How To Correctly Fit A Mountain Bike Helmet

In this How To, Neil takes us through the essentials of helmet sizing, fit and the essentials you need to ensure that you're always comfortable, stylish and safe when out on the trails.
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Neil discusses both open and full face helmets, how to chose the right size for you, adjusting the fit correctly and matching it to your chosen eyewear.
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Leave us a comment below!

[@TrailFeatures]

Super critical information in this video. Helmets save lives! I'd love to see you guys make an updated video on budget helmets. It kills me to see anyone on a $3k bike but wearing a cheap $15 bargain bin head warmer from Walmart.

[@pawewielgus2105]

Trail Features i must disagree, i’ve tried two fox, one ixs and one other in my lbs, none of them was comfortable to my head shape, all of them were correct size. then i went on to decathlon and tried cheap b’twin and it was a perfect fit. i bought the cheap one, i’m not going to wear fox, poc or ixs just because it’s more expensive and uncomfortable, that would be simply uncomfortable ;-)

[@ThePankrt]

@@pawewielgus2105 Pawel, I totally agree with you. I tried Poc Tectal Race spin M / L size, which means 55-58cm. The circumference of my head is 56 cm and this helmet was obviously too big and on me. The smaller version was awkward on me and obviously too small, but it looks at least normal on my head. It doesn't suit my head. It’s an expensive helmet and I expect more from it.

[@jamespond260]

Not me spending 120 on a helmet and 80 on a bike🤣

[@MidTierGod94]

2:18 this tip really helped me a LOT thank you so much !

[@OutdoorBiology]

I had a really bad concussion a few weeks ago be cause I went over the bars of my bike and helmet wasn’t well put on so thanks for this

[@th_js]

Wow its over 2.5 years ago when I found this channel and since then I have watched every single video, every day of my life!! And gotta say totally worth it! 😀 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻

[@th_js]

And will watch all the upcoming videos as long as GMBN's still alive :)

[@chingskie4063]

Awesome content! Covering the basic but essential for riding. Keep it up gmbn!

[@gmbn]

Thanks Chingskie!

[@Emtbtoday]

Just got that helmet poc in a large its huge for my 58in head never thought for one minute I'd be a medium head size

[@bloodclot]

@@Emtbtoday I'm in the same boat with a specialized brand helmet

[@nowthatsasupplydrop751]

I have a very light full face enduro helmet and there is the thing that makes it fit better on to back of ur head.

[@jevadajones1645]

Exactly what I expected. Priced right. Good quality. Worth what I paid.

[@victoradegbesan]

Another great video from my favourite channel. But, I think you should have let viewers know the peak of a helmet is to direct air into your vents to keep your head cool, so removing it would have a bit more than just a cosmetic affect.

[@Jonas_Dee]

I love that new orange/pink kit

[@MT-iz6xb]

I see a difference in colors and sharpness of the video, looks much better now guys.

[@llensanityml8775]

Awesome video!!! Keep it up!!! By the way your bike is awesome though

[@sketchylittlechild2373]

I’ve been waiting for this video

[@gabonjing]

Earliest I have ever been to a GMBN video

[@electricace8423]

Neil looking like a grown man

[@coopermckee6720]

love your vids bro

[@woof_snoof2505]

Fantastic video! Really on point and super helpful. Spot on Neil.

[@gmbn]

Cheers yummypenguin Fry!

[@danervin2530]

I’ve got a POC Tectal, and also some POC Do-Blades. Interestingly, the two do not work together at all. The arms of the glasses want to sit over the retention system in the helmet, or under it which is very uncomfortable.

[@th_js]

Oh yes a new video from the best channel!!! Wohoo

[@Colesurfs03]

My full face has saved on a couple occantions. Just put it on the Handle bars on the climb and it will save your face on the decent.

[@journeysredphil]

Very timely video. There is a another video out there from a news channel that questions helmet use among cyclist. I hope GMBN can put a scientific demo of how wearing a helmet protects cyclist from head injuries

[@edesonbernasol4831]

Greetings from Philippines!! @GMBN can you make a video on how to bail during crash?? That would be a great help! Thank you!

