Downhill Helmet Help

Denmother was kind enough to give/lend two DH helmets to me for my upcoming trip to Whistler. I've never worn one and I find it to be very heavy. They are a bit over 2 pounds. I guess this is normal but it isn't normal for my neck. **ow** I'm very hesitant to wear one.
My neck hurts enough sometimes just on it's own, adding 2 pounds really concerns me. I can't afford those neck brace things.
Is neck pain a problem with anyone else? I have a Fox Flux. It seems to have good coverage.
The goggles pinch the snot out of my nose too..literally. Obviously I've never worn DH gear before, not terribly comfy is it? :lol:

 

Your Fox Flux is a nice helmet, but it's coverage or protective area is generally the top of the head and the upper portion of the back of the head. Nothing is protecting your face (frontal AND sides), as well as your jaw, most of the rear of the head, etc. A full face helmet (a DH helmet) will help with protecting these areas. Heavier - yes, but it coverage and the padding and protective construction/materials are a lot more than your Flux. DH typically has greater speeds and hazards, that's why you should use the protective helmet that is best suited to DH. Maybe the helmets you were loaned are heavier than others? Take them with you and compare at your LBS to see if you might like something else better... Good luck and have fun at Whistler!! Be safe in whatever your wear and ride!

 

a Leatt Brace (or similar) wont allieviate the weight of the helmet.... their function is to spread impact away from the neck. Was the loaner a moto lid? They tend to be a little heavier than MTB specific units.....

 

No. Not moto. They are great helmets, just heavier than what I'm used to.

 

I think you should wear the full face! At least try it out the first day. I bet you'll notice the weight less when you're riding, especially if you have all the other gear on to hassle you.

I crashed at Whistler wearing a full-face helmet with goggles a couple of years ago. I hit the ground and a rock bent the lens and went into my face right below my left eye in the eye socket, which required that I get 5 stitches. It would've been worse if I wasn't wearing a full face. Granted, this is something that could've happened to me on an XC ride, but I figure that if you can protect your face without too much of a penalty (i.e., without having to lug around a full face helmet on climbs, etc.), then it's worth the penalty, especially on DH trails that can get so fast so quickly.

 

I think you should start wearing it around the house, while you're driving and out doing your errands so that you can get used to the weight of it. Then once you get to Whistler and put it on your head it'll be no big deal! And BTW Denmo is AWESOME!

As for the goggles, certain brands pinch my nose too. I've found that Smith Optics don't but Spy's do.

 

Are you planning on riding any different than you did on any other epic? It may be overkill unless you are going to greatly exceed your normal riding ability by hanging it out and over driving the loose corners. It is rainy there, I would think more about what to wear in damp weather.
But that is my style, I carry it with me where ever I go. I tend to be more cautious since I am solo and 1000's of miles from home.
Happy Pacific Northwest trails

 

almost forgot- my wife prefers youth size googles as they tend to fit her face a little better... Might be worth looking into at your local moto shop....

 

Liz, I'm pretty sure the yellow helmet is a MOTO and will be heavier and is for sure heavier! Yes my neck used to get fatigued when wearing DH helmets (not anymore but when I was learning to ride DH) and yes I stopped buying MOTO ones for that very reason. There is a difference in testing MOTO helmets are DOT and have far more impact testing done to protect your head at high speed impacts, many people buy MOTO helmets are wear them for DH as they provide better protection. As for Wearing your Fox Flux helmet while in Whistler, I say no while riding the Bike Park. You will be riding trails that your not used to and far different than Snow Summit. The jumps will be bigger, the lips will be taller and the tech will be tougher! Suck it up and deal with it you. You won't crash wearing it, BUT you know the drill, if you don't your going to crash and we wouldn't want either of you to mess up those beautiful faces ps. LEATT braces are not made to hold your helmet up LOL! Actually if your think your neck hurts wearing your helmet without a leatt, it is even more straining when you wear both. Imagine looking forward and that darn heavy MOTO helmet keeps hitting your leatt and your fighting that too Wear the helmet Liz!

 

I have POC Cortex Flow. Its a lot lighter than most DH helmets and saved my face a few times.

 

Oh and one more thing Liz.....Even the enduro racers who raced the World Enduro a few weeks go in Whistler wore their full faces during Stage 5 (trails in the bike park)and most are a WAY better of a rider than you or I could ever dream of being. I will bug you everyday Liz. I am very serious when I say, you need to not make excuses because it feels different than what you're used to and wear the gear that will protect you while you out riding and leaving all the rest of us at home

 

If you can fit in a L/XL (58-60), then this pink POC Cortex Flow on clearance for $99 maybe right up your alley:

http://www.backcountry.com/poc-cortex-flow-helmet?ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6UE9DIEhlbG1ldDoxOjY

 

Liz, are you going to be riding in the bike park or valley trails? Bike Park, you're gonna want a Full Face so start training your neck!

 

All of it Andy. You know me, I only wore gear for the first time a couple years ago on Palm Canyon so all this new gear is weird to me. The helmet is anyway. I'll pack them up though! Dibs on the red one!

 

2 lbs is honestly light for a FF DH helmet. Your neck will develop muscles for it if you wear it long enough. The neck brace can add another 2 lbs.

Some FF are surprisingly not too hot in the sun. I wore one to a SART (PO to Glass and back) and was surprised by how well it kept off the sun and the bugs. Damaging faceplants can happen anywhere and at any speed. I used to wear a FF for most of my other XC riding too, but it took some crash damage and I haven't replaced it yet. I also prefer the vision of goggles and how it keeps sweat out of my eyes, over regular shades. They don't pinch or anything for me, but I don't use $30 MX goggles; I actually picked snow goggles which gave a nice fit and have better anti-fogging. Just saying, you can try and acclimate to a FF by riding it on some local trails, even if they are XCish, to get ready for the bike park.

 

Definitely recommend a fullface while riding in a bike park. When I was in whistler last year I busted my D2 and needed a replacement. I picked up a 661 comp helmet for a reasonable price. It worked great as a backup and isn't heavy. If it's a comfortable fit for you I'd recommend one. Backcountry has them on sale for around $58. (click helmets for link)
Have fun in whistler! I can't wait to go back.

 

I bought my new 661 Comp Shifted Full Face Helmet (in the photo) from Chainlove awhile back for around $39. Wasn't sure on the correct size, so I got a Med and a Large. Once I tried them each on, I kept the Med and returned the other for a refund. Once I ride better and much more confidently, I'll be ready for DH.

 

Got the same one and love it.....

 

once you start railing the trails at whistler you won't even notice the weight

 

This :bang: