Customer mail: My wife has epilepsy, what kind of helmet should I get for her?

Finding a comfortable and stylish helmet can greatly improve the safety and quality of life for those at risk of head injuries.

Dear Bike Pretty,

My wife has epilepsy and needs to wear a helmet to protect the back of her head when she falls. I would like to get a hat and helmet combo for her. Which hat fits over which helmet? This is very important to me. Thank you for the help!

–Robert

Hi Robert,

Thank you so much for reaching out. I appreciate your concern!

First I would like to clarify:

All of our hat-style helmets are two separate components: the Danish-designed YAKKAY Smart 2 bicycle helmet and a hat-style cover. The Yakkay Smart 2 is US CPSC and EN 1078 certified safe for use as a bicycle helmet in both the United States and Europe. The covers are hand made to be both beautiful and tough so you can arrive looking good in any conditions. 

Select the Helmet + Cover package during checkout to receive both the helmet and cover as a bundle. Or buy Cover Only if you already have a helmet.

While the Yakkay Smart 2 Bike Helmet is certified for use as a bicycle helmet, it is not certified for use as safety headgear for people who have seizures. The CPSC advises that helmets be matched to the activity. As far as I can tell, there is no helmet certification standard for people with seizures! This seems like an oversight.

I did find this article from the Epilepsy Foundation website: How to choose a protective helmet

Not all types of helmets offer adequate protection. Bicycle helmets are comfortable and good-looking, but they do not offer the best protection for injuries from seizure activity. Coverage is insufficient in the back and on the sides of the head. When seizures cause forward falls, they do not protect the face, and if they are not adjusted properly, they move too much. Longevity of the helmet is another problem. With repeated hard falls, a bicycle helmet may crack.

According to the article, you may want to consider a hockey helmet or a helmet made for those with medical needs. Once you and your wife have found a protective product that meets your needs, I do have some good news regarding our covers! 

Customers have tried the Straw Hat and Yakkay Hat-style covers on other helmet brands with some luck. Those customers usually have to take the cover in size XL - US Large to fit their helmet.

We are delighted to offer pre-paid shipping labels for returns and exchanges of any helmets or helmet covers shipped within the US. So you can try the cover of your choice on the helmet and return or exchange it for free if it doesn't meet your needs.

Please let me know if you have any questions!