Touring means spending most of your riding time, if not all, saddling your motorcycle under whatever weather condition. It also means having your head inside your helmet for painstakingly long hours. There are two things that you should prioritize when embarking on motorcycle touring rides – comfort and safety. Aching muscles and joints are inevitable, however, there’s one thing you can do to at least alleviate your body’s overall discomfort – wear a comfortable and safe helmet.
You’re probably raising your eyebrows now thinking that there’s no way to find a good motorcycle helmet that’s comfortable to wear for hours. Well, according to pickmyhelmet.com, there’s a way, believe it or not. So, let’s jump right into the things you should keep in mind when choosing the right one for touring:
Type
There are two common categories for motorcycle helmets. It’s highly recommended for you to buy the one that offers the most protection. First off, there’s the half-face type, which offers the least protection since your face and jawline are left uncovered. Many riders opt for this type since it has great aesthetic value. And if you’re an experienced rider, you can include this in your options. You can read more on the different helmet types at protectivegearz.com.
The second and most recommended type is the full-face. As its name suggests, it covers your whole face, giving you the highest protection in case of a crash. For most helmets of this type, they come with a robust face shield. They normally weigh heavier than the half-face type, but they come with better padding, which makes them more comfortable to wear on touring rides.
Fit
Needless to say, wearing a helmet that fits your head perfectly is important. It’s not just for the sake of your comfort but also for your safety, especially if you’ll be on the road for a while. Look for one that feels somewhat tight but does not add too much pressure to your head. To do this, you’d want to refer to a sizing chart. Know your face size and shape so it’ll be easier to narrow your list down to certain models.
Once you have a shortlist of potential helmets, test each of them. It should not wobble even when you move your head sideways. It should also not be easily pulled off even when you roll your head forward. Also, try to wear it for a certain period to see if it makes you feel sore or leave any red marks. It may sound like too much of a bother on your end, but your efforts and time will pay off on your touring trips.
Safety standards
I believe it’s high time to debunk the myth of buying the most expensive helmet. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the most expensive things are not of high quality.
However, when it comes to a motorcycle helmet, there are more important things you should consider than its price tag. A high price does not imply that it is safe, nor does an inexpensive one connotes that it is unsafe. The most important thing that you should be concerned about is its safety certification. In the United States, there are two top safety certifications for helmets: DOT and Snell.
So, before finalizing your purchase, make sure that your helmet is labeled with either one of those two certifications. Lastly, make sure your touring helmet has good crash test ratings. These test ratings are done to determine its performance in a mock collision scenario. They are either conducted by a government agency or by a non-profit organization. Things like how strong the straps are, how it absorbs shock, and how it stands against colliding with an object are measured in those tests.
To learn even more about different types of helmets, visit ThrottleBuff.com.
Lana 
Kim Marks 
Randall Hobgood