bowzette

There are Giro heads and Bell heads. Best helmet is like best saddle or shorts. What fits you well and comfortable is what is best for you. I suggest you go to several good bike shops and try on helmets. You will soon determine what helmet is best for you. They all work. Some are better vented or lighter or looks cooler to you. If you are cheap like me armed with this info you can order online and save a lot of money. Helmets are often discounted a lot and there are big sales of the current year as the new models will be coming out. If you like the store or shop there often you may want to pay more money and support the shop. Lot to be said for supporting a LBS if you ride out of the shop or want good bike service. But helmets are helmets and only you can determine which one feels best to you. Has little to do with cost of the helmet. BTW if you ever hit a helmet in a crash replace it even it it looks OK. Some replace a helmet every three years. I'm more like seven years, if I think about it. Some never replace a helmet if it hasn't taken a hit. But a $300 helmet today is $99 a couple of years later at a close out or discontinued model.

cyclist2000

I have always found that Giro fits me better, I must have an oval head. I just got a Giro Foray for $46. Used it for the last five rides, it works fine.

I look for fit, cost, ventilation and looks is last.

GeneO 

I think the Giro Synthe and the Specialized Airnet fall in this category if you read the reviews. The Airnet is a bit heavier but it costs much less, so I went with it (non MIPs $150). I don't think MIPS offers much advantage in terms of safety, and it may compromise in other areas.

Like the Airnet so far (i.e. do not notice it is on my head )

deapee

Can you go try them on somewhere?

rumrunn6

try it on, rather than buying over the internet

Sy Reene

I keep reading this sentiment.. Giro = oval; Bell = round. Why do I find it to be the opposite. Bell's seem to fit me well, but when I try on a Giro, there are good sized gaps along the sides of my head between my head and the cage. Doesn't this mean my head would have to be rounder to fit a Giro? I don't have this issue with Bells.

veloz

Scott makes a helmet with mesh covered vents. Minimizes bee sting potential - important if you're allergic. Giro and Bell (maybe others) offer quick dial adjustment - easy to accommodate hats when it's cold. Make sure pads are easy to remove - I get an extra set so I can wash and always have a non-funky set. I get 2-3 years out of a helmet at most. I don't buy the cheapest or spend a fortune on them either.

athrowawaynic

LOL. If that isn't the most concise summary of cycling as a hobby.

As for bike helmet, 1. all helmets will meet some minimal safety standard, but that's almost irrelevant because 2. any lid is better than no lid, and 3. no lid will protect you from all injury.

So it boils down to 4. how it feels on your head (how it sits, how the straps feel, as well as whether it keeps your head cool/warm enough), and 5. how you like the way it makes you look.