Skid Lid Helmet’s Detailed (4.3 years) Ownership Review

Are you also confused about buying the Skid Lid helmet? Does it really fit the head, or is it comfortable to wear for long rides? I know there might be hundreds of questions coming to your mind. I have used this helmet for more than a year now, and now I can answer some of your doubts here in my detailed ownership Skid Lid helmet review.

Skid Lid is the smallest DOT-approved helmet in its segment, and it has an oval shape with a mushroom design to protect the rider. It doesn’t have a removable liner, but very lightweight and comfortable to wear and fits the head properly, & stays in its place. All in all, this is a pretty good helmet for the price.

Skid Lid Helmet is the simplest form of helmet among other category types. In helmet terms, it is often addressed as the ‘Naked Type’, used includes head protection from any head-first falls. 

This helmet comes in plain matte – black and white, and glossy black. Also, graphics printed designs are available for you to choose from. Plain old not too flashy, or rider thug wild, both options are up for grabs. 

Lightweight, no bulky, flashy, or fancy features or designs. Its old-school attribute makes it an occasional use for spontaneous bike rides but not for daily commute.

Ideal for casual riding on highways and feeling euphoria with the high-speed wind hitting your face and neck. It has no visor, ventilation ports, ear, neck, or chin pads/covers. 

However, the helmet provides a basic shield to your head with its helmet liner, cushiony  EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam, comfortable that does not scrape nylon straps with easy to maneuver D-rings.

Specification

Size	X, XX, and XXL
Weight	1 lb.
Safety	DOT Approved
Vehicle Type	Street-sport-motorcycles, Scooter, Street Bike
Outer Material	Thermoplastic alloy injected shell
Dimension	11.9 x 9.4 x 6.9 inches

Skid Lid Helmet Review

“Mushroom head” is a term, which often is not very attractive to have in a helmet. It makes the wearer look like they have a higher head than the typical head. 

However, Skid Lid Original Helmet does, in fact, have the Mushroom Head feature. This is because of its requirement to meet the DOT ratings. Unless a helmet meets the DOT rating, it is not approved for minimum safety regulation.

Skid Lid Helmets are only for the range of moderate mountain or forest hiking to casual bike racings and not more than that. Any ridings that are more prone to danger require helmets with better protection and face-neck area coverage.

Key Features

• Available Sizes – Small, Medium, and Large with X, XX, and XXL divisions. Measurements are in US standard inches.
• Colors – Black
• Type of Riding – All types of street scooters, bikes, and motorcycles.
• DOT Approved – Yes
• Affordable and very comfortable

Shape and Material

Structurally it has a thermoplastic alloy injected shell bucket which fits onto the head. Size variations are available for different head sizes and shapes. For example, small (s), medium (m), and large (l), with further divisions as x or xx.

The circumferential measurement options with the standard oval shape are also at hand, like, long/intermediate/round oval. The availability of such a mode of options adds a beneficial factor for the buyer to fit any type of head without needing compromise or constant adjustment.

When buying a Skid Lid Helmet, try on a minimum of two to three sizes to get the one that fits you perfectly. It should not be scrappy or need a week in the gym to take it off or put it on. The slide in and slide out should be smooth.

Skid Lid Original Half Helmet is the realistic representation of that same protection. Subtle style, along with strength, is one of its starry attributes. 

The two skull graphics on both the right and left hemispheres of the helmet gives off the gothic vibes you are looking for. Well, I did get mistaken to be part of a goth club when I wore it, so there’s practical proof for you.

The correct way to measure the head circumference is to measure 1 inch above the eyebrows and 1 inch above the ears. The slight tilt will give a better measure to find the most suitable helmet.

The print is non-peelable and non-removable. It can only fade with careless handling or too much scraping (meaning too many falls, especially during the learning stage). Otherwise, it is pretty much permanent.

Overall Comfort

The helmet fits snugly like a glove onto your head, only when the size selected is right. So, make sure you try on all the sizes to find the one that holds on to your head without the hassling one-handed adjustment mid-ride.

Therefore, the level of comfort the helmet provides is above average. But to draw out its full potential, you must select the one that gives above-average results.

The liner, though present, is non-removable. The straps may be lopsided but do not have a significant adverse effect on you while riding.

The strap end needs to be tucked in so that it does not flap into your face at high speed. You can go a bit DIY as I did and glue the end to stop the flapping. 

It’s low profile and has close to no weight pressure on your neck and head. Neck pain and kinks would completely vanish. Protection while riding is as necessary as the exhilaration of riding. Hence, the gear used should also meet the standards of minimum security.

The triangular side straps of the helmet vary in length. It may be tricky to strap both sides properly. Keep the shorter triangle fixed while pulling on the longer triangle until satisfied, and then you can lock it. This worked for me and will work for you too!

Visibility

A hundred percent visibility is one of its many appealing features—no type of front/face cover, whether glass/fiber is present. And so, neither transparent/translucent obstruction is before your eyes.

The aesthetic of seeing the front road with not even the thinnest of layers and beholding it in its truest form is indeed a great feeling.

