devinscott09

This may have been posted before but the title says it all. Does a $40 helmet provide the same protection as a $150 helmet?

Thanks.

StanSeven

Probably and most all pass the same tests. But more expensive helmets might fit better, maybe feel more comfortable, likely have straps that fit better with better adjustment, definitely weigh less, and probably cool better.

dougmc

... and most importantly -- look better.

Solis91

Yep so that's pretty much it.
Might be better in ventilation, and lighter, more comfortable.

But in terms of safety and protection most likely no difference

tagaproject6

Yes.

Lanceoldstrong

If you feel like you look good, not dorky, in an expensive helmet then you might wear it more faithfully.
If a more expensive helmet is lighter then you might wear it more faithfully.
If a more expensive helmet is ventilated better then you might wear it more faithfully.
If a more expensive helmet is more comfortable then you might wear it more faithfully.

Get the more expensive helmet. Wear it faithfully. You are worth it.

rekmeyata

NO! They pass the same CPSC/ATSM standards that all helmet from the most expensive to the least expensive must past. The money you pay gains you better looks, better materials, better fitting system, better ventilation, and lighter weight. Read this for more enlightenment: https://www.bhsi.org/helmet12.htm

Chris516

Price, Does not always equate to quality.

marisaB

Not all the time expensive helmets provide protection. It's a matter of how you choose the quality and brand of the helmet.

Bacciagalupe

My understanding is that the super-cheap Walmart/Target type of helmets are not made quite as well.

What you want to look for is an "in-mold shell," which firmly attaches the plastic shell to the styrofoam portion. It's not a huge deal, but if the plastic shell is held on with glue and tape, it's a tad more likely to tear or shear off, with more drag, than one with an in-mold shell.

However, all the other stuff is mostly about cooling and comfort, and not as critical.

silmarillion

Nicely said!

I-Like-To-Bike

Did self-interested LBS shop personnel provide your "understanding" of the value and safety advantage of their higher priced helmets over the Walmart/Target type?

Chris516

I will keep using the Bell Slant, until they don't make them anymore(of course I will replace it with a new once after a crash). Because the BHSI rated them the best, several years running.

mconlonx

On average, no, more expensive helmets do not provide more protection -- they all meet the same basic safety criteria; most are not tested for exceeding said criteria. So yes, a $40 helmet will protect your head as well as a $150+ helmet... unless you'll wear the more expensive helmet more because it fits better, looks nicer, is admired more by your social peers, is vented better, etc.

One exception might be POC helmets with the MIPS system -- their proprietary system for mitigating rotational injury might provide more protection than other helmets, but you pay through the nose for it.

rekmeyata

They were the highest rated helmets as was their Metro, Citi and now the Muni series which were and are rated the best on the market for safety, but ventilation suffered a bit however the new Muni addressed that concern. Helmet manufactures are beginning to realize that the round shaped helmets do work better as opposed to the bazaar finned shaped helmets popular today. The round shape allows the head to roll on the pavement vs getting jammed by the fins and snapping the neck.

So if you need to replace the Slant take a gander at the Muni. Also keep in mind that helmets don't last forever without an accident, the styrofoam does degrade, and the way you can tell when the styrofoam is starting to have problems is when after a hot ride and you sweated you notice black particles on your forehead and sometimes even on your scalp as it progressively gets worse. Once that begins to happen and later have an accident the styrofoam can't protect like if it did when new, instead of compressing it will just crack and explode into bits and pieces. Even if the helmet isn't worn UV will destroy the styrofoam. Usually most helmets should last 6 to 8 years, helmet manufactures say 3 to 5 years but they want you to buy a new helmet all the time. Also keep in mind that anything you put in your hair or skin, lotions, oils, DEET bug gunk, Rogaine (this stuff is really bad on styrofoam) etc, can harm the styrofoam and make it fail faster.

Myosmith

Don't worry about price to determine the protection provided by a helmet. Look for the Snell Foundation sticker which is a much higher standard than the DOT enforces.

Once you get away from the cheaply made helmets and into molded in the shell designs the actual protection provided is fairly consistent. Most of what you pay for is style, comfort, name, etc. The exception is that a few high end helmets are being made with Kevlar or other fiber reinforced resin shells that resist breaking into multiple pieces on a severe impact. This in turn helps keep the crushable foam liner intact so it can do its job better.

BTW, I had a Citi and really liked it, but the adjustment mechanism failed after several months and I have heard that this is not uncommon. I contacted Bell and was told that the part was not replacable and that they wouldn't honor warranty because I didn't have my receipt (my bad for not keeping the receipt).

rekmeyata

One small problem with that, the Snell rating stickers are difficult to find on road bike helmets, in fact I haven't seen any road helmets no matter price that are rated Snell B90A except for the Specialized line. This was sort of an eye opener for me because I though there weren't any helmets imported into the US that were rated by Snell anymore. Is there anyone else that found another brand with a Snell sticker?

You can get a time trail helmet with a Snell rating too, but the only one I could find for that sport is the Specialized TT2 rated B90A.

Myosmith

And that is why I have a Specialized helmet, not because I'm into Specialized (all three of my bikes are Treks) but because I became a huge fan of the Snell Foundation back in the days when I raced motocross. I'm sure there are other helmets from other manufacturers built to just as high of standards but having that Snell certification lets me know at a glance if the helmet makes the grade.

Bacciagalupe

No.

You can get in-mold helmets from Performance Bike, Amazon and many other sites for $30 (or less, if you're aggressive about it). A $30 in-mold helmet is going to protect your noggin about the same as a $300 helmet. You pay extra for cooling, aesthetics, and to save a few grams.

And as I said, in-mold isn't a huge deal. It's hardly a life or death thing.

Commodus

I disagree a bit...from what I've seen watching high-speed crashes, helmets are almost immediately displaced upon the initial impact. Since there is nearly always some sliding involved, it's good to have that helmet stay where it's intended as much as possible, and the better helmets almost invariably have better fitting systems to accomplish that.

Also, the cheaper helmets are generally made in one size, and use a strapping system to accomodate different sized heads. In my experience, they do so poorly and thus are often not worn correctly in the first place, even before that first hit.

rekmeyata

If I had known about this before I would have bought a Specialized, so something good did come out of this insane mess. What I can't figure out though why is that just Specialized make their helmets this way? And why the other manufactures refuse to do the same? One's thing for sure, when my current helmet is done I'm getting the Specialized.

I think Specialized marketing needs to make this a very strong point in their marketing campaigns and show the world that theirs meet the Snell requirement which is the strictest requirement for helmets. And let the other helmet manufactures play catch up, then maybe helmet safety will improve for everyone and not just those wearing Specialized.

Chris516

The Bell Citi, was actually rated better than the Slant. My problem with the Bell Citi when I tried it, was that it didn't have enough coverage. So I went back to getting the Bell Slant.

zonatandem

They are all basically styrofoam with super-thin plastic cover and straps and holes and graphics.
Some look better than others, some co$t more than others.
Get what you want or can afford.
But do wear a helmet . . .
Yup, have crashed and cracked a couple helmets.