Bike helmet fit for the oblong

[tharley]

or am I doomed to look silly? Currently, my helmet is a basic Bell Athena -57 cm. I lave a long/oblong head and cannot for the life of me find a helmet that fits correctly &/or doesn't look alienesk. I have looked at multiple LBSs, chain stores and sporting stores w/ no such luck. I have looked at a few different styles & fits, but all look like they ride too high/are too skinny (*LBS owner nor I can quite decide what the issue is- maybe it's my face :p). Most helmets make me look like I shoved on a kid's helmet that is 2 sizes too small. I understand I will not find a helmet that makes me look super-attractive, but obviously want one that will fit my weirdo head and still look "good".

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l244/tanisharley/Photo3-1.jpg http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l244/tanisharley/Photo6.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l244/tanisharley/9722_592859043982_42111020_34901451.jpg
*Please ignore the face, body and silly puppy-bill (tour de fat, last minute add-on to look "festive").

Maybe a flatter (not domed) helmet? Deeper shell? Different size? Help, I don't even know what to look for! Ideas?! Price should most likely be under $50, b/c I am a poor, poor young sap.

[KnottedYet]

Have you tried a Nutcase helmet?
www.nutcasehelmets.com

[MartianDestiny]

Most people typically say that Giro's are more oval, though I assume you've tried several Giros in your search.

Honestly I think the one in your picture seems to fit fine. I understand the "dorky helmet look" feeling though. I don't think anyone thinks they look particularly good in a helmet.

I will say I did notice a difference in fit and perceived appearance when I went to the $100-150 range from the $30-45 range. I think it has something to do with them being more individually sized, with more ventilation/styling (particularly in the front and back), more shape of their own (rather than just a circular mellon), and less exposed foam.

If you haven't looked at the higher end helmets it might be a good idea to look at them even if they are out of your budget (then, if you find one, keep an eye out for 40-50% off sales which pop up from time to time, especially online).

You may also want to look at mountain bike specific helmets, a relatively new design range, they tend to cover lower on the back of your head and have a different overall shape profile.

Three harder to find brands that I can think of you should see if you can't find are: Specialized, Lazer, and Rudy Project though I've only tried a Specialized myself (and immediately purchased it...).

[ny biker]

I agree, I don't think anyone looks all that good in a helmet. Even when you get into the break and win a stage of the Tour of Catalonia like Jens here did today:

http://velonews.competitor.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/catalonia-stage-4/lis2268_2.jpg

The important thing is that he embraces the look and celebrates as he crosses the line.

But good fit is important. I've always been able to find a Giro that feels good on my head (although not all Giros fit me well), so I unfortunately I don't have any advice for that, except to keep trying.

[jdubble]

I just got a Specialized Echelon helmet and love it. Had a Giro Skyla before and always had to adjust it, the straps, the dial on the back, pull it down on my forehead 'cos it'd ride back.

The Specialized fits like a glove, fits nice and low on my forehead, stays put, and looks pretty darn cool, for a helmet. It's got more of a slope to it in appearance, and would maybe look less round or dome-shaped? Lots of vents for keeping cool in the summer too :)

http://images.nitrosell.com/product_images/5/1069//SPECIALIZED%20ECHELON%20SILVER10.JPG

And at $60, it didn't totally break the bank. I was looking at a $100 helmet (the Propero) when I found the Echelon and liked the way it fit and looked better.

[OakLeaf]

I can't see the problem visually either.

When the helmet is long enough that it doesn't give you a headache from pressure on the forehead, do you have gaps on the sides? That's kind of what it sounds like you're describing?

What brands have you tried on so far?

[KnottedYet]

I assumed you were talking about the way the helmet looks a bit like a yamulka, like it doesn't come down far enough on the sides and back. (the gap between your ears and the helmet) That's why I thought of the Nutcase, because they are deeper top-to-bottom and might cover more of your skull.

If you are talking about oblong front-to-back problem, like you have an aerodynamic skull; I've had good luck with Bell Citi and most Bell helmets. Giros are far too round for me, crushing my forehead while leaving wide gaps on the sides.

[DebW]

If you are talking about oblong front-to-back problem, like you have an aerodynamic skull; I've had good luck with Bell Citi and most Bell helmets. Giros are far too round for me, crushing my forehead while leaving wide gaps on the sides.

I have the opposite problem. My head is too round and I get squeezed by the helmet on the sides with too much room front and back. I've got a small Gyro that fits well unless I put more than one thin cap under it, then I get head squeeze.

