Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
As you point out there are several sets of needs and desired characteristics that various helmet models meet to different degrees. It has not been convincingly demonstrated that there is any reason why manufacturing or marketing costs should increase very much to meet those requirements; only justification appears to be profit motive and buyers willingness to pay more.
More expensive helmets, less sales. Less sales, less helmets manufactured. Less helmets manufactured, higher unit costs for both manufacturing and marketing along every step of the manufacturing to consumer trail.