I've always bought my helmets in person from one or another local stores. Different brands, mostly Bell but sometimes others. Time for me to get an SA2015, and my lovely and wonderful wife gave me a much-too-generous gift certificate at Christmas from Apex Performance.

I'm looking for any advice and experience on buying a helmet over the phone. Big concern is fit: I typically wear a (Bell) XL comfortably and snugly. Any advice on how to proceed? I am considering splashing out on a Stilo GT, but am not aware of anyone near Massachusetts carrying them where I could try one on. Will vendors take a return if the fit ain't what it should be?

 

Since you have that GC call Linda at Apexperformance. Very knowledgeable and easy to work with.

 

+1 - Very good to deal with

 

+2 - Linda knows her stuff on helmets, will know what to best suggest based on what you wear currently etc.

I just went through this process and it was great. After the fact support was also outstanding she sent out another set of pads for the Stilo I ordered just to insure that I had exactly the right fit I needed.

 

Agree - call Linda at Apex.
I also wore a Bell XL. The Arai XL fits me even better. A Stilo XL was a bit small. Apex will work with you to get a correct fit. They will take returns as well.

What a great gift!!

 

HMS is the importer and should have some for you to try on.

 

Make sure you can return it in case it doesn't fit. Also make sure to try it on with a balaclava if you use one (which you should for many reasons). You won;t believe how much difference that little bit of material makes for fitment purposes.

 

Bell has been consistent with the sizing since I purchased my first Bell in 1997. I've worn the same size on the next three Bell helmets I have purchased since, M2, M3, Vortex, GP2 all the same size.

Have your wife use a measuring tape, or a piece of string to measure the circumference of your head starting at a point approximately one inch above the eyebrows in front, around a point in the back of the head that results in the largest possible measurement, and finally wrapping back to the front. It is a good idea to take several measurements to make sure you have the largest one.

Kind regards,

 

I purchased the Stilo from Linda at Apex and found that the Stilo runs a lot smaller than the Sparco I have been wearing. Linda has been very helpful in getting the right helmet for me.

 

Talk to Linda, she knows what she is doing. She will get you the proper fit.

 

I'm a big believer in buying helmets where you can try them on, as fitment can be fussy and is so important.
Can you visit HMS in Peabody and use your gift cert for other stuff?
There's always stuff to buy.

 

+1 they run one size too small. Apex will take care of you. Just be reasonable...you can't use it for a few months, stink it up, and then ask for a different size.

 

Give us a call - we'll get you hooked up. HMS does have a location in Danvers, MA if that's near you - if you decide to get something from them, you can always use your certificate for a new suit, brakes or some other track goodies!

We will work with you over the phone as well if you want to go that route. The brands do fit differently as the other folks said so we can determine what will work best for you.

Linda
843.299.0997

 

Thanks everyone for the advice! Much appreciated!!! Linda, I will be calling shortly.

 

And after trying the fifth one in as many minutes you can't even tell what does and what doesn't fit anymore.

I hate shopping around for a helmet.