Picking a Helmet for UTV Riding

If you’re heading out in a side by side, a Helmet is the most important piece of equipment you can have. It only takes one ride to know that things can get bumpy, and when you’re riding off road, you need to be ready for anything. Picking the right helmet can make the difference between a great riding experience, and an awful one, so here at Richmond Equipment we’ve put together this quick guide to help you identify an off roading helmet that will be right for you. Richmond Equipment is proud to serve the areas of Richmond, Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, and San Antonio, Texas.

Helmets

We’re going to narrow down your helmet options right away by telling you: Do not buy a half helmet for ORV riding! Half Helmets are designed for motorcycle riding, but in many states do not fit the legal requirements for off road vehicle riding. Not only are they not legal, but a half helmet will fail to protect you from many of the obstacles you’ll face on a trail, including low hanging branches, and the frame of your UTV itself (it only takes one big bump to crack your face on the ROPS).

That being said, 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 are the most important factor in what is right for you. A full face helmet will provide better protection in many cases, protecting you from encroaching branches and debris. The flip side to a full face helmet is that they may limit your peripheral vision, which can be tiring. A dual purpose helmet features better ventilation, but since your eyes are left exposed you’ll also need to invest in 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.

Once you’ve got a helmet you need to understand how to keep it in good shape so it can actually protect you. The feature that makes an ORV or motorcycle helmet effective is the breakable inner construction that will fracture to absorb the force of an impact. Once a helmet's internal construction has been compromised, you’ll need to have it replaced. This means that even a short drop onto concrete can be enough to spoil an otherwise good helmet, as the inner lining can become compromised.

Goggles

If you’ve discovered that a dual purpose helmet is the right gear for you, then you’ll be looking for goggles next. The most important factor for a set of goggles (like a helmet) 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.

We hope that after reading this guide you feel better equipped to pick out the proper helmet for your side by side adventures. At Richmond Equipment, we want you to have a safe and fun riding experience, whether you’re exploring or working. Come in and see us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions you have! Richmond Equipment proudly serves the areas of Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, and San Antonio from our location here in Richmond, Texas!