I’m ashamed to admit it, but on a hot summer day years ago, I foolishly decided to leave my helmet home. An hour later, due to miscommunication between my buddy and myself, we collided and I took a bad fall. I landed on my head and for about 30 seconds was paralyzed, unable to even crawl. Later, at the hospital, the doctor said it was a minor miracle I’d recovered. The worst part was looking my family in their faces and realizing that because of that stupid decision to leave the helmet behind, I almost changed all our lives. I’ve worn a helmet since and try to convince everyone else to, also.

Why Helmets Are Cool
Apart from their life-saving potential, helmets provide other benefits. One of the most surprising is their ability to cool the head. It’s counterintuitive, but better helmets insulate the head from heat. Helmets are made of polystyrene, which is similar to what a cooler is made of – a material that keeps heat out. Also, modern helmets have venting systems that force air through the helmet providing a cool breeze over the scalp. Tests have shown that these features actually make a helmeted rider cooler than a bareheaded one - even on a hot day or tough climb.

Another worthwhile feature, especially for mountain biking or touring on a bicycle with an upright seating position such as a recumbent or hybrid, is a visor. These keep sun out of the eyes improving visibility by reducing glare and cutting down a bit on sunburn. They’ll also knock away small branches that might hit you in the face as you ride past on narrow trails.

Modern helmets are also brightly colored, a clear signal to motorists. And because they’re on the top of your head, the highest point on your body, they make you much more visible in traffic.

Find a Fine Fit
Head and helmet shapes vary so the most important rule is to try on several models and brands to find the type that fits your head best. Start by trying on any helmet to see what size you are. Or you can measure your head just above the eyebrows with a tape measure to get an idea (small is roughly 20 to 22 inches; medium: 22 to 23.5 inches; and large: 23.25 to 24.5 inches).

Usually helmets come in at least three sizes depending on the manufacturer. You’re looking for one that offers a snug fit. Ask at the bike shop for help if you have questions. They’re more than happy to lend a hand and they have the experience to point you toward a helmet that’s right for your head shape, riding style, and budget. Generally speaking, there are round and oval heads and helmet shapes that match. You can tell when the helmet fits right. It’ll feel snug all the way around your head. To test it, try to move the helmet side-to-side and front-to-back. If there’s more play side-to-side than front-to-back, you’ve probably tried on a round-shape helmet and you probably have a more oval shaped head.

Keep in mind that all helmets come with fitting kits. These pads adhere to the inside of the helmet to customize it to your head. The helmet however, should almost fit your head before you add any fitting pads. Otherwise, you may have to put in a lot of pads to get it to fit, which will compromise the fit. In a really good fit, you may need no pads or only two pads, one on either side or end to snug the helmet a bit.

Fit doesn’t depend only on pads and helmet size. Most helmets today include retention devices, which are comprised of wide straps or a plastic web-like retainer built into the back of the helmet that holds the base of your head. These are adjustable also to fine-tune fit. And, when the retention device is properly set, it helps hold the helmet in place. This is a great feature when you’re riding over bumpy terrain.

Picking a Model
You can spend from $30 to $150 for a bicycle helmet today. Surprisingly, almost all quality models will protect equally well. How can you tell a good one? Look for a sticker inside the helmet that says CPSC or ASTM. If it has one or both of these stickers, the helmet has passed rigid testing standards. Most helmets today at any bike shop will have passed these tests.

Consider how you’ll use the helmet, too. As I mentioned, for off-road use a visor is a handy feature. You may not want it for road use, however, as if you ride with your head down, the visor can block vision a bit. Many helmets today come with removable visors though, which allow you to use the same helmet and customize it for the conditions.

As you spend more money for a helmet, you don’t get more protection. What you get is more vents for increased cooling, lighter weight, which makes an energy-saving difference on long rides, and slightly more advanced strap and retention systems. You might feel a difference worth paying for by trying on these helmets and if so, you should buy one. Usually, the more you ride, the more you notice the design enhancements.

When trying on helmets, after fit, look for comfortable straps and ones that have a secure locking device (so they don’t change adjustment all the time). You want soft pads too that can’t chafe your head, an overall design that appeals to you, and a price that suits your budget. Remember: you don’t have to spend a lot. You’ll find very nice helmets that look almost identical to the big buck models in the $40 to $75 price ranges.

Other Considerations
When you get the helmet home, don’t ignore the owner’s manual. Study it. Even if the shop adjusted the helmet to your head, it’s important for you to understand how the helmet should fit because as you wear the helmet, the straps will change adjustment.

Many people make the mistake of tipping the helmet back on the head when adjusting it because they think it’ll feel cooler that way. That’s a big mistake because a tipped-back helmet can’t protect the face in a crash. The helmet must sit square on the head so that the front of the helmet will hit first if you go over the handlebars. The straps are what adjust the helmet so it will remain in this position naturally when you put it on. When done, you should be able to lightly tug on the helmet and it shouldn’t move or tip excessively. It should want to return to the proper position automatically. Also, when the helmet is adjusted, the small strap buckles on either side should rest just beneath the ear lobes. Instructions in the owner’s manual explain in detail how to adjust the straps for the proper helmet fit.

Another important thing you can find out about in the manual is the guarantee. Some makers offer replacement policies for a crashed helmet. You won’t get a helmet for free but you may save some money by returning your helmet with a letter describing what happened.

Finally, helmets don’t last forever. Helmet manufacturers recommend getting a new helmet at least every five years. This is important for your protection in a crash. The materials in a helmet break down slightly over the years and helmets just naturally take a beating in use as you toss them in the truck, drop them and ride.

Go out there and get a great helmet. Your family and friends will thank you.