J.Higgins 

I did a search in just this forum, and there were no recent threads asking for helmet recommendations. That's kind of where I am now. I have an old Bell beater, and its time for an upgrade. I am looking for nice and light, comfortable, and stylish.

What would be your thoughts? What would YOU buy if you were getting a new lid?

indyfabz

Helmets are somewhat like saddles. What works for me might not work for you fit wise. Also, sizing can vary. A medium Bell may fit you, but you may need a large if you go with a Giro. I see so many poorly fitting helmets in my part of the world that I have to wonder how many of them were bought on line without a test fitting.


As for stylish, that is totally a matter of person taste. For example, many people think those POC helmets are stylish. I think they are ugly.

davlafont

Seems like that will call for a visit to the LBS. Even if you end up shopping online, you'll never know how models will feel and look on you without trying them on in person.


I have a lightweight shaped/carved/scooped helmet for when I ride my modern road bike wearing spandex. It looks totally out of character when I'm on one of my vintage/upright/go slow bikes so I also have a grey plain-Jane round generic helmet for recreational tooling around. It looks like a skateboarder or ski/snowboard style (minus a bunch of stickers and graffiti...)


I'm a big helmet advocate, but I can imagine not wearing one at all if I were touring on a rail trail all day. But in truth, I'd probably still wear one. (I'm new to touring so I have no actual experience to offer there.)

djb

Yup, you really just have to get your keester and head into bike stores and try some on, and figure what you want to spend.

Diff helmets fit differently and then again, a $30 helmet could very well feel perfectly fine to you as much as a $300 one.
I ride regularly so when I tried helmets on this summer I could see how some fit better and some had better feeling and operating straps, adjustment thingees etc, but all in all, reasonably priced helmets are very good nowadays and with the pretty much universal rear part of your head holding systems with easy adjustment knobs, they fit so much better than old helmets.

a big part often comes down to colour and look that you like, visor or no visor, combined with your budget range.
Oh, and visit numerous stores and take notes and or cell phone photos.

jefnvk

The one I've had for the last three years came from a big box store for $15, a Schwinn branded on that I'm sure probably came from the Bell factory, when I forgot my old one that was really due for replacing at home heading to a charity event that mandated them. It was comfortable enough that I never saw a need to buy a nicer one, as I had been planning on doing. The ratcheting mechanism on the head band is finally starting to go out, I'll probably just buy another when it no longer holds.

Very subjective, though. I have a narrower, longer head, not so round.

LouB 

Folks at my LBS told me that in terms of safety, there isnt much or any difference between the less expensive helmets and the high dollar ones. That the cost difference is due to better aerodynamics and weight issues. I always appreciate it when they discourage me from wasting my money. They are good that way.

mstateglfr 

As others have said- go to a store or multiple stores.

- Get a helmet with MIPS tech. Its in basically all but the cheapest of helmets. Its a helmet and to get a cheap helmet is basically an oxymoron.
- Get a helmet that is sized instead of a universal fit helmet. This starts at the $60 range or so, but the more individualized fit is good for comfort. Again, its there to save your skull when you fall so getting one that fits best makes sense.
- The sized helmets starting around $60 offer more air flow than universal fit helmets and lower priced/quality helmets. You want airflow.


Over $60ish the options typically just get more expensive due to more vents for airflow and lighter due to less material(which equals more airflow). Thats a value to some. Oh, and the adjusting mechanism is usually easier to adjust.


It took me a few different shops and probably 20 helmets before I found one I like. Helmet brand isnt nearly as important as fit. Who cares if its Bell or Giro or Specialized. Get whatever fits your head and budget best.

indyfabz

MIPS insert aside, that's basically true. The last time I was at the shop where I got my custom bike, there was a woman there looking for a helmet to commute in. The shop owner was upfront in saying that inexpensive helmet A is fine, a somewhat more expensive helmet B with the MIPS insert offers more protection and everything above in terms of price would only get less weight, more vents, style, etc. It really is nice when you see a shop not trying to oversell someone. There is a much better chance that that woman, who was also checking out bikes for her son, will be a repeat customer.

cyccommute 

I've been wearing Lazers lately...gone through a few...and I find them to be quite comfortable. Their shape seems to fit my head well. Whether they fit yours is a different matter but they are worth a look.

robert schlatte

I recently bought a Giro Foray. Nice stylish helmet for around $60. Even cheaper on amazon. It suits my needs and didn't break the bank.

J.Higgins 

Good advice in here. Thanks for that! I'll hit the local LBS - which is an hour drive

Maybe I can get them to measure my sit bones also. Might as well do it right. New to touring, but not new at bikes by any means.

What about those helmets I see that have a built-in face shield? Would one of those be good, or are they just for racers?

mstateglfr 

They arent just for racers. Hockey and football players use em too.





...toss on some sunglasses instead?

pdlamb

I prefer sunglasses, or just regular specs if I'm riding at night. They protect my eyes from flying insects and dust, and I'd imagine they're cooler summer. But YMMV.

J.Higgins 

I like the looks of those Smith helmets. The honeycomb lets air through but no hornets. I had a yellowjacket get stuck in one of the vents of my old Bell. He stung me several times before I could stop and pull the helmet off. Guess one could say I had a "bee in my bonnet..."

I hot-glued some small pieces of window screen to the insides of my helmet, and it looks like it was made for it. Never got stung on the scalp again after that.

fietsbob

I found Bell are for the Rounder headed, than Gyro, But now Bell Sports Corp. owns Both Brand companies .

Others say that difference is Maintained by the 2 divisions..


there are $45.00 helmets and there are $250.00 helmets IDK How much you are willing to spend.




'/,

revcp 

It's very comfortable. Good airflow, very light.

Timequake

All bike helmets have to meet the same safety standards. Find the cheapest one and ride.

Cyclist0108

I have one, and would not even pretend to race. Basically, it is like having sunglasses that never get lost or fog up.

Squeezebox

The ones with the face shields are for time trial racing, not even regular road racing. Wrong and too expensive for touring. My next helmet I'll probably get one with the little bill on front that the MTBers use. I would think a heavier helmet might cause more neck strain. So I'll go cheap and light if I can.
I don't feel a great need to wear a helmet on the bicycle paths around here but I do feel a need to wear one getting there.