Helmets are the most important piece of protective gear for ATV riding to prevent a severe injury. ATV riding can be dangerous because of the uneven, often-rocky terrain where the machines are driven, and your skull is no match for boulders and the hard, heavy components that make up an ATV. When shopping for an ATV helmet, keep these ATV helmet buying tips in mind so the one you buy will protect your head and it’s comfortable, making you more likely to wear it.
Go for a motocross style ATV helmet The whole staff at ATV Magazine wears motocross helmets, the type of lid that has a visor and chin bar that protrudes in front of the mouth. We prefer them because they offer all of the necessary protection to the head, face and jaw while offering good ventilation to keep the wearer’s face and head cool.
Of course, a safety package for the head isn’t complete without a quality set of off-road ATV goggles that protects the eyes and face. Full-face helmets with a shield offer excellent protection, too, but they are hot in warm climates. Open-face helmets don’t provide any protection for the face and they might not stay on the head as well during a crash, making the wearer vulnerable to injury.
Make sure it fits well If an ATV helmet is comfortable and secure, it likely will provide adequate protection. When you try on an ATV helmet in a store, you should have to pull apart on the shell in order to slide it over your head. Roll the helmet forward on your head so that you can see the helmet’s edge above your eyebrows — the helmet shouldn’t sit up on top of your head with the chin bar protruding into your forward field of vision.
The helmet shouldn’t rattle or jiggle when you shake your head and your scalp should move with the helmet. If after wearing it a few minutes you can feel your heart’s pulse in your ears, the helmet is too tight. Be an educated buyer and try on many sizes and brands of helmets before so you get familiar with the different “feel” that ATV helmet manufacturers build into their product.
Other ATV helmet factors At the least, your ATV helmet should be DOT certified for protection, and, better yet, pick one that has Snell certification. Look at the back of the helmet for these labels. Ventilation has improved dramatically in recent years, especially on motocross helmets, to help evacuate hot air and moisture so the user stays more comfortable.
The lighter a helmet is, the more comfortable you’ll be because your neck and shoulders won’t fatigue as quickly or severely. You’ll pay more for light materials and construction, though. Snell certification also bumps up the price because the helmet manufacturer faces higher costs to obtain certification from the Snell Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization that sets and measures helmet safety standards.
