I just don't understand why some helmets cost so much more than others.what makes a $150.00 helmet any better than a $35.00 one. They all have to meet certain standards. I'm thinking that the one I tried on today at the LBS looks just as good and feels a whole lot better than most of the more expensive ones.Unless anyone can convince me otherwise, I'll keep the money saved for other accessories!

What you are paying for with the extra $115 is more than likely:

• Name
• Weight
• Fasteners
• Bling Factor
• Maybe more aerodynamic design

I don't think you can go wrong with a $35.00 helmet as long as it is safe. In fact, it is likely (but not necessarily true) that the more expensive helmet is not as safe, since sometimes material is removed in order to make helmets lighter or more aerodynamic and not as strong.

Weight, air flow, aerodynamics, fitting system and most importantly MARKETING!

Cool graphics and wild paint-schemes cost more....

If all your trips are under 30 miles, just buy the $35 helmet. If you like doing century rides on hot days, then you will soon understand the advantage of having a lighter, better vented (cooler) helmet.

more expensive generally means more vent volume, but many of the low end helmets have become pretty airy.

Manufacturers could easily make $35 helmets with as big of vents as their most expensive models.

I buy 35 dollar helmets, if you ride a lot you wind up replacing them every couple of years anyway.

I remember reading a Consumer Reports article that said helmets that don't meet basic safety standards still end up on store shelves at an alarming rate. These tend to be no-name or unrecognizable brands, usually at department stores. Their recommendation was to buy a reputable brand. If you look inside the helmet, it should have a sticker stating that it has met U.S. safey standards and also a unique number (like a serial no.).

In terms of cost, I'm not sure about the other brands, but I do know that Giro's top-of-the-line models are made to withstand more impact than their cheaper models. Yes, they all meet the basic safey standards, but their more expensive models far exceed that, so in a way, they are "safer" than the cheaper ones. I may be different from the rest of the herd, but if it's not going to create a financial burden on me, I tend to get the ones that can withstand more impact. I've literally ruined 2 helmets already and if it wasn't for them, I'm not sure I'd still be here. Safety gear is not an after-thought for me.

I used to own a cheapy helmet and never wore it. While it was the right size for my head, the fit just plain sucked and it was never very comfortable. A baseball cap is what I wound up wearing since it was form fitting, lightweight, and kept the sweat out of my eyes. Went into my LBS a few months back and tried on a few higher end model helmets. I was shocked at how nice they felt...bought a Bell Sweep R and wear it 95% of the time.

For me, the fit and comfort made the extra $$$ worthwhile.

Years ago in my marketing class I learned about the DuPont marketing system. DuPont is responsible for a lot on inovative materials. In short the marketing scheme is this. Come out with something new and better. Price it high, very high, and make your sales to the people who simply 'must' have the best. Then slowly lower the price and catch as much of the 'got to have' extra $ along the way.

The more expensive helmets are 'better' meaning that they have some feature that is an improvement for at least some riders, as explained in the posts above. But it is very doubtful that it is $115 better for most riders. The price will come down as all the 'got to have' sales get made. Perhaps not down to $35. If there are real production cost differences the final price will be different.

Heres another approach. Find out what last years high zoot helmet was and buy it on closeout.

I didn't think I'd ever spend $70+ for a helmet. However, when I was offered a $120 helmet for $70, I bit.

I found the $50 helmet Louis Garneau helmet was a lot more comfortable than the $30 Louis Garneau helmet.

Just get an older (read: previous style) helmet, and you can buy a $120.00 helmet for $70.00, and sometimes less. Often, higher priced helmets have better airflow, and sometimes better fitting system; so it is often worthwhile to go for the higher priced one. They make you pay big time for small, but significant differences.

aaaaa

More money = bigger holes = more air flow = cooler head.

When I had a cheap helmet I never wore it, because my head got so hot that I got a headache all the time. When I bought an expensive helmet, it was like having air conditioning on my head. The only time I can imagine wanting a cheap helmet is in the dead of winter, and even then I'd sooner just wear a headband or a warm hat underneath.