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View Poll Results: Is there a solution to sweaty clammy helmet?
no. toughen up.
11
22.92%
yes, there is. (please explain)
26
54.17%
yes, you buy two helmets
5
10.42%
you’re an idiot.
6
12.50%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

Helmet Sweat

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Old 06-28-21, 05:21 PM
  #1  
mschwett 
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Helmet Sweat

I’m not sure if this is a first world problem or what, but it’s unpleasant. I sweat a lot, including my head, I guess. I often ride mid-day on my lunch break, or super early in the morning. Then when I go to ride home or to work a few hours later, the little MIPS padding things in my helmet are cold, clammy, wet, and generally disgusting.

Blotting them “dry” before hanging the helmet up doesn’t help. Is the only solution to this to have two or more helmets?
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Old 06-28-21, 05:49 PM
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shelbyfv
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Toughen up, you'll quickly fill it again with sweat. BTW, you can't use "first world" or the numbered alternatives here. Anyway, great thread
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Old 06-28-21, 05:56 PM
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indyfabz
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1 and 4.
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Old 06-28-21, 06:07 PM
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wolfchild
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Originally Posted by mschwett
I’m not sure if this is a first world problem or what
Yes it's definitely a first world problem just like majority of the cycling problems and other cycling related dilemmas posted on bikeforums are first world problems.
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Old 06-28-21, 06:42 PM
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CAT7RDR
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Life is too short to deal with damp stanky helmets.

No association:
https://www.headsweats.com/collections/cycling-styles
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Old 06-28-21, 07:07 PM
  #6  
kahn
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
Life is too short to deal with damp stanky helmets.

No association:
https://www.headsweats.com/collections/cycling-styles
I've used these for years. Biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. I sweat profusely and always have.

https://www.headsweats.com/collectio...headband-white

I do have the blue and red but prefer the white.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:08 PM
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indyfabz
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
Yes it's definitely a first world problem just like majority of the cycling problems and other cycling related dilemmas posted on bikeforums are first world problems.
Like poles/batons and the best pepper spray.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:12 PM
  #8  
UniChris
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As already mentioned headsweats.

If you want to avoid being bothered by leftover helmet sweat and can't aim a fan at it at the office in whatever, soak and wring the headsweats and wait until out in the heat to put it on.

Then you'll feel that, not the stale sweat.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:12 PM
  #9  
Koyote
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I wish I could vote multiple times for this poll.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:25 PM
  #10  
GlennR
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If the pads are removable... wash them.

I do regularly with the rest of my kit.

Buy a spare set so you're not washing them after every ride.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:34 PM
  #11  
blakcloud
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I use a skull cap to help contain some of the sweat. The second thing I do is when I buy a new helmet I order an extra set of pads. When they get stanky, I hand wash them and put in the replacement set.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:35 PM
  #12  
mschwett 
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Originally Posted by GlennR
If the pads are removable... wash them.

I do regularly with the rest of my kit.

Buy a spare set so you're not washing them after every ride.
they might be removable actually. i suppose i could take the front one out and put it in a sunnier spot.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:36 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
Life is too short to deal with damp stanky helmets.

No association:
https://www.headsweats.com/collections/cycling-styles
doesn't it just soak through that thin cap and then start soaking the helmet pads?!?! i sweat enough that when i take my helmet off a spray of sweat drips out.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:43 PM
  #14  
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Bandana, works well enough. And doubled as a mask when I needed to go into a store or that time I held up the bank on my way home.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:44 PM
  #15  
GlennR
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Originally Posted by spelger
Bandana, works well enough. And doubled as a mask when I needed to go into a store .
Must smell..... ugh.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:54 PM
  #16  
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Doesn’t solve the wet helmet pad issue, but Halo headbands at least help funnel away sweat from my eyes. The key is the silicone band. Like Blakcloud I also purchase at least one replacement liner with a new helmet purchase. I tend to destroy the liners rather quickly.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:55 PM
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CAT7RDR
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That has not been my issue. The wind and gravity dissipate the sweat. I do not even have to wash the helmet or padding.

Originally Posted by mschwett
doesn't it just soak through that thin cap and then start soaking the helmet pads?!?! i sweat enough that when i take my helmet off a spray of sweat drips out.
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Old 06-28-21, 07:57 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
gravity dissipate the sweat.
Huh?
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Old 06-28-21, 08:00 PM
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mschwett 
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it's really just this front piece that gets soaked. sweat seems to pool there, and then drip off the front.

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Old 06-28-21, 08:29 PM
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I wear Pace or Halo skull cap under my helmet. A clean one every ride. Two for hot weather commutes. A huge improvement in helmet hygiene.
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Old 06-28-21, 08:37 PM
  #21  
Bmach
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Bring a hair dryer or use the hand dryer in the bathroom if your work place has in.
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Old 06-28-21, 08:44 PM
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Lean your head forward, press the front of the helmet against your forehead. The accumulated sweat will pour out like a waterfall. Fun to do at a rest stop or re-group, like a parlor trick.
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Old 06-28-21, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by mschwett
it's really just this front piece that gets soaked. sweat seems to pool there, and then drip off the front.

I guess I do have to ask: Is your forum name a reference to this problem?
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Old 06-28-21, 08:56 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Bmach
Bring a hair dryer or use the hand dryer in the bathroom if your work place has in.
believe it or not, i've actually held it under the dyson airblade at the office for a while. helps a bit.
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Old 06-28-21, 08:57 PM
  #25  
mschwett 
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Originally Posted by kahn
I guess I do have to ask: Is your forum name a reference to this problem?
lol no, there are lots of germanic surnames that start with that sound.
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