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-   -   Best helmet for ventilation? (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/874036-best-helmet-ventilation.html)

Munk69 02-21-13 11:44 AM

Best helmet for ventilation?
 
I have a Giro Pro-Light right now and for the most part, I like it.. But it has crappy ventilation.

So, what are some helmets that have good ventilation? My LBS is trying to steer me towards the Bontrager Oracle. I am ok on the price, not sure about the design.

http://bontrager.com/model/09727

Nagrom_ 02-21-13 11:48 AM

If you can get passed the god awful looks, I hear the Catlike Whisper vents damn near better than anything.

Rocket-Sauce 02-21-13 11:50 AM

Specialized Prevail.

RedNose44 02-21-13 11:52 AM

My favorite helmet, and ventilates very well.

http://www.catlike.es/en/products/he...per/r063-matt/

seymour1910 02-21-13 11:52 AM

I think if you lik Giro you can probably go for a higher end Giro and be ok...The louis Garneau Quartz looks like it is well ventilated but I have no experience with it.

RaceVW14 02-21-13 11:53 AM


Originally Posted by Rocket-Sauce (Post 15300232)
Specialized Prevail.

For the price I think Specialized S3 is the way I'd go.

aztimm 02-21-13 12:04 PM

I just ordered an Orbea Thor:
http://www.orbea.com/us-en/gear/thor/

It certainly looks well-ventilated, and I sure hope so. I have a Specialized Propero, which is ok, but looking for something different.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested in the Thor, there's an Active special on it (or there was this morning at least).

1Echo 02-21-13 12:11 PM

Specialized Prevail is the best I've found. Catlike Whisper is good too.

gizzsdad 02-21-13 12:18 PM


Originally Posted by RaceVW14 (Post 15300244)
For the price I think Specialized S3 is the way I'd go.

Agreed. 98% of the technology for 64% of the price. (vs Prevail)

Jaymadd 02-21-13 12:34 PM


Originally Posted by seymour1910 (Post 15300241)
I think if you lik Giro you can probably go for a higher end Giro and be ok...The louis Garneau Quartz looks like it is well ventilated but I have no experience with it.

I have one and It is well ventilated. Looks good too.

aruban 02-21-13 03:02 PM

Giro Aeon get's my vote. Very light too!

seymour1910 02-21-13 03:20 PM


Originally Posted by aruban (Post 15301015)
Giro Aeon get's my vote. Very light too!

they are on sale at performance right now...20% off lowest price

Adrianinkc 02-21-13 03:48 PM


Originally Posted by aruban (Post 15301015)
Giro Aeon get's my vote. Very light too!

+1

fstshrk 02-21-13 05:07 PM


Originally Posted by Rocket-Sauce (Post 15300232)
Specialized Prevail.

+1

In fact, all of their helmets have the same basic design and went well.

TrojanHorse 02-21-13 05:09 PM

I picked up a Giro Atmos last year for about 120 - the Aeon looks awesome but it's damn bloody expensive. The atmos vents quite well and is sufficiently light for my noggin.

pdedes 02-21-13 05:42 PM

Got the quartz too, you can get a protour helmet for really cheap.

Cookiemonsta 02-22-13 04:33 AM

My personal experience with helmets has been that some helmets fit me better than others. I'd rather have the helmet that fits well and has good ventilation, than the one that does not fit my head well and has the best ventilation. I have an expensive Giro helmet I am not happy with. I am "inbetween" sizes,. and the general shape of the helmet does not fit my head. The helmet is light and well-ventilated, but I regret getting it.

I guess what I am trying to say is go to your LBS and see how they fit, then choose the best ventilation out of those that you like.

adrien 02-22-13 05:46 AM

I have an LG Diamond. I got it because it fits my huge head. But it also is very well ventilated, and comfy, and light.

http://www.louisgarneau.com/in-en/pr...DIAMOND_HELMET

garysol1 02-22-13 05:48 AM

If it fits your noggin the Prevail is hard to best due to it's lightness, tremendous airflow and the simple buckle design.

slowride454 02-22-13 05:59 AM

I wear this one. http://bontrager.com/model/09101

I can ride all day in 80-100 degree temps and it is still comfy.

