maximushq2

I was just wondering what people who get extreme cold temps like -40 or colder do to keep their head from freezing. Does anyone use a snowmobile type helmet like this for example? Also it would protect your head better than the usually bike helmet. Where I live it only gets to -20 or so at the coldest.

Sixty Fiver

Snowboarding helmets are excellent as they are nearly identical to a multi use cycling helmet and are insulated.

CastIron

Motorsports helmets are designed with ventilation in mind for people who aren't breathing vigorously and have air being force fed at high velocity through the ports to dissipate moisture (before it freezes) and CO2.

I own (and use for their intended purpose) two full face moto helmets and wouldn't think of using them on a bicycle.

madfiNch

My ski helmet just arrived today!! For me it's a winter bike helmet, though
The liner is removable so I could use it as a summer helmet, too. But I don't know if it'll fit me if I'm not wearing the liner + other warm stuff under it. We'll see..

AEO

-40... is that with or without windchill? That sounds ridiculously cold to ride a bike or even be outside to begin with...

For anything milder... A normal bike helmet with a wind/water proof cap on the helmet (or just a really poorly ventilated helmet) and ski goggles.

You can also pick up some balaclavas made for use with helmets for about $16 at mark's warehouse (or similar) if you feel like your face is too cold.

maximushq2

Thanks. You both gave me some good info. I wouldn't have thought of a snowboarding helmet and of course now it makes sense that the snowmobile helmet wouldn't be good for biking. For myself I wouldn't mind getting a helmet that offers full face protection and is warmer than the super ventilated helmet I have now. I saw a few snowboarder helmets that offered this type of protection. Now that I am riding on ice and snow I wouldn't mine keeping my teeth if I plant my face into the road plus the helmet I have is worthless for warmth and only allow for a thin hat or baklava. A quick google search yielded a few of the type I might want. This helmet says for ski and snowboarders so it may work ok for biking in the cold.?

Sixty Fiver

Out in Western Canada we do go out when it's -40 C and some of us will still be riding our bikes if the temperatures plunge to those depths.

martianone

I use a RibCap Marley

oneredstar

I still use my regular helmet during winter, even at -40 celcius. I do wear a Balaclava under it though. I don't know of any snowboard helmet that is actually safety rated for bike use. I know most people do not care about this, but it is one of the things that keeps me from using one.

AEO

Damn, send us some of your people here... Toronto can't seem to stop complaining about how cold (only -12c), snowy (only 15cm in some areas), and treacherous (lots of clueless winter drivers) it is with a minor amount of snow

NoRacer

Why get another helmet? Just throw a knitted cap over your bike helmet :

Markok765

I use a snowboarding helmet.

heywood

Wow the pink hue in that photo has me thinking 1974 all over again. I've got some from then and they have the same look!

I've got a scull cap (up to -10C) and anything below that I go with a full on decant belaclava. Basically I just add another layer (within reason) for each 10 degree drop in temp. If it's hitting -40 I'd start looking for some kind of light weight battery powered heating, or a chemical 'hot paws' kind of thing or simply wait until the temp gets higher. I'd also start worrying about temps that cold affecting metal frames and components. There are limits dude and -40 and lower is starting to test them..

I've heard that there is an antarctic test vehicle that is a trike that has baloon like tires and must have extreme cold weather parts, maybe that'd be something to look into. Or check what the Delta force guys use (or SAS). I know they are big bike users and probably have some cool tech for extreme riding, but it's probably classified..

Cheers!

Cyclist0383

+1

maximushq2

Thanks for all the replies. I have to think over what I want to do now. I went out for a 45 minute ride at about 10pm tonight and it was about 15 degrees. I used a Balaclava under my regular helmet, but it is really thin on the top half and doesn't give much protection from wind and cold. I posted a couple of pics of what I have. I would ideally like to still be able to mount my light on the helmet. Basically the top of my head is all that feels cold so and I don't think I can squeeze much more under my helmet but I will try. No Racer that is a good idea if I could do that and still get my the straps that hold the light on my helmet through it then it may just work. Although I like the pink on you, I think I would use black though as a 6'2" 200 lb. guy might look a bit funny in the pink.

CsHoSi

I wear a balaclava w/skirt under my full face bicycle helmet. I even have a mirror attachment on it, a 661 Carbon Full Bravo. My DOT moto helmet is too heavy and doesn't have large vents. Which are also useful for attaching the straps of my helmet-mounted light.

madfiNch

Bern helmets comply with EN 1078, CSPC, and ASTM 2040. I think that the less expensive Bern hardhats don't.

Markok765

My Pro-tec snowboard helmet is made for multiple hits, is this ok?

madfiNch

I am so not an expert! I just wanted to make sure that if I was spending so much on a helmet that it would protect me!
If you know which model you have, I think you can just look up if it passes the bike ratings on the Pro-tec website. It looks like they list all the certifications the helmets have: https://www.pro-tec.net/
I wouldn't trust any helmet after an impact with a car or the pavement, though! I think that multiple impact snowboarding helmets probably assume a lesser impact than that.

oneredstar

Here is a link to a site that breaks down the helmet ratings. https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/349.pdf

idcruiserman

Tape over the holes in your bike helmet.

edzo

use clear packing tape over the vents of a normal helmet.

then a thin beanie under it

save that helmet for winter. done and done.

/crap ... idcruiserman beat me by under 1 minute

Jeffbeerman2

I've been seriously considering one of these. Could you give a more detailed review? How comfortable is it? Does the cotton base layer make it extra sweaty? How does it look? Is it obious that it has protection sewn into it (bulky-looking or normal-looking?)? Can you speak to how much protection it offers based on experience or just playing around with it?

maximushq2

I feel kind of dumb not to think of taping over the holes lol. It's funny how sometimes we look for more complicated solutions and the simplest ones elude us. I did however consider cramming foam in the vent holes, but still I find it weird I didn't think to use tape. Still I am considering if a downhill mtb helmet might be a good idea as I am riding on sheets of ice and snow a lot which will eventually wipe me out. Thanks everyone, I knew you all would come up with some great ideas.

flipped4bikes

I bought a Uvex Ultrasonic Pro Helmet off amazon a couple of months ago. There are different helmet certifications for each sport, and also depends on which country you live in. My helmet says it's not rated for bicycling. I did some research, and though it is true, the other certifications for skiing/snowboarding convinced me its safe to use for winter bicycling.

Most of these certifications are industry driven, and mostly to cover their butts. The way I figure it, if the helmet is good enough to go tree skiing in, it ought to be able to withstand a bike ride.