Originally Posted by
gpburdell
Yes, a properly fitting helmet should be comfortable and not really noticeable. Different brands (and different models) are built for differently shaped heads; you really need to go physically try on helmets to find the proper fit.
As mentioned, from the purposes of protection you're essentially the same with any certified helmet. What people pay for beyond the basics is fit, weight, aesthetics, and aerodynamics. For your purposes the first is worth paying a little more for, I find the sized helmets fit better than the one-size-fits-all, but that's because I wear a medium. Someone who wears a larger helmet may be perfectly fine with a one-size-fits-all as its starting out closer to his size.
How much to pay? I'd say you can get a good fitting comfortable and well rated helmet for $40-70 for your use.
I found a nice helmet for under $50. It has an adjustable head band which goes out much further than most, which is huge for me because I wear several hats in winter and always struggled to slip the old helmet over the two hoods and my fat head. This helmet opens up to a size which would fit over an Eskimo's hood if needed.
It's white, which is another huge plus for summer riding. And the visor has a nice design which allows me to see through it when in the drops while it also cuts the sun's glare when I ride with clear goggles. All in all, I love that hat.