Helmets. Expensive vs Cheap
 

I am thinking of buying helmet and my concern is if i buy cheap one does it mean the quality is not great? Or if I buy a expensive one will that be reasonable for its quality? Or are there Cheap helmets that have good quality also. Need advice and brand names. Thanks.

The safety sticker they have all says they meet the same safety requirement. NO HELMET MANUFACTURER is going to say in black & White their helmet is safer, or will give more protection in a crash. That statement would be death in court.

Find a helmet that fits properly, the more vent is has the more it cost. If you buy a Helmet at Wal-Mart for 25 bucks, it will have the same safety sticker as a LBS Super Duper Groove Helmet that cost 500 CLAMS.

I buy close out helmets, Bell M fit my melon well, I never spend more than 40 bucks. BTW my helmets are 2010 year and earlier models I bought on close out when they were "last" years models.

What? No mid-priced helmets? Blasphemy. Why must everything be expensive vs. cheap, all or nothing. There's loads of options smack dab in the middle.

Well, the new MIPS standard nearly invalidates this.

The middle is kind of where I like to sit with helmets. I want one nice enough to look good and feel comfortable and have an easy to use retention system. Looks and a comfortable fit. There are so many options that it is fairly easy to find both.

FWIW, I like Specialized-brand helmets because they fit my head well and there is a range of price to choose from. Lately I've been buying helmets from Priority Bicycles; their styling is low-key and unobtrusive. I also like Fox-brand helmets. The Fox Flux has a rounded profile and doesn't mesh with my oval head, whereas the Fox Striker feels (and looks!) pretty awesome, so it helps to be able to try one out before buying. There are other brands like Bell and Giro that I believe to be good brands but I've never happened to own one of their models.

I paid about $45 for mine Giro, took a nasty spill about 2 weeks ago where the left side of my head literally bounced off the road. I had to go to the emergency room because I separated my left shoulder. My head was completely safe. I do need a new helmet though.

I bought my last two helmets at my doctor's office. They're good helmets and cost just $15. I guess it's a way of promoting safe biking. I like helmets with a bit of a visor to shield my eyes from glare. I also want my helmet to provide protection from the sun - it's my hat, not just a helmet.

So, the helmet worked I guess. Got up and walked away. Nice. I have dented one, split one and cracked one, all times, just got up and walked away. The new POC ones have more coverage lower in the back, those are more for mt biking though.

Awesome doc! What helmets is he/she selling?

I bought this one a few months ago and really like it: Trabec Race MIPS - POC I wear it every day commuting.

We got my wife Giro helmet with MIPs and it was around $120 CDN. She really likes hers, as well.

I guess the more holes they have for cooling, the more expensive. they all have to meet certain safety standards.

My point is all helmets on paper are going to tell you they give a minimim of protection that testing standards say they passed. NO HELMET manufacturer is going to make clame of best, safest or anything that is going to bit them in a court of law.

As I said I like Bell Helmets, I buy NOS, and know if will give me some protection verses my melon on pavement with no helmet.

BTW Bell use to Crash Replace for free.

It is incorrect to say that all helmets with the .gov safety sticker are equal. They are equal with regards to passing the certification test, but cast iron bucket will pass that test and you might not want to wear that on your head.

You are paying more for COMFORT, specifically a lighter helmet with more venting. If you are happy with a $40 helmet's comfort, then buy it. Otherwise work you way up $10 - $20 and try again.

I would not want to ride 60 miles in the Texas summer in a Walmart helmet, but it might work just fine if you live up north or don't go for long rides.

Buy a name brand on sale= Home run

I think that as in most things bicycle fit is the over riding factor.
A highly rated but poorly fitting helmet isn't going to help alot if you go down at speed.

Expensive ones have more air.
Cheaper ones have larger holes which can fit locks.

I like Met. The shell is always moulded in place, not glued or taped in. They use a traditional safety-helmet adjustable nylon band which conforms to head shape, not foam pads.
Anti-bee/wasp mesh is useful if bees and wasps are a hazard.
MTB style peak is good in the rain.

What evidence do you have to support this assertion?

The fact that a light helmet with ventilation is comfortable, unlike a heavy helmet with no ventilation.

Just like I explained. You are paying for MORE comfort which obviously makes the helmet different.

You imply that more expensive helmets are also safer, since you refer to the certification sticker.

Also, do you realize that the weight difference between the least expensive brand name helmets and most expensive is often an ounce or less?

No, I said they were equal with regards to safety in the VERY NEXT SENTENCE.

OK, but one can say that two helmets can pass the same test but have different levels of protection. For example, one helmet can barely meet the minimum standard whereas a second may exceed it by a wide margin (hypothetically speaking of course).

You are not making this claim, however, so no problem.

Forget the money - buy the one that fits the best...... might be $20???? If it is invisible on your head, you won't mind wearing it/

More vents cost more, lighter cost more, but if you are not interested in lighter, or cooler the Wally World Special will do you just fine IMHO. I live in Arizona I was out on the road at 0515 this am, and home by 0900. I was hot, sweaty, and tired. I word my Bell that cost NEW First year 100 bucks. I bought on close out for 40 bucks.

BTW I consumed 6 20 Oz. bottle of water in a little under three hours. Tell me ow hot TEXAS is I know hot.

Surely safety has to be the most important factor when choosing a helmet?

POC make some big claims about the safety of their helmets but they are expensive.