Is There a Sun Helmet?
 

Does anyone know if a helmet or helmet accessory is made--or has ever been made--which specifically keeps the sun off your ears and neck?

I've been thinking of creating one by modifying a helmet, and have gathered materials, and have some designs in mind.

But I'd rather just buy one rather than re-invent the wheel.

Also if anyone has built their own that would be cool to see--pictures anyone?

I'll bet a timetrial helmet would work.

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...0_2206_SIL.jpg

Take a look at http://www.adventurecycling.org/stor...Product_ID=202

http://www.adventurecycling.org/stor...t_cover_lg.jpg

I was going to wrap some white cloth around my helmet, with a sheet hanging back, such that it vaguely resembles a middle eastern headdress. ought to work.

I just wear a baseball hat under my helmet. If the sun is really brutal I add a hankie to the back for my neck.

As I recall from trying on a tt helmet in a store these babies interfere with normal head movement to say the least.

Other than that . . . .

Looks like this thing might work. I'm a little concerned with ear cover with this, especially with the head wind pushing it back.

The design I had in mind would attach a kind of aero, crescent-shaped, awning/brim thing sweeping from the temple to behind the neck, less mass and less rigid than that tt stormtrooper thing.

Just tuck some thin cotton cloth undet the helmet. Cotton to soak up the cold water dripping from the bag of ice on top of the helmet. After all if you are worried about the sun then it must be hot too. Try some sun blocker. More aerodynamic then a cover and might allow more cooling breeze to reach your skin.

Man this looks like something Huggy Bear would wear. :roflmao:

http://www.antoniofargas.net/pics/fargas_girls.jpg

:roflmao:

Try these http://www.sunprotection.com.au/page...l#Anchor-49575 (Click a colour to see full picture). Both my wife and I have one and she wore one all the way around Australia on our cycling trip. They are good for hot or cold climates.
Regards
Andrew

http://www.where2pedalto.gr8m8s.net

Well, I actually was going to originally post a picture of a stormtrooper helmet but thought it might be a little too flippant a response so I went with the TT helmet instead. Also, I think you might be able to modify some of the various hardhat sun shields to work with an existing bicycle helmet.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg....71_7651648.jpg

If you're going for the cloth solution then this might fit the bill...

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg....1_22294269.jpg

I usually carry a bandana or two when I tour. I'll use one to do just that. Wet it down and stuff it under my helmet and let it drape down my neck. Nice A/C when it's hot.

I also carry a light colored long sleeved cotton shirt for the same reason. Soak it and put it on. It lasts for a while and keeps the sun off my arms. I've been sun burned once or twice and it can really take some of the fun out of a tour!

Very low tech and cheap.
The visor keeps the sun off my face
unless I'm biking directly into morning or late afternoon sun
which isn't as intense as midday sun.
Plus bright bandanas are visible to motorists.
Of course stylin' it ain't.

One word: mullet!

http://images.google.com/images?q=mu...=Search+Images

+1 on the ole bandana.

Keeps you dry by soaking up sweat, which is a big plus, summer or winter. For keeping the sun off, get a larger-sized one (27" X 27" or so).

Heads up--I'm going to build my own sun shield today and post pictures. Turns out I pretty much have the materials and method worked out. Will follow up with details . . .

Thanks GeorgeBaby, andrewh, and khuon for the contructive input. I actually saw these products the last time I researched this, a couple years ago. Figured if there was a solution, it'd probably come out of Australia--or in my case, Boise, Idaho. . . .

Halfspeed and spinnaker--too funny. The mullet 'do would match my long-sleeve soccer jerseys nicely. :)

As for hankies, bandanas, better than nothing, I guess, but I think I can do better. Cheers.

I used this "skullcap" on my last sun-drenched tour. Made of synthetic material, it did a fantastic job of protecting the back of my neck, covering my ears, and wicking away moisture. (You can adjust it not to cover the ears.)

http://www.velotique.com/images/bandana-lg.jpg

And so here it is. (I actually finished it in January, I held back on posting this until now, for various reasons.) Ta Da!

Well it ain't "purtty" but I'll bet it works!

Two more angles:

yep cotton bandanas made in china, from walmart, 2 fer a buck.

come in red and blue, so u can be crypts or bloods, depending on your touring locale

buy extras for yer bandana less friends

Back view:

Top view; underside rear view:

Side panel connectors:

Underside view: