Advocacy & Safety - helmet recomendation

Hi.

New to biking and looking for a decent helmet. Don't have a lot of spare cash but obviously don't want to go really cheap either. Anybody recomend a good helmet for a good price. I'm thinking $50-60. Is that reasonable? Thanks in advance for all replies.

The cheapest ugliest helmet that is CSPC certified will protect your head the same as a $200 Giro Atmos.

Only difference is style and air channelling/venting.

Louis Garnot, Gyro, Specilized, Bell


Try them all and the one that fits your head and your riding style is the one to get.

Even at 160 bucks not having a brain injury is a bargain.

Yes, but if your goal is to protect your brain, you can get the same protection with $25 as $200, so you might as well save your money unless you're racing or looking for a status symbol.

I rode for 1yr. with a cheap Schwinn helment from Target for $19.99.

I later upgraded to a $120 Giro E2 - mainly because I wanted maximal venting for riding in 115degF weather.

Yes the Giro is better vented, lighter and looks better, but frankly is not fantastically better, certainly not 5x better. If I had to continue to to use the Schwinn I wouldn't be too upset.

As someone else pointed out the cheap and the expensive ones all provide the same level of certified protection. Some folks may even make the suggestion that the cheap ones provide better protection as they are over built instead of spending lots of engineering money to minimize the materials for weight and venting, but still just pass the certification.

Al

My point was ... the one that fits the best is the one you should buy

Go to http://www.canadiantire.ca and enter in the search box "louis garneau helmet". The prices go from $30 to $50 Canadian. I found the $50 was comfyer so thats the one I bought - I think it has a few more vent holes than the cheaper ones.

My point was ... the one that fits the best is the one you should buy

Yep, with all other things but price being equal you can't go wrong with the helmet that fits you comfortably.

I got a Giro Animas on sale from Performance. Price fit your budget range and I love the fit & feel.

Yes, but if your goal is to protect your brain, you can get the same protection with $25 as $200, so you might as well save your money unless you're racing or looking for a status symbol.

But impact protection isn't the only issue. If your $25 helmet cooks your head on a big climb in the middle of summer you may wish you'd spent more on one with better ventilation.

My £60 Giro (Animas) is more than twice as comfy as the £30 Met it replaced.

I've seen $20 helmets at Walmart with plenty of ventilation...but they look funky-if that matters.