Nolan N44 Hi-Visibility Helmet (Hi-Vis Orange, Medium)

Bought this to replace a cheap helmet I've been using for years. Visibility is great, as expected. Features and accessories are very nice. Chinstrap is fairly far back toward throat, but not bothersome. I actually prefer it to the double D ring because this one can be secured and released more quickly and there is no loose strap to have to tuck in. Padding inside the helmet is somewhat spartan, which I think contributes to the noisiness. Cheek pads were a bit tight. I removed the liner and found the cheek padding was two strips of foam bonded together and tucked into a loop in the liner. Removed one of the strips on each side and it fit great. I wear a 7-1/4 to 7-3/8 hat, 23" measurement, intermediate oval. A medium seemed just a tad tight initially, but seems just right now after break-in. As mentioned in other reviews, it is not a generic yellow, but an almost fluorescent highway safety yellow. Very visible, but does not match my yellow bike, but that's okay - this is the only color I could still find in the correct size. Vent structure on top of helmet seems to work well, but I think its design is the main reason this helmet is so noisy. Opening or closing the vents does little to change the noise level. When riding, covering either the front or rear ports with a hand seems to quiet things down noticeably. I went riding on a very windy day and the wind noise was a bit exhausting. Will probably carry ear plugs in the future. Otherwise, it's a comfortable helmet with great features and great visibility, and a nice improvement over the old one I was using at a good price.

Was very leery given the couple of negative reviews and had to think about the purchase way too long before I pushed the button. My major concern was with the chin strap as it would render the helmet useless to me if the chin strap was not comfortable. But I took the plunge in spite of my grave fears. Now I have had it for a couple of weeks and using it nearly daily, I have to say it's pretty good. Not perfect, but I have been told by my wife that I am very hard to please and she reminds me of this fact quite often. Anyway, it has a huge clear field of vision. I thought that my last full face helmet noise was pretty intense and was hoping that this one, given the huge price tag, would be better, sadly and surprisingly it is louder. Even more surprisingly is that it seems become even worse with the face shield completely closed (it does seal very nicely against the rubber gasket as designed) than with it cracked open. When completely closed you get a fairly loud seashell echo kind of noise in addition to the normal air flow and road noises.My initial fitting of the helmet the neck strap did cut into the throat as described by a few negative reviewers, that was even when buckled on the loosest ratchet setting available as shipped, OH NO my worst fears were coming true it seemed. Quote from another review "they installed a hard plastic and angular metal ski boot binding device as a neck strap" and "with the metal and plastic binder pressed against my throat..."How did I overcome this insurmountable obstacle you might wonder. Well, since you are wondering, I will tell you. After looking at the attachment point of the "metal ski boot binding device" it attaches to the helmet via a nylon strap similar to any other helmet. Most importantly this nylon strap is adjustable, very similar to most helmets or other items with a nylon web belt! Very adjustable in fact.

I had 5 things I wanted in a new helemt. In no particular order of importance they were:1. Optical clarity2. High Visibility3. Full face, or modular4. Internal sun visor5. Snell Approved or something higher than just DOTThe Nolan N44 had all but one of my criteria (no Snell approval) but the other factors outweighed it so I bought it.In Michigan, we're not required to wear a helmet, but I choose to anyway. I've been noticing the Hi-Viz helemts and decided they help the cagers see us when playing on their cell phones or whatever they're doing when they're not paying attention to the road.I've never heard of Nolan before, my previous helmets being Bell and HJC and a few other cheaper brands.In size 2xl I find it a touch tighter than my HJC, which is fine, it still fits and will probably loosen up once I wear it more.The Nolan N44 is quieter than my previous HJC and Bell, this could also mean it will be warmer once summer comes since there is not near as much wind blowing through it, however, noise is not a big thing for me as I wear earplugs when I ride anyway.One of the things I've noticed about ALL my previous helmets was that I could not read my guages, and I'm near sighted. All the face shields were just a curved piece of plastic. The Nolan N44 is not, the face shield is optically correct.. and it shows. I have never had the this kind of visibility in a helmet. Even my peripherial viewing is complete. While wearing this helmet, I cannot see the helmet. That's something I never want to give up now that I have it.The color is definetly brighter than what is shown here, not quite neon but definetly a lot brighter than shown here. I most surely saw cagers notice it.. and while riding, that could save a crash.The internal sun visor works great, now I do not have to bring two pair of glasses with me when I ride.It does not use D-rings to secure the helmet. more of a ratchet system. I made a big mistake in locking the helmet on my head before I knew how to unlock it.. fortunately it was common sense. I didn't like it at first, but am starting to like it. It does not loosen up on it's own and now that I'm used to it, I really do like it.There are several configs to this helmet, I will only be using it as shown in the picture. The added anti-fog screen that you can snap in seems nice, but I have not had a chance to try it yet. I'll edit to this review once I use it and see if it works or not.Nice helmet, the best I've owned so far..

I upgraded from an AFX FX-39 which is a nice enough helmet but I wanted a modular type with a sun visor. I don't have any issues with the neck strap like others have mentioned. I really like the sun visor and the excellent field of vision that this helmet offers. It feels light and fits comfortably. The pinlock is a really nice bonus. Accessories International had the lowest price I found and they delivered across country in 2 days. Great helmet, great buy, great service.