A Guide to Choosing The Best ATV Helmets
ATV’s are popular recreational vehicles with almost 230,000 sold in the Canada and the United States in 2015. If you’re one those people who just found an atv for sale or someone who’ll be riding on an ATV, then you’ll need a good helmet.
The importance of having a good helmet cannot be underestimated. Statistics show that 27% of ATV-related injuries occur to the head and heck area.
This means you’ll need to make sure you and any passengers are equipped with proper ATV helmets that offer the level of protection you need.
Not sure which one to buy? We’re here to help explain what you should look for when considering an ATV helmet.
Types of ATV Helmets
There are several types of helmets to choose from.
1. Full-Face Helmets
This is the safest type of helmet you can wear while riding an ATV. As the name suggests, a full-face helmet covers your entire head and face and offers the greatest amount of protection against head and face injuries.
Full-face helmets are also the heaviest helmets and provide the least amount of airflow around your head.
2. Open Face Helmets
This type of helmet does not cover the face. While the head area will be completely protected, your face will be exposed.
If you go with an open face helmet, you’ll want to make sure you are wearing proper eye protection.
3. Modular Helmet
The most versatile of helmets, a modular helmet can work as a full-face helmet or a three-quarter helmet. This means the helmet can also function like an open face helmet.
For this reason, modular helmets are the most flexible type of ATV helmets as they can change to suit your needs.
4. Off-Road Helmet
Off-Road helmets are the most popular type of ATV helmets. This type of helmet covers the head completely while leaving the face open except for the chin and mouth area.
As with an open face helmet, you’ll want to make sure you wear proper eye protection while using an off-road helmet.
What to Look for in A Helmet
Once you’ve figured out what type of helmet you want to buy, you’ll need to pick the helmet which is best for you. Here is what you should look for.
Comfort
If the helmet is not comfortable, you’ll be less likely to wear it. And if you don’t wear it while riding then it won’t help you in an accident.
What makes ATV helmets comfortable?
Padding is the key to making sure the helmet fits snuggly but does not put too much pressure on your head and face. You’ll want to make sure the helmet forms a good seal around the ear but does not actually touch your ear.
You’ll also want a neck roll which rests against the back of your head and neck. Make sure there are no internal components like chinstrap fasteners which protrude into the helmet and make it uncomfortable to wear.
If the helmet has a face shield or is modular, you’ll want to make sure the face shield is easy to open. It should also stay in place once raised.
Finally, the face shield should not distort your view or block your peripheral vision in any way.
Certification
To make sure you’re buying a quality helmet which will give proper protection in the event of an accident, you’ll want to make sure the helmet is certified to meet safety standards.
The two key certifications for ATV helmets are DOT and Snell. The Snell standard is a more stringent rating.
For helmets with face shields, you’ll want to make sure the face shield is certified as well. Face shields should meet either VESC-8 or ANSI Z-87 standards to make sure they will stand up to impacts and protect your face and eyes.
Safety
The main component protecting your head in the event of an accident is the EPS lining in the helmet. This hard Styrofoam-like cushion is what absorbs the force of impacts.
While a minimum amount of EPS is mandated by certification standards, some helmets provide even more than required. You’ll want to select a helmet with thicker EPS and make sure it extends throughout the helmet and chin bar if the helmet has one.
New Versus Old Helmets
All helmets deteriorate over time. This means a helmet should be replaced after five years of use, although some manufacturers recommend more frequent replacement.
Another concern is whether the helmet has suffered an impact. Helmets are only designed to stand up to one impact.
If the helmet has and dents or cracks, it will not give you the required protection and needs to be replaced.
For this reason, buying a new helmet is a better choice than using an old helmet.
Finding the Proper Fit
To find the proper size for your head, you need to measure the circumference of the widest part of your head. Because helmet sizes vary by brand and model, you should consider trying on the next size above and below to test the fit.
A properly fitting helmet should feel comfortable on your head but fit snugly so it does not move around.
Looking at Other Features
When selecting your helmet, you have a variety of features you can select. These include aesthetic features such as graphics and different color helmets which can make it easier for others to see you.
Other features included removable interior linings which can be washed to help keep the helmet fresh. Also, some helmets offer snap out cheek pads which can help customize the fit of the helmet.
One important factor to consider is ventilation. This is especially necessary for full-face helmets where adjustable venting can prevent the visor from fogging.
For helmets with face shields, some helmets offer quick-change shields, so you can replace the visor with a tinted visor.
Getting the Helmet
Now you know what to look for when buying ATV helmets. The helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment, so you’ll want to be sure to get one that fits properly and is comfortable.
When it comes to your ATV needs, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s learning about keeping your ATV tires in top condition or looking for parts and accessories, we’re here to help.
Feel free to contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you out.