by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: March 26, 2009

Among the variety in my employment was a period of time when I worked at a snowmobile and ATV dealership. I was the clothing manager and one of my duties was to fit and sell helmets.

There are just a few major things to consider when buying a helmet. They include its purpose, its wearer, its amount of safety, that it is the correct size, the frequency of use, and any special features you wish to add.

Let's start with its purpose. The same helmet can be worn for motorcycles as well as ATV or four wheelers. The snowmobile helmet usually is only worn for snowmobiling, though I have seen others wear them all year round. It really is not a good idea since they usually have a shield that is inappropriate for regular weather. I am going to limit my discussion about these two types since that is what I am most familiar with.

The wearer of the helmet is an important consideration when picking the helmet. First of all will a child be wearing the helmet? That changes many things. Usually, a young child cannot be properly fit into a small adult helmet. Many parents try this, but it is not a good practice. The child's helmet has added padding for protection of small and fragile heads. The fit for a small child will never be quite right if they choose a helmet designed for an adult. With teens, you can usually go to an adult helmet, but before that it is not recommended. I have been horrified when parents come in trying to avoid spending money for more than one helmet. They try to buy something in between the two sizes; this is a shameful practice since neither child will be well fitted.

How the wearer rides is also a deciding factor when picking a helmet. The older person who putt putts around slowly and not everyday can get by with a basic helmet, but the person who is on the edge, riding wild and hard or is an extreme sportsman needs a better grade since he is putting himself at more risk. Most helmets are approved by DOT and guaranteed by their manufacturer, but some have a better grade of material, especially on the inside. Better helmet linings up the comfort and protection value.

The standard helmet can be further divided into racing helmets, open faced and closed. A standard helmet is usually one that can be worn for motorcycling or ATV's and is just that. It is a low priced, economical helmet. This is fine if you do not ride often. For the occasional rider or if the helmet is for taking a guest for a ride once in a while, a basic helmet will do. They offer enough protection.

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