Thanks y'all! It was quite the long shot!

Hilarious!! omg!

I wanted to know if I could buy an adult bike helmet from Walmart when it comes time to replace mine.

They fit really well and cost up to 60$ less than a specialized or a Giro thing and they seem fairly thick and durable enough, but of course nobody would know until you crash and you are dead in the head or not.

I just wanted to know if this was safe and if I could save the cash and still get the safety I would get out of a 50 or 80 or 100$ helmet?.

Yes.

All helmets sold in the USA (legally) must meet certain standards. You'll see the stickers inside attesting to that. Now, it's possible that some pricier helmets exceed those standards, but you'll rarely see any claims about that.

So, consider the least pricey helmet to offer protection very comparable to the priciest. What you do get for more money (besides prestige) might be lower weight, better venting, better mounting and adjustment system, and (maybe) some specific features that are supposed to improve performance in certain situations, ie. reducing head rotation in a glancing impact on pavement.

Price has no correlation with safety in bike helmets: Cheap or Expensive Bicycle Helmets

What you may give up that I've found to be very important is better ventilation. My head overheats badly with a cheap helmet so for me a better helmet was well worth it. But that's probably at least in part a matter of individual physiology. If it's comfortable for you, there's no reason not to save a few bucks.

Some of the most expensive helmets MAY offer marginally more protection (mainly against concussions). The vast majority are equivalent.

The newer MIPS technology claims reduction in concussions, but I tend to be a late adopter so I think I'll wait a year or two on those and see what the consensus on their efficacy seems to be. And if they become widely accepted, the price will come down.

The price is already coming down, but oddly on a full-face mtn helmet: https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Super-MI.../dp/B00MU0HRMC

I don't hit my head anywhere near enough cycling to worry about some technology like that. I'd buy into the belief for hockey, where I am taking a few whacks a game, but unless I am racing where I expect to crash often, I just don't see a benefit in MIPS for cycling. In any case, I have enough hair that any impact is going to move the helmet minimally on impact, not unlike a MIPS system.

I've had my cheapo department store helmet for a couple years now. Fits MY head extremely well, ventilated enough that I am not uncomfortable, and really see no reason to spend more than the $15 or so it cost me. If I do wreck and whack it good, it was cheap enough I'll have no problem tossing it and buying a new one.

Yes you will be fine

An inexpensive helmet save m life at the end of the season. I have read enough that I believe the certified helmets will work fine. A key for me is fit. I am apt to spend more on one that fits and also believe the MIPS technology to be an asset toward fit and impact protection.

You can buy a department store helmet but I wonder why you would when there are always deals to be found on helmets both online and locally.

I would suspect more expensive helmets are lighter, cool better and have more features to allow finer adjustments. If those things are important to you, then a more expensive helmet may be a better choice in the long run. Personally, I do as someone mentioned above and wait for a sale.

This is about as good as it gets.

Locally, maybe, but I rarely buy anything I wear beyond cheap graphic t-shirts online unless I am replacing something I know exact sizing on. I prefer trying on things that are on my body for hours at a time.

huh...? not understanding how you can project how often you'll crash in the future...

after a period of 14 years without an incident, I was involved in two crashes within 4 months.

it's not like you get the luxury of knowing in advance when you're going down.

altho not an engineer, don't think hair is going to prevent head injuries in any way.

As others have said, absolutely no problem buying a department store helmet. Spending more can get you better ventilation and perhaps more precise fit adjustment, but I'm doubtful there's any difference in protection.

There's a MINIMUM standard that they all meet and then there is the hype built up around the more expensive.

It's not hype, buying a better helmet gets you a better product, they just all meet the same (low) safety standard.

I agree. Better is better.

+2 !!!

I have owned both inexpensive and expensive helmets. It comes down to comfort and for for me. The more expensive helmets fit better and are more comfortable for long rides.