Possibly a goofy question: Helmet fit and hair...

[Inquizator]

Ok, this is possibly a weird question, but it's something I'm wondering about as I'm getting ready to make my first helmet purchase. Until recently I kept my head shaved , but now I'm planning on growing out my hair. My hair is very thick and fairly curly and I'll end up with an afro. So my question is: with planning to have all that hair within 6-8 months or so, should I buy a helmet now that is just slightly larger than what feels perfect now? Basically, a large feels pretty good and very tight, but I'm worried that with a bunch of extra hair it will be way too tight. An XL doesn't feel too lose I don't think (though I don't know much about these things), but it, obviously, doesn't feel as tight. Though once I have all the hair it would be a lot tighter.

So, any suggestions or input? Anyone here have experience w/ helmet fit after either having no hair and then growing it out or having lots of hair and then cutting it all off?

Maybe I'm analyzing things too much, but I don't want to spend all this money on a helmet and have to buy a new one in 6-8 months because it's no longer comfortable with all the hair...

Thanks in advance for the help.

[bok]

remember that the foam inside the helmet will pack out and compress so as your hair grows it should compress more and maintain a decent fit.

not sure how your hair grows, and it might come in like a bunch of brillo pads stuck to your head, in which case maybe buy a lower priced helmet now like 150-200 and then in a couple months when you have all your hair buy the more pricey helmet.

either way you go, a helmet needs to fit snugly and if you have to buy a second helmet that is preferable to buying a loose fitting one now and maybe it still being loose when you grow out your hair

[Inquizator]

either way you go, a helmet needs to fit snugly and if you have to buy a second helmet that is preferable to buying a loose fitting one now and maybe it still being loose when you grow out your hair

Well, part of the problem as well is that I'm not sure just how tight a helmet should be... Just cause I can manage to shove, pull, yank, or pound it onto my head doesn't mean it's big enough, right? So, your logic makes sense, but I'm still not sure if I should get a L or an XL even as it is. Some of the larges just feel like they may be too tight, that they'd start hurting after wearing it for a while.

[bok]

for the first say 10-20 hours a helmet will feel really tight (some more than others) and you will get a lovely red mark on your forehead and possibly a slight headache.

there is a sticky around here about proper helmet fit, but a good guideline i use is, put the helmet on and then grab the chin of it and hold it steady, then turn your head left and right and see if it moves at all. alternately you can use the chin to try and peel the helmet over your head like a banana.

in either of those situations if the helmet moves really easily or your head can move left to right it's probably too big.

you should be able to find a helmet that feels tight but doesn't feel like your head is in a vice.
try multiple brands too. an XL Shoei will not fit like an XL HJC or xl Arai. Some people find that less expensive helmets fit better on their head than the high-end ones do.

[ZooTech]

I have an XXL HJC full-face, a Large HJC half helmet, and a Medium Skid-Lid. You just have to wear the helmet around the store like a crazy donkey for ten minutes or so and see if it begins to cut circulation. If it fits snugly without making anything throb or go numb, you've got a winner.

[Kim]

Wear a wig when you try on helmets.

[dieziege]

The wig is actually a good idea... but instead of a wig use a doo rag or bandanna 'cause it is cheaper. My helmet fits perfectly on a bare head, is slightly snugger but not uncomfortably so with a thin head covering... but if I wear a thicker head cloth (one of the knit t-shirt material ones with a terry cloth sweat band sewn in "headlinz" IIRC) it starts to get uncomfortable.

So start out with one of the thicker rags and as your hair grows you can go thinner or dump it altogether.

[bok]

My hair is very thick and fairly curly and I'll end up with an afro.

as long as it doesn't end up like this afro, you should be okay:

[earwig]

Go to a decent dealer and ask their sales people for help, they will explain how it should fit/feel for you.

[earwig]

Read this too: Guidelines for getting the best fit in a full-face helmet. viewtopic.php?t=42