[@Emmy-rl9cg]

I was thinking that my full face is to big and than I saw this video and i swappen the pads and now its perfect ty

[@daytch9485]

I think some of the people at the lbs should watch this, I've got two people I know buy trail helmets and I can basically fit my hand between the roc-lock and helmet.

[@Adonis2901]

I just bought the Otocon Race mips full-face helmet from POC. Since you have a similar experience with the same brand i would just like to ask you, i am 55cm when i measured myself so i also got the medium, noticed it feels a bit big to be fair, but when i start using the adjustment on the back of the helmet, if i do it all the way through it feels tight enough on the top, however the bottom where the pads that surround your cheeks are still feels a bit lose, if i have the strap like you say on the video it definitely helps and i would not say that the helmet moves, but for example if i hit myself while wearing the helmet on the side (to kind of feel what it would do on an impact) it pushes a bit the other way. The question is when you wear your full-face helmet does it snuggle you on the side as well as the top of your head, or is it natural that it will be looser on the side? if you could please let me know your own experience, i would appreciate it a lot. also let me say that i used to ride motorcycle and my experience with helmets is that they need to be extra tight for that kind of crush, so maybe i am a bit biased due to that.

[@thomassimancik1559]

Where can I find replacement cheek pads? Can't find them anywhere.

[@goblin8906]

Thanks Neil...

[@tevinabeysekera6038]

Should my helmet be a little tight to initially put on, but fits perfectly afterwards.

[@Z1E1K1E]

so Neil how many bug have you caught with that POC??? Im running the TACTEL and i swear the thing is a bug catching magnet... Gotta love that RECCO system tho...

[@arsku.4498]

Which one of these is best for teen, to downhill, leatt dbx 4.0, bell super dh, poc air spin, or bell full 9 dh?

[@xXRusheR90Xx]

What are good fullface helmets for people with big heads?

[@annagriffin7830]

Thanks! I can't work out how to move that retention on the inside of the helmet move up and down on the Race Spin? Do you just force it up and down? I don't want to break it.

[@slinkytreekreeper]

If I fit a strap like you say tight to the chin, when I look down it presses against my neck and restricts my movement. I tried Bell, PoC, Giro, Specialized and Cairbull and all are the same. How the fudge do you ride with restricted movement or strap pulling on your neck?

[@rbid]

Well done! Greetings from the Galilee..

[@horvathszovatiandras5959]

just bought a fox proframe helmet size xl if i use the large pads it feels a little bit too tight. with the thin pads it's loose.Can it be that i need to change it for a size large and there i need to use the thin pads or it's just unusual for me because its my first full face helmet ?

[@TheSpade83]

How ventilated is that poc full face

[@tomgraham1159]

Are there any helmate brands that do xl helmates?

[@serniebanders5947]

Can someone tell me where I can get these cheek pads that fit a poc corona air helmet?

[@danielvause8]

I have a 54cm head shall I get a small wich is 52-54 or a medium 54-56 ?

[@markreyes2354]

My head size 56.8 should I go for M or L?

[@mrhardtail1070]

I bought the POC coron carbon and I love it, feels snug around the face etc but I'm having a problem with it.. when I push the chin bar it seems to slide back? Is this normal for a FF helmet? I'm struggling to find anywhere to help with this.

[@jameswestraad5880]

Hi, I know your comment is super old but i'm having the same issue with my Leatt Gravity 4.0. Were you ever able to find out if it is an issue if the helmet can slide back when you push the chin bar?

[@simonyoder1425]

Love your videos

[@gmbn]

Thanks simon yoder!

[@respectablebogan3276]

No D-ring? Great vid by the Don as always. Also how do you do your designer stubble??

[@angkelandi]

It's really good info, like it...

[@EnterTheOrb]

Neil, why do you wear your watch on the right?

[@christianlindner1861]

Hi Neal, great video! Is it possible to wear full face helmet with goggles and my glasses? Side note, i can't wear lenses.

[@victoradegbesan]

Glasses usually do fit under goggles but they will probably steam up extremely fast during riding. Better to to get some medicated goggles made up by an optician.

[@lemondo8878]

gotta have a helmet man! Plus they make you look sick ! Keep it up GMBN

[@davidhall7107]

They have probably already answered this but I don't want to find it. Can you run a Motercycle full face as a full face for biking.

