Helmet recommendations needed

[OakLeaf]

I have a Spec' Echelon. Obviously it's not identical to the Propero, but the venting is very similar.

For an inexpensive helmet it sure seems "race-y," in that over about 20 mph it vents superbly, but at slow speeds (like climbing hills when I really want the ventilation), not so much.

It's not bad - I once had a motorcycle helmet that was just an oven, and it's nothing like that - but if you're specifically looking at venting for climbing, I'm not sure I'd recommend the Echelon. But it might turn out that the subtle differences in the Propero's vents make a lot of difference, too.

I've got a "long oval" Shoei head too, and Spec' helmets fit me much better than Giro. I don't think I've even tried a Bell on since the early '80s when that was all there was...

I'm intrigued by the looks of Catlike helmets. Most of my Floridian friends wear LG or Uvex, so that's something to think about too.




I'd also add that my last helmet was a Giro in the $200 range - a Pneumo maybe? - and it was about 20% more comfortable than either the $40 Serfas I wore before that, or the $60 Spec' I'm wearing now. I have a feeling that bici helmets are similar to moto helmets - or fine wines - you do get what you pay for, but once you've reached a basic level, the price increases logarithmically against the comfort.