The right fit is essential for safety and comfort. A helmet that’s too big can fly off your head in a crash. A helmet that’s too small will be uncomfortable, and could even make it hard to breathe.

To find your size, use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your head just above the eyebrows. Once you know your size, choose a helmet that fits snugly but comfortably when you open it.

Helmets come in six different sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. Most people wear a size large or extra-large helmet. If you’re on the border between two sizes, go with the larger one.

The padding in most helmets will compress slightly as you put on the helmet, but if there’s more than an inch of space between your forehead and the front of the helmet shell (where it curves down), try another size.

If you have long hair or wear glasses under your goggles or face shield, make sure that there’s enough room inside for them to fit without pinching or pushing against your skin unnecessarily when you fasten everything up securely.

Last modified: November 2, 2022