Anyone wear a women's helmet?
#1
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Anyone wear a women's helmet?
I have no money so I have to buy a women's cycling clothing which is typically cheaper than men's. I also have to buy online because my LBS is going through a bankruptcy. Wide women's shoes fit great so far.
Anyone wear women's helmets? A medium Giro MIPS women's helmet fits the same head diameter as a men's but is $60 vs the $150 men's model. Are there general anatomical differences between male and female heads?
Anyone wear women's helmets? A medium Giro MIPS women's helmet fits the same head diameter as a men's but is $60 vs the $150 men's model. Are there general anatomical differences between male and female heads?
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There is no such thing as a "women's" helmet. There are a few anatomical differences between the genders, but they are below the neck or inside the head.
The biggest differences between "men's" and Women's" helmets are paint schemes and labels. "Women's Specific" is marketing more than anything else (as the proud owner of a "women's specific' frame ... which is just a bike frame ... i can speak with some foundation.)
if the lid fits, wear it.
The biggest differences between "men's" and Women's" helmets are paint schemes and labels. "Women's Specific" is marketing more than anything else (as the proud owner of a "women's specific' frame ... which is just a bike frame ... i can speak with some foundation.)
if the lid fits, wear it.
#5
Non omnino gravis
A "women's helmet" is more likely to have white and/or pink on it. If you sort by women's on the Giro site and click on the Aether MIPS, it just takes you to the "ungendered" page for the Aether. There is no men's or women's. Some helmets by some mfrs. just might come in smaller sizes, because a lot of ladies have straight up bird heads.
If it fits and the color does not offend you, buy it. If there were women's-specific bike helmets, I know I could never wear one-- what is typically sold as a large barely fits my bucket of a noggin.
If it fits and the color does not offend you, buy it. If there were women's-specific bike helmets, I know I could never wear one-- what is typically sold as a large barely fits my bucket of a noggin.
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Specialized seems to think otherwise:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/sh...lmetPartsWomen
Likewise Giant:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/global/liv-helmets
REI: https://www.rei.com/c/bike-helmets?i...27s&origin=web
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/sh...lmetPartsWomen
Likewise Giant:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/global/liv-helmets
REI: https://www.rei.com/c/bike-helmets?i...27s&origin=web
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 01-03-19 at 09:42 PM.
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The women's specific helmet I had was the single worst fitting helmet I've ever owned. I currently have a men's helmet that fits great, and I've also had success with large youth helmets.
Also, I'm an actual woman.
Also, I'm an actual woman.
Last edited by wipekitty; 01-03-19 at 11:17 PM. Reason: grammar looked funky
#8
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I wear a white helmet, but it was the best fitting one in the shop.
Only after the purchase did I realize the small incremental nighttime visibility advantages.
I also saw a study somewhere with respect to vehicle-bike interactions, where cars were found to give women riders more passing space.
I don't know if this was due to any assumption that women riders are less skilled at holding a line, or they are less predictable in traffic. My preferred assumption is that drivers consciously or unconsciously treat women as inherently more valuable in contributing to the survival of the species. The sinking ship thing: women and children first.
So perhaps in some small way, my white helmet helps with my survival. Some slow day I plan on stapling a fake pony-tail onto the back and see how drivers interact differently.
Only after the purchase did I realize the small incremental nighttime visibility advantages.
I also saw a study somewhere with respect to vehicle-bike interactions, where cars were found to give women riders more passing space.
I don't know if this was due to any assumption that women riders are less skilled at holding a line, or they are less predictable in traffic. My preferred assumption is that drivers consciously or unconsciously treat women as inherently more valuable in contributing to the survival of the species. The sinking ship thing: women and children first.
So perhaps in some small way, my white helmet helps with my survival. Some slow day I plan on stapling a fake pony-tail onto the back and see how drivers interact differently.
#9
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The troll is powerful here. Women have pretty much abandoned feminine specific attire in all fashion. And they certainly woudn't be moving in that direction if men's clothing were more expensive.
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What's a "women's helmet"?
I'm a woman ... I wear a helmet. That would be a woman's helmet!
I'm a woman ... I wear a helmet. That would be a woman's helmet!
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And ...
R - I - G - H - T
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By the way .. helmets are plastic and respond well to spray paint. If it fits and you don't like the color ....
#14
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If you can overcome wearing lycra and shaving your legs I’m sure a “women’s helmet” should be the least of your worries.
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Thanks for the replies. I just bought one for $35. The men's version is $120 and is supposedly exactly the same except for the paint. Will report on the fit when it arrives
#19
Shimano Certified
I have a 'mens' and 'women's' bontrager helmet and the one is blue and one is hot pink. Fit is 100% same. For the MFG that do make a different version it is usually just a bigger pony tail clearance in the back.
