Surviving Texas heat aka helmet suggestions

[thekarens]

I have a helmet that was cheap, but comfortable. It's a Bell. However, I noticed on last weeks ride that it's H O T! Temps have started to creep up here in Houston, so I'm considering investing in a better vented helmet.

The first one I've looked at was the Giro Aeon. Anyone else have any suggestions for well vented helmets?

Also, this may sound silly, but I was wondering if anyone has problems with their scalp getting sunburned with a well vented helmet and how to prevent that. My skin is pretty sensitive and as a general rule I have to make sure I'm well lathered in sunscreen.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I live in Texas too, and I am especially sensitive to 'hot head'. I currently use a Giro Ionos (which has been discontinued) and it is excellent at keeping my head cool. I would expect that the new higher priced Giro helmets (Aeon or Atmos) would provide equally good cooling.

[Becky]

I like my Louis Garneau X-Lite. I always wear a thin wicking beanie under my helmet. It really helps with sweat running down my face and sunburnt noggins, and I don't find it to be appreciably hotter than riding without.

[luvmyguys]

I like my Louis Garneau X-Lite. I always wear a thin wicking beanie under my helmet. It really helps with sweat running down my face and sunburnt noggins, and I don't find it to be appreciably hotter than riding without.

Yes, this. I probably ought to get a wicking beanie, but I usually wear a cheap bandana under my helmet, which helps with the sweat. Dh does as well, and for him, it's as much for sun protection as anything.

[thekarens]

I've got the bandana, but I figured the beanie would add to the heat.

[Jordyne]

I've got the Giro Prolight and love it! http://www.amazon.com/Giro-2019-Prolight-Bike-Helmet/dp/B002LSVJLI

[ny biker]

DeSoto's Skin Cooler fabric is quite effective.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDE_SHB.html

As for helmets, the more expensive ones are the ones that are more vented. So don't hesitate to try different brands to get one that fits you.

[Owlie]

I have very thick hair, so ventilation is a must. I've been looking at the Giro Aeon or Atmos.

[thekarens]

I have very thick hair, so ventilation is a must. I've been looking at the Giro Aeon or Atmos.

Those were my first two choices as well. I have just the opposite, baby fine thin hair.

I do plan on going out and trying several types this weekend though.

[Skippyak]

The giro atmos is airy and light. I always use a sweat band around my forehead, bandannas etc would create more heat retention for me. I have never had a sunburned head and you do not want to sweat sunscreen from your head into your eyes.

[Owlie]

Those were my first two choices as well. I have just the opposite, baby fine thin hair.

I do plan on going out and trying several types this weekend though.

Some of it is fit, on my part. I have a very expensive, oddly-shaped head, it seems.

[thekarens]

I went to every shop I could find on the west side of Houston and I found out my head hates Specialized and Scattaline. LG and Bell are just okay. Lazer isn't bad, but my head loved Giro Aeon and Giro Ionos. Who knew? Guess it's time to look for sales.

[marni]

another texas rider voting for a giro atmos- love mine. I also wear my hair in a #6 buzz which I figure helps with both the heat and the helmet hair.

The sag guy ( who is blonde and balding) also wears a wicking beanine which works wwell to soak up the sweat and protects his head from sunburn.

I wish the spring could have lasted longer- I am never ready for the heat.Like the Bike Barn t shirt says," heat, humidity, headwinds" houston biking.

[rebeccaC]

I use a white LAS Victory and it’s well made, light, has good fit and padding adjustments and very good airflow...but then it should be for the price. I use a Halo II sweatband that works well to keep sweat out of my eyes without creating more heat on my head. On a good descent by varying the angle of your head you should be able to tell the best angle for airflow. Cooling can also be enhanced by careful placement of the fitting pads to permit air channels around the front and sides.
Along with the Skin Cooler already mentioned you might also want to look at the Headsweats coolmax caps for the sunburn problem and wicking sweat away,

[murielalex]

I have very thick hair, so ventilation is a must. I've been looking at the Giro Aeon or Atmos.

Same. I just bought the Aeon last week and wore it for the first time yesterday. It was in the mid to high 80s, and I did a nice 40-mile ride. It was super breezy, so I wasn't aware of the ventilation difference between that and my Lazar helmet, but it's noticeably lighter, which I really appreciated.

[Owlie]

I went to every shop I could find on the west side of Houston and I found out my head hates Specialized and Scattaline. LG and Bell are just okay. Lazer isn't bad, but my head loved Giro Aeon and Giro Ionos. Who knew? Guess it's time to look for sales.

My head HATES Scattante. It's like putting a salad bowl on my head. There's one that isn't too bad, but I didn't like the wheel on the retention system.

I guess you and I have very expensive heads.

[thekarens]

It hurt my pocket book, but I ordered a Giro Ionos :-)

It felt very slightly better, came in a preferred color and was a tad cheaper than the Aeon. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[TrekDianna]

It hurt my pocket book, but I ordered a Giro Ionos :-)

It felt very slightly better, came in a preferred color and was a tad cheaper than the Aeon. Thanks for all the suggestions!

I loved that one when I tried it on, but with the various crashes, I am on my third one in a year.

[thekarens]

I loved that one when I tried it on, but with the various crashes, I am on my third one in a year.

Ouch, that has to be expensive!

[TrekDianna]

Ouch, that has to be expensive!

yeah. I decided to stick with the Specialized one that I liked. It's less than $100.

[thekarens]

yeah. I decided to stick with the Specialized one that I liked. It's less than $100.

Don't blame you there!

[TrekDianna]

3 in a year? Are you riding single-track? Sounds scary!

yes, I was...but mostly on my road bike right now since my partner had a knee replacement and can ride her road bike, but can't risk the mtb yet.

[mariacycle]

One option I have found helpful for riding in extreme heat is starting out with wet hair in a low bun to fit into the helmet. It keeps me cool and one added bonus is that after the ride it's easy to re-tie my hair somewhat presentably.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Halo headbands are the best for making sure sweat doesn't get into your eyes. Both DH and I swore by them in Singapore. They also come in a bandana hat type version. We also found we could wear the visor version under our helmets if we wanted extra face sun coverage.

[marni]

gradually riding myself into the Texas heat and humidity. $5 miles today in the 85-93 degree weather and 70%= humidity has me leaving familiar sweat rings in the garage. Sometimes even a Marine buzz cut doesn't quite amke it eaither. I used to use a halo sweatband, but I have discovered Bondi Bands at a local running store. Basically they are a light wicking polyester band which soaks up the sweat and evaporates the sweat beautifully, pus they come in wild colors which are fun.

[colby]

To add to the Texas Helmet Count, in Austin, I have an Atmos. It got me through last summer and I didn't think my head was too hot, for me it was more about sweating everywhere and trying to stay well hydrated overall in the changing humidity. I mostly commute (12 miles round trip), do short weekend trips with my husband, and the occasional long ride in spring/fall. Up in the PNW, I have the Athlon, because it has green flames, and flames make you faster (right?). It's also pretty well vented, though not as well as the Atmos.

I am definitely going to check out that icefil cap. I had a coolmax one, but it was too thick at the brim and made my better-fitting helmets fit too tightly. I bought a couple of extra pairs of the arm coolers for riding to work in when it gets too hot. My commute is short, but anything that helps me cool off faster when I get to the office or home would be nice.