[@gmbn]

You can, but they're super heavy and super hot compared to MTB helmets. You really wouldn't want to.

[@davidhall7107]

Global Mountain Bike Network that's what I thought, but thanks for the help.

[@vyke_24]

Hey! I'm planning to buy a full face POC helmet and was scared of which size to get, I'm the same size as you 58-59. What size did you get?

[@TheCL296]

My head is a 58 cm to 58.25 cm (I’ve measured a million times) and the size medium/large on the tectal race spin almost fits too small. I have to wear the helmet with the sides of the retention system slightly under the helmet so I can put my head all the way in. I’m not sure if that affects the integrity of the helmet but it’s perfectly snug that way and otherwise too small causing uncomfortable pressure at the temporal region of my skull. I think you should get the size up, or the xl/xxl if you are still thinking about purchasing it.

[@5492sparky]

Top tips!

[@amiteshpaul6675]

Can you guys to a budget bike check kinda thing??!

[@th_js]

No.

[@th_js]

But I hope they do.

[@noisiboi7308]

My son and I LOVED "stinking roadies" 😅😅😅😅😅👊

[@austinlego216]

Helemts may not look cool or be the msot confortable but when it comes down to it, it will save your life. I recently had a crash and it was pretty brutal. I wasn't wearing a full face but teeth and srapes can be fixed. I ended up cracking the foams in my helemt and without a dought had I not woren it I would have fractured my skull and possibly died.

[@Rovers77]

can you wear spectacles with the goggles on a full face helmet?

[@spyder027]

You can but you need to buy glasses compatible goggles

[@whitelabeldk]

Always usefull vids... The content is over the Moon ... #MTBEveryDay

[@blakkpatron]

I bought the tectal race spin, and the fitment adjuster hits the top of my ears and digs inn :\

[@ianlourenzsantos3865]

Do a video on how to stash your things even without bags

[@gmbn]

We might be doing one, keep an eye out!

[@benokeeffe6035]

Should I wear a neck brace racing downhill

[@oliversuijdendorp6807]

Ben O Keeffe C only if u don't want to be paralised

[@Beeftopside]

I wear spectacles. Can the goggles fit over the specs?

[@nirmanlimbu56]

Plz make highest price cycle best full suspension we can ride easily road and offroad and downhill full suspension mtb cycle video 🙏🙏

[@michalpawlak3344]

Where do you live?? How its possible that there is so many trails?

[@gmbn]

The riding scene in the UK is really strong

[@chrisl.6158]

As someone who needs prescription glasses and wearing em all the time: The glasses go between the helmet straps and your head!!! Just like Neil does in the video. Otherwise you can't really take off your helmet without taking off the glasses. ;-)

[@gtflyer]

Not only do you need the correct size, but the shape of your head needs to taken in to account. Manufactures of motorcycle helmets make helmets for different shape heads, I know Arai, Shoei, ect do that, si you are able to get the best fit possible. I realize we don't go as fast of bike, but if you ride DH, good fitment could play an important part.

[@gmbn]

Spot on, head shape will often dictate the comfort of a helmet, and it's super important to try before you buy.

[@robinburt5735]

My biggest problem with helmets is finding one that you can wear a ponytail with comfortably.

[@th_js]

Cut it 💇🏻

[@mikylejordaan344]

Have you tried getting a womans helmet

[@robinburt5735]

Every "woman's" helmet ive seen is just a re-coloured mens helmet with no extra features. It's just a case of looking around and finding one with a hole at the back in the right place hehe.

[@Skynet_11]

Specialized have ones just for women that really are different, they have a more pronounced cutaway for your hair.

[@robinburt5735]

Oh i shall check them out when i next need a new one. thanks

[@kemosabikeemanart]

Good Viddy up!

[@dariovermeulen3501]

People always laugh when i say i need a fullface helmet, i mostly ride around town because here in Belguim 🇧🇪 we dont have much trails. But i’m not a calm city rider and here people drive dangerous. What are your thoughts?

