Originally posted by MichaelW
When discussing helmets people usually assume that ventillation is a good thing. Us winter riders know that low-end helmets keep you warmer than expensive ones with lots of gaps.
I still prefer a well-ventilated helmet -- otherwise I end up drowning in my own sweat. The vent holes give the wicking properties of the coolmax or Polartec or whatever a chance to work. It's very uncomfortable when sweat starts dripping out of the edges of the face cutout on your balaclava, and then freezes.
Also, depending on your head shape, one may find that better helmets have retention systems that make it easier to fit them over various amounts of head covering without having to readjust the straps.
Good helmet ventilation doesn't have to be expensive, of course, and it's a commodity that quickly reaches a point of diminishing returns as you go up the price scale. A $150 helmet is not three times as airy as a $50 helmet.
RichC