You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I will start this by accepting that " go to your LBS and try some on" is the obvious response. Unfortunately, finding a LBS with a decent range of brands appears an impossible task. With this in mind I am hoping that the number of heads we have in the forum, i might get some guidance.
I am trying to identify a helmet brand that has a lower internal profile than others. My last 3 helmets have been TLD and Bell either full face, open face, or combo. The issue i have with all of them is that although my noggin comes up as a medium, the helmets always sit low on my forehead meaning impact with goggles or glasses. Advice on the sizing is always size up not down and it does feel that the issue is the depth of the helmet rsther than the circumference.
Anyone had the same experience and settled on a preferred brand? Or anyone had the opposite experience and had to return a brand as it was too shallow?
Thanks in advance from the Odd Shaped Noggin Man
Unfortunately, finding a LBS with a decent range of brands appears an impossible task
I totally agree, it's a flippin mare. Most LBS have maybe one or two brands in, The local leisure lakes used to be good, but even their options were poor/limited when I last went. I have in the past resorted to buying the same helmet every 3/4 year. I think the best I managed was 3 of the same model (the last was old new stock)
OP we are in the same area I think but I think the issue is quite a lot of brand overlap between the local shops.
Assuming you've found nothing at Solent Cycles, which has Lazer and Giro iirc.
99 Bikes (Totton or Chichester) seems to have the following on their website.
Specialized (historically found these fit my big head so may not be right for you),
Lazer,
Fox (don't fit me - always seem too narrow),
Met
Giro
You should be able to check stock online at each store.
By the way my Leatt MTB helmet is a lot deeper than my Giro one so assuming the fit is broadly similar across the range you might want to swerve Leatt.
Have you looked at POC lids? The Kortal might be an option…
https://poc.com/en-gb/categories/cycling/mountain-bike/helmets
Order online from a retailer with good return policy (this should be any but some will also be free) buy a few to try and send back ones that don't.
Got a good deal on a Smith Mainline/Smith goggles combo and it looks like they offer a decent fit selection via various pad options.
I received my POC Kortal lid this morning, and with the Race MIPS system, it’s quite possibly the first lid I’ve owned that genuinely feels like it was made to fit me. It’s a Medium, my head circumference falls right into the dimensions given, and turning the knurled wheel at the back meant I could actually feel the inner conforming to my head, and once I got the strap adjusted, it’s like it’s been custom designed for me. Bloody awesome.
It’s also a great looking helmet*, with loads of ventilation. It’s also got an RFID system that carries your contact and medical info, in case of an emergency.
*Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but I like it, plus by signing up to their website, I got 15% off.
I like the look of the Kortal, but it just didn't sit right at all on my head. I also have a bit of an odd shaped noggin, but can't actually work out which bit of me is freakish - helmets seem to sit high on my head, suggesting I have a bit of a dome, but then glasses/goggles don't have much room, suggesting that's not the case. Maybe my ears and nose are too high....
If you don't have a suitable bike shop locally have you considered consulting a phrenologist? Normally they'd determine your personality type from the shape and size of your head, so presumably you can do the same in reverse, the could probably do it over the phone
Lols! 🤣🤣
99 bikes in Chichester is my local and they have Giro, Kask, Specialized and Fox I think. I picked up a new Fox speedframe a few days ago as them and giro both seem to fit my head. Decent amount in stock in a few sizes as well.
Well, that was a world of dissapointment. Initially the Smith helmet felt right, didn't shift when moving head, all good. Put the Smith goggles on and then moved my head back and forth. The goggles sit perfectly in the helmet space as you would expect being designed with the helmet in mind, but when the mips liner allows its bit of movement it pushes the goggles down onto your nose. I tried the bigger liner but that didn't help. I considered keeping it and gave it another go and then noticed the god awful creaking noise between the MIPS and the liner thing. It would drive me mad having that in my ears all day. It's going back unfortunately.
Back to the drawing board.
More drawings you say?
Are you too reliable a husband maybe? - have you considered being a greater disappointment to the women in your life, if only to get a better, fitting helmet.
Might also help to deflect some of the ire of those pesky moral reformers
🤣 🤣 🤣
You’re going to wear a bandana anyways.
Not only makes it easier to fit, but also makes cleaning your bike helmet less of a chore.
You’re going to wear a bandana anyways.
I think that tells us all we need to know about Greatbeardedone 
no doubt the beard hides his sensual chin
