Proper Helmet Fit

I am deciding between two helmet sizes - small and medium. The medium fits comfortably, but feels a little loose when rocking the helmet side to side. Otherwise, the head fits into the top of the helmet, and the padding feels good. The small fits quite snugly, and I am not confident that it would stay comfortable if worn in heat and stress, unless the padding will compress. How much compression should I expect? Thanks Stefan

where does it fit too snugly? if it's around the cheeks, you can often replace the cheek pads and still use the small. the amount of break in depends on how much it is used. i have had my helmet for 1 track day about 8 hrs and it still feels like new without any change in fit. unless you plan to attend a lot of track days, i'd not expect the helmet to get more comfortable. having said this, it is ideal to get the smaller size if the medium does feel loose. go to the manufactor's web site and they usually have a sizing chart. see what they recommend. also, try the medium with a head sock. maybe that'll take up some of the slack if the small just feels too tight.

The manufacturer recommends the small, which fits snugly around the entire perimeter just above the ears. The medium is more comfortable, but may losen up too much if the padding compresses. I do not plan on doing that many DE days, so that may be a perceived issue only. Perhaps I should wear the small for 1/2 hour and see if I get a headache? Stefan

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Wear it for half an hour and take it off and see if you have a headache or red pressure spots on your face or forehead. Also, it's not only a matter of size, a particular brand of helmet will not fit all head shapes. Try a number of different brands for fit.

I think another rule of thumb, is whether or not you can get it off your head, with the chin strap snug. My first Bell helmet, fit well, but I could pull it off... so I went one size smaller.

I wore the small for about 20 minutes. While not clearly uncomfortable, I continued to feel pressure all around the perimeter of my head; also had the pad fabric imprint all around (I can tell because I have no hair). The shape of both helmets is the best of any that I have tried, and fit my noggin pretty well. My next step is to try the medium it with a balaclava (spelling?) or headsock. Neither one will come off with the chin strap on. Thanks Stefan

I went for a smaller fit that initially felt tight and mildly uncomfortable, but after 2 trackdays the padding "packed out" a bit and all discomfort went away.

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I guess my question is - how uncomfortable? If it will indeed "pack out" a little, then the small will be fine. Similarly, the medium may pack out too much. Growing my hair longer is unfortunately not an option (unless I go for the bozo the clown look). Thanks Stefan

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+1 The various manufacturers all make the shape of their helmets slightly different. Time to try some other brands before you buy on that doesn't fit well.

Bell and others used to say that it should be the largest helmet that will still move your skin side to side when the helmet moves. Not just contacting it, but it is tight enough that you can see/feel the skin move a bit--and then stops any further movement of the helmet. (For example, you might find the helmet can slide 1/2" to the side because that's the amount of elasticity of your skin.) If you can slide the helmet around on your head and your skin doesn't move or doesn't inhibit the movement of the helmet, then it's loose enough that you can get a second impact of your head hitting the inside shell of the helmet. You want it just tight enough so there is a single impact of the helmet (with your head) hitting a surface. As others have mentioned, manufacturers have different "models" of what the shape of a head is. Some are more oval, some are more round. You just try them on to see which one tends to fit you without pressure points.