You know, I don't really buy this argument at all.

Simply because there is a minimum safety standard to be met, does not mean that all bike helmets offer the same amount of protection. There are minimum safety standards for full-face motorcycles helmets, but it is still widely known that some are safer than others.

Use those critical thinking skills people! I'm not advocating any one kind of helmet over another.

Also, OP, the bern helmets and those like them may look smaller and more low-profile in pictures, but I've seen them IRL and they look pretty massive once they're actually on your head. Also, hot as balls.

In addition, Catlikes are now being sold in the US, so I assume they're being rated by one of the groups that does rating here in Murica.

Here's really what it comes down to: no helmet won't make you look like an idiot in the mirror. It's all mental. Look at any group of roadies, they don't look like idiots in helmets (although their Scattante bikes may be ugly).

My trick to get myself to feel less self-conscious about wearing a helmet is to get fully kitted up. I'll admit that wearing a helmet with jeans and a t-shirt still makes me feel like a dork. [/inner fashionista]