UTV Helmets
For both recreation and work, UTVs prove themselves useful at every turn. Whether you need a powerful vehicle capable of transporting a work crew across a job site with all their tools, a machine that can tow a heavy piece of farm equipment behind it or a way to take your family on a fun off-roading weekend adventure, a UTV will serve you well.
Safety on UTVs is often overlooked, though. Despite the fact that they drive like cars and provide seatbelts, the open air design of UTVs puts you in the path of flying debris. If you crash, you’re liable to be thrown from the vehicle, potentially hitting your head.
To spare yourself injury, it’s recommended that you wear a helmet, but what kind? At Specialty Recreation & Marine, we believe in the importance of off-roading safety, so we’ve drawn up a guide to UTV helmets to help you determine the right one for you and your riding style.
Why Wear A Helmet?
UTVs might seem virtually indestructible with their rugged construction and sturdy bases, but they’re not infallible. More importantly, you as a rider are not that well protected while you’re on board because you lack the enclosure of metal and other materials that a passenger car provides. UTVs often have a rollover protection cage, but this serves to protect the UTV more than it does you. Considering all the rough terrain you’ll be trundling over and all the dangers inherent to off-roading, you should definitely invest in helmets for yourself and all your passengers.
Types Of Helmet
A search for UTV-specific helmets may not be very fruitful, as there aren’t any specifically made for four wheeler riding on the market. However, that doesn’t mean you can wear just any helmet available. Bicycle helmets aren’t suited to UTV riding at all, as they don’t offer enough impact protection for the higher speeds of a UTV. Half helmets in general won’t work very well, as they don’t offer you the face protection you need to keep flying debris, like rocks, dust and branches, from hitting your eyes or nose. Certain motorcycle helmets can work well for UTV riding, although they may feel hot and heavy when you’re not riding at 60 mph.
Motocross helmets are ideal for UTV riding, as they offer full face protection with a lighter weight that isn’t as unwieldy as motorcycle helmets. Since these helmets are already rated for high-impact extreme sport riding, they’re great for UTVs.
Fit & Comfort
Whatever style of helmet you choose, you should make sure that it both fits well and is comfortable to wear. Helmets should fit snugly over your head without sliding around. Feeling a little pressure or resistance when you put on your helmet is fine, but if it feels like trying to wedge a square peg into a round hole, then you should try a larger size. The better the fit, the more likely your helmet will be able to protect your head in an impact event. Comfort is the other important factor, since a helmet that you find comfortable is one you’re more likely to wear every ride.
Goggles Or Face Mask?
Having found a comfortable, well-fitting helmet, your next agenda is to determine how you’ll protect your eyes. If your helmet comes with a full face mask, you’re set. You’ll only need to worry about it fogging up at times. Motocross helmets are often worn with goggles, though, so if that’s what you chose, you’ll need to invest in a pair. Choose goggles that fit well while you’re wearing the helmet and allow you as much visibility as possible. You can upgrade your goggle selection, too, with perks such as UV protection, anti-fogging lenses and ventilation.
In the market for a great new or used UTV? Come visit our showroom, where we carry all the greatest brands. You can also talk to our staff about UTV helmet options if you’re still not sure what you want. Specialty Recreation & Marine is in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. We also serve our customers coming east from nearby Spokane, Washington.
