How to Fit your J3 Freestyle Helmet

Time invested in fitting a helmet pays big safety and comfort dividends!

Your objective: Snug, Level, Stable

You want the helmet to be comfortably touching the head all the way around, level and stable enough to resist even violent shakes or hard blows and stay in place. It should be as low on the head as possible to maximize side coverage, and held level on the head with the strap comfortably snug. You should also decide whether you want to wear the helmet with the peak at the front or the back.

Be Prepared for the Worst - Heads come in many sizes and shapes. You should be prepared for the possibility that the helmet you are trying to fit may not be compatible with this particular head. And you should expect to spend ten to fifteen minutes to get your helmet properly fitted.

1. Adjust the fit pads

Helmets come with extra foam fitting pads of different thicknesses to customize the fit. Their function is to make the helmet fit better. Place the fit pads in the back and front of the helmet between the liner and the shell, using the Velcro covered wedges. The liner should touch your head evenly all the way around, without making the fit too tight.

The pads may compress slightly over time, but not much, so do not count on that to loosen the fit. The helmet should sit level on the head, with the front just above the eyebrows, or if the user uses glasses, just above the frame of the glasses.

2. Adjust the straps

Now put the helmet on and fasten the buckle.

  • The Y of the side straps should meet just below your ear
  • The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when you open your mouth very wide you feel the helmet pull down a little bit.

With the helmet in position on your head, adjust the length of the rear (nape) straps, then the length of the front straps, to locate the Y fitting where the straps come together just under your ear. Then adjust the length of the chin strap so it is comfortably snug. If it cuts into the chin and is not comfortable, it is too tight.

When you think the straps are about right, shake your head around violently. Then put your palm under the front edge and push up and back. Can you move the helmet more than an inch or so from level, exposing your bare forehead? Then you need to tighten the strap in front of your ear, and perhaps loosen the rear nape strap behind your ear. Again, the two straps should meet just below your ear.

Now reach back and grab the back edge. Pull up. Can you move the helmet more than an inch? If so, tighten the nape strap.

For a final check, look in a mirror or look at the wearer whose helmet you are fitting. Move the helmet side to side and front to back, watching the skin around the eyebrows. It should move slightly with the helmet. If it does not, the fit pads are probably too thin in front or back. When you are done, your helmet should be level, feel solid on your head and be comfortable. It should not bump on your glasses (if it does, tighten the nape strap). You should forget you are wearing it, just like a seat belt or a good pair of shoes. If it still does not fit that way, keep working with the straps and pads, or try another helmet.

You're Done! We hope it worked for you.

Let us know how we can improve these instructions.

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Size Chart
Sizes given from smallest head size to largest head size.
Sizes given in liner size, Inches, MM, and CM
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9/16 liner ~ 21 7/8" or less ~ 556mm or less ~ 55.6cm or less

1/2 liner ~ 22" - 22 1/2" ~ 559mm - 572mm ~ 55.9cm - 57.2cm

7/16 liner ~ 22 5/8" - 23" ~ 575mm - 585mm ~ 57.5cm - 58.5cm

3/8 liner ~ 23 1/8" - 24 1/8" ~ 588mm - 613mm ~ 58.5cm - 61.3cm

 

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