#20
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That is definitely an interest point. Myself, OTOH, after many years cannot tell you who has been wearing what on all the group rides I’ve ever been in. It’s almost like... gasp! nobody cares!
For full disclosure, my wife rides a men’s frame, and I sometimes use my wife’s “female razors” to shave my legs. AFAIK, all of our wheelsets are unisex. My masculinity has not been affected in any way (and the wife agrees!).
Seriously though, I believe helmets provide a function, and as long as that function is met at a cost that is acceptable to the OP he should be fine. I’m sure as long as it works that’s all his head will care about should it ever come to that, heaven forbid.
As cyclists we go all go through some “rites of passage”...
For example, lycra. A properly fitted kit doesn’t lie... it bares all. For most people it takes some gumption to finally get over the hump to decide to wear full kit. Then it becomes natural.
Another example: shaving. The benefits of shaving are not really that clear for the average club cyclist, but we do it because... and afterwards we realize it wasn’t that bad really and hey! we did save a couple of seconds on that 40k. Besides, how are we dedicated cyclists able to identify one another outside of our super-hero garments if not by displaying our clean-shaven, well-tanned legs? Leg shaving is one of those cycling rituals that confirms that “you’re in now”. Aaaaand, I’ve overheard the comments when a “fred” joins a fast-ride.
If we as cyclists can navigate around the biases involved in wearing lycra and shaving our legs, then making a purchase decision based on functionality and cost vs what the fashion police or anyone else has to say should not be too hard.
There are times when a particular product must be gender-specific in order to address obvious anatomical differences... saddles... perhaps. Shorter top tubes... maybe. Kit? hmmm... But helmets are definitely not it, unless someone here wants to make the case that women’s heads are significantly different than men’s... but I will not be caught dead even trying to go there. And plenty of guys have ponytails (and women short hair) so hair is not a differentiator either.
So, OP, IMO you’re home free! Now go drop some wheels!
For full disclosure, my wife rides a men’s frame, and I sometimes use my wife’s “female razors” to shave my legs. AFAIK, all of our wheelsets are unisex. My masculinity has not been affected in any way (and the wife agrees!).
Seriously though, I believe helmets provide a function, and as long as that function is met at a cost that is acceptable to the OP he should be fine. I’m sure as long as it works that’s all his head will care about should it ever come to that, heaven forbid.
As cyclists we go all go through some “rites of passage”...
For example, lycra. A properly fitted kit doesn’t lie... it bares all. For most people it takes some gumption to finally get over the hump to decide to wear full kit. Then it becomes natural.
Another example: shaving. The benefits of shaving are not really that clear for the average club cyclist, but we do it because... and afterwards we realize it wasn’t that bad really and hey! we did save a couple of seconds on that 40k. Besides, how are we dedicated cyclists able to identify one another outside of our super-hero garments if not by displaying our clean-shaven, well-tanned legs? Leg shaving is one of those cycling rituals that confirms that “you’re in now”. Aaaaand, I’ve overheard the comments when a “fred” joins a fast-ride.
If we as cyclists can navigate around the biases involved in wearing lycra and shaving our legs, then making a purchase decision based on functionality and cost vs what the fashion police or anyone else has to say should not be too hard.
There are times when a particular product must be gender-specific in order to address obvious anatomical differences... saddles... perhaps. Shorter top tubes... maybe. Kit? hmmm... But helmets are definitely not it, unless someone here wants to make the case that women’s heads are significantly different than men’s... but I will not be caught dead even trying to go there. And plenty of guys have ponytails (and women short hair) so hair is not a differentiator either.
So, OP, IMO you’re home free! Now go drop some wheels!
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cpl years ago I heard about "fleece tights" & I was like? huh? what? can I use that for cycling? after a lot of digging, I bought some giant sized women's fleece tights. I got the 4XL for $18.49 & they worked OK but ultimately I only used them twice. I have other options that fit better. don't know how women wear those things all the time. guess the OP doesn't need warm underwear, but for anyone else, these are cheap ... TruFit Womens Fleece Leggings-reg & Plus Sizes
#24
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*Think Pink
I have one that in support of breast cancer awareness Trek U made in pink,
so if , in the unlikely event, I win GC on any given day in the Giro d Italia I already have the helmet.
the fabulous poodles
so if , in the unlikely event, I win GC on any given day in the Giro d Italia I already have the helmet.
the fabulous poodles
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-08-19 at 12:25 PM.
#25
Senior Member
They're usually a little tight around the ankles but I don't think anyone notices. Or the pockets.
I use the extra money to buy soup.