I'm seeing more and more of this type of helmet being used by utility cyclists.



What's the verdict? Are these people cheap or a new trend?

Bern helmets aren't cheap! (Unless you mean buying one helmet for 2 sports, which I'd call smart)
Many people prefer the skate style helmet for looks, though many realize over time that they get pretty hot, and the vents in bike helmets are there for a reason.
I would guess that any helmet designed and tested for smacking into hard stuff at greater-than-walking speeds would work on a bike.
I've seen a number of black velvet equestrian helmets on fashionistas!

I have the bern without the molded visor or more vents, so the visor snaps in or the winter package snaps in. The winter package is too warm for me until sub 30F, but it is nice to be able to snap the inserts in and out. 4 snaps and some velcro. I have only had the helmet since October so I cant say how well it will ventilate in the summer, but I think it is going to be hot. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have bought a quick adjust helmet and used my assortment of baclava for the winter. Mine was an REI closeout with the winter package and was still about 50, and had to order the visor directly from Bern for another 10 bucks or so.

I think it is a trend in the right direction, but would like to see a execution of a 4 season helmet with washable liners.

just my $0.02

I find regular bike helmets more comfortable.

a trend yes - more in winter though. IMHO they do not have enough venting for 3 out of 4 seasons

I bought one over a standard pointy/vented/flashy helmet cause it's apparently safer. If I'm going to have a silly looking and uncomfortable doodad on my head for purported safety, it's going to be the safest design.

I was thinking about getting a similar helmet for tooling around town on the townie beater bike solely for looks. Sometimes I don't want to look like "ricky racer" on the bike.

I like the looks of a skate/BMX type helmet and will probably end up buying one soon. It more appropriately matches my attitude that I'm really just riding for fun. However, like other poster I expect that it will be much warmer and only suitable in cooler weather or when I'm just out goofing around.

I currently use a Triple 8 skate helmet. I prefer the fit. However, I had an older Avenier bicycle specific helmet and it was vented better.
I ride a motorcycle, too, and wear a full-face helmet year round - but, that's just me.

Bern also makes one with a hand laid Carbon Fiber shell, it is not Cheap.

The accessory liner for Bern includes a winter option, ear warmers and hole plugs.

that, is in your picture.. ordered with the helmet not standard ..

I have the same Bern helmet, sans visor. Bought it for $50 at REI about a year and a half ago. I've used it for both cold-weather cycling and skiing. It is comfortable and very warm with the ear-covering liner. I've worn it down to about 15F and stayed nice and toasty. Great helmet for the price and I like that I can make my way down a double-black diamond ski run or just my way to work in cold weather. I wore it on my commute Monday (~40F) but wore a normal helmet today (~55F). Over 65F I think it would be much too warm, even with the "summer" liner.

I like the style of those helmets, but I don't think I could survive without the ventilation in my area - a standard bike helmet gets hot enough to roast my noggin in the summer. The Giro Retro looks like it's an improvement ventilation-wise, but maybe still to stuffy for 90+ degree weather.

On the other hand, I do have some friends who use Nutcase helmets year round...

Get 2 helmets for the different seasonal ranges of temperature.

OK, Miami is not Boston, though old Bostonians move there..

My brains would boil in that Bern. Zombies would pass me by for better eats.

I wear a Pryme8 skate/bmx helmet because it feels sturdier. It also was only $19 and I covered it in neat stickers (compliments on them all the time) as well I can hang a rear super blinky light on the back of it. There are a couple of air circulation holes right on the lower back of the helmet perfectly situated for a velcro strap for the light. I use the helmet from spring until autumn and find it very comfy even in hot weather. Need to buy a new one this spring because Old Faithful broke when it was knocked off the shelf in my closet.

Surely I can't be the only one that sees the irony of this?

I use a Bell Faction dual use helmet for commuting. I really like it and I haven't had much problem with ventilation. I initially started using it because I also skateboard and didn't want to have to buy to helmets. I only have a road helmet now because I forget a helmet on a trip where I was biking in NYC.

Pros
1) Better for crashes where puncture is possible (don't have a source but I have read this)
2) You don't need to replace it if you do crash
3) Easy to apply reflective tape to

Cons
1) Roadies will make fun of your helmet
2) Skaters might try to talk to you :-)
3) Less vents than a "normal" bike helmet (I've ridden in 100 degree weather with the helmet and didn't really notice any over-heating problem)

In the winter I ride with a Bern Macon carbon fiber helmet. I use the same helmet for skiing and skateboarding as well. It comes with removable liners for each type of activity. When it starts to get above 50 degrees though, it's just way too hot, and I go back to my old giro vented helmet.

Yeah, I was trying to pretend I didn't read that the way it was written!

"I wear a Pryme8 skate/bmx helmet because it feels sturdier.
Need to buy a new one this spring because Old Faithful broke when it was knocked off the shelf in my closet."

I haven't "broken" a helmet yet but I do replace them every now and then.

UV in sunlight degrades the polymer chains that make up all plastics .

Wrote my post late at night so I'll do a quick explanation:

The helmet is 7 years old and was worn nearly daily for 7-8 months of the year. The inner styrofoam moulding broke away from the shell after it fell about 7 feet from the shelf and bounced several times onto the floor. "Old Faithful" lived a long, hard life on my head so it's demise wasn't ironic at all. Mostly the cause of time, wear, and a good, hard bounce off the floor. Which I think is the typical reason for replacing a helmet: a good hard bounce. I'd rather not wear a "pre-bounced" helmet on my head on a bike ride.

Cool helmet. It doesnt get cold enough to wear one of those in southern CA. I need the vents in the helmet.

In extreme cold (below 20 degrees) I use a Giro ski helmet and Scott goggles. The extra insulation and built in ear flaps are expecially nice.

Marc

Some differences for those who are interested: BMX/scateboard and sking helmets have an external structural shell as well as a styrofoam inner. Some are also completely lined and venting is minimal. The helmets are heavier, have less ventilation and stand up to abrasion and low speed impacts without damaging the styfofoam inner. White is the best choice for summer but personally I prefer a regular bicycle helmet in the sun.

A regular bicycle helmet is designed to be as light as possible while meeting safety regulations. So the styfofoam is also the structure. The plastic exterior is simply a film thats either thermal-bonded to the shell or simply glued there. As a result, regular bicycle helmets are very sensitive to both abrasion and impact, regardless of speed, but they are light. Road racing helmets are even lighter and have even better ventilation, but offer no additional levels of protection, even though they may cost an arm and a leg. Price is more related to finish, construction quality and design features, fit and comfort.

They all meet the minimum safety requirements, and since the styrofoam is what degrades over time, the recommended replacement interval for all of them is the same, regardless of use.