Buying a new helmet. What you like and what you don't like

[betaboy]

On 3/21/2024 at 12:40 PM, Inked Mountain said:

Hey Hubbers,

I would appreciate your thoughts and opinions on the topic of helmets.

With so many options available in the SA market, choosing the right helmet can be a challenge. What factors do you usually consider when purchasing a new helmet? Do you prioritize the brand, features, and price, or do you base your decision on the helmet's appearance and fit? 

What don't you like? What would put you off buying a specific helmet?

 

I love some thoughts. Maybe we can turn this thread into a helmet buyers guide 

Invest in a good bacterial Spray to keep brain bucket odour to a minimum and pads in shape. The harsh UV rays likes to munch and harder inner liners and certain straps so keep them clean and in good condition. Wish you well on your purchase.

[Me rida my bicycle]

The whole black vs white helmet is interesting, I have had 4 of the same helmets in different colours. First white then red, blue and now black.

Given the hell fire we had this summer I really can't say if I have noticed any difference. Maybe I just have an cool head 😜

[F@yino]

On 3/27/2024 at 2:01 PM, V18 said:

 

I go with fox. Fits my head. Breathes well. Adjustable straps and fidlock mechanism. Happens to have MIPS. 

Unpopular opinion. MIPS is a scam. 

Works on dummies that don't possess scalp soft tissue.

Not much more than a gimmick on live wearers.

We all have scalp soft tissues that do much more than MIPS. Can confirm from thousands of CT scans that the scalp plays a major absorbtive role in ameliorating glancing/rotating injuries.

Diffuse axonal injuries that demonstrate rotational site mechanism is often seen in cases with an intact scalp and rotation was forced due to the natural head shape. Think cam type linear-rotary translation. 

If I had to ad value to helmets, I'd get the outer surface (not the absorbtive layer) as hard and snagg free as possible. Much more likely to eliminate additional rotational acceleration by not getting hooked on some rocks whilst taking a fast tumble. 

Yoh! Lot of big words 😳

I’ll stick with MIPS thanks ☝️

[ChrisF]

Just now, F@yino said:

Yoh! Lot of big words 😳

I’ll stick with MIPS thanks ☝️

 

Hiehie ....

 

As much as I believe in MIPS .... and I will continue using it.

 

@V18 is a medical specialist that has some real life experience of what WORKS.

 

 

By all means, continue using MIPS .... BUT, add those other factors he mentions 👍

 

 

@V18 does not post often.  When he does, it is solid input 👍

 

 

BAIE dankie V18.

[V18]

Like I said. Unpopular opinion. Not PhD peer review proven fact. Just daily pattern recognition. Completely willing to eat my hat if proven the stuff works as well as advertised. 

[DieselnDust]

On 3/26/2024 at 2:20 PM, Spinnaroonie said:

One thing I'll now consider when buying a new helmet is the accessibility and price of replacement parts. 

I bought a MET Rivale MIPS in 2021 for R2550.00. Great helmet but the forehead inner padding started falling apart last year. No problem, I see the padding as a consumable item. I asked the local MET dealer for a quote for replacement padding... R1200! 

I struggled to pull the trigger on 6 pieces of material, seemingly worth half the entire helmet. 


 

Met replacement parts is a rip off. It used to be well priced by the latest distributor is taking the piss of pricing and spares and the pads don’t last long. It’s a shame as their helmets have always been a great fit , excellently ventilated and well priced 

On 3/26/2024 at 4:50 PM, ChrisF said:

 

It probably depends a lot on the "type of impact"

 

Straight on .... MIPS has nothing to add in that case.

 

Mine was very much an impact and then one massive torsional force on my neck.  I do believe it saved me.

 

 

But I am the first to acknowledge this is anecdotal at best ..... (good enough for me ... in this case)

It also depends on the shape of the helmet , how many snag areas it has ; peaks are a major source of secondary injury, and how well it fits the head. Universal sized helmet shells are a problem becssue smaller heads are relying on the cradle to support the helmet. The shell then first impacts the skull before the twisting actions commences. Make sure the helmet fits properly so it does not have space between your head and the protective foam.

On 3/27/2024 at 2:01 PM, V18 said:

 

I go with fox. Fits my head. Breathes well. Adjustable straps and fidlock mechanism. Happens to have MIPS. 

