Should i buy a helmet on the big side or on the small side?

Question

I am looking to buy a Charles Owen Hampton or Wellington helmet. The size 6 5/8 is a little on the small side, so putting my hair in it would be a squeeze. The 6 3/4 is a little big, so i would pretty much always put my hair in it.

Which one would you get?

Answer 1

well i just got my helmet yesterday in the mail. and my mesuraments according to the chart, were a medium, and i just sent the helmet back today for a large, buy bigger, it helps!  

Answer 2

I would go with a slightly larger helmet any day!!!  I have one that is every so slightly small, and I wind up with a nasty headache by the end of every show.  Get one a bit big and use extra sweatliners to adjust it so that it will fit properly with your hair up or down.

Answer 3

i like riding with my hair up so i bought a helmet that fit properly with my hair up... whichever way you prefer to ride (hair up or down) is what you should base your decision on. if you are going to show a lot i would recommend putting your hair up

Answer 4

A little big.  It's better to put a helmet pad or something in to adjust the fit rather than squeeze your head into a small helmet.

Answer 5

After fitting helmets on 4-H kids for the past 5 years, I would say go slightly larger and use the little foam insterts that come with to help pad the helmet to fit properly, that way it fits and is comfortable.  

Also be sure to adjust your straps correctly as they greatly affect the fit and overall look of your helmet.

Answer 6

Here is another vote for a little larger.  I had a helmet that was just slightly tight and it gave me a headache every time I used it!!  I then got one that was slightly larger and I either put pads in it to make it fit better or put my hair up.

I was waaaayyy more comfortable!!!

Answer 7

Get the larger one and keep your hair up. As long as it doesn't wobble on your head, which can be unsafe. It's classier to keep your hair up anyway. A too small helmet can be very uncomfortable.

Answer 8

definitely buy the one thats slightly tight. I used to fit hats in a saddlery shop and we were trained to fit hats. Hats should be a bit tight first as the padding on the inside wears down. Do not buy 1 thats all ready a bit big. You will have to get a new one because that one will be way to big...

Trust me buy the smaller one!!!

Answer 9

The big one.  You can always put padding or your hair in it.  Better than having a headache and being uncomfortable every time you ride.

Answer 10

I'd get the one that is a little on the small side as long as you can wear it- try taking out the liner, it should fit you better. If you can't wear it comfortably, though then get the big one, it's no good wearing an uncomfortable helmet. See if you can find a thicker lining for in the bigger one and wear your hair up. Just make sure it isn't going to fall off or move around too much while you ride.

Answer 11

If it's only a little on the large side I would go for that one. A hat that is too small will give you nasty headaches.

Obviously if it slips around on your head it's far too big and you need to look elsewhere.