ATV Helmet Buying Guide

Having the proper gear is essential to the ultimate ATV riding experience. Having the perfect gear not only helps with confidence while riding, but it also helps you stay safe! Nothing can spoil your time out on the trail faster than being ill-equipped for an emergency. Here are our tips on how to buy the proper ATV helmet for your off-road riding adventures.

A Warning

We’re going to help you narrow down your helmet options right away by telling you: Do not buy a half-helmet for ATV riding! Half-helmets are designed for motorcycle riding, but in many states, this style of helmet does not fit the legal requirements for off-road vehicle riding. Not only are these helmets not legal, but a half-helmet won’t do much to protect you from many of the obstacles you’ll find on the trail, including low-hanging branches or rocks.

Helmet Options

You’re going to be choosing between a ¾ helmet dual purpose helmet, and a full-face helmet. Both of these options have some pros and cons, but ultimately your comfort and the fit of the helmet is the most important factor in which helmet is right for you. 

• Full-face helmets will provide better protection in many cases, defending you from branches and debris. The flip side to riding in a full-face helmet is that they may limit your peripheral vision, which can be tiring.
• Dual-purpose helmets feature better ventilation, but since your eyes are left exposed, you’ll also need a set of goggles. When you’re trying on helmets, make sure you’re tightening down the straps and that your head maintains a good range of motion without a sloppy ‘wobble’ feeling in the helmet. A snug fit is the most important safety factor when fitting a helmet.

Maintenance

Now that you’ve got a helmet you need to understand how to keep it in good shape so it can protect you. The feature that makes an ATV helmet functional is the breakable inner construction that fractures to absorb the force of an impact. Once a helmet's internal structure has been broken, you need to have it replaced. This means that even a short drop onto concrete can be enough to nullify an otherwise good helmet, as the inner lining can become compromised.

Goggles

If a dual-purpose helmet is the right type for you, you’ll be looking for goggles. The most important factor for a set of goggles is to make sure they fit securely and comfortably. If you’ve found a set that works for you, then there is one more factor to consider: anti-fogging. If your goggles start to fog up on the trail due to sweat and moisture, you’ll be left effectively blind, so either invest in a set of sturdy anti-fog goggles or check out some aftermarket products to give your goggles a little extra resistance.

When shopping for ATV helmets and goggles, make sure you pick out something that fits you. It doesn’t matter how stylish the helmet is if it doesn’t protect you from a potential fall. Safety is key when selecting the perfect helmet to accompany your ATV rides.

When you’re ready to check out our wide stock of new and used ATVs for sale, visit our Kentucky dealership in Bowling Green to see what we have available. Big Country Powersports is proud to serve our customers in the cities of Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN.