Which XC racing helmet for 2012?

[seismic]

I am in the market for a new MTB helmet which will be used for XC racing and should therefore fit the purpose and still look somewhat ok. I am considering a Cratoni Terrox, but it could be nice to hear what you guys are using and why.

Thanks

[WR304]

My Giro Aeon is still going strong. I've been really happy with it so far. It's comfortable, light and the ventilation is good. The straps are quite thin so you have to tuck the ends in, otherwise you get a lot of wind noise from the helmet strap flapping in the wind, especially at higher speeds.

Giro Aeon Helmet

The other option I'd consider would be a Specialized Prevail. It seems like a nice helmet, although I haven't ridden in one.

[estabro]

Depends on what fits. For me Giro's fit much better than Bell.

I also wear a "road" style helmet most of the time in hot weather (Ionos) because the ventilation seems better.

[zippinveedub]

I love my Bonty Circuit helmet, I've always struggled to find helmets that fit the way I want! Now I hope they continue to keep making them forever haha.

[mucky]

I'm a Giro guy too. Had Giro for years. Fits my head better than Bell. Wit that said I now own a Spec S-Works. It fits great, has great ventilation, and is super light.I like the straps too. The are fixed to the outer edge of the helmet, not through like the Giro. It's easy to fit a pair of shades under the straps and be able to take off the helmet without taking the shades off

[Fakie1999]

Originally Posted by mucky

I'm a Giro guy too. Had Giro for years. Fits my head better than Bell. Wit that said I now own a Spec S-Works. It fits great, has great ventilation, and is super light.I like the straps too. The are fixed to the outer edge of the helmet, not through like the Giro. It's easy to fit a pair of shades under the straps and be able to take off the helmet without taking the shades off

+1 on the s works

[COLINx86]

I really like my Uvex FP3.0, super comfortable, with good ventilation. It is pretty heavy though.

[Spinning Lizard]

UVEX FP1 , if you are racing its all about weight. So light cant even tell its on most of the time.

[Nazgul350r]

As light at you can afford???

[TunicaTrails]

The Bell Volt is outstanding.

[RideFaster]

Check out Limar helmets, they claim to make the world's lightest helmet. Casco bici. Casco sci - Limar Helmets Clothing Eyewear Goggles

[SnowStorm]

Have worn an Aeon, pro-light, and S-works. However, my hands down favorite for looks and fit is a Rudy Project Sterling.

This is the only helmet that I have ever worn that does not look terrible on me. Not sure if my head is more round or oblong. I would prefer to think that my head is a normal shape.

[strader]

I went to a shop last year that has a huge selection of helmets and spent some time trying on helmets and inspecting them. First thing I noticed is that there is almost no differences between a $200 helmet and a $50 one, with the exception of the cosmetic carbon fiber on the more expensive helmets. Padding, retention mechanisms, and surprisingly even weight (i.e. Giro Ionos) are often times identical. I ended up with a Bell Influx at $60 which has been the best helmet I've ever owned. It has larger vents, but fewer of them than most road helmets, so on the road it seems to create a bit more wind noise, but also seems to stay cooler at low climbing speeds on the trail. Fit is the most important aspect, every helmet I've ordered sight unseen has been a mistake, and either flop around on my head or give me a headache.

[AC/BC]

Bell Volt if you have a narrow head. Giro if you have a wider head.

[limba]

I really like my Aeon. Specialized Prevail looks good too.

[MessagefromTate]

Originally Posted by strader

I went to a shop last year that has a huge selection of helmets and spent some time trying on helmets and inspecting them. First thing I noticed is that there is almost no differences between a $200 helmet and a $50 one, with the exception of the cosmetic carbon fiber on the more expensive helmets. Padding, retention mechanisms, and surprisingly even weight (i.e. Giro Ionos) are often times identical. I ended up with a Bell Influx at $60 which has been the best helmet I've ever owned. It has larger vents, but fewer of them than most road helmets, so on the road it seems to create a bit more wind noise, but also seems to stay cooler at low climbing speeds on the trail. Fit is the most important aspect, every helmet I've ordered sight unseen has been a mistake, and either flop around on my head or give me a headache.

That's not cosmetic, it's part of the structure but it sounds like you've probably crash tested a few helmets...

[biglines]

The Spesh Prevail looks good but i am leaning towards the Spesh S3 MT. A lot of the same tech for a good price point, removable visor and looks.

[pk1]

i've just got a prevail which i like so far but its a road helmet to me - no peak among other things which i like for mtb.
sticking with my D2 for dirt, s3 looks like a new version of this and does look good if you like speshies fit (and the mouthport vent which i love)

[h2otaco]

Still rocking a 2009 Ionos here. Nice and comfy. Bet you can pick one up on clearance.

[Mojo Man]

I just got the new Giro Aeon for Xmas. I used to wear 50 dollar giro mtn helmet with a visor. I wanted to try a roadie helmet for my road training and mtn racing. I like the helmet alot but then again I should considering it lists for 250.

I always try to buy the best mtn bike equipment I can aford and usually I'm not dissapointed.

Nice helmet, is it worth the 200 I paid for it? Not sure yet, haven't rode with it yet, but it does fit like a glove, is very lite and well vented. Just got to get over the roadie looks.

Mojo

[daponik]

+1 for the Bell Influx. I bought it for $65 on eBay based on reviews I read here on MTBR. I can't say that I'm too disappointed. Its a great looking lid (matches my Titus X Carbon) and the straps and retention sytem are pretty good, too.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Picked up a Giro ProLight (200g) on Bonktown.com for like $80. MSRP is $200-ish....these helmets seem to be really cheap right now if you look around and if Giro fits your head.

[tonys102]

I was looking at the new Mavic Plasma ... Looks like it has great ventilation and pretty cool styling to boot!!!


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.428340,-0.885893

[afalts]

I'm liking the looks of the new Scott Vanish helmet. Lots of ventilation and very light (sub 200g). Greatly improved over their top end helmet from last year

[NoBalance]

Ouch, those Spec helmets are some ugly stuff. Strange because all their other products are such nice bike pr0n. I did pick up their Vice helmet for casual riding, as it provides more protection all around. However, undecided on a race helmet. My old Bell Sweep XC race helmet is beat up!