Sanction

This is more of an initial review to help people with sizing. Amazon is notorious for leaving out product details, even size info on helmets. Luckily, this helmet has accurate sizing info in the description after you click on each size. The description says Large is 58-60cm, and I believe this is correct. I measured a number of times and got inconsistent numbers, but it was always 58-59 cm (I found this easier than inches, and having a giveaway soft tape measure was very useful, but you could use floss or string and measure it). I was surprised at how inconsistent the helmet sizing charts were on the Internet. Very. In fact, I couldn't even find a proper size chart on Bell's non-motorcycle website. And remember this is a 'youth' helmet, so a normal adult male size is actually rated as a Large here. In fact, my 58-59cm measurement is really on the line between Medium and Large in most size charts, which made it tough for me to decide.I can report that if you measure between 58 and 59cm, you don't want a medium. You want a large. Mine is snug, and the cheek parts are the most snug, and I don't think I have a round head. It's hard to differentiate the tightness of the cheek pieces, which are the tightest, to the rest of the helmet, which to me seems more normal-feeling to me, but not loose. I realize that full-face helmets are going to fit more like motorcycle helmets, and in motorcycle helmet sizing videos I found online, they said they have to fit tighter than many people expect, to the point where some feel like they're too small, but they're not.I don't have any experience with full-face bicycle helmets (and only limited experience with motorcycle helmets), so this is my entry-level effort, yet I don't see what more I'd expect for the price. If you research this helmet, you'll find a review from an outdoor 'gear lab', which gives it low marks. But they're apparently professionals, who then pit this helmet against ones ranging from twice to quintuple the cost, and then say this one feels like a toy because it's so light. It's funny to then read actual user reviews, which are so positive. So in my reading, most criticism focused around comparisons to helmets and features outside its price range, OR confusion in sizing. The most legitimate criticism seemed to be the lack of ASTM-F1952 certification--and I'd be lying if I said I could tell you much about that--but apparently the cheapest helmet on Amazon which has that cert is about twice the price. That's Fox Rampage, which could be a good lead for some readers, and perhaps me someday.My research began with the Bell Super 2R, which begins at twice the price of the Sanction, and the 2R's MIPS version is about 3x, which I was going to get. After losing out on one of Amazon's price fucuations allowed me more research, I saw a number of reports of sizing complications of the MIPS version, then found a number of riders panning it as not a serious answer to a full-face helmet, saying that they could push down on the front of the helmet and it would just pivot and not stay put well, nor did they think it would offer substantial frontal impact protection. Plus, a number of bikers are saying to themselves, if you're going to wear a helmet, why would you want anything less than frontal protection. Some people think they don't need it riding uphill, but under that rationale, do you need any helmet at all riding uphill. So, having worn an open-face helmet in my earlier years, it suddenly made sense to me that I'd never want something less than full-face now. At that point, the advantage of the removable jaw (for my purposes) lost a lot of its appeal.Another thing I didn't like about the MIPS helmets, were that vendors seemed to be releasing a MIPS helmet, and a non-MIPS version together. Now that I know how MIPS works, I don't see any way how this can't create sizing problems. I think a MIPS helmet should be designed as a MIPS helmet from the ground-up, and only be a MIPS helmet, not as an add-on which either takes up extra room, or replaces comfortable padding to try to avoid sizing problems. MIPS seems like it's still pretty new [2015], and I do think I'll probably end up with one, but I think they'll improve. So instead of going crazy with it, I'm starting with this. The Sanction appears to offer more protection than at least a non-MIPS Super 2R, at like half the price. I also like that I could get it in a solid matte black (not a fan of "graphics" am I).I couldn't find any photos of the inside front jaw area. I don't know if the front of other full-face helmets is padded. This one is not, and I know the Super 2R also has no padding in the front either. The Sanction's cheek pads end around my molars. Pushing on the 'mandibles' of the helmet, I find the helmet stays put better when the chin strap is on (duh). I have no problem with the chin strap, but don't know what to expect; it's similar to regular open-face helmets, and seems fine. I'm not sure if the visor is partially to add protection (help keep your face away from the floor), but it seems it could. I have plenty of visibility and probably breatheability and could talk easily with it on, though I do think the helmet is designed more for narrower faces than pumpkinheads. In short, I don't see how the helmet could fit better, having bought it without first wearing it. I tried a number of open-face helmets in a local mart store, and they didn't seem to fit right, and most seemed small, which makes sense because biking is mostly a youth thing, and I guess a medium youth can be different than a medium adult. Some Amazon-sold helmets included literally no actual measurement ranges to guide you through a Large or Medium, so unless you're a gambler, I'd recommend avoiding those. I also found some full-facers cheaper than this on Amazon, actually with good (though fewer) reviews. I went with this one because Bell does a lot of actual research, and that costs money, but produces results. I felt a helmet in this price range was already a bargain enough, and I didn't want to push it further where my head's at stake. Plus enough reviewers gave their specific sizes, I felt comfortable I was buying the right size. If you review, please provide your measurement, the size you got, and how that combo worked!Something I don't like is how the vendors jack around with the prices. When I first shopped, it was seven bucks cheaper than when I went to buy, and now that I've bought, the cheapest price is back down seven bucks, which was close to the price of the 'used' return I bought from Amazon Warehouse. BTW, the Warehouse item was listed as 'like new/packaging may be damaged'. The box was retaped and a little beat-up, but the black fabric (carry?) bag had some obvious dirt on it. I didn't even know it came with a bag though, so whatever, but I wouldn't consider the bag 'packaging'. But, indeed the helmet itself was almost like-new, just some outer fingerprints, which would be expected.Here are a few more newbie observations:- If you wear glasses, you'll apparently have to put them on after donning the helmet.- Good luck if you get an itch inside the helmet. You'll have to take it off to get to it.- I know most open-face helmets' foam is designed to crack to absorb a blow, but I don't see how that would happen here, with the plastic shell. That said, common wisdom says that if you have a crash with a helmet, you should stop using it. I've seen a lot of reviewers talking about continuing to use theirs after a significant impact.- This is probably the best bang-for-buck protection for people upselling from a bottom-feeder/open-faced option.- My cheeks do look a little squished when I look in the mirror, but I guess that's the last line of defense from my face coming out of the helmet.- It's of course heavier than a lightweight open-face, but light for what it is.- Ultimately, this helmet is shaping up to be what I expected it would look and feel like, which is a good thing.

