HOW TO PROPERLY FIT AN ARAI HELMET
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
SIZE
This is not a “helmet”
it’s an “Energy Management System”, a device whose main job
is to manage the energy of an impact.
In order to do its job effectively it must fit a certain way. Please read the following to help determine
that proper fit:
THE VISUAL
EXAMINATION: 
Begin with a visual examination of your head shape. Head shape is as important to a proper fit as
head size. Is your head round or
long?
Does your eyebrow area protrude from your forehead, or is it
level with your forehead?
Does your forehead protrude, is it flat, or does it slope back
from the brow?
Is the back of your head “pointed” or flat? Do you have a lot of hair, a little, or none?
Are your cheeks full, even with your facial structure, or
sunken?
THE MEASUREMENT:
Measuring your head is the starting point for the sizing
procedure. (Due to varying shapes, heads
that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily
fit the same size helmet.)
Try to find the
longest distance around your head, at eyebrow level above your ears. It may require several different attempts to
establish the longest possible measurement, but it is absolutely
essential to getting the right fit.
NOTE: Be sure to use an
accurate measuring device that shows inches (in) and centimeters (cm). They are obtainable at any fabric store.
|
ARAI SIZING CHART |
|||
|
XXX-SMALL |
49-50 cm |
LARGE |
59-60 cm |
|
XX-SMALL |
51-52 cm |
X-LARGE |
61-62 cm |
|
X-SMALL |
53-54 cm |
XX-LARGE |
63-64 cm |
|
SMALL |
55-56 cm |
XXX-LARGE |
65-66 cm |
|
MEDIUM |
57-58 cm |
|
|
THE ROLE OF HEAD SHAPE
IN FITTING AN ARAI® HELMET
As said above, the
shape of the head – the relationship between length and width – are as
important as head size in properly fitting a helmet. Arai® now offers three interior fit shapes
for full-face helmets, based on the following:
LONG OVAL:
The traditional Arai®
fit — in which the head length is distinctly narrow side-to-side, combined with
a longer front to back measurement.
Arai’s® Long Oval shell shape is currently available in the Signet and
Profile.
ROUND OVAL:
The transitional fit —
in which the head is distinctly rounder, length and
width being almost even. Arai’s® Round
Oval shell shape is currently available in the Quantum series.
(The RX-7 series has a “relaxed” Round Oval shell shape, which is not
quite as pronounced as the Quantum’s.)
INTERMEDIATE OVAL:
The bridge fit — a
round shape, but with considerably more forehead length in it. This shape “bridges” the gap between the two
previous shapes. Arai’s® Intermediate
Oval shell shape is currently available in the Astral series.
NOTE: Arai’s® Motocross and
offroad helmets as well as our three-quarter open-face helmet lines do not
share the multiple-fit packages. These are built on a single-fit package that runs in the middle of
the shape range.
EVALUATING THE FIT
If,
after receiving your helmet and test-fitting it in
your home (never having removed the tags, shield film or actually using it for
a test ride) you can return it, within 3 business days after receipt, for an
exchange to another Arai size and/or model.
(See below for details.)
TRYING ON THE HELMET:
First, grab the helmet
by the chinstraps, with the front of the helmet facing you and the top of the
helmet facing down. Place your thumbs on
the inside surface of the straps and balance the helmet with your index
fingers. Then, spreading the helmet
apart by the straps, slip the helmet down over your head. This may take a bit of practice.
1
If the helmet slides
down on your head with little or no resistance, you have your first indication
that it may be too large. Obviously, if
it will not slide down over the head at all it is too small. Many people unfamiliar with proper helmet fit
are reluctant to pull down if they meet resistance as the helmet goes on. Only if the helmet is impossible to put on
should you move up to the next size larger, since helmets that go on snug
generally fit very well once they are all the way on. The eyes should be approximately in the
center of the eye port with the top edge of the liner padding just above the
eyebrows.
CHECKING HORIZONTAL
AND VERTICAL MOVEMENT:
While wearing the helmet, look carefully at the way it
fits. Check to see if the cheek pads are
in contact with your cheeks. Is there
excess pressure on the cheeks? In most Arai® models the cheek pads/ear cups can be removed to
verify the fit around the crown of the head, if necessary, and replaced with
thicker or thinner units to fit the face better. If there is a problem in the fit around the
facial areas, you should consider completely removing the cheek pads, and then
fit alternate cheek pad thickness until the proper comfort level is achieved. You may
choose, in the case a particularly broad facial structure, to remove the cheek
pad set completely to get your head into the interior of the helmet to prove
that the circumference is correct. Then,
address facial fit by adjusting the thickness of the cheek pads.
Look for gaps between
the temples and the crown padding. Check
the back of the helmet where the neck roll makes contact with your neck. Does it touch at all? Or is it pushing the helmet away at the rear,
causing it to roll down over your eyes in front? After you have made your visual check, grab
the helmet in your hands, one hand on either side, and try to rotate the helmet
from side to side. Note any movement of
the skin while doing this, as well as the amount of resistance to movement
while you hold your head steady. The
helmet padding should not slide easily over the skin, but should pull the skin
in the direction of rotation. Next,
check movement up and down, again noting skin movement and resistance. If there was little or no skin movement in
either the vertical or horizontal tests, and/or the helmet moved very easily,
the helmet is too large. A properly-fitted helmet will cause the skin to move as the
helmet moves – and you will feel as if evenly-distributed pressure is being
exerted around the head.
