Choosing the Right Helmet: Difference between revisions

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Snell doesn't test flip-face helmets, so you can't buy a Snell certified flip-up helmet. Don't let this necessarily stop you.

Another standard is the [http://www.bsi-global.com/~~News~~/~~Releases~~/~~2002/November/n3f0306c56c344.xalter~~ BSI standard], which is an international standard. The DOT and Snell standards only apply to US-market helmets.

Another standard is the [http://www.bsi-global.com/en/ProductServices/ BSI standard], which is an international standard. The DOT and Snell standards only apply to US-market helmets.

An important thing to keep in mind regarding certification of helmets is that both DOT and Snell tests are minimum standards. Any helmet which passes either test is guaranteed to be at least as protective as the standard, but some helmets can surpass the standards by quite a bit. For this reason, it is not accurate to say that "any Snell approved helmet will protect as well as any other Snell certified helmet." Unfortunately, verifiable proof of surpassing the standards is hard to come by, so buying a helmet must rely to some extent on reputation and anecdotal evidence.

My personal belief is that wearing a DOT- and Snell-approved helmet is more likely to protect your head in a crash. I would not personally consider buying a full-face helmet that didn't have a Snell 2000 sticker.

~~You may be interested in this chart comparing the [http://helmetharbor.com/snell/snell.htm different helmet testing standards] (from helmetharbor.com).~~

====Types of Helmets====

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 Snell doesn't test flip-face helmets, so you can't buy a Snell certified flip-up helmet. Don't let this necessarily stop you.
-Another standard is the [http://www.bsi-global.com/News/Releases/2002/November/n3f0306c56c344.xalter BSI standard], which is an international standard. The DOT and Snell standards only apply to US-market helmets.
+Another standard is the [http://www.bsi-global.com/en/ProductServices/ BSI standard], which is an international standard. The DOT and Snell standards only apply to US-market helmets.
 An important thing to keep in mind regarding certification of helmets is that both DOT and Snell tests are minimum standards. Any helmet which passes either test is guaranteed to be at least as protective as the standard, but some helmets can surpass the standards by quite a bit. For this reason, it is not accurate to say that "any Snell approved helmet will protect as well as any other Snell certified helmet." Unfortunately, verifiable proof of surpassing the standards is hard to come by, so buying a helmet must rely to some extent on reputation and anecdotal evidence.
 My personal belief is that wearing a DOT- and Snell-approved helmet is more likely to protect your head in a crash. I would not personally consider buying a full-face helmet that didn't have a Snell 2000 sticker.
-You may be interested in this chart comparing the [http://helmetharbor.com/snell/snell.htm different helmet testing standards] (from helmetharbor.com).
 ====Types of Helmets====