Unpopular opinion. MIPS is a scam. 

Works on dummies that don't possess scalp soft tissue.

Not much more than a gimmick on live wearers.

We all have scalp soft tissues that do much more than MIPS. Can confirm from thousands of CT scans that the scalp plays a major absorbtive role in ameliorating glancing/rotating injuries.

Diffuse axonal injuries that demonstrate rotational site mechanism is often seen in cases with an intact scalp and rotation was forced due to the natural head shape. Think cam type linear-rotary translation. 

If I had to ad value to helmets, I'd get the outer surface (not the absorbtive layer) as hard and snagg free as possible. Much more likely to eliminate additional rotational acceleration by not getting hooked on some rocks whilst taking a fast tumble. 

^^amen on MIPS. Nice to have but not necessary. A good fitting helmet will transfer the rotation to the scalp where the torque is absorbed. 
 

hemets that fit me well:

giro 

bell

met

lazer

specialized

giant

 

hemets that don’t fit well:

fox

leatt

 

[MORNE]

7 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Met replacement parts is a rip off. It used to be well priced by the latest distributor is taking the piss of pricing and spares and the pads don’t last long. It’s a shame as their helmets have always been a great fit , excellently ventilated and well priced 

It also depends on the shape of the helmet , how many snag areas it has ; peaks are a major source of secondary injury, and how well it fits the head. Universal sized helmet shells are a problem becssue smaller heads are relying on the cradle to support the helmet. The shell then first impacts the skull before the twisting actions commences. Make sure the helmet fits properly so it does not have space between your head and the protective foam.

^^amen on MIPS. Nice to have but not necessary. A good fitting helmet will transfer the rotation to the scalp where the torque is absorbed. 
 

hemets that fit me well:

giro 

bell

met

lazer

specialized

giant

 

hemets that don’t fit well:

fox

leatt

 

Fun fact, nowhere does MIPS state a helmet is made ‘safer’ by their system. They do claim that MIPS makes a helmet ‘at least’ a percentage factor better at dissipating rotational forces…but thats it.
They cant say ‘safer’ because there is literally no objective way to prove it. They also do their own tests (dubious)

Too many variables in every single crash and every single head shape. 

Some helmet designs are also just inherently better at dissipating rotational impacts than others, even without MIPS. So a helmet that scores lets say 20% without MIPS and 30% with mips is still pretty sh!t.

But there is no way of knowing, because helmets just have to pass a standardised test, which consists of simple drops tests etc. (See Virginia link below) A helmet then passes (or doesn't) these tests. it apparently doesn't get a rating on how WELL it passed. Did it get 50% or did it get 85%? No way of knowing due to….you guessed it - lawsuits lol

Also, as @V18 has already noted, mips gets tested on crash test dummies with no hair/scalp. A full head of hair under a helmet arguably has a similar effect.

As below, Virginia tech did an ‘independent’ test and yes, the top rated helmets all have MIPS. But is it because of the MIPS or because of the helmet design ir because of the way it is tested? if you’re an avid motorsports fan you’ll know how teams design things to best standard tests.

Its not to say that the helmets will be more than 10% or whatever worse without MIPS. There is just no way of knowing, every crash and every persons head is unique. What is most important is that you actually wear something.

 https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html

So as with everything, look at it objectively and dont just blindly follow the marketing. Yes buy a MIPS helmet, buy the best one you can afford, buy a pretty one too… (most important), but know there is just no objective way to know it will be SAFER than your previous helmet in a different crash. Too many variables. 

Edited March 29 by MORNE

[ChrisF]

16 minutes ago, MORNE said:

.... mips gets tested on crash test dummies with no hair......

 

So THIS is why I needs MIPS .... 😋

[MORNE]

1 minute ago, ChrisF said:

 

So THIS is why I needs MIPS .... 😋

Well you could have been a dummy instead?  

[MORNE]

Ill ad that I've had a crash that needed remedial plastic surgery to rearrange my face from hitting the dirt. That helmet did not have a single scratch on it that day. Not even the visor came off. I still use it. Proof that you can hurt yourself pretty badly in a unique crash regardless of any helmet. Only a full face helmet would have spared me the bills that day.