[redrhodie]

I found this helmet website http://www.bhsi.org/helmet10.htm which has a section on helmets for narrow heads which you might find helpful.

"At least three manufacturers have identified for us their models for longer, narrower heads: Cratoni, Ironman and Lazer. In addition, riders have said that the Lazer Genesis/Helium) fit their longer head better."

[ny biker]

Well I think we're all doomed to look silly, but who cares? Own that helmet!

What matters is how you look after you fall...

[OakLeaf]

I just read that Uvex have a longer fore-aft fit than Giro, as well. I know a lot of people who wear Uvex.

[HillSlugger]

I assumed you were talking about the way the helmet looks a bit like a yamulka, like it doesn't come down far enough on the sides and back. (the gap between your ears and the helmet) That's why I thought of the Nutcase, because they are deeper top-to-bottom and might cover more of your skull.

If you are talking about oblong front-to-back problem, like you have an aerodynamic skull; I've had good luck with Bell Citi and most Bell helmets. Giros are far too round for me, crushing my forehead while leaving wide gaps on the sides.

I always felt the Giros were longer and the Bells rounder :eek:

[aicabsolut]

I think the Giros are too round :D

Anyway... I have an oval dome and I vote Specialized. I currently have the Propero and love it. I started with a $40 Aurora on sale, and it fit the same.

[HillSlugger]

yep a big joke

:confused:

[Aquila]

You folks are SO wrong!

There is NOTHING better looking than a woman with a helmet and a smile on a bike. NOTHING!

(Live the fantasy!)

[marni]

I too have a head that is oblong rather than round and I have found the more high end giros like the ionos and atmos to fit much better. Of course the proof of the pudding is in how it protects your head. Two major falls with head trauma, much less severa than it could have been thanks to the helmet, later, I can attest to the value of a good fitting helmet. I could use a break in the expense of having had to buy two helmets in two months, but each time it was the first thing I did as soon as I got home from the emergency room.

I hope you find one that fits and that yoyu learn to take pride in your new look.

I used to take my first cracked helmet and a raw egg around to school classes and give a safety lesson on why they should wear a helmet. Drop an egg from three feet and then point out that that is what would happen to their brain, then show them the cracked helmet and explain why I was till up and walkking and able to communicate.

marni

[MartianDestiny]

I could use a break in the expense of having had to buy two helmets in two months, but each time it was the first thing I did as soon as I got home from the emergency room.



I believe Giro has a "crash replacement" program. If you are willing to ship them your used helmet (which they then use for testing, etc, I believe) they send you a discount coupon. I think it used to be a rather good discount and now it's more like 20-30% off, but if you are buying the things retail (and not trying to find the one that's on sale) it may be worth the slight hassle.

[Velocivixen]

I wear a Giro Indicator which fits me well. However I want a Nutcase helmet because I love their designs and they're in Portland. Their helmets just don't feel right on my head. Someone told me they're more round in shape. They are cute though.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Have you tried the Giro Ionos? It seems to have a smaller exterior casing than most, it fits my thin oblong head and doesn't dwarf my face. (My face is so narrow that I have to get children's frames when I buy glasses.)

Also, when I was looking at helmets I noticed that the color of the helmet had a profound effect on whether or not it looked like I had a "mushroom" siting on my head. Black (with bright visible red, silver, and white accents) was the best color for me.

[Catrin]

I love my Uvex helmet, I think it is more oblong than round...

[TsPoet]

I think all the Giro recommendations are funny! Bell and Giro are awful - round as round can be. The only nutcase I've tried on was equally round.
Specialized are OK.
Lazers are actually quite good.
I've recently switched to a Petzl Metor III - a climbing helmet. It is not approved in the US for bike use, but is in many European countries. It is still round, but the strap system pulls in from the sides so it isn't terribly uncomfortable.
I so feel this pain - helmets push really hard on my forehead and flop hopelessly from side to side.

[Bethany1]

Bumped this up a little..

LOVE the look of the Nutcase especially the Tattoo Twist. My Bontrager fits really nice, it's just butt ugly. I think I paid about 65 for it. I just don't like the alien feel to it.

Just wish I could try one on to see how it fits.

[Biciclista]

Ok, you guys. what is the alien feel? Just "different?" I tried the nutcase helmet, I really really wanted it to work... and it felt confining and unsafe. So I stuck with the ugly other kind, my Bell Citi...second of a series. they work. I don't wear a helmet to look cute, I wear it to be safe.