Helmet fit, explained properly for once

Most riders buy a helmet by trying it on for thirty seconds in a shop. Here's what to actually check.

The two-finger test. With the helmet on and strapped, you should fit no more than two fingers between the strap and your chin. Looser than that, it'll shift in a crash.

Cheek pad pressure. Firm, even pressure on both cheeks with no gaps — pads that are too loose let the helmet rotate on impact.

The shake test. Strapped in, shake your head side to side and front to back. The helmet should move with your head, not slide independently.

Check the fit after six months. Cheek pads compress with use — a helmet that fit perfectly on day one can loosen enough to matter a year later.

Replace after any real impact, even if it looks fine. The foam liner doesn't recover.