I have a 59cm long oval noggin and have always had to search to try to find something that worked well. I always go for comfort first and try before I buy. Right now I'm using a TLD A1, which is comfortable for me, but does have some mushroom effect. That doesn't trouble me much as I can't see myself while out riding, but I would prefer less mushroom if possible. It's been a while since I tried on other helmets, but IIRC, some Bontrager helmets fit me well as did the POC Tectal. I have found significant differences in fit between different models in a given brand, so sticking with a brand doesn't necessarily work.

 

I have a tall, long oval head and have tried many helmets. My current helmets are IXS Trail EVO and Giro Chronicle MIPS. Both are long ovals and are deep (tall). For me, it seems the "tall" part is the most difficult part to fit.

I have tried POC Tectal and Tectal Spin (too round), Leatt DBX 3.0 (slightly too shallow), Lazer Impala MIPS (way too shallow), IXS Trigger AM (way too shallow even though similar to IXS Trail), Fox Speedframe (too round), Kali Maya 2.0 (too shallow), TLD A1 (too round), and TLD A2 (too round).

 

The difference in how tall/shallow the IXS helmets are is quite interesting. Have you tried the 100% Altec by any chance?
Personally then the Giro source I tried was too shallow for me, maybe it has a different fit than the Chronicle, though Giro's sizing is rather annoying for my head size

 

I just purchased an XL/XXL (59-62) POC Tectal Race Spin and a L (57-61) Specialized Ambush w/ANGi to compare. I have 60.5CM oval head.

The Tectal sits very low on my head, even after adjusting the height slider. The front is a finger width above my eyebrows, but puts pressure low on my forehead. While I wore it for an hour and never got a headache, I'm not sure I can get use to the feel in front. Unfortunate as it was the best built helmet I ever tried.

The Ambush fits my oval head great. It doesn't have as much low coverage, but still seems to offer good protection. It also has slightly less of a mushroom appearance, though that may be because it is black (versus the white Tectal).

I'd recommend giving a Specialized Ambush w/ANGi (or the lesser finished Ambush Comp) a try.

 

Oh yeah I had totally forgotten about the Ambush, it looks quite nice tbh. Thanks for the input

 

Are there anybody here who have been able try out the Lazer Jackal Mips yet? It seems to be out of stock everywhere, maybe it’s because it has just been released. It looks interesting though. Especially in black and white.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Are there anybody here who have been able try out the Lazer Jackal yet? It seems to be out of stock everywhere, maybe it's because it has just been released. It looks interesting though. Especially in black and white.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I haven't tried the Jackal but it looks "deeper" fitting than the Impala, which fit way to shallow for me. The Jackal could be a winner.

 

^My current helmets are the IXS trail rs in ML which fits me very well and TLD A2 in MD/LG but that is not as good a fit as the IXS although it’s not bad. But I hate visor on the A2, I think it’s rubbish, it does not shield glasses from the rain at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

My head is 59cm and oval; when I rode motorcycles, I had to buy helmets shipped from Europe (non-DOT approved) because they were the only ones oval enough. I needed a new helmet recently after getting tired of my ill-fitting Bell.
I tried these:
POC Tectal
TLD A2 (this wasn't bad)
Fox Speedframe Pro
Bell Sixxer Mips
Mavic Deemax Pro
Spec Ambush (Angi) - this is what I stuck with and it fits pretty good. I like how low it sits on my head, too.

 

What motorcycle helmets worked for you?

 

The last ones I recall owning (it was years ago) were Uvex (Enduro) and Airoh (off-road).

 

I feel your pain.... we need a sub-topic on mtbr = "The 59cm Head"....

I finally paid for a POC Tectal Race Spin... about $50 more than I would like to spend on a helmet (at $220-235). The good news is that the M/L fits well on my 59.5cm noggin.

PRO: The helmet itself is very good quality, fits well, and works like a helmet should (no flopping around). The airflow is excellent and I like the extra occipital protection. Adjustable visor is just the right length and has metal (not plastic) fastensers. Liner is the 'spin' tech from POC... easy to remove (standard velcro tabs) and clean.

