What have some of you found to be the best helmets, as far as comfort. Thanks for the feedback!

I love my Giro Ionos. I really forget it's on my head and get brain freeze on cold days (comes with a plug for the front for that reason).

Exactly!

Many say to skimp on helmets, because they are all safe. They're wrong. I got the Giro Ionos after reading someone else's comment here (probably TonyV) a couple of months ago. The Ionos is super comfortable and worth every penny. Now I have about five cheap helmets I won't ever use again. I'll be happy to send them to you if you pay S&H.

The ones that are comfortable are the ones that fit the particular shape of your head. This varies between brands but also between models within a brand in some cases. For example, the top-of-the-line Specialized Prevail doesn't fit my head and in very uncomfortable but their lower price point Echelon fits me perfectly and is very comfortable. The two high-end Mavic helmets fit me well also. I have an Giro Ionos and Ultralight and had to modify them to get them to fit my noggin.

IMO, there is very little distinguishing high end from low end helmets. They all pass the same safety testing. Some will say that higher end ones have better ventilation, but IMO the practical differences are small. Some say various helmets are noisy, but again IMO, I think there is very little difference as the wind noise is created by the wind blowing over my ears, and this drowns out any noise wind noise generated by the helmet.

The best thing to do is try them on and figure out what works the best. Be very critical of the fit because what might feel pretty good in the LBS might create hot spots or pressure point on longer rides.

Thanks for the imput

I forgot my Ionos one day before the club training ride and borrowed an inexpensive Specialized one from the bike shop. The fit was fine, but the difference was in the ventilation! The sweat was coming down on my sunglasses throughout the ride, it never happens with the Ionos even on hot hard days.

We are back to rule one, always try before you buy. I have a Specialized Propero that is very comfortable and saved me in a receint conflict with a car window. It will have to be replaced and I might go with another Propero. However I also have a Giant Ixion thast fits almost as well and tends to have just a bit less overhang at the brow. I like the comfort of the Propero and the clear view when my head is down with the Ixion. So when I go to replace my helmet I will be loooking for something as cool and well fitting as my Propero and with the higher brow of the Ixion. It doesn't matter if it turns out to be a S works, Giant, Rudy Project, Giro or Bontreger as long as it fits and feels right.

Amen.......

Just gotta disagree with you. For example, there is a big difference in wind noise between the Ionos and the cheaper Giro helmets.

The try before you buy rule works. My LBS know me and leave me alone but I start with the cheaper ones they have in stock and work up till I find one I like. Then I go up a couple in price to see if any improvement. THEN it is down to looks and then colour. Make doesn't matter to me providing it feels right- looks right and is not a ludicrous colour. Makes and used to be a fan of Giro- then met. Met helmets are light but current favourite is Rudy Project. I like the way they feel- the head tightening system and the weight.

I've found the Specialized Echelon to be very comfortable.

But I seem to have the ideal "one size fits all" head to begin with.

I usually wear a cheap Bell Solar. Fits fine, too.

I'm also of the school that says that after you get the fit issue tackled, get the best helmet you can comfortably afford. Yes, they all pass the same safety tests, but the lighter weights and better ventilation you buy with the extra cash are well worth it, IMO. A couple of years ago I picked up a Bell Sweep road helmet, and it's the best I've had so far. Sometimes I could swear I'm not even wearing it.

Specialized S3. Multiple simple adjustments. Chin straps are great. It is light and has large vents.

I rode motorcycles long before bikes and I learned that a high visibility helmet made a difference in how wide a berth traffic would give me. So, I sprung for a hi viz Giro Aeon. Pricey though. It is very light, very well vented, and very comfortable for my head shape.

Specialized is interesting to me. I have a pair of their shoes and I like them but I find Specialized gear to be good quality and function but kind of expensive. Anyone else have that reaction?

I haven't had that experience. When the guy who totaled my YELLOW Ducati said he "didn't see" me I was pretty well convinced that when they are oblivious they are oblivious.

I have found the Giro Saros a great fit / value. Giro will always have my business now as their customer service is great. My pads on my almost 3yr old helmet (I know I need a new one) were ripped. Called Giro and had some new ones for free a couple days later.

Specialised-Trek-And a lot of other makes are good. It is down to fit and pocket that tells you what helmet to buy.

If I hadn't already known you were from Great Britain. I could have ascertained it from this post.

Bell did the same for me.

I wear a Bell Array helmet and like it very much. It is comfortable, easy to adjust, moderately priced, and received good reviews from a number of bicycling magazines and Web sites.

I've been riding motorcycles on our L.A. area roads and hwys for 39 years when I first got my license. I can't agree with your statement. If your from the SFV please send your drivers over my way. Also I ride (motorcycles) through the SFV at least twice a week. Please inform them when I ride through!!!

Thank you!

I've been wearing a Giro Prolight the past half year or so, and am so satisfied with it that I purchased two more, (of different colors to match whatever kit I was wearing on that day). Pretty lightweight and has multiple adjustments allowing a good fit. Real Cyclist/Bonktown/Competitive Cyclist has had them on sale, (off and on), for about $80-$90 since last year.

Same here. I like the Giro's looks, but Bell is the only brand that fits my head shape just right. And the Array is the best fitting and a fine combination of looks and cost. Helmets are like saddles though... a very individual thing, IMO.

I have a Giro Atmos, a Specialized, and a Louis Garneau TT helmet. A few weeks ago I saw a no name road helmet and a Zefal mountain bike (visor) helmet in the "sales" bin at WalMart for $9 and $11 respectively. Both were certified. They both fit so I bought them.

The no name has as many vents as the Atmos, and is lighter, but has no carbon fiber. I like it better than any helmet I own. Who would have thought it?