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Enfield C5

Helmet Guide

HCI Helmet Review
 

If you don't ride with a helmet because you hate the way it looks, find it uncomfortable or feel it limits your vision...well, first of all, quit your whining and just put one on. Second, consider the HCI 15 as an option that will mitigate all three of those issues.

I've been wearing this helmet for two months' worth of riding and absolutely love it. The medium size satisfies the basic rules of a properly fitting brain bucket: snug but not tight, and doesn't move much when it is tugged and twisted, or jostled like after hitting a manhole cover (oops). There are no obvious pressure points. I find this helmet much more comfortable than my Fulmer, in part because of its perfect fit, and in part because the foam lining is extremely soft and cozy. If it's possible to feel like a helmet is giving your head a hug, this one pretty much fits the bill.

This helmet is much lower profile than any other I've previously owned or used. If you remember the movie Spaceballs, my Fulmer feels akin to the get-up that Rick Moranis' Dark Helmet character is rocking. The HCI 15 is more Speed Racer, complete with the "copter" style curved clear visor, and racing stripes. I no longer feel ridiculous when I’m geared up. Looks aside, this streamlined design also makes the helmet lighter, easier to get a bag strap over, and leaves me more room in my scooter's under-seat storage. Visibility and peripheral vision are very good. I have not had to exaggerate head movements because the helmet restricts vision on the sides.

The real selling point for me on the HCI 15 is its ability to accommodate glasses without a constant need for adjustment. With others, both ¾ and full-faced, I have to strategically angle my glasses under the helmet in order to keep them on the bridge of my nose. Inevitably, they start rising up as I ride, magically hovering in front of my face. This is annoying but acceptable when wearing my prescription single-vision sunglasses, but completely worthless at night or on overcast days when wearing my regular glasses, which are bifocals (yes, I am way too young for bifocals, thank you). At night I often have to adjust my glasses at stops, or angle my head down in order to peer through the top part of my floating glasses. This is not only aggravating; it is inherently dangerous. The HCI 15 liner keeps my glasses in place. I can even pull this helmet on and off with my glasses already on my face. I cannot overstate what an improvement this has been for me.

Like most helmets, this one is pretty low on features, but provided it gets its job done in a crash this isn't a shortfall. There are two small vents located above the visor. Rotating the plastic cover on the vent allegedly opens up a little airflow into the helmet. I say "allegedly" because there is no appreciable difference between open and closed. However, in this hotter than normal summer, the HCI 15 has been totally adequate in terms of temperature regulation. Even with the humid weather, visor fogging hasn’t been an issue. There is a small band of elastic located on the chin strap in which to tuck the loose end of the strap after fastening. A cloth storage bag is included. As for purpose-built features, that's pretty much it.

The review helmet is white with two red racing stripes running from front to back across the top, subtly edged with gold. There are four colorway options, including striped (red, pink, blue/yellow), solid (red or black), curvy stripe (green/gold, black/gold, green/black) and the unfortunate hibiscus pattern (black/white, pink/white, yellow/white) for those people. A smoke-tinted visor is available. Sizes range from XS to XXL.

The helmet used in this review was equipped with an Echo helmet quick-release. These are readily available at local stores and online for about $8 - $10 and work quite well.  

Jordana Whyte