Commuting - Get Rid of that Sweaty Helmet !!!!!

When it rains, my eye tears. Yes I'm talking about the rain water mixing with the dried up sweat inside my helmet padding and working its way to my eyes. I almost veered off my commuter bike into the opposite traffic because of this. So my advice to everyone who commutes through thunderstorm heavy season, replace your sweaty helmet or at least try to clean it somehow.




H23NC,

I wear a Buff (http://www.buffusa.com) under my helmet and that seems to help. I also use a rain cover (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619473&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693161&bmUID=1188532218050) to help, but I completely understand and had the same problem before I got the Buff.

bandanna under the helmet can helpl with this

bandanna under the helmet can helpl with this
+1 and for a buck each, you can have spares.

I heard using running water makes wonders against sweaty helmet pads.:rolleyes:

I take the pads off after each ride and just rinse them with water. No smell, no crusts. Keeps the pads intact longer too.

I took out the pads along the plastic strap. No more stinky head and still comfortable

I'd rather have a sweaty helmet than a dented head.

Wear your helmet in the shower at least once a week, and you'll be fine.

^. Hope all the padding would not come unglued?

yech.

My Giro has velcro-pull out liners that are washable. It makes a big difference.

^. is that a Giro feature. All liners, I have ever seen are glued into place.

You don't ever wash your helmet? Once a week, after a long weekend ride, I take my helmet in the shower with me and thoroughly rinse it out. Gets the salt off and prevents it from stinking.

? What kinda helmet do you have.


I have a 1 yr old Giro helmet (crashed and destroyed my previous 3 yr old Trek, etc) that I basically rinsed off and took the 3 - 5 (depending on helmet) velcroed pads out and washed them. No problem.

^. Hope all the padding would not come unglued?

Nope... not yet, at least.

When it rains, my eye tears. Yes I'm talking about the rain water mixing with the dried up sweat inside my helmet padding and working its way to my eyes. I almost veered off my commuter bike into the opposite traffic because of this. So my advice to everyone who commutes through thunderstorm heavy season, replace your sweaty helmet or at least try to clean it somehow.




H23NC,

When I get home, I pretty much hop in the shower with the helmet on. I rinse it out almost daily. About once a week, I'll use some shampoo or hand soap on the pads and gently rub it in and rinse them out really well. My helmet is never funky now.

? What kinda helmet do you have.


I have a 1 yr old Giro helmet (crashed and destroyed my previous 3 yr old Trek, etc) that I basically rinsed off and took the 3 - 5 (depending on helmet) velcroed pads out and washed them. No problem.

I have a Bell Alchera that has velcro. Glue on the velcro isn't the best, but can always re-glue that if need be.

Don't forget gloves. Those can and need to be rinsed out too. I wash mine after every mtb ride and every week or so in the summer commuting. Less in winter. Just keep in mind that neither a helmet nor gloves are likely to dry by the next morning, so you may need 2 of each.

I wear a head cover under my helmet whenever its cold or raining. When its warmer, I wear a sweatband under the helmet. Both of them soak up the sweat pretty well. I just wash then every week or so.

My problem is the chin straps on my helmet. They get all crusty with sweat if I don't rinse them off every once in a while.

I guess that means I'm getting exercise, though. I mean, at least I'm sweating, right?

Well, only when it rains. Besides that I've never washed my helmet. Washing yourself with helmet sounds kinky to me. Please don't get me wrong. This is my first time hearing people actually take a shower with their helmet on. Maybe I should try it.




You don't ever wash your helmet? Once a week, after a long weekend ride, I take my helmet in the shower with me and thoroughly rinse it out. Gets the salt off and prevents it from stinking.

I have a Bell helmet. Next one I'm buying will defintely be a velcro one. Thanks for the tip.



? What kinda helmet do you have.


I have a 1 yr old Giro helmet (crashed and destroyed my previous 3 yr old Trek, etc) that I basically rinsed off and took the 3 - 5 (depending on helmet) velcroed pads out and washed them. No problem.

Thanks for everyone's help. Sounds like the consensus is to get a Velco one and wash the padding often. No offense but I'm not a fan of wearing bandana because I got to let my head cool. Taking a shower with helmet on is too hardcore for me but might try it out to see how it feels like.




H23NC,

Hmmm, maybe I should wash the pads in my Giro helmet. It's been years, and they're probably rather gross.

I just found out that my helmet's pads are velcroed on. I washed them and they are dry already from sitting on top of my monitor. Thanks!! I never knew.

Thanks for everyone's help. Sounds like the consensus is to get a Velco one and wash the padding often. No offense but I'm not a fan of wearing bandana because I got to let my head cool. Taking a shower with helmet on is too hardcore for me but might try it out to see how it feels like.


Haha! I take it OFF in the shower to rinse it out. Then I set it on the floor next to the shower and commence with my regularly-scheduled scrub-down.

^. is that a Giro feature. All liners, I have ever seen are glued into place.

Giro, Specialized, Bell. I've only seen velco liners, never ones glued in. Pull Rinse Replace...pretty simple.

Just pulling the pads and washing them doesn't solve the salty strap problem. I hold the whole helmet under the faucet, squeeze the pads and straps while dousing them, then squeeze again to remove excess water.

I have an Alchera by Bell too. I just pull out the 3 pads rinse them with water. I also run water over the straps too. 20-30 seconds of rinsing should be fine. I do this after every ride. So far no stinky helmet.

I rinse the pads and straps in the sink, still attached to the helmet. No worries.

Just grow yourself some big ole brows.

The sweat from this guys helmet NEVER reaches his face:
http://www.monobrow.com/monobro/images/bro-37.jpg
;)

Giro, Specialized, Bell. I've only seen velco liners, never ones glued in. Pull Rinse Replace...pretty simple.

quite honestly, never bothered to dislodge them . I will have to check it out and see if my assumption is correct.

Taking a shower with helmet on is too hardcore for me but might try it out to see how it feels like.

I assume that people aren't watching me take a shower with it on, so it's not so bad ;). The first time I did it, I felt like a total geek.

No offense but I'm not a fan of wearing bandana because I got to let my head cool. H23NC,

Here's the trick: take the bandana off, soak it in cold water, then put it back on. Mmmmm....cold.