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Posted: 2/29/2016 11:51:18 PM EDT
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Here's my dilemma. I have a long yet narrow skull. My fitted hat size is 7 3/8. I wear a XL in the ACH/MICH in order to accommodate but end up having a lot of slop/space on the sides. I tried a PT Bravo in XL and got the same results.
With a new incoming PVS-14, I am searching for a stable hands-free setup. I know about the Nightcap, but would prefer to get something as stable as possible. Hence I'm thinking a helmet still. Do the TW and Ops-Core Base allow for the type of adjustment I will likely need? The PT Bravo I have only utilizes the standard 4 point straps, it doesn't have the extra ratcheting system like on a hardhat. I have the money for one or the other, so I'm asking if anyone has similar sizing issues. |
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I have slightly the same issue, don't know about hat sizes but head circumference 60cm and both Ops Core and TW are just a hint on the small side in the longitude / z axis, but again slightly lacking at sides. I resorted to ordering a EPIC comfort pad replacement set (which I have yet to receive, they have a huge 2-4 month wait period here) that comes with all kinds of shapes plus the grippier pads, all which I can modify to my needs and possibly put the grippy pads on the sides of the helmet to help with the sidewise slipping.
Neither the OC or TW dial systems help in this regard at least for me. They do tighten the helmet so it don't drop from your head even if chip strap is open, but they barely add any real stable support for weigh. They are attached to the back of the helmet and to the front, so the helmet will actually not get any support from the system at the sides. The support must come from the helmet itself, by moving the comfort pads in a way that the helmet tends to pivot (with as little movement as possible) against some surface of your head. I'm not a huge fan of the dial systems that tighten the helmet, but on the other hand have not run any comfortable helmet without (Nightcap not counting as a helmet), so cannot say if it truly is revolutionary or not. Would so much like to test run the MTEK, but not for that price (+ 24% taxes + intl. shipping) at the moment. Crye Nightcap on the other hand has none of these issues. It fits perfect, is comfortable and at least for me enough adjustable. But if you plan running binos then the Nightcap will give less balance as it relies purely on the straps and not on the helmet resting against your head. With monos you don't even notice it. If only you could remold the helmets a little this would be so easy. If I press the TW from the sides just a little so it becomes a tad longer and narrower it would be perfect without any padding modifications. |
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Bro.. I have a big head too. But I wear a L-6 for an ACH. Meaning Large with the 6 pads of Oregon Aero Pads and when I put my Sordins on under it, everything fits perfect.
But the Ops Core OCC Dial Kit is very adjustable and will tighten the helmet onto your noggin. I used it but ended up switching back to the pad system |
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Quoted:
go with team wendy. you can put the pads anywhere you want, and the BOA ratchet is excellent. I was borderline between large and XL get the XL if you are even close to it. The ratchet works so well I dont even know why they make a smaller size. I don't think they actually do. I think the only size difference is the padding & strap length. I asked from them and they avoided the question about shell sizes like they never heard of it  So my conclusion is they are the same.
Edit: as said in an above post, the pads that come with it are not enough for some, head shapes differ. Like said size 2 is good for me except need more padding on the sides, the ones that came with it are too thin to give a nice fit. We are talking about much here, but to make it perfect I ordered a new kit with more pads. Though maybe I'm hunting for a fit that's unattainable. The Boa system does do it's job to tighten the helmet so it does not drop, but it does not make it stable sideways. Edit2: Crye Nightcap is perfect for monos and your head shape will not matter. Cheap too, though no bump protection. |
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thank you for all the replies. I think I'm settled on the TW, now it's a matter of sorting out what size. if the shells are in fact the same, I am wondering if the M/L will actually work better since the padding is likely to be a touch thicker (?) and take up some of the slack on the sides, and the boa system would work to retain the helmet the rest of the way.
on m PT bravo I end up having to really cinch the straps down, so with it being an XL I think that it may have a longer strap set with it...? that would make sense for the TW since it sounds like the shorter strap set would work better for me. this would be so much easier if there was a shop nearby to try one on before buying and potentially needing to exchange it. |
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Quoted:
thank you for all the replies. I think I'm settled on the TW, now it's a matter of sorting out what size. if the shells are in fact the same, I am wondering if the M/L will actually work better since the padding is likely to be a touch thicker (?) and take up some of the slack on the sides, and the boa system would work to retain the helmet the rest of the way. on m PT bravo I end up having to really cinch the straps down, so with it being an XL I think that it may have a longer strap set with it...? that would make sense for the TW since it sounds like the shorter strap set would work better for me. this would be so much easier if there was a shop nearby to try one on before buying and potentially needing to exchange it. Measure your head with a string to see the diameter. That's going to help us help you more. It seems like I remember seeing a size chart somewhere. Another member had the large/xl and it even fit his kids head so. |
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Measure your head with a string to see the diameter. That's going to help us help you more. It seems like I remember seeing a size chart somewhere. Another member had the large/xl and it even fit his kids head so. Quoted:
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thank you for all the replies. I think I'm settled on the TW, now it's a matter of sorting out what size. if the shells are in fact the same, I am wondering if the M/L will actually work better since the padding is likely to be a touch thicker (?) and take up some of the slack on the sides, and the boa system would work to retain the helmet the rest of the way. on m PT bravo I end up having to really cinch the straps down, so with it being an XL I think that it may have a longer strap set with it...? that would make sense for the TW since it sounds like the shorter strap set would work better for me. this would be so much easier if there was a shop nearby to try one on before buying and potentially needing to exchange it. Measure your head with a string to see the diameter. That's going to help us help you more. It seems like I remember seeing a size chart somewhere. Another member had the large/xl and it even fit his kids head so. I know I'm right at the median size, my fitted hat size is 7 3/8. I thought maybe TW altered the length of their straps based on the helmet size like OC does. Otherwise, according to their chart, I need the L/XL size, or Size 2 as they list it. |
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From your hat size I'd say go size 2. The pads in the TW will be the thin ones indeed, but you will need those at the front, back and up, but for sides you too will probably want something thicker. Google TW pictures and see how it looks inside, the black pads are what change in size.
