MK313

Didn't want to hijack the helmet poll going on seperately.

I don't wear a helmet when I ride for various reasons. I'm not looking to be convinced to wear one or get into a discussion about the benefits/drawbacks of one, etc. I need to purchase one for an upcoming group ride & one of my big gripes with the older ones was how hot they became. I'm looking to get one that is as cool (temperature-wise, not looks) & comfortable as possible. Price isn't really an obstacle, but it's hard to tell how comfortable a helmet will be by trying it on inside an air conditioned store. My local bike shops carry helmets by Bell, Giro, bontrager & Specialized, although I'm bnot opposed to ordering another brand off the internet if they are more comfortable.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Verbose

I recently purchased a specialized echelon on sale at my lbs. It somehow cools me head better than no helmet at all, which I suppose has to do with the areas it directs air toward. It's a tad wider than my previous helmet, but overall it's very comfortable. I think once you hit the $50-60+ pricepoint for road helmets the ventilation really goes up.

FunkyStickman

Pretty much any of the basic helmets by Bell or others will work fine, they're pretty similar. Find one that has a comfortable strap and retaining system, and one that fits snugly. You're not going to get massive improvements over the basic ones, go for comfort and good cooling vents.

Cyclogenesis

Ditto what has been said.. spend a decent amount and you will get something light and comfortable and well ventilated... A basic vanilla helmet is the Bell Solar (we have a share bike program at work, they gave this out to those that competed the training, basic but works!)... I use a Lazer Mamba XC (wanted something pretty heavy duty for MTB use)... As with most gear: Goto shop, try it on, buy what feels good! And remember the old saying: Man who by expensive cries once, man who buys cheap cries many many times...

chipcom 

works for me.

Another option is the Uvex Touring - inexpensive, has a fantastic chin strap fastener and bug screens in the front vents.

mttx

I am currently looking for one and I think I have my eyes on the Giro Atmos. Very confortable and light weight. So much that kinda feels like I don't even have one on my head. But again, it cost ~$125...

Basically all helmet does the same job no matter what you pay for. Vents, weight (materials used), retaining system will have a huge factor on how much you are paying for your helmet. Best advice is to go to your lbs and try them on. Only you can know if the helmet is the ight one for you.

Cheers.

MK313

I definitely plan to go to the bike store to try them on (unless the far & away 'winner' is not available locally) but it's hard to judge airflow by trying on helmets at the LBS, which is why I figured I'd ask here.

chipcom 

Most LBS allow you to test ride their bikes and require you to wear a helmet to do so. I'm sure if you express an interest in a certain helmet at the same time you express interest in test riding a bike, you could kill two birds with one stone, even if you only eat one.

MK313

Great idea, thanks!

mconlonx

If you normally don't ride one and just need a helmet for one event, get the cheapest one out there -- Bontrager Solstice, Giro Indicator are the cheap ones I know; I bet there's Bell and Specialized models in the same price range ~$40

CliftonGK1

I just picked up a Giro Prolight and it's amazingly comfortable and super vented. If the sale is still on, they're dumping their stock to make room for the 2012 model (which is a gnat-crap lighter than the 2011) and Competitive Cyclist has them for 35% off.

Try one on somewhere first, because they made it so light by removing some of the adjustability features. The Y-harness at the ears is fixed, and the occipital retention is elastic instead of twist-adjustable. The only adjustment you have is the chin-strap.

Ratchet

Of course, it depends how long the "event" is. My husband's only organized event was two hot summer days long. I get out a lot more often, so an "event" to me might be a ride with a touring ladies' group tonight for a few hours. The length of the event will matter...
That said, I just upgraded from my $50 helmet to my $200 one, and the difference blew me away. The vents DO make a huge difference, and the weight makes me forget it's even on, which is something I never experienced with the other. Up to a certain point (the point past which is ridiculousness, I guess), I think you usually get what you pay for.

sdvictor

The best helmets are in the 150-200 range. It's almost like you're not wearing a helmet.

You really do get what you pay for.

My recommendations - Giro Atmos or Giro Ionos.