However, for the same fact that they do not have any type of face cover, it is hence mandatory to wear goggles to protect your eyes from high-pressure wind, tiny dust, and dirt particles that may enter your eye, causing blurriness and may inadvertently be the cause of a mishap.

Quietness

On the other extreme of the spectrum, there is nil quietness. The whistling of the high-pressure wind blowing against the speed of the bike can be heard crystal clear.

Along with that, if your choice of bike/motorcycle has an engine that is equipped with high decibel output, you will inevitably hear it roaring, loud, and clear. 

Various surveys have concluded that users with loud bikes enjoy the sound rather than feel averted to it. Therefore, selecting a Skid Lid Helmet is completely fine. However, if you are not one of those who follow the same train of thought, we recommend you choose a noise-canceling helmet instead.

Ventilation

Riding is, though not vigorous, still a primary form of exercise. And exercise results in sweat production. 

Ventilation is the only form of in/out-flow of air that will prevent excessive sweat accumulation. However, a Skid Lid Helmet is devoid of ventilation ports.

Not to worry though. The other route opted by sweat is, it is absorbed by the very absorbable EPS foam lining the entire bucket head. This will prevent scalp irritation.

If ventilation is high on your priority list of features your helmet must have, then we would suggest you look at a helmet with ventilation ports and not a Skid Lid Helmet. Otherwise, Skid Lid Helmet fits the role precisely of a better than good safety helmet.

Safety

Except for the DOT rating, Skid Lid Helmet does not have any other organization approval. For example, ECE, SHELL, SHARP, etc. So, for DOT, it’s a Yes. However, for others, since it’s a No, on the Safety Scale, it is around average and does not support elaborate and challenging to achieve ridings.

Satisfied with only a DOT rating, then Skid Lid Helmet is for you. If not, then you do have the option of exploring other helmets with other rating approvals too. The choice is ultimately yours.

Strength does have its limits, and over time long-term use will obviously lessen the strength gradually. So, if you plan to use the Skid Lid Original Half Helmet for a more extended period, then make sure that you store it safely when not in use.

A free fall from 3 feet above ground may crack the helmet. Hence, always carry the helmet with care and a good grasp. 

PROs and CONs

Things to have in mind while Buying a Motorcycle Helmet

With this, we are done talking about the different motorcycle helmets as far as our opinions are concerned. 

You may not agree to this and find other features more useful than this and that’s completely fine. In this section, we will be discussing five pointers to keep in mind before you buy a rider`s helmet:

• Safety & Protection: A motorcycle helmet’s most basic function is to protect your head if any trouble happens to you while riding. 

So, safety is the prime purpose of your helmet. Design, looks, and features come after safety, first, you need to ensure the helmet you are buying is capable of protecting you from fall damage if any accident happens.

For confirming that your helmet falls under the criteria of safety & protection, you should check whether it’s DOT certified or not because, in North America, the Department of Transportation (DOT) confirms the helmet is built solid enough to protect the rider from fall damage. 

So, your helmet should be DOT approved. You can also search for SNELL certification if you want to know that your helmet provides maximum protection or not.

• Fit & Comfort: A helmet that fits nicely around your head not only provides maximum protection but also makes you feel comfortable while riding. 

You may end up blowing away your helmet from your chair if your helmet does not entirely fit around your head. Following are some key points that determine to fit of your helmet-

• Size of the helmet- The size of the helmet varies from small to extra-large. Various helmets are available online with different, go for a size chart, and choose your type of helmet wisely.

• The material used- The foam and padding used inside should be ideal in cushioning your neck, not too hard and not too soft. Besides, it should be removable and washable.

• Weight: Weight is a prime factor that should be considered by you. No one pays much attention to finding the weight of the helmet, but it is crucial. Lighter the helmet, the less energy it will transfer if any impact happens.

A lightweight helmet makes you feel comfortable, too, while riding. Simultaneously, a heavy helmet will firstly make your neck feel tired and uncomfortable while riding. It will transfer more impact energy if any accident happens to the rider, which can damage the rider’s head.

• Quality (Material used to make a Helmet): The quality of any helmet plays a crucial role in providing everything a rider needs in every aspect. When it comes to the quality which is offered by the helmet, then it should stand up in every criterion like ride safety, comfort, and additional features. 

All three standards depend on the type of material that is used to make a helmet.

From a safety point of view, you should know what material is used to construct the helmet, like most of the standard safety helmets have ABS polycarbonate shell construction, which not only helps make the helmet light in weight but also make it resistant to heavy impact and high damage absorption. 

FAQs

Verdict

A Skid Lid Helmet performs multiple actions, both visually and physically. With its subtle and straightforward build, it also catches the eye with its graphic designs option. 

It’s lightweight, can wear it for long rides and it is still comfortable. Yes, there is a little bit of the mushroom head thing going, but you will get that with any DOT-approved helmet. Quality and fit are great, and also have plenty of padding inside.

The best buy for you is dependent on the many features listed below each product. They have been listed depending on your choice of color, size, and time of use. Hence, the best Skid Lid Helmet is the one you choose, fulfilling all your requirements.