Carrera Fireball Advance 2.5 - Head shape? Any Flaws?

[DrCR]

Looking at picking up a Carrera Fireball Advance Helmet 2.5 on the cheap for the season. Any flaws? For what head shape is it designed? Tried searching online and here, but didn't find anything. I guess I have what's apparently called an oval head. Looks like an OK match as Carrera also makes a squareish-backed helmet for other head shapes.

Currently using a RED Skycap (the pre-very-top-vents year, just sliding vents) in size Large, though my head measures a tiny 55.3cm circumference. Recommendation: don't buy equipment in a rush from a retailer a day before a trip :D. Particularlly way to much room on the sides but perhaps it just seems that way do to the pading. Currently ride with a skull-cap underneath. Too large helmet makes my head look huge, but I'm warm and extra comfy. :) Rambling...

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Did you try them on?

Go to one of the larger retailers, or even visit a few. Try on everything you can get your hands on. They differ allot, fit is of course extremely important for safety. Then shop them on line. The good news is most lines run similar in shape. So the medium priced helmets of the same line often use the same shape as the high end line up. Of course there are exceptions. Buying without trying on is a crap shoot. IMO

[Bullwings]

i agree.

i don't think brand/style are as important as fit. If a helmet is too loose, it's almost as bad as not wearing a helmet since your head will travel the distance/space within the helmet and impact on the helmet itself as if it had hit the surface of the hard packed snow.

don't think there's a such thing as a helmet fitter either to make your melon fit into it better.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

bingo

[D-Sub]

thermoflex helmets.!

[Sinecure]

Can't comment on the shape, but I do know that you will be very warm in that helmet. It has minimal venting. It may be OK for the east coast if you don't sweat a lot. I had a similarly un-vented Briko when I still lived and skied in NE and I found it way too hot, except on the coldest days. Once I moved to CA, I had to ditch it because I would just drip sweat all day. Now I look for the most vented helmets I can find. But then again, I'm a sweathog.

You can also get a nice low-profile SL chin bar for that helmet. However, I'm not sure how sturdy it would be in a high speed crash. Probably better than no chin bar, but probably not as protective as a real full-face. Its primary purpose is to deflect slalom gate poles that are light and flexible.

[DrCR]

Hear's the thing, I'm on the eastcoast, true, but in the southeast. The nearest bump of a mountain is ~4-5hrs away so shops number and quality are affected accordingly.

Wow just called a local good-for-this-area shop that actually carries Carrera. I'm shocked and amazed. Should had called them before posting; guess I'm just used to having to get what's needed online rather than local.

Yeah, noticed no venting but I tend not to sweat alot, at least my head anyway. My too large Skycap + skullcap underneath has been my standard fare for some time now. I don't think I'll ever snowboard in conditions any warmer than my brief Mt.Hood trip (http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=9206) last year... :D :freak3: . But than again, perhaps the helmet was actually airy due to it being too large, and I really was warmed only by the skullcap.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Good points! Venting is good, but in our tricky conditions it isn't alway good to have a dozen holes in the top of your helmet? Dig? The cute little foam plug things are darling until they help your hat become a collector system for mixed temp precip. (If you haven't already lost them) So, I love my old solid lid with long sides for the nasty storms and the super light and airy one for the spring, sunny or real cold but not nasty powder days (which we almost never see anyways :cool: )

I love my old school beater helmet for the big pow days. Toasty warm, holds the googles in place in the big beaters and doesn't act like a funnel for water collection. The knarly gashes and tree limb dents keep the newbies at bay. :AR15firin

[DrCR]

Um, the girl was wong; the shop didn't carry Carrera. :mad: Did find out the RED audio helmet was too big in M though.

Probably just going to order the Fireball sans test fitting. Such a great price makes doing so easier. At any rate, it can't be worse than my way too big current setup. :D

[RJ-PS]

Agreed with all of the above, trying on is best option, but if you don't have that option cheap online is a close second. The helmet that I got online had different padding options to optimize the fit. It helped!
Here are a few of the cheapy sites:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/2246_Helmets.html
www.overstock.com
http://www.snowshack.com/hecl1.html

and as a wild card steepandcheap.com often has stellar deals.

Let the snow begin!

[DrCR]

Talked with the artechski.com guy, and said the Carreras were for round heads. Glad I couldn't order right off.

He said Marker would be better for a more oval shape or Uvex for even more so on the oval side of things. He didn't say anything about Atomic, Dainese, or Scott, though I've heard Scotts are more on the round side of things.

Bummer last years Markers look so poor. I may make do until next next year as it seems all the '06-'07 helmets look pretty cool, but I still only want to pay ~$55 for them. :D

Going to snowshoe this year. Maybe I'll be able to test-fit at a shop up there.

[D-Sub]

found a shop selling the pro tec descent for $60. Includes audio.

PM me if interested