Helmet buying guide for India

I have mentioned this many times before in my other posts, and I will repeat it again: A helmet is undoubtedly the most important two-wheeler safety device. Riding without a helmet is undertaking a lot of risks as unlike cars two-wheelers do not have any protective covering or crash tests.

However, just buying any helmet is not enough. Buying the right helmet is just as important. Helmets need to be carefully chosen to get the optimum safety benefit.

Here is a helmet-buying guide on choosing the best helmet for us:

Helmet type

The first step is choosing the helmet type. There are primarily four helmet types:

• Half Helmets: The most unsafe of all helmet types as they only cover the top of the head and provide minimal protection in most crashes.
• Open-face or three-quarter shell helmets: The most popular helmet type and is also the helmet type provided by most manufacturers along with new two-wheelers. Open-face helmets provide more ventilation than full-face or modular helmets. However, that comes with a cost as open-face helmets provide no face protection, and motorcycle injury research shows that around 40% of motorcyclist head injuries are in the chin and face area.

• Modular helmets: These helmets have a non-fixed chin protection area that can be beneficial for some people e.g. people who wear spectacles. Modular helmets are safer than open-face helmets. However, the movable chin area hinge may not be strong enough to handle all crash forces.
• Full-face helmets: The safest and most recommended helmet type. Full-face helmets provide all-around protection and will do well in all crashes. Yes, the ventilation is an issue. However, I will prefer safety over ventilation any day. Also, a well-designed full-face helmet does provide adequate ventilation.

In terms of safety and preference, I would rank the helmet types as:

Full-face > modular > open-face> half helmet.

Helmet Certifications/Standards

Always choose certified helmets. However, not all standards are equal.

Just like any other safety product, helmets are certified by government bodies or third-party agencies before they are sold in the market. The certification involves subjecting the helmet to various tests such as multi-point impacts, drop tests, etc.

Each certification has its pros and cons. The following are the helmet certifications currently available in the market with their pros and cons.

1. ISI Mark: ISI (Indian Standards Institution) is a mandatory certification for all helmets sold in India. The standard is defined by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is loosely based on European standards. However, there is a ‘catch’: Not all helmets sold in the market are tested by ISI. The test works on an ‘honor’ basis i.e. BIS provides the standard details to helmet manufacturers who self-test and self-certify the helmets in their own labs. The BIS is supposed to test these helmets by a PIL filed in 2018 revealed that only 5 helmets were tested per year by BIS.
2. US DOT certification: The US DOT certification is given by the United States Department of Transport. US DOT tests are one of the most stringent tests in the world. But, again, the certification works on an ‘honor’ basis. Helmet manufacturers self-certify the helmets and the US govt only tests random samples. Not all helmets are tested. That is why DOT helmets are banned in countries like Malaysia.
3. ECE (EU): The European Union’s ECE helmet certification is perhaps the most advanced helmet certification standard in the world. Helmets are put through all-around tests that cover multiple crash scenarios. Another plus point is that the ECE certification is not ‘honor-based like the ISI or US DOT. Multiple helmets are tested in batches which gives a larger coverage than other certifications.

There are other certifications such as SNELL or SHARP which are also quite stringent. However, helmets with these certifications are not that common in India and are also quite expensive.

My recommendation would be to choose a helmet with ECE certification. Yes, the helmet may be slightly expensive. But, you will be assured that the helmet sold to you is tested by an independent government body and not by the manufacturer. If possible, buy a helmet with the ECE 22.06 standards as they involve advanced tests.

Helmet fit

The most important step is to buy a helmet with the right fit. Even the safest and most expensive helmet won’t be of much value if it doesn’t fit correctly.

Here are a few tips to ensure you choose a helmet with the right fit:

1. Helmets come in a few different shapes and sizes. It is normally suggested to know your head shape and to measure the size using tape. However, I do not recommend doing that. Just like any other piece of clothing, sizes differ by manufacturer.
2. Always go to a store to buy a helmet. Helmets need to be worn to know the best fit. Sometimes you may even have to try on multiple helmets to get the best fit for you.
3. A perfectly fit helmet should feel slightly tight around the head and cheeks. The tightness is usually more around the cheeks. Also, ensure that the helmet’s weight is distributed equally around the head and not concentrated on a single area. A large helmet will feel harder on the top of the head as that area will take up most of the load.
4. A perfectly fit helmet would also be slightly uncomfortable to take on and off in the beginning. But, you will eventually get used to it.
5. After finding the right helmet size, keep the helmet worn for at least 15-20 minutes. This will give you an idea of the long-term comfort level of the helmet. Remember, tightness is Ok, but pain is not.
6. A well-fit helmet does not wiggle or move around freely if you move your head up and down or to the sides.
7. Pick a helmet that weighs between 1-1.5kg. Don’t worry about the weight as a well-designed helmet will have good weight distribution and will barely feel heavy.
8. Choose a helmet with a lot of padding as the padding provides cushioning to the head.
9. Good helmets use a tight, but easy to open, chin strap (also called a ‘quick release’). A hard-to-open chin strap can be the difference between life and death in emergencies. There have been cases where quick treatment could not be given as emergency medical service could take off the helmet.

Also, remember that an unstrapped helmet is as useless as an unworn helmet. This is because an unstrapped helmet will fly off even in a minor collision. Check out this video to see what happens to unstrapped helmets in crashes.

Replacing a helmet

Just like any other safety device, helmets also need replacement. You should replace your helmet when.

1. Once the helmet is involved in a crash. No matter how minor or low speed the impact is. The helmet has done its job. Time to get a new one.
2. The helmet is over 5 years old even if there is no crash involvement.

A good helmet is the best two-wheeler insurance.

I believe this helmet buying guide will help you choose the best helmet for you. A rightly chosen helmet will act as insurance and will protect your head in most crashes. However, remember that the best insurance is one that is never or rarely used.

Prevention is the best cure. Always ride safely and defensively and make sure that you are not involved in any crash. Check out my guide on two-wheeler safety tips for India.