CON: The liner! Either I have the worst luck ever with helmet liners, or manufacturers are just making sub-optimal items for this non-durable part. I have now been through three different helmets in the last few years (Giro, Troy Lee Designs, POC) all the liners have failed at the seam in the first year (TLD is the worst). In the case of the TLD and POC, replacement liners were either no longer available (TLD) or out of stock (POC). I hand-wash the liners in warm water with dish soap and air dry... not abusive care by any stretch of the imagination.

My best advice: Know your helmet liner is a non-durable part and will likely fail in about a year or less. You can replace the first one on warranty (most brands helmet coverage), but after that you'll be paying about $25 for a replacement (IF they are even available). I just got the POC liner replaced on warranty.... and then bought TWO more.... I think that should give me about 4-6 years out of the POC (the ratchet fit system will eventually fail as well as they do on all helmets with this type = the plastic ratchets just wear out and are not replaceable).

Appreciate any tips if someone knows a good way to repair this:

 

I forgot, add to the list of slightly oval helmets... Limar. I have a cheap “urban” helmet called 720°, and it fits ok. I haven’t tried their mtb helmet. Since it wasn’t MIPS, I decided not to bother.

 

I have a narrow face but take almost the largest hat size (6 7/8"), I'm not sure if I qualify as oval but maybe. After 14 years using a Giro Phase I decided it was probably a good idea to buy a new helmet for my own safety.

I took a chance and ordered a Large (59-62) Smith Forefront 2. It fits perfectly. Certainly not cheap, but by all reviews a very good helmet as long as I don't do anything requiring a full-face. I did do the measuring with string beforehand, the size label on the Giro had long since faded away. I realise with shops closed for Covid-19 it is difficult right now to try & buy.

P.S. Get someone to take a photo of you in the helmet, they always look weirder/more mushroom when you are looking directly in a mirror.

 

I have narrow long oval 59-60cm head.

i highly recommend IXS Trigger FF. It’s the best fitting helmet ever and only 600g full face. But now my ixs evo is old and the trigger AM mushrooms on me despite the FF fitting like a glove. It’s ridiculous how much gap there is side to side.

I will try tectal, ambush, chronicle and forefront 2.0 based on recommendations here thanks!

 

Good to hear the Trigger FF fits well, unlike the Trigger AM.

 

Just tried the large Ambush and the fit is amazing but it sits like 0.5” too high so the back feels high and my ears are not centered in cutout. Looks like I’m hiding a PBJ sandwich under the helmet.

so I guess in addition to long narrow oval 60cm I’m also a tall head too.

 

Just tried the large Ambush and the fit is amazing but it sits like 0.5" too high so the back feels high and my ears are not centered in cutout. Looks like I'm hiding a PBJ sandwich under the helmet.

so I guess in addition to long narrow oval 60cm I'm also a tall head too.

Then you might try the POC Tectal Race Spin as my only complaint was it sat very low on me.

 

This thread interests me, so instead of starting a new one, I figured I would just bump the old thread. 60cm head here, and I need a deep helmet. I am tired of helmets that perch on top of my head and look like a mushroom.

I ordered an IXS Trail Evo to try out. Any other 2022 recommendations to look at?

edit: IXS Trail Evo is the jam. The recommendations were on point.

 

In the same boat of wanting a deeper helmet (though I'm a medium). I just cracked my Giro Chronicle, the fit of which I LOVED, and was pained that it's discontinued.

Have since ordered a Giro Montaro which sits way farther up on my head and is getting returned, and a Specialized Tactic 4, which is a little better but not like the Chronicle (The tactic 4 is also the highest rated by Virginia Tech's Helmet independent testing).

I have a Giro Source on the way but from the sounds of it, that might not be that deep either?

 

I tried the Montaro and returned it. The Giro Fixture is similar. Haven’t tried the Source.
I did try a TLD A2 in XL and hated it.

I got a white and blue IXS off Amazon for like 90 bucks. It’s branded as an e-bike version, but it’s the same as far as I can tell. Also got a neon orange one from Planet Cyclery for 80 bucks. Happy with them for the most part.

