Helmet recommendations needed

[DarcyInOregon]

The helmet I love to wear hasn't been mentioned yet. It is more pricey, but I have three of them now, purchased on sale. The helmet is the Rudy Project Sterling: http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner.ph...id=3&cat_id=88

My Madone is orange and yellow. I wear the Rudy Sterling helmet that is yellow and blue when I ride my Madone, which is my primary bike, and members of my training groups tell me I am visible for a long distance, even when I am in the shade of trees or it is raining.

There is a pink version for those of you with pink bikes.

The Rudy Project Sterling is the best helmet I've owned, fits well, adjusts well, ventilates well, and protects well.

[macski]

I have the Giro Atmos and I love it - very light and well ventilated. My partner has the Ionos and he loves that. Both are better ventilated than any other helmets we've had before. But as others have observed, you need to get one that fits your head.

Giro works well for me - I also have had Giro ski helmets.

[ehirsch83]

I've used Giro (atmos) LG (Diamond) and now I have a Laser. I have to say the Laser is my favorite, I am in Central Fl and it vents great- I love the adjustability on the top, so it tightens throughout the helmet and it is really comfy.

I will have to say that I did like the LG more then the Giro and I had multiples of both helmets.

I really think you need to try them on though, because everyone's heads are shaped differently and not every helmet will fit every head correctly.

My SO rides in a Rudy project and he loves his helmet, he doesn't use anything else.

[CAS]

Does anyone know if--after a couple of years--a helmet needs to be replaced (if it has not been damaged)? I heard (not certain if it's true) that the materials (ie foam) can break down over time. Thanks for any input!

[ny biker]

I could be wrong but I don't think there's consensus on that. Some say you should replace them after a few years, others say it's not necessary.

If the helmet is discolored or has spent lots of time in very hot temps, like in a hot car, then I would definitely replace it.

I usually will get a new helmet after 5 years or so if there's been no damage to warrant replacing it sooner.

[Owlie]

Does anyone know if--after a couple of years--a helmet needs to be replaced (if it has not been damaged)? I heard (not certain if it's true) that the materials (ie foam) can break down over time. Thanks for any input!

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Most, if not all, helmet manufacturers suggest replacing your helmet every 3-5 years. The foam stuff they use breaks down with small bumps and knocks, exposure to UV light, oils in your skin, sweat, heat (like leaving it in a hot car for a while kind of thing), and it does dry out over time. 3, in most places, is excessive. (Unless you live in the Southwest.) 4-6 years is probably a more realistic lifespan for a helmet than what the manufacturers say.

[thekarens]

I have the Giro Ionos and got it due to the Texas heat.

[MarieV]

I have the Giro Prolight and love it. It's so light, I usually forget I have it on, except on really hot days. It breathes really well, and I only feel like I'm overheating when it's in the 80's or hotter. (I like colder weather, so above 80 degrees, I feel like I need a personal AC unit surrounding me when I'm riding outside.) I don't know how it would be in scorchingly hot and humid weather, though.

The Prolight doesn't have the Roc-Loc (wheel) system but instead has a 3-position system, mounting points where the straps snap in. The helmet fits me perfectly in the smallest setting with no headgear, then in the winter when I wear a wool beanie, I move it to the middle setting. I think it's a lot cleaner than the Roc-Loc system since I just put on my helmet and go. However, the helmet's 3-position system may not fit others as well, which is probably why Giro discontinued the Prolight. If you can't find it at your LBS, Nashbar still has a few for just over $100, and they have an easy return policy. I actually ordered and returned a few LG, Giro, and Bell helmets from them before getting my Prolight.

Giro replaced the Prolight with the Aeon, which is supposed to be even lighter and has the Roc-Loc system. It's usually pretty pricey, but BikeTiresDirect has both the Giro Aeon and Atmos for about half price right now.

Has anyone ever had a white/lighter-colored as well as a black/darker-colored helmet? How much difference do you think helmet color (light vs dark) has on comfort when it's really hot during the summer? My helmet's black, and I've wondered if having a lighter colored helmet which reflects more sunlight would be more comfortable when it gets really hot out.

[OakLeaf]

It's always seemed to me that bici helmets are like champagne - you DO get what you pay for, but price increases logarithmically against features/quality.

I'm very prone to overheating, but I'm also fine in a $60 helmet (Spec' fits me well). I do a lot of things to make sure I don't overheat - see the thread on heat and humidity - but when I had a $200 helmet, it just really didn't make that much difference to me in that department.

YMMV.

[Helene2013]

Thank you all for your input. I started to read late last night the heat thread but it was too late and so much information. Must have missed that one as it was during our month vacation and we had minimal internet access then. Will get back to it.

That is the reason I am asking for helmets as I don't want to end up paying a lot of money for something that would not do much more than my current one. $300 is a lot of money for a helmet but when worth it, I can swallow the pill and go for it. Otherwise, I'd try something else.

[estronat]

I purchased a Specialized Aspire. $65. Very comfortable with lots of vents and easy to fit with the dial in back.