It's all prefrence dude! Just make sure it fits. If your helmet shopping bring in your beanie and goggles. If you wear beanie and goggles underneath try on the helmet with them underneath. I would recommend trying without the padding, so that you can also wear it with the ear pads. I rock a smith optics maze, but the holt is good, the new pivot is good. POC makes good helmets, giro, marker. And a few others. But mostly just make sure it fits, not to big not to small. The accepted amount of gaper should be zero, but you can get away with a little bit. I hope this helps.