 

I recently decided to try a bunch of full face helmets (mostly light weight models because I’m not doing serious DH riding), and here’s what I found:

IXS Trigger M/L - too big
TLD Stage M/L - real small
TLD Stage XL/2XL - pretty good, could use more padding and felt kind of cheap
Bell Super Air R MIPS M - way too small
Bell Super Air R MIPS L - too big (round)
Specialized Gambit M - loose pads, not much padding
POC Otocon L - too round
Leatt Enduro 4.0 L - too big around face, hurt ears
Met Parachute MCR L - too loose
Fox Profame L - a bit loose, but tight on forehead
Smith Mainline L - close, but too big
Dainese Linea 01 - L/XL - too big and round (employee told me they run small)
7iDP Project 23 Carbon L - sits too high, too round
Giro Insurgent M/L - round, strap really uncomfortable
TLD D4 L - tight on forehead
TLD D3 L - great fit, kinda heavy
TLD D3 Carbon MIPS L - this is what I kept

The one I wanted to try but wasn’t available is the new Lazer Cage Kineticore. It says in the description that it’s made for oval heads. I actually paid for one, but they returned my money and removed it from the website because I guess it’s not ready for production.

The non-MIPS TLD D3 actually fit better than the carbon MIPS, but I kept the carbon version because it was a lot lighter and I figured the MIPS might be worth it (it was slightly tighter than the cheaper one, but I figure the pads will compress over time). It’s amazing how well it fit me… like it was made for me. And, how poorly the newer version (D4) fit; it’s unfortunate because I’d prefer to be using the latest model, but the D4 is completely different.

Anyway, hopefully that helps someone if they have a 59-60 oval head and are looking for a full face lid.

 

I recently decided to try a bunch of full face helmets (mostly light weight models because I’m not doing serious DH riding), and here’s what I found:

IXS Trigger M/L - too big
TLD Stage M/L - real small
TLD Stage XL/2XL - pretty good, could use more padding and felt kind of cheap
Bell Super Air R MIPS M - way too small
Bell Super Air R MIPS L - too big (round)
Specialized Gambit M - loose pads, not much padding
POC Otocon L - too round
Leatt Enduro 4.0 L - too big around face, hurt ears
Met Parachute MCR L - too loose
Fox Profame L - a bit loose, but tight on forehead
Smith Mainline L - close, but too big
Dainese Linea 01 - L/XL - too big and round (employee told me they run small)
7iDP Project 23 Carbon L - sits too high, too round
Giro Insurgent M/L - round, strap really uncomfortable
TLD D4 L - tight on forehead
TLD D3 L - great fit, kinda heavy
TLD D3 Carbon MIPS L - this is what I kept

The one I wanted to try but wasn’t available is the new Lazer Cage Kineticore. It says in the description that it’s made for oval heads. I actually paid for one, but they returned my money and removed it from the website because I guess it’s not ready for production.

The non-MIPS TLD D3 actually fit better than the carbon MIPS, but I kept the carbon version because it was a lot lighter and I figured the MIPS might be worth it (it was slightly tighter than the cheaper one, but I figure the pads will compress over time). It’s amazing how well it fit me… like it was made for me. And, how poorly the newer version (D4) fit; it’s unfortunate because I’d prefer to be using the latest model, but the D4 is completely different.

Anyway, hopefully that helps someone if they have a 59-60 oval head and are looking for a full face lid.

Thanks Ron, you certainly have tried a bunch of helmets. I’ve only tried 2 of those on your list but your conclusion on those were same as mine. I was going to try the TLD stage next but
Will check out the TLD D3 first.

 

Ah...this is the thread for me! My head is quite narrow but is 60cm circumference. And the back of my head sticks out pretty far which means that the dial retention mechanisms don't often notch down far enough to "cup" the back of my head and feel like the helmet is being held on properly.

My current open-face helmet is the Bontrager Blaze MTB helmet, size large. Overall the fit is pretty darn good. Just looks kinda big on my head but I've gotten used to that aspect.

I went through these brands trying to find a modular full face helmet that didn't press on my forehead and also sat low enough on my head:

Bell Super DH and 3R - too wide when reaching the right length
Leatt - Enduro 4.0 had a nice long-narrow shape but there were some odd pressure points in the back of my head, and the rear dial didn't adjust down far enough. A shame because I really liked it otherwise.
Leatt - Enduro 3.0 was a similar situation and it also didn't sit quite low enough on my head.
MET Parachute MCR MIPS - Super wide at the right length.