Edited March 29 by MORNE

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, MORNE said:

Well you could have been a dummy instead?  

 

Double header ... 😋

[Zebra]

20 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

to appease your mind. No, never.

What I have discovered that even with washing gloves immediately after every ride they still develop a pong after time. I use an anti-bacterial wash now that sorts out the smelly business.

Inexpensive shot of White vinegar into the washing machine drawer, IF the anti-bacterial wash is pricey, or finished; works wonders!
Chris

[Mamil]

On 3/27/2024 at 2:01 PM, V18 said:

 

If I had to ad value to helmets, I'd get the outer surface (not the absorbtive layer) as hard and snagg free as possible. Much more likely to eliminate additional rotational acceleration by not getting hooked on some rocks whilst taking a fast tumble. 

That's interesting. The little boa dial and strap at the back if a mamil was very unlucky, could conceivably get snagged on something. What else? The vents? The visor on the MTB helmet would snap off hopefully but not before adding some rotational snap to the noggin?

[Jewbacca]

I'm both cheap and practical on this matter.

I have a Spez Align 2 for the road and general riding and a Bell with removeable chin guard for when I shred the gnar.

Both have pretty good safety ratings. 

One was 'cheap' at R1000 and one was not, costing closer to 4000zar.

I have unfortunately needed my helmet to work pretty well on both the road and multiple times on the mountain. The road helmet hit and slid and the various MTB lids had some substantial cracks, lacerations and punctures.

I obviously posses no natural talent whatsoever. 

When I replace the helmets, I will likely not buy the full face option again. I no longer shred the gnar and prefer to take a whole lot less risks these days, sticking to trails up to and equal to the Tokai DH/Cobra and Iron Monkey type thing NOT going full gas. 

I will probably buy a spez ambush or other well rated MTB trail helmet that exxtends over the back of my noggin and wear the gum guard/retainer/shock plate I'm getting after my dental surgery next month.

As I have become 'good' at falling, I find the back of my helmet gets abused when I 'tuck and roll'. 

As to cleaning....... I have never cleaned a helmet in my life. I like the sickly sweet and sour odour of old sweat, new sweat, blood and adrenaline wafting off my head, filling my nostrils with nostalgia, stoke and amp..... 

[SwissVan]

On 3/28/2024 at 3:22 PM, Robbie Stewart said:

to appease your mind. No, never.

What I have discovered that even with washing gloves immediately after every ride they still develop a pong after time. I use an anti-bacterial wash now that sorts out the smelly business.

 

On 3/28/2024 at 11:00 AM, Robbie Stewart said:

I reckon its the washing machine killing the liner. My helmet is still new but in dire need of a new liner. Here's hoping Leatt have replacement stock.

 

It’s the washing machine

I sweat like a pig 🐽 and wash my helmet under the shower with hair shampoo. The liner stays in the helmet and still looks and smells like new. Helmet is at least 5 years old. Taking the liner out of the helmet every time is probably contributing to the damage.

My gloves go into the washing machine very occasionally, they never smell (well as far as I can smell….) but only for a cold wash with the lowest spin speed. I also alternate gloves having multiple pairs allows them time to dry properly indoors and not in direct sunlight.

 

 

[Bichael Dewing]

1 hour ago, SwissVan said:

 

It’s the washing machine

I sweat like a pig 🐽 and wash my helmet under the shower with hair shampoo. The liner stays in the helmet and still looks and smells like new. Helmet is at least 5 years old. Taking the liner out of the helmet every time is probably contributing to the damage.

My gloves go into the washing machine very occasionally, they never smell (well as far as I can smell….) but only for a cold wash with the lowest spin speed. I also alternate gloves having multiple pairs allows them time to dry properly indoors and not in direct sunlight.

 

 

Also my sweat doesn’t seem to be as toxic as described here a lot🤣🤣.. I wash my gloves once a week and never wash my helmets, but I always wear a casquete that gets washed.. always on cold quick wash cycle.. it’s like 30 minutes or so.. everything except my white jersey is holding up really nicely.. the white jersey is not white anymore and I didn’t buy it that long ago😰
 

*that’s about 3 or 4 rides or somewhere between 100/150km a week of cycling..

Edited March 30 by Bichael Dewing