Getting the Right ATV Helmet

Nothing is more fun than tearing through your favorite backwoods trails or dominating the nearest dunes on your ATV, and when you're putting in a full day of riding, you've got to protect your most important asset. Yourself. We want your next day on the trails to be fun and exciting, but also safe, which is why we've put together some things to keep in mind when choosing which helmet you'll wear on your next ride. We have so many different styles and options to choose from, browse through our available selection and you'll see for yourself that you don't have to sacrifice safety for style!

Types of Helmet

When you start shopping for a helmet to take on the trail you may be tempted to grab an affordable motorcycle half helmet and get on with your ride, but that's a serious rookie mistake. While a motorcycle helmet can protect you in an ATV, it's more likely they can make a pretty poor substitute for an off road helmet. First, half helmets and open face helmets are an outright mistake on the trail because they lack a chin bar. It only takes one really good bump when you're not prepared and you can smash your nose into the dash, so having some armor for the front of your face is really important. Full face helmets provide great protection, but they can be stuffy and hot so without proper anti-fogging measures you can end up blind as a bat. The best choice is to get a dual sport (offroad) helmet with a chin bar that features an open face design. The one caveat to the dual sport design is that you'll need to invest in a set of goggles as well to protect your eyes from flying debris.

Helmet Brands

There are plenty of different helmet manufacturers to choose from, and when you're shopping around Here are a few of the big ones, including some highlights:

Arai: High end Helmets Cost: High Prices: ~$550 to $700 Bell : Major Helmet Manufacturer, Cost: low to mid range Prices: from $90 to $400 Fox: One of the biggest names in Offroading Cost: low to mid range Prices: Price ~$100 to ~$400 Rockhard: Sweet Graphics Cost: Mid Range Prices: ~$250 Zamp: Affordable and Simple Cost: Low Prices: ~$50 to $120

Brands offer different levels of amenity in their helmet design, with fancy features on high end helmets like more vents for cooler riding, antibacterial liners, and lighter designs for more comfort. If you're an experienced rider who puts plenty of time on the trail, the more elaborate features may be attractive, but as long as your helmet is DOT certified it should protect you.

How to choose the right helmet

Choosing the right helmet is absolutely a matter of taste, but there is one feature that you absolutely cannot go without: A proper fit. The fit of your helmet is a major factor in the protection you'll receive. When you're buying a helmet make sure to try it on, tighten the straps down, and get a feel for it. Walk around a bit, turn your head. Consider if you've got a good range of vision, does the helmet feel comfortable, do you think it will be comfortable after an hour or more of wear? If you buy a helmet online you might get a good fit, but you may also wind up with an expensive piece of gear that won't protect you in an accident, so make sure you're outfitted with a good helmet and you'll seriously raise your chances of avoiding injury on the trail.

Remember, there's a difference between an off-road helmet and something rated for street use. Don't take the chance, get yourself an off-road helmet and make sure you've got the protection you need when you need it most. There are tons of options to choose from, depending on whether you want more air exposure to keep you cooler or even antibacterial liners for added germ protection. And getting the fit right is vital, if you've got questions about the fit of your helmet, come see us, and let our amazing staff help you make sure you've got the right fit for the right ride.