I would like to have tried the Sweet Protection Arbitrator. Anyone try that? Arbitrator Mips Helmet

Due to the advice on this thread I did wind up ordering an iXS Trigger FF MIPS. The fit is quite good. Maybe a tad wide but the helmet doesn't rock around. Granted it's not modular but it's super duper light! The cheekpads it comes with are not thick enough for my liking but the US distributor was able to send me some extras that I could attempt to sew/stack together. Might work out. It's ratchet mechanism also drops down super low which is great for me.

 

The Trigger and the Trail fit differently.
Try the IXS Trail Evo.

edit: I missed the FF part. Yeah, I have one too, and I actually find the cheekpads to be too fat for my liking...

 

I received my Sweet Protection Arbitrator in M/L which is their largest size. Note it's a DH certified helmet with the lower half installed.

I'd say it's a very good narrow/long option. It says 59cm is the largest head it will fit and I tend to agree. It's just about too short for me (at 60cm). I think it will bed in though. The width is nice. Not too wobbly on my head. Maybe a smidge better than my iXS Trigger FF actually. The rear retention mech comes down far enough, not as far as the iXS but plenty low and lower than Leatt, etc.

And interestingly, even though it's DH rated compared to the trigger, it's quite a bit "smaller" in appearance. Looks a lot less goofy on me! The trigger (and many others) look pretty big on me. I reckon it's because they use carbon fiber for the lower half of the helmet.

The biggest issue aside from the slightly snug front/back fit is that the venting and weight are nothing like the iXS Trigger FF which has tons of vents and weighs next to nothing. Sure with the bottom half removed it's feeling like a generic half-shell in terms of weight. But again I figure that the DH certification means it's having to eliminate some of the vents a non-DH helmet would get. And perhaps the latching system and extra chin buckle setup add more weight too.

The white/black version is also on super discount right now: Arbitrator Mips Helmet

Ok...I skirted the whole modular mechanism aspect. Yeah it's super fiddly. It's sturdy I'm sure. But having to tuck the upper shell straps into these little pockets after you install the lower half, and then switch to using the lower half's chin straps is just not streamlined. And the lower half isn't a c-shape. It's a complete 360-degree piece. So you can't remove it when you have the helmet on. You have to take off the whole helmet. I guess realistically a lot of the modulars are fiddly so you wind up taking the helmet off anyway. But geez, this company really made a complex system.

I think it would be great if they did an enduro version that wasn't DH certified but added more vents and reduced the weight and also did away with the dual chin-strap system. If only because then I'd have a modular ff that fit my weird head.

 

The biggest issue aside from the slightly snug front/back fit is that the venting and weight are nothing like the iXS Trigger FF which has tons of vents and weighs next to nothing.

Reading your review just makes me want to buy a second trigger FF to have as spare. man it fits my fish head good.

 

You guys with the IXS Trigger FF MIPS wear the M/L size, correct? Some, like @JustRon, said that it's too big.

 

Yep m/l for me. I have a 60cm head.

 

Well, I tried the Trigger AM MIPS. It's fits very similarly to the Trail RS IMO. It's maybe slightly less oval, but the differences in comfort/fit between my Trail (non-MIPS) and the Trigger AM MIPS is very small. The Trigger has a visor that is adjustable, fits goggles MUCH better than the Trail, and has a Fidlock buckle.

I'm digging on both of them. The Trail is maybe slightly lighter overall, but it's really close.

 

My oval alien head likes the fit of Giros so far. MTB and ski. I tried a Smith Vantage ski helmet on this weekend, it looks like space helmet on me, slimming on almost everyone else.
I am going to try a TLD Freeflow SE or A3 and see how it goes. My Giro Chronicle needs to replaced this year.

 

Weird oval gang what are you using in 2023 for a trail helmet? My chronicle is just barely hanging on and needs replacement soon.

 

I ended up with a TLD Flowline SE. It's like an A3 but cheaper. It's been great so far. Colors on the Flowlines are a tad less moto inspired if that is a concern of yours.

 

Has anyone here tried the Spesh Tactic 4- the list a "classic" vs round shape and wondering if the Classic fits the oval shape head better than the round...I assume so