The size 2 straps are in the limit of being too long for me, but can adjust them to fit, I would have liked size 1 straps too, but definitely most of the comfort pads that came with the size 2. And don't take my word for the shell size, it's how I figured it and as said I did not receive a definite answer to that. Though it is odd if they would be two different sizes why would TW not include the pads of other thickness. |
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From your hat size I'd say go size 2. The pads in the TW will be the thin ones indeed, but you will need those at the front, back and up, but for sides you too will probably want something thicker. Google TW pictures and see how it looks inside, the black pads are what change in size. The size 2 straps are in the limit of being too long for me, but can adjust them to fit, I would have liked size 1 straps too, but definitely most of the comfort pads that came with the size 2. And don't take my word for the shell size, it's how I figured it and as said I did not receive a definite answer to that. Though it is odd if they would be two different sizes why would TW not include the pads of other thickness. thanks. the idea of this sounds good, until you realize they start nickel and diming you to get it right. $300 for a helmet, $40 for a pad set, $60 for a cover, $40 for counterbalance weights...holy smokes. |
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thanks. the idea of this sounds good, until you realize they start nickel and diming you to get it right. $300 for a helmet, $40 for a pad set, $60 for a cover, $40 for counterbalance weights...holy smokes. Quoted:
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From your hat size I'd say go size 2. The pads in the TW will be the thin ones indeed, but you will need those at the front, back and up, but for sides you too will probably want something thicker. Google TW pictures and see how it looks inside, the black pads are what change in size. The size 2 straps are in the limit of being too long for me, but can adjust them to fit, I would have liked size 1 straps too, but definitely most of the comfort pads that came with the size 2. And don't take my word for the shell size, it's how I figured it and as said I did not receive a definite answer to that. Though it is odd if they would be two different sizes why would TW not include the pads of other thickness. thanks. the idea of this sounds good, until you realize they start nickel and diming you to get it right. $300 for a helmet, $40 for a pad set, $60 for a cover, $40 for counterbalance weights...holy smokes. Yep that's true. They do sell a set for the LTP for $18 if I remember right, it has just 8 pads, 4 for each size for which the other 4 are the ones that comes with the helmet already (thick size 1, thin for size 2). I ordered the EPIC set because I wanted just more room for configuration, different shapes & especially those grey grippy pads. The regular LTP replacement set might've been just fine as I guess all I need is the thicker side pads like I envision you too will. If I only had the pad set already I could tell how I felt, but it's going to take a while before I receive them. Maybe hit them with an email, perhaps it would be possible to get a size 2 with size 1 strap? If it helps your decision, measured the way Ops Core site asks to measure the strap size (circumference from chin to the top back of your skull) it tells me 28 inches (72cm). And with that measurement, the TW size 2 straps are OK but have to adjust them pretty much to the smaller end, |
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I know I'm right at the median size, my fitted hat size is 7 3/8. I thought maybe TW altered the length of their straps based on the helmet size like OC does. Otherwise, according to their chart, I need the L/XL size, or Size 2 as they list it. Quoted:
Quoted:
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thank you for all the replies. I think I'm settled on the TW, now it's a matter of sorting out what size. if the shells are in fact the same, I am wondering if the M/L will actually work better since the padding is likely to be a touch thicker (?) and take up some of the slack on the sides, and the boa system would work to retain the helmet the rest of the way. on m PT bravo I end up having to really cinch the straps down, so with it being an XL I think that it may have a longer strap set with it...? that would make sense for the TW since it sounds like the shorter strap set would work better for me. this would be so much easier if there was a shop nearby to try one on before buying and potentially needing to exchange it. Measure your head with a string to see the diameter. That's going to help us help you more. It seems like I remember seeing a size chart somewhere. Another member had the large/xl and it even fit his kids head so. I know I'm right at the median size, my fitted hat size is 7 3/8. I thought maybe TW altered the length of their straps based on the helmet size like OC does. Otherwise, according to their chart, I need the L/XL size, or Size 2 as they list it. I wear the same hat size. go with the XL |
| well my Exfil LTP showed up today, size XL. Around my noggin is fine, but I have the straps cinched down as far as they can, and they could probably use just a tad more cinching, but I can't say for sure as I don't have any weight on the helmet yet. I suppose the good side to it is the ability to wear a beanie under the helmet in the cooler months we get around these parts. |
| Dunno about hat sizes but guessing we have a pretty much same size head in circumference. The straps in the Size 2 are indeed pretty long, don't know what kind of a head would actually fit into the shell (with comfort pads) and have the large straps in any other position than almost at the minimum. |
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