NOTE: Helmets are a little like boots, in that they will break-in a
bit. For this reason, the best attitude to
have when fitting is that the helmet should be as snug as possible, without
being painful.
RETENTION CHECK:
WARNING: This test may be a little uncomfortable, and you will
need a friend to help you, but it is very important!
Tightly fasten the chinstrap
so you can check it. After the strap has been tightly fastened, ask your friend to hold your head
steady. Then, reach over the top of the
helmet and grab the back of your helmet’s bottom edge with one or both
hands. Then try to roll the helmet
forward off your head. If it comes off,
or comes close to coming off, it is too large or it is not the proper fit.
PRESSURE POINT CHECK:
Unfasten the chinstrap
and remove the helmet. Immediately after
the helmet has been removed, observe coloration of the
skin at the forehead and cheeks. A
reddening of the skin in a small area may indicate a pressure point. Pressure points sometimes are not noticed for
several minutes, or even hours later.
They sometimes cause headaches, and are at the least, uncomfortable. If you notice a pressure point or discomfort
there while wearing the helmet, it’s too small or is the wrong interior
shape. Before going to a larger size,
try one or more of the other Arai interior shapes in the same size to see if
the pressure points are relieved.
STANDARD AND REPLACEMENT LINING AND PADS FOR ARAI HELMETS
If there is a problem
in the fit around the facial areas, you should consider completely removing the
cheek pads, and then fit alternate cheek pad thickness until the proper comfort
level is achieved.
|
Helmet |
Lining |
12mm |
10mm |
7mm |
5mm |
|
Size |
Code |
Thickness |
Thickness |
Thickness |
Thickness |
|
XXX-Small* |
I |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
Opt. |
|
XX-Small* |
I |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
|
X-Small |
II
(Sm) |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
Opt. |
|
Small |
II
(Sm) |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
|
Medium |
III
(Md) |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
Opt. |
|
Large |
III
(Md) |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
|
X-Large |
IV
(Lg) |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
|
XX-Large |
IV
(Lg) |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
|
XXX-Large* |
V |
Opt. |
Opt. |
Std. |
Opt. |
|
Removable/replaceable
comfort liners, along with cheek pads, that allow you to customize the fit of
Arai helmets. *Not available for all
models of helmets. |
|||||
|
INTERIOR CHEEK PAD THICKNESS* |
|||||||
|
Helmet |
Cheek Pads |
||||||
|
|
RX-7 |
Quantum |
Astral |
Signet |
|
MXC- |
|
|
Size |
Series |
Series |
Series |
Series |
VX-Pro |
Pro |
XD |
|
Optional |
40mm |
40mm |
-- |
-- |
-- |
40mm |
-- |
|
Optional |
40mm |
40mm |
-- |
35mm |
35mm |
-- |
35mm |
|
3XS |
-- |
35mm |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
2XS |
-- |
30mm |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
XS Std |
35mm |
35mm |
35mm |
30mm |
30mm |
35mm |
30mm |
|
Sm Std |
30mm |
30mm |
30mm |
25mm |
25mm |
35mm |
25mm |
|
Md Std |
30mm |
30mm |
30mm |
25mm |
25mm |
35mm |
25mm |
|
Lg Std |
25mm |
25mm |
25mm |
20mm |
20mm |
30mm |
20mm |
|
XL Std |
25mm |
25mm |
25mm |
20mm |
20mm |
30mm |
20mm |
|
2XL Std |
20mm |
20mm |
20mm |
15mm |
15mm |
25mm |
15mm |
|
3XL Std |
-- |
-- |
-- |
15mm |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Optional |
15mm |
15mm |
15mm |
12mm |
12mm |
20mm |
12mm |
|
Optional |
12m |
12mm |
12mm |
-- |
-- |
15mm |
-- |
|
Shell |
I/O |
R/O |
I/O |
L/O |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
*Current size
application. However, note that
changes and updates can affect the standard pad-thickness supplies with your
helmet. |
|||||||
|
INTERIOR EAR CUP
THICKNESS* |
|||
|
Helmet |
Ear Cup |
||
|
Size |
Classic/m |
SZ/m |
SZ/Ram III |
|
Optional |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Optional |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
3XS |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
2XS |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
XS Std |
30mm |
35mm |
35mm |
|
Sm Std |
25mm |
30mm |
30mm |
|
Md Std |
25mm |
30mm |
30mm |
|
Lg Std |
20mm |
25mm |
25mm |
|
XL Std |
20mm |
25mm |
25mm |
|
2XL Std |
15mm |
20mm |
20mm |
|
3XL Std |
15mm |
20mm |
-- |
|
Optional |
-- |
15mm |
15mm |
|
Optional |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Shell |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
*Current size
application. However, note that
changes and updates can affect the standard pad-thickness supplies with your
helmet. |
|||
ARAI
RETURN POLICY
Your purchase of an Arai
helmet comes with a one-time, *NO-HASSLE, NO-FEE HELMET RETURN (return freight
pre-paid) exchange option
If, after receiving your
helmet and test-fitting it in your home (never having
removed the tags, shield film or actually using it for a test ride) you can
return it to BikeBandit.com, within 3 business days after receipt, for an
exchange to another Arai size and/or model.
The helmet must be in absolutely brand new condition, returned in the original box
with all the original paperwork and packing.
The cost
difference, should there be any depending on model and/or design change, will
either be refunded (in the case of a less expensive replacement) or charged (in
the case of a more expensive replacement) to your credit card. You must arrange for the authorized return.
Any
returns for another brand, or for a refund are not covered
under this policy and will be charged for according to BikeBandit.com policies.