Helmet for a long-oval head shape for track days
Discussion
I'm looking for a helmet that fits my long-oval shaped head. It's only for track days, but if there are no track day specific helmets in this shape, I'd happily pay more for a proper motorsport helmet.
Can anyone recommend anything, please? Going to a shop and trying different brands isn't really an option at the moment.
Failing that, I'll get a motorcycle helmet - there seems to more information and choice for different shapes.
Can anyone recommend anything, please? Going to a shop and trying different brands isn't really an option at the moment.
Failing that, I'll get a motorcycle helmet - there seems to more information and choice for different shapes.
Do you mean “long, oval” as in chin to crown or as in nose to back of head?
It is certainly a fact that different manufacturers have different views on what a “standard” head shape is. I found that a large Bell pinched my forehead but a medium Sparco and a medium Headtec were fine. Sorry, I know it’s not helpful but the answer is to try them on when you can. It can be a lot of money to spend to be uncomfortable,
It is certainly a fact that different manufacturers have different views on what a “standard” head shape is. I found that a large Bell pinched my forehead but a medium Sparco and a medium Headtec were fine. Sorry, I know it’s not helpful but the answer is to try them on when you can. It can be a lot of money to spend to be uncomfortable,
I have a similar shaped head and sadly choice is fairly limited.
I've never bothered with a motorsport helmet as I used a bike helmet for karting from years back, then a spare bike one after I passed my bike test.
I found that Shoei was really comfortable, but this was 20 years ago.
More recently I got an AGV (which didn't fit when I bought my Shoei years before) and it fitted really well. My only complaint with it is wind noise, not a problem in a car!
Bought a Bell mx helmet online for summer riding and it pinches my forehead. Only noticeable after 15-20 minutes, but causes a headache within half an hour.
Whatever you do try on, if it feels comfortable initially then keep it on for a good while before deciding, and when you take it off, look in a mirror or with your phone on selfie-cam to check for pressure marks on your forehead.
A google for oval shaped helmets won't bring up dodgy images, there are a few designs out there but as I say not that much choice.
I wouldn't be worried about a bike helmet for trackday use, the worst you can say about them is they have an open aperture for maximum visibility but if you're in a saloon car that's no bad thing anyway. They often have an internal flip-down sun visor which is really useful towards the end of a trackday with a low sun.
I've never bothered with a motorsport helmet as I used a bike helmet for karting from years back, then a spare bike one after I passed my bike test.
I found that Shoei was really comfortable, but this was 20 years ago.
More recently I got an AGV (which didn't fit when I bought my Shoei years before) and it fitted really well. My only complaint with it is wind noise, not a problem in a car!
Bought a Bell mx helmet online for summer riding and it pinches my forehead. Only noticeable after 15-20 minutes, but causes a headache within half an hour.
Whatever you do try on, if it feels comfortable initially then keep it on for a good while before deciding, and when you take it off, look in a mirror or with your phone on selfie-cam to check for pressure marks on your forehead.
A google for oval shaped helmets won't bring up dodgy images, there are a few designs out there but as I say not that much choice.
I wouldn't be worried about a bike helmet for trackday use, the worst you can say about them is they have an open aperture for maximum visibility but if you're in a saloon car that's no bad thing anyway. They often have an internal flip-down sun visor which is really useful towards the end of a trackday with a low sun.
Thanks for the advice. There are plenty of motorcycle helmets specified as being for long-oval heads, so it's been easy to find lots of options that will almost definitely be a better fit. I previously used an HJC open face helmet for rallying, but the pressure would give me a bad headache after a few hours of wearing it. I'm not sure what I'll do if I do some proper motorsport again in the future, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
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