I have to switch to my MTB helmet once the air temp gets below 45 degrees F or my head gets cold.

eja_ bottecchia 02-22-13 06:20 AM

I have a LAS Squalo 2.2. Very well ventilated and comfortable. IMHO it looks good too. Take a look at it.

Otherwise any of the top rated Giro helmets will do well in the ventilation department.

carpediemracing 02-22-13 07:22 AM

Once the weather warms up to 80-85 deg and it gets a bit humid I have to wear a Halo headband under whatever helmet I have. I've used the Bell Volt, Specialized S Works, Spec Decibel, Giro something (Atmos?). Once you exceed the atmosphere's evaporation level sweat will drip down your head.

I find cutting my hair short makes more of a difference than the helmet.

After that the Halo headband keeps sweat out of my eyes, usually.

For me a mid-level helmet will work just as effectively as a "high end" one. In 2012 I preferred the lower end (and older) Specialized Decibel to the top of the line Volt.

Munk69 02-22-13 07:47 AM


Originally Posted by carpediemracing (Post 15303307)
Once the weather warms up to 80-85 deg and it gets a bit humid I have to wear a Halo headband under whatever helmet I have. I've used the Bell Volt, Specialized S Works, Spec Decibel, Giro something (Atmos?). Once you exceed the atmosphere's evaporation level sweat will drip down your head.

I find cutting my hair short makes more of a difference than the helmet.

After that the Halo headband keeps sweat out of my eyes, usually.

For me a mid-level helmet will work just as effectively as a "high end" one. In 2012 I preferred the lower end (and older) Specialized Decibel to the top of the line Volt.

The same thing happens to me. However, by the time summer rolls around I have to bring 2 halo's with me because I sweat the first one through a 1/4 into my ride. I cut my hair down short in the summer as well.

That is why I am thinking a helmet with more ventilation will help me.. At least a little bit :)

Thanks all for the suggestions so far!

RedNose44 02-22-13 12:28 PM


Originally Posted by carpediemracing (Post 15303307)
Once the weather warms up to 80-85 deg and it gets a bit humid I have to wear a Halo headband under whatever helmet I have. I've used the Bell Volt, Specialized S Works, Spec Decibel, Giro something (Atmos?). Once you exceed the atmosphere's evaporation level sweat will drip down your head.

I find cutting my hair short makes more of a difference than the helmet.

After that the Halo headband keeps sweat out of my eyes, usually.

For me a mid-level helmet will work just as effectively as a "high end" one. In 2012 I preferred the lower end (and older) Specialized Decibel to the top of the line Volt.

I shave my head and wear a lycra skull cap with built it headband. It helps with the sweat, and it also keeps me from getting weird tan lines on my head.

carpediemracing 02-22-13 01:43 PM

I wouldn't go crazy chasing ventilation.

Ventilation doesn't help if the air can't physically support the necessary evaporation rate. It's physics. Just doesn't work in many conditions (hot/humid is common, also low speeds) - you'd need an air conditioner-dehumidifier with a jet fan pointed your head in order move enough dry air to pick up the moisture popping out of your head.

In fact a super well ventilated helmet with large vents will heat your head more if you have dark hair or a dark skull cap and you're not moving fast. It's like leaving your sunroof open on a sunny day - the sun will heat up what it can through the sunroof.

A good helmet helps keep sweat out of your eyes and ears. The Halo works wonders with this and makes up for a helmet's shortcomings. This frees you from going out and getting a helmet that is optimized for directing sweat back behind your ears.

I use the Halo skull cap too, but I found that the headband is marginally cooler when it's really hot and still sort of dry out. In humid weather they're sort of the same.

To help keep core temps down you can douse yourself with ice water, use Podium Ice (discontinued) or Podium Chill (half as effective as Ice) bottles. Chills will keep ice water cold for about an hour, meaning it'll be a bit warm at the hour mark. Podium Ice bottles will keep ice in your water for 2 hours. I've finished 90-100 minute races in 85 deg humid temps shivering because I was cold because I was dumping ice water on myself approaching the finish.


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