Originally Posted by
RiceAWay
I am unfamiliar with Walmart helmets but any helmet that meets the CPSC helmet standard is equally good or rather not good.
Patently incorrect. I hope this is not what you meant to state. And by the way: the Trek/Bontrager design that you refer to is WaveCel, not Q-cell.
Originally Posted by
79pmooney
Two comments here. 1) There is a feature that could make helmets significant;y better that is not addressed by the CPSC standard. Slippage to minimize head rotation as exemplified by MIPS but there are others. 2) The "best", most expensive helmets are designed to just meet CPSC (or CPSC and MIPS) so they can be as light, cool and comfortable as possible. I have no proof but I'm guessing that an $80 helmet has more protection than a $25 helmet but that a $150+ helmet is probably close the the $25 one.
I have two helmets from the same brand (Specialized). They have the same general design in terms of shape, vents, retention system, etc. One cost $75, the other was $250. The cheaper helmet is heavier (though comfy for all-day rides), has slightly smaller and fewer vents (though still not too hot on warm days), and significantly thicker styrofoam. I suspect it would, indeed, provide better protection in a crash.