[Opus51569]

This isn't exactly a "component" and the general forum is...well...general. But I thought perhaps those who commute or tour might have some insight.

In your experience what helmet offers the best ventilation to price ratio?

My thermostat runs perpetually high and I sweat like crazy in the summer. Sweatbands (including Halos) only delay the inevitable. So, I'm looking for the helmet that offers the best ventilation for the least amount of money. Suggestions?

 

[jd3]

I have two helmets, a Specialized decibel and an S-works. That big whale mouth vent on the front has reduced the sweat in my eyes by 50%. Their priced ones have the same vent.

 

[bignose]

I too have the Specialized Decibel. Mind you, they're pricey, I got mine in a back-alley deal with the LBS.

 

[bigbill]

A skullcap like headsweats goes a long way in controlling sweat. I started wearing them while commuting because of the early morning bug swarms and the afternoon heat. Without one I get bugs in my hair in the morning and my helmet straps get saturated in the afternoon. In any case, once a week wash your helmet out. I used to put mine in a utility sink full of soapy water and use a brick to keep it submerged. I'd let it soak for about a half hour and then rinse it out.

 

[majura]

My head shape only gets along with Bell and Giro. Considering Bell helmets can often be found cheaper I have a Bell Sweep (I use it for commuting) and Bell Volt (road rides).

Basically both work really well at keeping my head cool. The Sweep is now cheaper since the introduction of the Volt and IMO I really can't tell that much of a difference between the two in regards to ventilation. Although comparing them both to my old $60 MET helmet- it's like night and day.

 

[buck-50]

much sweat here, too. I like my Bell Ghisallo.

In the morning, on my way to work I wear an old-school cycling cap underneath. My hair gets a little sweaty but at least it doesn't get all helmet hair-y.

When I'm not riding to work, I've found it to be a pretty nice helmet. Rarely get sweat dripping in my eyes.

 

[Becky]

A skullcap like headsweats goes a long way in controlling sweat.

+1. I'm not a heavy sweater, but I have a lot less sweat running down my face when I wear a skull cap. I MTB with a guy who literally dumps sweat out of his helmet at stops, and a skull cap even helps him. I can tell when he's not wearing one just by how often he stops to empty his helmet

 

[dysfunction]

I sweat like a pig. Always have, and it just gets worse as my fitness improves throughout the 'season'. I've used a headsweats skull cap, worked well. Also had a Halo headband, also worked well and I've got a Gut'r, which likewise works well.

edit: BTW, I live in the desert.. evaporation is my friend.

 

[Opus51569]

+1. I'm not a heavy sweater, but I have a lot less sweat running down my face when I wear a skull cap. I MTB with a guy who literally dumps sweat out of his helmet at stops, and a skull cap even helps him. I can tell when he's not wearing one just by how often he stops to empty his helmet

That sounds pretty close to my situation. I've tried a Halo and it works for about 20 minutes at a time. Then I have to wring it out and ride for a while with it over the handlebars to air out. It does an ok job of keeping the sweat from dripping straight down, but sweat eventually sneaks around the end of the channels and down my face. I have taken to carrying a small washcloth in my jersey pocket to try wiping some of the sweat away but that gets annoying in a hurry.

There are times when, if the humidity is high enough, I can literally make it rain inside my helmet. Warm moist air from around my head will cool with the wind at the top of the helmet, condense, and start dripping down from all sides...

 

[Becky]

That sounds pretty close to my situation. I've tried a Halo and it works for about 20 minutes at a time. Then I have to wring it out and ride for a while with it over the handlebars to air out. It does an ok job of keeping the sweat from dripping straight down, but sweat eventually sneaks around the end of the channels and down my face. I have taken to carrying a small washcloth in my jersey pocket to try wiping some of the sweat away but that gets annoying in a hurry.

Try the skull cap. More surface area should mean better/faster moisture wicking.

 

[skyphix]

There are times when, if the humidity is high enough, I can literally make it rain inside my helmet. Warm moist air from around my head will cool with the wind at the top of the helmet, condense, and start dripping down from all sides...

THATS what that is?

Mine always runs around the rim of my helmet and then directly onto my face/glasses.

I really need to wear one of these skullcap things.

 

[Opus51569]

Yep. You've got your own little weather system going on in there... I notice it particularly on those morning rides where the air temperature is still relatively cool, but there's a lot of humidity in the air.

 

[bigbill]

Try the skull cap. More surface area should mean better/faster moisture wicking.

Exactly, I tried a halo and it did nothing but collect my sweat and save it until I looked up so it could run into my eyes. The skull cap keeps my helmet straps relatively dry and the sweat salt out of the pads of my helmet.

 

[c_kyle]

I'm a major sweat hog too. I'm currently wearing a Giro Animas (sp?). I know, it's a mtb helmet. I'm just now getting into road biking. The helmet I'm eyeballing is the MET Sine Thesis. It is light weight and supposedly has great ventilation. I'm going to try one of those headsweats too.

Anyone who is a sweat hog notice if having more or less hair works better or worse with a skull cap to reduce the amount of sweat running down your face?

 

[Becky]

Anyone who is a sweat hog notice if having more or less hair works better or worse with a skull cap to reduce the amount of sweat running down your face?

I didn't need to wear a skull cap for sweat management until I cut my shoulder-length hair off. I'm convinced that long hair / a ponytail wicks sweat away from your face.

 

[BryanSayer]

REI sells this do rag thing, about $20, but worth it. I roll mine into a basic headband and it does a better job of moving sweat away than head sweats for me.

I keep a spare in my bag and change it out once it becomes soaked.

 

[SROC3]

LAS Helmets.....the bomb They even come with a Summer-pad for wicking away sweat

I have one and kit rocks.

 

[krustyone]

I didn't need to wear a skull cap for sweat management until I cut my shoulder-length hair off. I'm convinced that long hair / a ponytail wicks sweat away from your face.

Major sweater, mid back hair length, I wear a Halo Protex mainly to keep any sweat from coming down the forehead, hair soaks up most of it and I usually keep it in a braid which seems to hold the sweat better. I got a Giro Saros about a month ago and it is vented quite well!

 

[tarwheel2]

Headsweats help more than anything in my experience. However, when it gets really hot and humid, nothing works entirely.

 

[Mr. Versatile]

I've never been able to tell any differences in ventilation between helmets. I'll echo the idea that wearing something like Under Armor, head sweats or similar is a great idea.