MX style helmet questions

[ckspeed]

For those of you using a MX style helmet; do you use a chin curtain, balaclava, pantyhose , or anything to keep your chin/neck warm?

Any ideas on what goggles would work best in a HJC CL-X5N ? I'm leaning towards the Smith Snow Warp right now.

Quick straps or regular?

What's the preferred most general-use lens color? I see most come with yellow, but other lenses can be found.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Tedd]

Wear a balaclava, you will be way too cold without one. As far as goggles, wear a set of Oakley goggles with quick straps. Been using this set up for years now with no problems.

Lens color is really a personal choice thing. I wear a blue lens for normal everyday riding and a clear lens for night.

 

[snopropanther]

have the same helmet. i use a balacava, and wear scott otg goggles. fits good. use blue lens for the day and currently looking for clear ones for at night. the only time i use a fullface helmet now is if it gets below -25C

 

[catfreak]

I switched from a standered balaclava to a Klim this year and man I never knew you could be so warm.

 

[Timber700RMK]

I switched from a standered balaclava to a Klim this year and man I never knew you could be so warm.

Same here. With the Klim balaclava, I feel no wind or any cold. I wear 509 goggles with quick straps. Love them!

 

[1000Proof]

I have the same helmet and use Smith Optics Goggles with yellow lens. I switched to a UnderArmor balaclava this year and LOVE it!

On the cold mornings I use the velcro in breath deflector to keep my face a bit warmer. After we get Off the trail though I rip it out and stuff it in a pocket.

 

[Kong]

I use/carry a light balaclava and a fleece one.

Scott 89xii goggle new AmpRose. Reviewed Sled Heads last year. Best goggle I've ever had. Has a nose piece that really works to keep your nose tip from freezing AND it acts like a breath deflector but doesn't make you feel suffocated.

Wife just got these goggles alos. I don't use any other colors now.

 

[Ex-Member]

HJC AC-X3, balaclava, 509's

there's a little spot between what my helmet covers and where my jacket zips up to that gets really cold w/out something covering it.

 

[tomx]

I use a Troy Lee, Neck Dickie above 25 degrees, Bacalava below 25. 509's with quick strap, back up Oakleys A frames if it gets soggy. No complaints. I'm pretty warm blooded though, I rarely actually get cold.

 

[modsledr]

As you see from the responses, goggles are a personal choice...find the ones that fit you.

One word of advice...use the quick straps, but carry an extra standard goggle strap in your pack. When riding in extreme cold, the glue can freeze and comes off the helmet. If you have a strap as backup, your day is not ruined.

my 2 c.
modsledr

 

[ckspeed]

Wow, lots of great options here. Some items I've never considered or seen either. The Klim 'clava looks pretty nice.

Please, keep em comin' !

 

[STROKEDIESEL]

i ride with a balacava(sp) on for the road rides in. but once i get to play areas that comes off so i can breathe better and not sweat.


have a pair of spy goggles. with clear, tinted and yellow lenses for all weather types. they work great

have two HJC helmets and the spy's fit them both nicely.


QUICK STRAPS are a must. have 2 rides with them and i will never put my spy strap back on them. so convenient dont know why i waited so long to get them

 

[Dogmeat]

For those of you using a MX style helmet; do you use a chin curtain, balaclava, pantyhose , or anything to keep your chin/neck warm?

Any ideas on what goggles would work best in a HJC CL-X5N ? I'm leaning towards the Smith Snow Warp right now.

Quick straps or regular?

What's the preferred most general-use lens color? I see most come with yellow, but other lenses can be found.

Thanks for the input.

I don't have a full balaclava yet, but I'm gonna get one soon. I have an HJC and a Klim F4 ... the HJC isn't the expensive one, I dont even know what model it is honestly, but ... I do wear a face mask with both of them. Keeps my chin and neck covered.

The one thing I've noticed about using the open-face helmets as opposed to a closed face helmet is that while riding, then fog up less, are lighter, but are noisier (oh well) ....

The one thing that's nicer about the full-on closed face helmets is that the ride back to the truck after a full day of hard riding is a _LOT_ warmer than with the open face helmets are. heh

overall I like the MX-style better because when you're actually riding it's just a lot better, but the rides back do get awfully cold sometimes....so it's like brave the cold ****ty ride back for an hour after 8 hours of having fun riding, I can handle that

 

[Gold5th]

I run a full face helmet normally.. wouldn't be so bad if I didn't wear glasses.

I tried my wife's MX style and her goggles on my last ride, just to test, I only wore a neck dickie, pulled up to my chin and held in place with the helmet strap... kinda limits movement.

I can't find my good balaclava from last year, it had an opening for breath to go through it rather than up towards my glasses.

The wife's googles have an amber lense... definatly takes getting used to, but headlights from other vehicles were easier on the eyes(twas at night)

the wife normally wears a full balaclava, googles and contacts.

Both of our helmets have the breath guards in place.. I'm tempted to take the visor off my full face, get some prescription googles with a built in breath gaurd.. the wife's goggles fit fine snugged up without the visor on...

 

[TheClown]

the Klim balaclava is good for when it is cold cold. I normally don't need unless under 20 degrees. Use a breath box on your helmet to prevent cheek coldness.

I use a sixsixone helmet and spy blizzard goggles--no quickstraps. Clear lens at night, bronze mirror for sunny, and blue for overcast/foggy/snowing.

You'll have to experiment for what works best for you. Open face with good goggles with never fog. Every full face I've owned fogged, unless heated visor is plugged in, which doesn't last long when you get bucked off every 10 or so minutes. lol

 

[Mafesto]

I can't believe I'm the only one wearing a "No Fog"
It totally eliminates the need for a balaclava, in fact it gets too warm.
In fact that reminds me, I think I'll buy another one, my velcro is getting a little used up.

 

[miko]

One word of advice...use the quick straps, but carry an extra standard goggle strap in your pack. When riding in extreme cold, the glue can freeze and comes off the helmet. If you have a strap as backup, your day is not ruined.[/QUOTE]

I completely agree from personal experience!

 

[alscat1]

I use a balaclava smith goggles , with quick straps and a yellow lense , Also have the hjc breath deflectoe when its cold out. But the pops in and out depending on weather . Also i have never had my goggles fog, yet!!!

 

[blackhillsrmk]

I can't believe I'm the only one wearing a "No Fog"
It totally eliminates the need for a balaclava, in fact it gets too warm.
In fact that reminds me, I think I'll buy another one, my velcro is getting a little used up.

Mafesto...What style No Fog are you using? Does it fit well under the MX style helmets? Have you experienced any restrictions...the deflector that came in my helmet seems to push on my nose at times and makes it more difficult to breathe

 

[Mafesto]

Mafesto...What style No Fog are you using? Does it fit well under the MX style helmets? Have you experienced any restrictions...the deflector that came in my helmet seems to push on my nose at times and makes it more difficult to breathe

Not sure what style.
It has an elastic strap that goes over the top of head,
and it fastens in the back with velcro.
Helmet cannot be real tight fitting, or it will screw up the mask when you pull
it on.