We’re going to discuss a helmet that might interest anyone who rides ATVs, carts, or goes on a short trail ride using a dirt bike. The helmet we’ll cover is the CARTMAN Phantom full-face helmet. This helmet is affordable, it meets DOT requirements (one of the only real requirements), it comes with goggles and gloves already inside the box, and it’s priced lower than other full-face riding kits available on amazon. Find it here: buy The CARTMAN Phantom helmet on amazon.
Build Quality and Safety
As an ABS helmet, it isn’t made from fiberglass nor carbon fiber like higher-end models from Shoei or Arai. However, it is still rated by DOT FMVSS No. 218, the US federal standard for full face helmets. As such, it is a minimum expectation of any helmet costing less than triple digits.
The shell is aerodynamic and was shaped to minimize wind resistance. The manufacturer states this will help reduce wind noise, although i doubt it will reduce the amount of wind noise generated by an ABS helmet.
Air flow is managed via two vents located just below the chin and two more towards the rear of the helmet. In terms of airflow, this is simply a basic setup. There are certainly much better options available for ventilation on a high end full face. Since you won't generate excessive amounts of heat on the trail while doing low-speed work, these vents will be enough to cool your head somewhat.
Goggles and gloves also come in the box. These aren't throwaways, however they're functional and will help you see and grip items safely while riding casually. Goggles protect your eyes from trail debris. Gloves allow you to grab onto handles or grips without shredding your hands. Plus, you'll receive a complete starter kit as part of this purchase. With respect to motorcycle helmets that include everything you'll need for a new rider, there really aren't very many choices at this price point. Visit amazon to check prices and find additional details.
Comfort and Fit
Adjustable chin straps are used on the phantom. The chin straps adjust to fit comfortably. Additionally, the interior lining is completely removable, allowing you to wash it after it becomes wet or dirty from trail riding. Many people don't realize that until their helmet stinks. Available in sizes ranging from small to extra large and accommodating head circumference measurements of 21.65 to 24 inches. This puts the phantom in line with younger riders, as well as smaller adults. Multiple reviewers describe it as "lightweight", which is important for many reasons. Long-term fatigue occurs in your neck due to a heavier helmet. The phantom doesn't appear to cause this issue for its intended users, one reviewer who purchased it for his 9 year old son stated he liked how the helmet stayed in place and didn't slide around when riding. This is a key measure of fit security. Anytime a helmet slides during use, it represents a hazard regardless of what the shell says. While there were several great comments regarding the overall fit of the helmet, there was one reviewer who found that the neck strap area was slightly tighter than expected. While not a huge issue, this would represent a slight issue for someone trying to secure their helmet properly.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Based on its 126 Reviews, resulting in a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, the phantom is generally praised by its users. Positive comments regarding the fit are common among reviewers. Several reviewers stated that the fit was perfect right out of the box, with multiple stating that it ran true to size. Rider Dave commented that the fit was exactly what he needed for longer periods of use. Another major plus-point is durability, one parent mentioned that since purchasing the helmet for her nine year old son, she'd dropped it multiple times without cracking the shell or degrading the fit. Based on that alone, i think this is a big win for parents of kids who tend to handle things roughly. Lastly, many reviewers praised value based on price. Reviewer delfino said the helmet wasn't terrible for the money, and i agree with him. You're clearly not getting top-shelf materials and craftsmanship for this price, but in terms of bang-for-your-buck, this appears to deliver for casual riders and beginners. Check pricing for yourself on amazon. The added goggles and gloves add significant value to this package compared to buying each item separately and paying real extra money for each accessory. A word of caution regarding safety ratings: while some reviewers mention impact absorption, i believe those statements may be overstating the abilities of a thin ABS shell with a basic EPS liner. It's unlikely this helmet would survive multiple high-impact crashes even at walking speeds. I'm sure the nine-year-old boy in question crashed at a relatively low rate of speed versus an actual motorcycle wreck.
Who Is This Helmet For?
Honesty is always appreciated when determining whether or not the phantom is suitable for your specific needs. The phantom is designed specifically for atv, dirt biking, and karting. This wide scope implies that it is not optimized for any particular activity type.
Young riders interested in dirt bikes or go-kart racing will benefit from the phantom. Smaller adults with a medium-sized head will appreciate the phantom as well for casual trail riding or occasional ATX use.
Street riders should consider another option. Although it has a DOT sticker indicating compliance with US federal motor vehicle standards for head protection (fmvss), it's not optimized for street use. Ventilation, visor operation and wind management are suited more to slower paced off-road activities than they are highway speeds. Street riders should invest in helmets specifically designed for street use.
Skiing/snow sports are not recommended either. Weather sealing is a tall order for any entry-level ABS helmet.
Overall, i think this is a pretty decent choice for its intended audience at this price point. Don’t expect anything more than this helmet provides, it’s designed for casual atv/off-roading/karting use, and you shouldn’t have any issues. Take a look at our blog for additional articles reviewing different types of riding disciplines and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What buyers ask before grabbing this budget full face kit.
Will the CARTMAN Phantom helmet come with goggles and gloves?
Yes. The goggles & gloves will ship with the helmet. The goggles & gloves are one of the major selling features of this product and provide added value beyond being just another cheap helmet.
Does the CARTMAN Phantom Helmet Meet DOT Requirements?
Yes. The phantom helmet meets DOT FMVSS No. 218 requirements, which is required by law for sale in the united states, although DOT requirements do not represent an independent safety rating. More information on DOT helmet standards can be viewed if you'd like to learn more about what this certification entails.
Howlarge Does The CARTMAN Phantom Helmet Come In?
This helmet will come in sizes ranging from small to extra-large, encompassing head circumferences measuring 21.65 – 24 inches. Please refer to the amazon product page for a detailed size chart so you can accurately determine your proper fit.
Cani Wash/remove the Interior Lining?
Yes! The interior lining can be removed to wash it when it becomes wet or dirty from trail riding.
Isthis A Good Street Riding Helmet?
Although it does meet DOT requirements and therefore meets all regulatory requirements for street use in the US, i wouldn’t recommend this helmet for street use. Its ventilation system, visor functionality and wind management were designed with slower-paced off-road riding in mind.