Originally Posted by
sudo bike
But arguably less protection. Some studies have indicated more vents (especially of the style most bike helmets use) may increase rotational injury (since the vents are more prone to "grab"). If we are wearing a helmet for safety, the best kind are usually the "skate-style" helmets with no or few vents. If you aren't concerned about safety enough to go with the more ineffective, and possibly unproductive kind, why wear one at all?
This is silly, since it's based on speculative problems.
Anyway, all engineering involves compromises. Including the "skate style" helmets.
The issue is not that something manages not to be "perfect".
The issue is whether the benefits outweigh the costs (something that is "arguably" not established for the case of bicycle helmets).
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Originally Posted by
closetbiker
don't forget that the failure rate for these new helmets with larger vents is greater.
Is that true? It would not surprise me that the old hard-shell helmets had a lower "failure" rate but I wonder if there are significant differences for helmets made the same way (but with more or less vents).