Helmets for Winter - Any Ideas?
The last time I bought a helmet was in the post-civil war carpetbagging era. I went online today and was surprised at the range of prices from $20-something to the hundreds. I want to buy something for winter use. I cannot wear the military-style helmet, because the back of the helmet interferes with the neck brace/headrest on my trike. Any thoughts on what keeps you warm in winter (important, as I have a shaved head) and is moderately priced?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jamais716 on
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love my 180s! To keep your whole head warm, wear a thin fleece beanie under the helmet
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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on
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180s and a bandana if you're short up top will cover most daily commutes in the winter.
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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Pick the helmet that fits well, but also has a litlle room to adjust to a bigger size when needed
That way you can adjust as the temps get colder:
I start of with my 180s. When it does get colder (lower twenties to upper single digits), I replace that with headband made out of technical fabric. When it does get really cold (low single digits), I use a beanie style hat made out of technical fabric under my helmet
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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I use the same helmet year round, with a fleece balaclava under the helmet (after adjusting helmet straps) for colder days, and a breathable skullcap for not-quite-so-cold days. For wet or truly arctic weather, I add a water resistant helmet cover. I like to have ventilation so that sweat doesn't build up and make me colder when I'm getting a bit of a workout in cooler temps.
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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on
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Bern, they offer winter liners that cover your ears and have a top to keep heat in.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on
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I've picked up a couple ski helmets at the REI garages sales. They have built in ear flaps and liners and work great with goggles.
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Permalink Reply by Ash L. on
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I really hate the winter liner for my Bern. It was the whole reason I bought the helmet but the synthetic "fur" gets soaked with sweat and then freezes and stinks to high heaven.
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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on
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Thin enough to fit under a snug-fit motorcycle or snowmobile full-faced helmet, so it will work with any bike helmet. Warm enough to ride at 75MPH at sub-freezing temps and below on a snowmobile -so on a bicycle it'll be more than warm enough.
Find a helmet that you like the looks of, and the fit, and don't worry about built-in liners is my theory. The Shampa (pick the style you like) works like a charm. I've got a couple of them.
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Permalink Reply by william on
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I wear the same road helmet all year. Giro Atmos.
Lightweight cotton or wool cycling cap most of the year for sweat & sun.
Belgium style wool cap w/ ear flaps + neck gaitor in the winter.
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I'll second Howard's opinion about ordering online. I've tried different models from the same manufacturer and found that the shape/fit varies enough that not all are comfortable. You have a much better chance of getting something that's a comfortable fit for you if you try/buy in a shop.
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This is definitely true for a motorcycle helmet -that fits much more snugly and all around the head. A bicycle helmet is supported on a cradle of plastic and nylon straps and the fit of the "helmet" is actually how that little support ring fits and there is a TON of adjustabilty built into these straps to account for fit if you know how they work. Hard hats for construction work the same way and have much less engineering put into them to allow for adjustment of the straddle straps within and us folk usually get stuck wearing whatever brand the boss wears for 8+ hours a day every day for years on end.
Bicycle beer coolers ehm, "helmets," just perch on the top of your head and don't cover everything like a real motorcycle helmet (I won't even call a non-full-faced "helmet" for motorcycles a real helmet much less the lightweight things that we wear on bicycles) Yet there are folks who insist on buying motorcycle helmets online. I know that I wear a Shoei size M and I have a Shoei head. But I'd do a LOT of reading before buying another helmet online even if it were a Shoei of another model since they don't make the T-ZR any longer. If I did I'd make sure the place I was ordering it from had a good return policy.
A bike helmet? I'd order one online if they had a good return policy. i'd buy one at an LBS if they had a good price. The last bike helmet I bought was at the winter swap here in Chicago. It was a great deal from a burbie dealer that had a booth and was cheaper than I could find it online and I could try it on too. But the return policy sucked -Trek is good at standing behind their products if they break, so I felt good about buying a Trek-branded helmet even though it was a cash-only no-returns deal from the bike Swap.
A bike helmet is a bike helmet. They all offer about the same minimalist protection of about nothing and a half. They all let you compete under your USAcycling license or get into the events that mandate their use for lawyer/insurance reasons. They all seem to have different styles and colors, different degrees of airflow, and slightly different fits. Some are heavier than others too or fit better with hats/beanies/balaclavas. Pick one that you like and you won't leave at home because it is uncomfortable or offends your taste or sense of "style." Pick one that doesn't waste your budget. That's all that is important.
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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on
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This is just what I love about Chainlink. I have been riding as an adult for 20+ years and I still learn something. Tape up some of the vents, caps, 180s and balaclavas that turn Siberian tundra into summer. Thanks, all.
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