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View Full Version : I have an American lid. It's snell approved so should I trust it?

monkey
19-02-09, 12:36 AM
I know it's illegal on UK roads but is a snell approved lid up to the same sort of standard as the ones sold in the UK?

I'd like to get some use out of it (off road).
zsv650
19-02-09, 12:38 AM
i think the yank tests are tougher than our's don't quote me on that though has snell got a website might ease your mind to see how they test the helmet's out.
bris
19-02-09, 01:31 AM
I think it is legal to use a snell helmet in the UK because it meet or surpasses our standards, but it is illegal to sell them in the UK. Bit of a grey area but I'm sure someone will know for sure.
JediGoat
19-02-09, 01:48 AM
Darren

Snell tests are different to EC-2205, not better, not worse, just different. The main difference is the testing of repeated impact on one point. Therefore, common consensus says Snell is better suited to car racing lids (i.e. repeated hits on one point of helmet, as would happen when repeatedly hitting a roll cage). However, to achieve this the shell has to be much harder, and therefore absorbs less energy.

So, Snell shells tend to be harder than EC-2205 ones, and that helps, and hinders at the same time (i.e. better in some circumstances, worse in others). My advice...get a helmet that meets EC-2205 ;)

Jo
monkey
19-02-09, 01:55 AM
Cheers Jo. I have got a good lid so I'll try and remember to keep bringing it home from the garage. I've read up a bit on snell now so I may use it when a really quick trip to the shops via some green lanes is in order.
robbills
19-02-09, 08:12 AM
I have one of each and they're the same model. The EC certified one seems MUCH lighter and therefore more comfortable for me. As far as which is safer, shop_addict makes a good argument above.

My 2p...

Rob
JediGoat
19-02-09, 10:43 AM
I have one of each and they're the same model. The EC certified one seems MUCH lighter and therefore more comfortable for me. As far as which is safer, shop_addict makes a good argument above.

My 2p...

Rob

The weight is the main difference people notice - and it all comes back the the shell having to be much tougher for Snell testing (so it tends to be thicker).

But there's more to a good lid than how hard the shell is...if there wasn't, we'd all just wrap our heads in concrete ;)