Is there anything wrong with using a BMX helmet on the road? Obviously you don't get as much airflow but that's a nonissue in the dead of winter (or a plus). They're not really made for high speed riding/impact with cars are they?

Also, where can I find plain BMX helmets (no logos) in bright colors? Preferably a flourescent green, purple or pink.

Skate/BMX helmets are actually considerably safer than standard bicycle helmets, as I understand it.

You should be able to pick up a helmet like you described at any skate shop or at any of hundreds of online outlets.

not many helmets will help when you impact a car.

I'm pretty sure they're made with slamming your head into cement in mind. I'm sure you can find one just about anywhere.

Yeah, I looked online for a while before posting to see if I could find one, and while there were a couple nice ones I haven't found exactly what I want.

https://www.amazon.com/Bell-2007-Fact...901130&sr=1-36

This ain't bad but it's got that huge logo.

So they're actually safer??

according to some, the spiked rear on many high end helmets is a snag point. the large vents also mean that denser foam needs to be used. people at hlemets.org say round and smooth is a safer design
https://www.helmets.org/ventsqua.htm

https://www.helmets.org/types.htm

BMX helmets are made to protect from multiple impacts where as standard road helmets are meant to protect against a harder impact but in protecting you from a fall the helmet brakes so it is really only good for one major impact.

basically bmx helmets are more durible but sacrifice ventilation,weight,and some would say comfort

i havent found 1 helmet that says it is multi impact...

(i get bored at work and read the small print )

I'm starting to see more riders with BMX helmets on the streets. They look even more sturdy to me. Although bike helmets have a fine helping of foam, my Louis Garneau has only a tiny little plastic shell. IIRC, BMX/skate helmets have a nice thick plastic/composite base with padding inside.

If everything fails you can buy one of those dope soft helmets REload sells.

The plastic shell is really only there to hold the foam together and help the helmet slide across the pavement if you go down. The foam is really what keeps your head from taking the direct impact of the blow.

I would hate to give up the ventilation of a bike helmet, but a BMX or skate helmet would be fine. A nice compromise could be the Bell Metro line (without the visor). It has a rounded shape reminiscent of skate helmets but considerably better ventilation.

Check out these two helmets from Pro-Tec. They have more of a BMX background, but the Cyphon especially looks like it has some more tech to it.


The Cyphon


The Ace Dig

www.pro-tec.net

It's a skateboard helmet, and I have the same thing, except mine is yellow and covered in stickers

I'd totally ride with that Cyphon. Even with the visor.

The thing is though, for winter riding it's nice to have a cover which blocks the ventilation. If your helmet doesn't have ventilation anyways...you're golden (and sweaty).

I think I'll just end up going with that Bell I linked. I can't find anything remotely close in color.

you know, one time I saw this guy with his helmet off and he had tufts sticking out where the helmet vents were; I could tell he had a bike helmet

I used to skate, and I wore a Pro-Tec when I had to go to private parks where they required pads to get in. I slammed my head more than a few times and the helmet always felt solid, and I (hopefully) don't have any major head injuries.

Clear tape over the vent holes in winter. Cheap and oddly effective. I actually find it very easy to overheat during winter riding, even here in chilly New England, and appreciate good some vents in winter.

We sell a lot of Bell Faction and Giro Flak helmets to the 7-15 age group boys. So many, in fact, that we no longer have many of the smaller sizes in stock (and we haven't been able to order new ones either - they're out everywhere!). They are probably significantly safer in the event of a crash, but poorly ventilated and with virtually no adjustability. This means that the helmet is a poor choice if you're unable to get a good fit, and also a very poor choice (economically) for those whose heads are still growing (i.e. pre-teens and young teens). I try to talk people out of buying them if they can't get a perfect fit, but I rarely succeed.

Bell Faction:


Giro Flak:

I have a Flak for riding in the winter and it works fine. No major complaints. Its not a perfect fit on my head and I have to always wear a hat of some sort under it to keep it from moving around too much. I got it because I wanted something that would be good at keeping my head warm for winter riding. It does just that. Aside from that it, it sits in my closet now waiting for colder weather because it is too hot to wear during the warmer riding season.

There's a guy here who rides with this:

and he seems pretty happy with it.

(No, I'm not kidding.)

anybody ever look at kayak helmets? I don't even know if they'd be any good, but I think that they look cool.

I used to do whitewater kayaking and wore one, always found them uncomfortable =p

chuck_norris (or chucknorris, chuck norris, not sure on the spelling) on the forums wears one in the winter, always said it kept his head warm. PM him perhaps?

From https://www.helmets.org/ this is what they say about Kayak helmets:

Whitewater sports have their own helmets. The impacts are lower than in bicycling, but more frequent, and the sharp rock hazard results in a need for more coverage. Water must drain from the helmet as well to prevent "bucketing," and some canoeists mention the ear as a vulnerable area if your head is being dragged under water. A bike helmet will be better than a bare head for whitewater, but a canoeing helmet should be considerably better adapted to the sport. ASTM is working on a whitewater standard, but does not have it in place yet, so you are on your own to make a choice. There are some whitewater helmets out there with multi-impact EPP foam in them instead of the squishy stuff, which should be an improvement. (As an illustration, Cascade is one brand made that way.).

If looking at skate type helmets I suggest pro tec Ace sxp, multi impact approved, for biking and skateboarding. https://www.amazon.com/Ace-Bucky-Lase...5917515&sr=8-4