Advocacy & Safety - Allergic to styrofoam

Hi, I'm allergic to styrofoam. This makes wearing a traditional helmet impossible. Does anyone know if there are any alternatives? I've tried contacting Bell, but they don't seem interested in helping me out.

I can honestly say that I've never heard of that before.

Your best bet is to go straight to the manufacturer, or to a major retailer and ask there. I know Bell wasn't any help, but an allergy to styrofoam might be so rare that it's just not been addressed.

GL and I hope you find one.

Are helmets for other activities also made of styrofoam? Look at a skateboard helmet.

You should check your local laws to see if there's a helmet law. If there isn't then there's nothing to worry about.
If there is, I wonder if its possible to get some kind of medical exception (ask a doctor?).

Helmet laws account for medical issues that prevent wearing helmets, so you don't have to wear one if you don't absolutely want to.

Protec makes skiing/snowboarding helmets that have a very similar shell to their bicycle models but use a completely different type of foam.

Hockey helmets are similar, they don't use styrofoam because they are designed for multiple impacts, whereas most bicycle helmets are only designed for a single impact.

Bern makes a line of outdoor activity helmets that are based on the construction hardhat nylon web suspension design.

Would wearing a bandana under the helmet to prevent direct contact with the foam work?

BMX and skateboard helmets use a closed cell foam usually a urethane type foam. They are also designed to be used for more than one impact.

football helmet

Kayak helmet, kevlar shell with foam (not Styrofoam) padding

Hang gliding helmet

Yes, there are cycling helmets made with liners of something other than expanded polystyrene EPS. Cycling helmets are designed to force air around your head, so they should be your first choice. Try searching google for helmet specs. I can't recall who makes their helmets from other kinds of liners, but they are out there. The cover is another good idea.

Er, don't wear one? I'm allergic too, when I wear one it makes my head twice as big, so it's kind of counterproductive- more likely to get hit in a fall.

Er, don't wear one? I'm allergic too, when I wear one it makes my head twice as big, so it's kind of counterproductive- more likely to get hit in a fall.

The OP didn't ask for anti helmet propaganda.