First, this helmet is awesome, and I am so thankful I stop questioning spending the money and purchased one. I got three of them for my 2 boys. We had some downhill we were doing for the weekend and I wanted to be absolutely sure they had ones that fit. Glad I did. The youngest measured right in the middle of the small range at 53 1/2,and the oldest measured near the middle of the medium at 55-1/2. The small would not even go on the youngest without seriously hurting his ears. Not like "owe, my ears", I was pulling it apart as hard as I could and was going to really hurt him putting it on. There would have been no way to get it off without some tears. The older could get the medium on, but it was very tight. He looked like a fish with his cheeks all mushed together. I bumped them both up a size, and everyone was happy. I know how a helmet should fit, and am very comfortable with the safety of how they fit in the larger sizes. The measurements are wrong, in my opinion.Thank god I got all 3 sized. They both went down HARD at the downhill park. One did a full flip and face planted going fast on a rock access road. Rocks the size of golf balls all the way to softballs (this size did him in). He slid directly on his face. 10 ft. behind him without any hope of getting to him, I just had to watch. As a father that was the scariest thing I have ever watched. Not a scratch on him. Helmet looks like it went through a war, but he was perfectly fine. The other son bit it off a jump. Again, not a scratch to his face or head. Buy the helmet!

I bought this helmet for riding my electric longboard, and I gotta say it's probably the best full face helmet you can get for the price. As others have said, the helmet fits pretty snug. But you really only notice it when taking the helmet on or off.There weren't many pictures of the helmet without the visor (which is how most longboarders use these helmets), so I took my own in case anyone was curious

Fits my 14 month old. I was unsure if it would work, and at first my son tried to keep pulling it off. But I bumped him on the head a couple times to let him understand what a helmet does and once I start moving he holds on and stops fiddling w the helmet. It looks awesome and I’m just psyched I have something to keep him protected. Technically he isn’t even supposed to be on the bike yet lol so I’m glad I have some overkill protection for him

I have a very active 5 year old who loves to push his limits at the skate park on his BMX. After an ill fated attempt at a bunny hop resulted in a face plant, I added this full faced helmet to his required protective gear. I always cringed as he launched off the ramps at the park, as his open faced helmet left his face completely unprotected in the event of a crash.Helmet arrived today and off to the skate park we went. My son had a blast riding up and down the ramps, practicing his "fakies" and working on his bunny hops. A few crashes did occur (as usual), but I'm happy to report that the helmet did its job and protected him completely. I feel much safer now that he has full head and face protection when riding aggressively.Fit: His head measured 52 cm. Based on the Bell sizing charts, that would have put him in a size small. I went with the recommendations of others on this site though and purchased one size up (medium). I'm VERY glad that I did. Even the medium is pretty snug on him. The helmet does not move around at all. Any smaller and it would have been much too tight (as others have noted). I've been riding bikes and motorcycles for over 25 years, so I know how a helmet should fit. If you are eyeing a size small and your child's head is any larger than 51.5 cm, I'd go with the medium for sure.Helmet is VERY well constructed. For the money, and intended purpose (BMX), I don't think you can beat it.

Warning, you will have to pay return shipping with this seller if the product doesnt work for you.I gave the seller one star for being a legitimate Canadian seller. The product itself would be ok if it fit properly.The helmet fits very small. I ordered a large and the helmet was squishing my face together. The medium Bell downhill helmet fits me fine, and I will be buying that from a local shop.I recommend trying on something as important as a helmet before buying. A helmet that doesnt fit properly is a serious safety concern.

Very nice. It is light and breathable. Nice colors too

The padding was a bit thick a shoved my brother's cheeks like a chipmunk, but he was able to remove some of it from inside and is quite happy with it.

It does fit a bit small. I ordered for my 2 year old. I was going to order an extra small but because of past reviews I ordered a small and it fits great. Very light weight and super awesome!

Great styling & Well made but Fit is Poor.Too narrow for a size Large.Sending it back for Refund.