Acording to Consumer Reports (http://www.helmets.org/cu_2006.htm) the cheaper helmets ventilate as well as the more expensive: "CU rated only six adult helmets Excellent in ventilation: Bell Citi, Bell Slant, Bell X-ray, Giro Atmos, Giro Havoc and Specialized Air-8." I don't take what Consumer Reports says as gospel, but is it your experience that the ventilation is better on the more expensive helmets? Or just marketing hype that you've bought into. I could care less about the "cool" factor, but I would very much be interested in better ventilation.