how to choose a helmet

3. Checking Horizontal and vertical movement
One of the easiest ways to check the horizontal and vertical movementof your helmet is by using a mirror. Look for gaps. Make sure the back ofthe helmet makes contact with your neck where it rolls. Confirm that thecheek pads are snug to your cheeks, but not too tight. The helmet shouldnot roll down over your eyes. Bell advises that a properly fitted helmetwill cause the skin to move as the helmet moves and it will feel like thepressure is evenly distributed. Peltier adds that there should be at leastthree quarters of an inch of padding at the center of the top of the helmetbecause that's where most of the weight sits. Bell notes, "Helmetsare like shoes in that they break in a little. For this reason, the bestattitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight as youcan stand to wear it -- taking into consideration the length of time itwill be worn."