[@marcossaldana550]

Next video: how to tie your shoes

[@framagni]

With tons of close-ups to the brand logo and name

[@keiranwest1794]

Mate, I work in the cycle trade and you wouldn't believe how many people cant put a helmet on properly. I've even seen people wearing helmets backwards.

[@marcossaldana550]

Keiran West yea ik, just poking fun

[@th_js]

Yeah, like Keiran said I see so many people wearing their helmets completely wrong and unsafe, so this video is good for the beginners.

[@Pienimusta]

You don't. You get ones with ratchet.

[@MaQuGo119]

That Scott thoe

[@Jchernega1]

Why would a bike helmet need a Recco sensor?

[@ivanpetrov7142]

Do someone recognise the bike in the background ?

[@odysseyjzx]

It's a Scott Genius

[@ivanpetrov7142]

thanks

[@cameronmacauley1632]

Wait there was a bike in the background???

[@th_js]

Scott Genius

[@lar2028]

This remember me a lot of the first video of Scotty xD

[@bikeshow4643]

love vid

[@LiveTorsionParadoxTo]

the inside of that lid is hyper mank!

[@hnry.777.]

Cool

[@muzzleray]

What's a good way to wash your helmet when it gets too smelly

[@gmbn]

Usually the pads are removable and can just go into the wash with the rest of your clothes.

[@cannedgorilla1062]

Hell yeah!!!!!!

[@mdtrx]

You really should do a poc giveaway with a video so full of it ;) Don't be a donut.

[@noelius4481]

mdtrx they already did. Waiting for the next one though. Haha like those Continentals they’re giving away again on their tech channel.

[@abdurrahmanmahi5998]

V E R Y helpful

[@flugrube7831]

Is there a helmet for Ponytails? I have long hair and without a Ponytail it will be everywhere.

[@tanakorn111]

So if you look like a pro will it make you ride like a pro ?

[@sonnyfung5135]

Fashion/Style of Helmets & Goggles

[@kolinstallman3788]

I wear a sign on my back that says beginner.

[@hobmarg]

Disappointing POC went with a clasp and not a D-ring system on their fullface. D-ring is much safer! No reason not to use it, riders can figure it out in 5 minutes.

[@feelthefreedom]

It would be great if you had a Russian localizer

[@AltitudeAerials]

“Jaunty”

[@gopromountainbike901]

The full face helmet is my favourite because more protraction

[@akmalvlog6587]

I N T E R E S T I N G

[@21335186z]

Aw man brain bleed, that sounds serious. How does that heal? Is surgery needed?

[@cdabcdefg12345]

Didn’t Scotty do this as his first video? I love gmbn, but u guys are really running out of content, it’s kind of inevitable for a channel like yours

[@orringejuice6511]

Saw a kid about a month ago who had his goggles stretched over his chinbar while pedalling 🤢

[@th_js]

🤮

[@Mythix2]

if you look like a roadie you arent riding hard enough

[@BKR_rally]

something is wrong with this camera, everything is like ,, too smooth".

[@bahakeskinsoy6027]

I don't even have a helmet

[@nickgiannopoulos8087]

when you have run out of ideas

[@TrailFeatures]

NGTbikes as others have said, this is really important for beginners. I've seen way too many people on the trails with their helmets flopping on their heads. It's super dangerous because they have a false sense of safety. A poorly fitting helmet is almost as bad as no helmet. 😬

[@johnrichards7847]

I'm surprised it's taken this long for it to come out tbh

[@nickgiannopoulos8087]

i know i just said it for fun...

[@moragcormack2693]

105th haha

[@joshjenner1]

Stopped taking any notice of this guy , after every trail bike he reviews gets compared to an enduro bike.

[@Bacciagalupe]

: )

[@marcaaronursos7742]

Can you guys give me a full suspension bike we can't afford a bike

[@odysseyjzx]

no

[@th_js]

Go away

[@th_js]

And no.

[@j.f.4765]

Why dont u save up and work hard like what everyone does in the mtb industry

[@OxideRail]

Watches 0.1% of the video, oh so you put it on your head and make sure it fits? Okay thanks for the tip

[@gmbn]

That's a lot of the idea behind it, but there's far more to it than that. Like 99.9% more 😉

[@kristiankyllingmark4552]

helmet what is that? i dont use it for mtb/dh jk