.... Haggis

 

[Sandwich]

My last DH helmet fit like a glove without the strap attached. Cinching it up just meant it wouldn't come off. I suggest you have a too big helmet, a poorly fitting helmet due to head shape, or a too heavy helmet that allows it to bobble.

 

[Andeh]

Yeah, that all makes sense. I was asking because all my prior helmets have had some sort of BOA cinch in the back which lets you make up the difference. I measured before buying, tried it on with the thick pads when I got it and it seemed secure, but when actually riding rough tracks it clearly moves too much. The pads packing out a bit have probably made it worse. Oh well, lesson learned. I'll gift it to my brother or someone else with a larger melon.

 

[Gary]

One other thing to remember when trying on new helmets is that with use the pads will actually squash down slightly over time. So when trying them on you do want the fit to be as tight as possible without being uncomfortable. If that makes sense.

But then again. what would I know?

 

[sethimus]

you dont, you only wrench. mechs never have product knowledge

 

[Gary]

True... shoes, hats and sunglasses are far too complicated

 

[Electric_City]

I really don't like finding a new helmet these days. There's no consistency. I get we all have different head shapes and sizes. But for examples. I tried on a Fox Rampage that was a rental and loved it. When I tried one on the following year, it wasn't even close. Most other helmets don't even fit my head. But when I was in the retail shop at Blue they had some brand I was unfamiliar with (some numbers and letters were mixed up in the name I think). Their enduro FF fit like my current helmet. Great! I thought I found my replacement. But when I found their DH helmet, it wouldn't even go over my ears. Why? Why did the same company use such different molds for their 2 FF helmets? They weren't even close to similar.

 

[jonKranked]

I really don't like finding a new helmet these days. There's no consistency. I get we all have different head shapes and sizes. But for examples. I tried on a Fox Rampage that was a rental and loved it. When I tried one on the following year, it wasn't even close. Most other helmets don't even fit my head. But when I was in the retail shop at Blue they had some brand I was unfamiliar with (some numbers and letters were mixed up in the name I think). Their enduro FF fit like my current helmet. Great! I thought I found my replacement. But when I found their DH helmet, it wouldn't even go over my ears. Why? Why did the same company use such different molds for their 2 FF helmets? They weren't even close to similar.

inconsistent fitment isn't limited to just helmets, but all riding apparel IMO. I had to size up on TLD sprint pants & shorts. in size 36 the waist was fine, but the cut in the thighs was skinny jeans / tights. had to go to size 38, fit fine in the thighs but I'm considering adding belt loops.

i did gamble and order a D4 back in january when they were on mega sale for like 60% off. i was fortunate and the fit on the helmet was excellent.