I took a year off of cycle commuting after 8 solid years of commuting 8 months a year, I'm getting back this year. I've been reading this forum for the past year trying to get info and appreciate all that you posters supply.
Anyway I don't wear a helmet as when I have tried to, I had a problem with sweat getting into my eyes and a couple of times almost crashed.
Is there a helmet that can hold back sweat as good as a ball cap? I did try a HeadSweat skull cap once, had it for a week and got lost. Those things are just too small and easy to lose. A ball cap under the helmet was just plain uncomfortable and hot.
I have just a two mile commute to work but when spring arrives the car gets parked and all my travelling in town is by bike and on weekends I probably put 75-80 miles travelling from my suburb to the middle of downtown and back and going all over.
And before it starts, if you think I'm a wus for not commuting in snow and ice or dry roads but don't like the cold, that's ok, I'll agree with you. I'm not riding in winter.
I figure since I wear a cap when riding I could just as well wear a helmet if there is one that'll work as I said above, I'd be willing to spend up to 60 dollars if said helmet exists.
Thank You.

Buy another Headsweats skull cap, or sweatband, and don't lose it this time. Seriously, that's what I do, and I sweat a lot.

That's nice, do I assume there is no helmet that can match sweat absorbtion of a ball cap, if so, I'll just stick with my ball cap.

Welcome back to commuting, if winter riding isnt your thing that ok, just glad your back on your bike. As for sweating I am really trying to think of a solution, I wear a helmet that is more like a bmx/skateboard helmet and has great vent holes in the front so it keeps my forhead pretty dry in the summer, I would head over to your local bike shop and ask them for advice, you dont have to buy there but they can give you an idea of helmets that might have sweatbands built in. I wear a baseball hat in the summer under mine to keep the sun off my face and keep a good fit, as I wear a beanie underneath all winter and hate having to change the padding. Its not uncomfortable at all, so if you have been using a tradional bike helmet try switching to the fuller coverage helmet. It might help. Good luck

I wear those stupid little cycling caps under my helmet, they possess almost no thermal properties but absorb the sweat like mad. headsweats make the best one imo.

If there is, I've never heard of it. And I was serious, the solution you already mentioned is the best I've found.

What he said. They are a lot thinner than baseball caps around the brim and will be more comfortable under a helmet. But again, it may look silly to you, or it may be small enough to loose. Buy a day-glo orange one.

I wear a wool Walz cycling cap, with wear flaps. It fits nicely under my helmet, and keeps my head and ears warm. Link!

Problem solved.

Thanks for the knowledge everyone. I plan on checking out a Bern helmet as I understand they have hefty sweatbands with or without a bill. I'm not worried about looks, heck I don't even worry about wearing a helmet, just figured since I wear a cap anyway....
As for the Bern models, they don't look like they'd keep your head cool very well so when I get to a retailer I'll check it close. Other than that, I'll just stick with my ruddy old cap.

Headsweats are the best of both worlds for me because they're a breathable, wicking top section that doubles as a nice helmet liner with a band that collects sweat.

I'm cheap, and like to keep it simple. I just wear a bandanna under my helmet. I fold it in half, throw the triangle over towards the rear (also protects my balding head from sunburn), and tie it loosely in the back.

The only time that I have problems with sweat in my eyes, is when I'm on a 3+ hour ride on a 95+ degree day, or if rain water exceeds the absorption capacity of the cloth.

I just got the Bern Brentwood, the one with the removable brim. I was unpleasantly surprised to see that if you take off the brim/sweat band you get two forehead gnawing pads of hook-side velcro scratching away at you.

Went back to the dealer to see if there was a no-brim option, they called Bern (or the dist.?), they say there is none. So it's either brim or the winter insert. The pad/brim does seem reasonably thick.

I guess you could always use the velcro to secure your favorite sweatband there, at least you won't lose it that way.

I'm sure with the brim it's still more comfortable than a ballcap under the helmet. That's all I'm looking for.