I enjoy four-wheel racing as a hobby, and since I drive a foreign car, I'm considering getting a BELL helmet.
However, I've heard that helmets from Europe and America tend to be too tight for Japanese heads. How accurate is this? Could you tell me about the sizing of BELL helmets?
Certainly, skull shapes vary by ethnicity, so some people find helmets from Western brands don't fit Japanese heads well, or feel tight even in the same size. From above, many Japanese heads are nearly perfectly round, while Western heads tend to be more oval-shaped. Helmets designed for Westerners can sometimes apply slight pressure just above the temples on Japanese wearers. Since BELL helmets are a Western brand, many people seem to assume they'll feel tight.
However, customers who actually visit HPT (Helmet Paint Tokyo) to try on and purchase helmets rarely report BELL helmets being particularly tight. On the contrary, we often hear comments like, “It's lighter than my previous helmet!” or “It feels great to wear!”
This is partly due to the inherently high quality of BELL helmet interiors and their lightweight construction. At HPT, our specialized staff for four-wheeled helmets measure your head and carefully select a helmet that fits properly. We can also achieve the best fit by adjusting the helmet, such as changing the interior cushioning.
If adjustments are needed, we will set up the interior to fit your head perfectly. (This is a paid option after purchase.) You can try it on multiple times to confirm the adjustments, allowing you to personally experience and be satisfied with the best fit and size.
Furthermore, BELL helmets offer very precise sizing increments: 54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61... Other helmet brands typically use two-step increments like S (55-56), M (57-58), L (59-60), XL (61-62), depending on the model. This means BELL helmets make it easier to find a helmet that fits you perfectly right out of the box, without needing cheek pad replacements or other modifications.
In Japan, there are still relatively few users familiar with the performance of the current new BELL helmets. Many people visit the HPT (Helmet Paint Tokyo) showroom, see the displayed BELL helmets, become curious, try them on, and are impressed by their excellent fit and lightness. Regarding the fit of these BELL helmets, it can be said that the high-end models and CARBON models, regardless of model number, all offer the same high quality.
The displayed size (in cm) certainly serves as a guideline when selecting a helmet. However, head shapes vary significantly from person to person. Relying solely on head circumference measurements cannot definitively determine if that size is optimal for your head.
A helmet is your lifeline for safety. Purchasing from online stores like Mercari or Yahoo Auctions, or buying based solely on images and price, could expose you to unnecessary risk. We strongly recommend visiting a [retail store where you can try helmets on], such as HPT (Helmet Paint Tokyo), which has a showroom, and selecting your helmet after thorough fitting.
