Excellent question. As someone who has twice dodged severe head injuries because of my diligent wear of a bicycle helmet, I鈥檓 pretty sensitive to this topic.
And you raise the exact point鈥攚hat effect does sweat and the sun have on a helmet? And the answer is this: Quite a bit. Sweat and the salts it releases are acidic and corrosive, even eating away at plastic. And the sun is simply brutal on plastics, which is why any pack you wear for a few summers will start to fade (and the fabric greatly weaken).
So what to do? You can take a few steps to prolong the life of a helmet. Every other week or so, dunk it in a bucket of cool water and swish it around some. That will help clean out dried sweat. And of course, try to store it out of the sun, someplace dry and cool.
Otherwise, I really recommend getting a new helmet every other year or so, if you鈥檙e a real consistent rider. Otherwise, every four years. I mean, why take the chance? Even if it looks fine, it will have been weakened by the elements. And of course, any helmet that has suffered an impact should immediately be taken out of rotation. After all, a decent helmet is exceedingly cheap insurance鈥攗nder $100, unless you really want the latest and sleekest.
If you are due for a new lid, these are my picks for the best, most affordable helmets out there for every biking style.
Road Biking: Giro Savant
It鈥檚 true you can easily spend $180 and up for a road helmet. But for good protection you don鈥檛 need to.
So take a look at Giro鈥檚 ($90). A few years back it would have been the top of the Giro pecking order, now it鈥檚 just a great value in a light, 25-vent helmet. I like Giro鈥檚 鈥淩ocLoc鈥 fit and strap system, and of course the Savant meets all current standards for head protection.
The Alternate:听Of course, you can splurge as well鈥攐n a Mavic ($160). This is a very hot-looking helmet, but one with enough venting to keep you plenty cool. Plus it has exceptional fit, and a removable visor.
Mountain Biking: Bell Sequence
Mountain-biking helmets really are different from road helmets.
Mountain helmets typically have more venting at the top of the helmet, so warm air can escape when you鈥檙e grinding up a long slope in the big ring. So take a look at the Bell ($80). It鈥檚 an excellent all-around mountain helmet, with plenty of ventilation and a removable visor.
The Alternate:听Here鈥檚 a new take on the trad MTB helmet: The POC ($150). The Trabec inherits features from POC鈥檚 ski helmets, such as a more all-head fit than some other helmets, which tend to sit on top of the skull. Plus it鈥檚 a very cool-looking helmet.听
Urban: Bern Brentwood
Not everyone wants a “bike” helmet. So try one of these.
叠别谤苍鈥檚 helmet ($80) works fine on bikes, but also gives you good head protection for skateboarding, skating, skiing, or anything else. It鈥檚 close-fitting and subtly designed, so doesn鈥檛 look like a fighter jet has landed on your head.
The Alternate: The ProTec ($33) is unlike some other skateboard helmets out there鈥攊t actually meets the same safety standards as bike helmets. It has a soft foam liner, ABS shell, stainless steel hardware, and a sleek look that鈥檚 perfect for the streets.