How To Wear... Helmets

Ex-pro and occasional style consultant Yanto Barker gives his view on the item of kit that tops them all. Literally.

It’s funny to think that an item so vital to looking good on the bike was something no one used to wear. For 15 years of the 20 I was a professional I never wore a helmet out training. They were for protection in races – any other time the freedom of the wind in my hair was much more important (a six-hour ride artfully tousled my hair just the right amount). Then I met my wife. She demanded I wear one on every ride, and as usual she was right – now it’s the norm and I would feel naked without one.

However if safe is to be sexy, naturally there is etiquette to observe. Most importantly, the arms of your sunglasses should sit over a helmet’s straps. This is crucial. The venerable Frank Strack eloquently explained the reason behind this back in issue 59, so I will not repeat it here.