THE RIGHT TT HELMET

Want maximum aero gains without sacrificing comfort or ventilation? Here’s what to look for when buying a TT helmet for tri

VENTILATION

Tri-specific helmets put particular emphasis on cooling. Openings in the main body of the helmet allow air to pass through and on to your head, and if you plan to race in warm conditions venting can be just as important as aerodynamics.

FIT

Aside from the obvious step of making sure your helmet is the right size, all modern TT helmets will come with a retention system to get a perfect fit, almost always in the form of a ratchet dial. Make sure you’re familiar with it so you can make quick adjustments on the fly.

TAIL

The tail of a TT helmet provides a smooth surface for the air to pass over. Long tails are most useful if you can hold your head position for the duration of your ride (tricky for many), so you may want to look at helmets with a stubbier shape for long-course tri.

VISOR

A visor covers the whole frontal area of the TT helmet. Whether it’s faster to use the visor or ditch it for sunglasses varies between helmets and the differences are minute, so prioritise comfort and practicality over possible speed gains in training sessions.

SHELL

The shell bears the brunt of impact should the worst happen and you fall off, and should meet all European safety standards (a requirement on all helmets sold in the UK). TT shells are also a lot smoother than those on road helmets for greater aerodynamics.