Car and Auto Blog

Quest for the Best Motorcycle Helmet

People frequently toss around the question of the best motorcycle helmet (you hear this asked quite often among first time riders).  It’s an understandable question, because by declaring that we wish for the best motorcycle helmet, we’re essentially announcing we need the best possible protection for the head.  However, what this question doesn’t acknowledge is that motorcycle helmets are too variable, just like us, for a “one size fits all” solution.  The best motorcycle helmet for me may not be the best for you.

Right right, you say, great, so where do I begin?  Well, there are a variety of spots to begin, but in this post I’ll look at how head shape should guide your path to the best motorcycle helmet.

The best motorcycle helmet producers have made varying choices about the internal shape of their helmets.  Remember those square shapes you amusingly sought to shove in the round holes as a toddler?  Well then, would you think it wise to cram a square cranium into a circular motorcycle helmet?  (side note: if you have a square head, you probably have bigger problems that I can’t help you with here.)

So, where to start?  Well the initial step is to determine what the shape of YOUR ol’ cranium is before you start thinking about the helmet.  Five head shapes exist (we’re simplifying here, but it’s basically true): earth, oval, round, egg, and reverse egg.

In a word: the shapes are what they sound like (all observing a head straight-on): round appears circular (this is more common among Asians), oval is longer up-and-down than horizontally (most common by far among caucasians), earth is wider than it is tall, egg is wider at the top, and reverse egg is wider toward the jaw.  I’m unsure of the demographics of all these shapes, but the gist of it remains straightforward: the best motorcycle helmet for a rider will keep in mind the wide variety of head shapes people have as humans.

The next step in finding your best motorcycle helmet is to find a helmet with an inner shape that matches your head shape.  It can be difficult, since a lot of helmet manufacturers don’t just give this data away.

You can take a couple approaches here: research and reading, or start trying on helmets.

If you’re someone comfortable with studying up on and buying things online, you might raise an eyebrow at how much information you can get on all the various motorcycle helmet brands and which manufacturers tend to be best for which types of head-shape.  I researched and bought my motorcycle helmet entirely on the internet, and it worked out amazingly well.  You have to be okay with returning it though if the helmet doesn’t fit, so check the website where you’re considering buying a motorcycle helmet to make sure they have an easy, consumer-friendly return policy in case there’s an issue.

The other option is the good ‘ol brick-and-mortar genuine store option.  Track down a big ‘ol motorcycle helmet retailer and start poppin those things on.  However, even in this case, you’ll be helped by having done research ahead.  Then you’ll be ready to tell a sales person what shape motorcycle helmet you’ve got in mind, and if the employee is knowledgeable they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Later I’ll be discussing, what else: size.  This is another major factor you’ll figure out to find your very own, personal, best motorcycle helmet to get riding knowing your head is protected!