Helmet price

BBH

I'm sure its a stupid question, but here goes.....

Are more expensive helmets safer?, or is the difference in cost due to materials, ventilation and weight difference??

The reason I ask is because I like the look of a number of Giro helmets (all of different prices) and was wondering what the real differences are between cheap and expensive??

Cheers all

passout

Weight probably, maybe ventilation, maybe fitting systems, maybe padding? When considering safety I'd look at safety standards firstly such as the EN whatever it is and I think there's a tougher US one too...but I may be talking jive on that point.

Mr. Maverick

All i can say is that a Giro Atmos saved my life! if i was wearing something else the paramedics said they would have had to scrape me off the road. Trust me, there is a difference in protection between cheap and expensive

psiturbo

I got three road helmets and all range from 70 to 100 dollars, the main difference in $$ is the brand.

But helmets are ike saddles, everybody is very different and what maybe be perfect for 100 riders may not be perfect for you.

Less than 70 or 60 dollars and you are cutting in comfort and ventilation, ALL helmets are safe or else they would not be approved to be sold as safety device for a bicycle.

More than 100 and you simply are buying bragging rights...

To me the selling factor is ventilation as I live in Florida.

I have one Giro, one LG and one BELL, each has a different color depending on the outfit and if I ride at night and also if they are to sweaty or wet from rain.

Mr. Maverick

ok they all need to reach a certain safety standard, but the better (generally the more expensive ones) are more likely to exceed those standards due to better materials. Im not saying you have to buy them, but in my personal experience only the best is good enough. and lets face it people we're not discussing which wheels are better or lighter here, its your head. once its squished its done for. your helmet is the single most imporant piece of cycling equipment because it can be the difference between coming home in an ambulance or not coming home at all. dont mean to preach, just giving my pesonal opinion through unfortnate experience

PBo

Mr. Maverick wrote:

All i can say is that a Giro Atmos saved my life! if i was wearing something else the paramedics said they would have had to scrape me off the road. Trust me, there is a difference in protection between cheap and expensive

Are paramedics really in a position to make this judgement? I think that they probably have a fair shot at commenting on no helmet v helmet - but commenting on the difference between helmet brands.....?

turnerjohn

From my experience the more expensive ones have less material (aka lighter) so although they still conform to EN regs. etc.. I doubt they are as strong as a heavier helmet. I've several Giro E2's and comparing these to my Pnemo (think thats how Giro spell it!) which is a road spec lid, the E2's have far more material on them (can vouch for the E2 saving me from being a vegitable !!!)
So recon MTB helmets are in general stronger (well they are generally knocked around more in the wild so would be expected) but in theory all helmets complying to EN regulations should all be as strong (should be note !)

Monty Dog

Helmets are pretty well all designed to the same performance standards - there is a US Snell standard, but it's more down to test protocols than a 'better' helmet. Most performance helmets are used in situations well beyond the parameters of the test protocols. What you pay extra for is quality of materials, fit / adjustability and ventilation - the paradox being the more expensive, the less you actually get! Getting fit right for your head shape is the most important - some brands will fit you better than others. Cheaper helmets often come in only one or two 'shell' sizes and rely on lots of adjustment, whereas better ones often come in 3-4 shell sizes.

Mr. Maverick

sorry PBo, what i should have probably said is that i wouldn't have been so lucky if i was wearing a cheap and nasty helmet as opposed to my atmos, my mistake

cougie

I really cant see that being the case - if the helmet meets the standards - then thats the protection you get. The flasher helmets have more vents, lighter and throw in some carbon fibre too - but I really cant see that a top of the range one is any safer than their £30 helmet. They may be comfier on long rides - but thats not the question here.

Try a few on and see what fits you best. The top of the range helmets are always pricier as they are the most fashionable. When they're superceded they'll be on offer.

Cunobelin

Intersting comparison here

The cheaper helmets in this testing did not outperform the more expensive ones, despite their smaller vents that usually mean more foam. Although there are probably at least some helmets out there with more or less than this uniform level of protection, we did not find any in this test. Neither the lab nor BHSI could find significant differences that would lead to individual brand recommendations. That is remarkable considering the $10 to $200+ range of prices.

The results are a testimony to the effectiveness of our legally-required CPSC helmet standard. Although our sample was small, the testing indicates that the consumer can shop for a bicycle helmet in the US market without undue concern about the impact performance of the various models on sale, whatever the price level. The most important advice is to find a helmet that fits you well so that it will be positioned correctly when you hit.

However having said that we are unfortunate in that many of our helmets are EN 1078 compliant which is a standard considered to be invalid as in the States as it offers an unacceptably low level of protection

Try looking at the list of Snell certified helmets which do vary greatly in price, but are certified way above the quality of EN1078

chriskempton

Cunobelin wrote:

However having said that we are unfortunate in that many of our helmets are EN 1078 compliant which is a standard considered to be invalid as in the States as it offers an unacceptably low level of protection

Thanks but does that mean Snell certified helmets are safer than EN1078 ones? I don't think it necessarily does?

Cunobelin

chriskempton wrote:

Cunobelin wrote:

However having said that we are unfortunate in that many of our helmets are EN 1078 compliant which is a standard considered to be invalid as in the States as it offers an unacceptably low level of protection

Thanks but does that mean Snell certified helmets are safer than EN1078 ones? I don't think it necessarily does?

Difficult to say - as helmets may pass more then one test.The Snell standards are by far the more stringent and difficult to pass as well as using the same off the shelf helmets that you and I would buy.

However any helmet that is EN1078 only is one to look at very carefully before buying.

All you need t know (and more) is here