Motorcycle helmets are an essential part of a motorcycle drive. At first glance, helmets seem boring and one-dimensional in their utility but you can wear a lot of seasonal gear under them.
In today’s post, we will discuss different types of gear you can wear under your motorcycle helmet. Besides that, we’ll also go over what sort of seasonal fabrics you should use.
Quick Summary
Moreover, by the end of this post, you can also check the following topics:
- Types of Motorcycle gear
- Important Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Without further delay, let’s get into it.
Types of Gear to Wear Under a Motorcycle Helmet
A motorcycle helmet in its base form provides many benefits that include safety and protection from dust particles. However, these benefits are not good enough for weather effects.
Heat and cold can both impact your driving and can be troublesome on long motorcycle rides. This is especially true if your hair tends to get in the way. You can go around this problem with the help of extra headgear. It’s important to know how to wear your hair under a helmet.
What sort of headgear can I use?
For the most part, it depends on your geographical location. If you live in a warm region, cotton bandanas can help with sweat and overheating.
Whereas, if you live somewhere cold, a balaclava might come in handy. It depends on your personal preference what sort of garment piece you want to use.
Is it safe to wear extra gear under my helmet?
It is completely safe to wear any gear under your helmet. All you have to keep in mind is that it shouldn’t block your line of sight. Besides that, it’s all good.
Now, let’s take a look at the different types of gear you can use:
- Bandanas
- Balaclavas
Let’s further discuss them in detail.
Bandanas
Heat is a major issue in warm regions and its causes a lot of sweating even on a 5-minute motorcycle drive.
This alone can ruin your look and mess up your hairstyle. So, how do you get around it? Simple, just wear a bandana.
What sort of bandana should I use?
There are two bandana sizes you can choose from, large and small. Small bandanas are suitable for visor-less helmets while large bandanas can be used with visor helmets.
Most people prefer small bandanas because it hides nicely under the helmet and it is hard to spot for other people as well.
What type of fabric should I choose?
Fabrics with high moisture absorption capabilities are highly preferred for bandanas. It’ll keep your head and face sweat-free. Moreover, the fabric will keep your head cool.
As far as the materials are concerned, cotton bandanas are excellent for such purposes. They are light, sleek, and can absorb a lot of moisture.
How do I wear my bandana?
You can just simply fold the bandana from one corner to the opposite one and wrap it around your head. Besides that, you can wear it in any way that seems comfortable.
If you want to find out ways to keep your head cool in your motorcycle helmet, CLICK HERE.
Balaclavas
To protect yourself from cold weather, balaclavas can be used under a motorcycle helmet. They are essentially a piece of garment that provides insulation and protection.
It is designed like a full face mask that goes over your head and covers the entire neck. You can either choose to cover your nose or leave it uncovered.
Can I wear glasses with a balaclava?
Balaclavas have enough room for you to easily wear sunglasses or prescription glasses. The arms can easily fit inside the sides of a balaclava.
Moreover, balaclavas are made from thin fiber so you won’t feel bulky or congested with a helmet on.
What are balaclavas made from?
Balaclavas are made from a variety of different materials. Wool and fleece are mainly used because of their insulation properties.
On the other hand, silk balaclavas are designed for slightly warmer weather. Since it is thin in nature, it can absorb most of the moisture off your skin.
This will keep your head and face dry even on long motorcycle rides.
Benefits of Extra Headgear
Apart from the obvious, bandanas and balaclavas have other benefits as well. Most people prefer a closed-face helmet with a visor. This in turn blocks the airflow inside the helmet.
So, for example, if you get ready in the morning and drive to your workplace. Your entire effort to look good will be ruined once you take off the helmet.
What are the other uses of a balaclava?
As an insulator, balaclava works quite well. However, it also keeps your face safe from dust as well. Since it coves the entirety of the face, your skin will feel fresh even after a long ride.
Besides that, it also reduces the internal fog that can otherwise cover your visor. It absorbs almost all the moisture in your breath.
Is it okay to casually wear the headgear under my helmet?
It depends on your personal preference if you want to use headgear or not. But if you want to use them casually and look cool, go for it. If you’re looking for motorcycle helmets and accessories, CLICK HERE.
Now, let’s take a look at some important tips.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Even though you can use your headgear as you see fit, there are some basic rules/things you need to keep in check.
- If you have long hair, make sure to cover all of it under your bandana/balaclava. It can slide in your line of sight and irritate you during a ride.
- Always use thin fabrics for a bandana/balaclava. It’ll be easier for you to wear your helmet and take it off.
- Keep your line of sight clear. You can do this by buying a helmet that is designed for headgear.
- Always wear a balaclava with an open-face helmet. It’ll keep you safe from dust, insects, and other external factors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have gathered some questions asked by people from around the web related to motorcycle helmets. Let’s check them out one-by-one.
Is it better to wear a bandana or a balaclava?
It depends on your personal choice. Some people prefer bandanas over balaclavas due to the convenience factor. However, a balaclava has better protection for your face and neck.
Should I get a strapless helmet?
Strapless helmets fit better with headgear because you have a lot of wiggle room. Although it is convenient, it comes at the cost of safety. Helmets with straps are rather secure and hard to move from a set position.
What are the alternatives for a bandana?
You can get a helmet with good airflow to reduce the sweat and overheating problem. It’ll make breathing easier as well. Moreover, the filters will keep the dust particles outside.
Final Thoughts…
This brings us to the finish line of today’s post. We hope this information proves to be useful for you and makes your motorcycle rides more enjoyable.
Bandanas and balaclavas are great pieces of headgear to keep your everyday look intact and sweat-free. You can choose either to protect yourself from external factors like dust.
Do let us know what type of headgear you prefer for motorcycle helmets. CLICK HERE to find out more.