More vents = inherently less stiff = more cost in other materials (outside of foam and plastic) to maintain structural integrity during impact. The Giro helmets have carbon fiber inserts to make sure they hold up during a crash.

BarracksSi

You'll surely find something good among those manufacturers.

I really like my Specialized S-Works and would likely only replace it with a Prevail. Great ventilation, really light, and it's the only helmet that fits more comfortably than my S-Works.

But, I think you should also check out the Echelon and the Propero. Try the Bell and Giro helmets in that price range, too.

About making a guess at ventilation if they don't let you test one on a ride --

I had a helmet with a rental bike earlier this year that didn't vent worth a crap. The vents in front could have taken air in, but there's no exit in back. Look around for shots of a Prevail, Catlike Whisper, etc., and compare them to this one. Here's what the inside-rear looked like:

jsdavis

Fox Flux is fairly cool but it geared more towards mountain biking so you might not like the chunky styling and it's not for weight weenies. It has a more coverage than typical helmets though.

The Chemist

I ride with a Giro Indicator and to be honest I've never had my head feel any hotter than the rest of me while riding. In fact, I feel that my helmet actually does a pretty good job of cooling down my head in the blistering hot and humid summer weather we get here in Shanghai.

justadude

I ride with an older Giro helmet that probably cost me $40, 8 years ago. They're good for keeping the sun off your head. Designed for air flow or ventilation makes them cooler than a ball cap or other hat. It took some trial and error adjusting the straps to fit comfortably around my ears, but since then it's always comfortable with the straps. I usually forget I'm wearing it, until it gets smacked by a low tree branch, and then it's better than me getting smacked in the head.

mtalinm

My mileage varies with the Prolight. it is light, but I found it uncomfortable and having crummy ventilation. moreover, sweat leaked into my eyes worse than with my older helmet. I'm sending it back. The only time I notice its lightness is when I'm holding it in my hands or showing off to a friend. Once on my head I don't notice.

Much prefer the Bell Volt which, while heavier, has unbelievable ventilation and never lets a drop of sweat into my eyes...even on an 8-hour century in 90-degree weather, which I did last weekend.

There is a reason the pros don't wear the prolight... note that Cadel Evans was in a Volt

Aushiker

Hi

I ride with a Bell Sweep .. temperatures have got over 50 C on the bike and the helmet hasn't got to hot for me.

You might find https://helmets.org worth a visit for ideas.

Regards
Andrew

MichaelW

Do white or light-coloured helmets keep you cooler than dark ones?

MK313

Thanks for all of the replies. All of this is useful to me. Thanks for the tips on cooling, etc & for all of the results with specific models.

c_mack9

i've been wondering this too.

i have seen the bell transfer mentioned twice, i have one and would not recommend it. im currently looking to upgrade to something that vents better. it's only $30 so it serves it purpose but its huge, makes me look like a mushroom, the straps are very uncomfortable, and sweat pools up in the vents. after my last ride i bent down to sit my bottle down and sweat poured out of the top of my helmet.

chasm54

This looks like good advice, I should have taken it myself. I too don't use one normally, but have one because I have from time to time participated in events where they were mandatory. FWIW I bought a Giro Atmos because it seemed the best ventilated of those available at the time. I seriously doubt, however, that it has much advantage over cheaper models.

Six jours

I disagree, and I wonder how you know the bit about "structural integrity" to be true. At any rate, I've tried very expensive helmets that I didn't like, and fairly cheap helmets that were perfectly satisfactory. When I wear a helmet, it's a $50 "sale special" made by Bell. They all pass the same tests, for whatever that's worth, so if you find one that's comfortable, who cares what it costs - unless you're trying to impress someone, of course...

BarracksSi

If anyone thinks they can impress someone with a helmet, they're out of their mind.

That said, I wouldn't have gotten my S-Works if I hadn't gotten a great price on it. I very nearly bought one earlier right after I tried it on, though.

Yeah, I could have kept using my first helmet, a Giro taped-shell from about 1999, but this one is so much nicer that I don't think about what it cost. I'd rather have a comfy helmet, regardless of price, than an uncomfortable one (also regardless of price; as an example, I won't buy a Giro Ionos or a Bell Sweep because they're just not as comfortable).