cold weather helmets

[Galroc]

What I am currently using is a regular bicycle helmet with a balaclava and a skull cap. Works well but only maybe down to mid to low 30sF
Here is the skull cap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I own a Shoei Hornet helmet which can be seen here: http://www.shoei-helmets.com/hornet-x2.html



I won't be using it biking because it will impact my breathing and hearing but it is a good but expensive alternative to a bicycle helmet.

Instead, for colder weather, I just picked up a Smith Aspect helmet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



It is very warm and covers the ears but not enough to really impact hearing. I just got it so I haven't tested it riding but it fits extremely well. The lining feels warm.

I also picked up a cheap pair of goggles with clear lenses. I went too cheap but it is actually very difficult to get cold weather goggles that doesn't have some sort of tint that limits visibility, which would impact night riding.

[JPLabs]

Cool (ok, warm) idea. I'm still at the balaclava phase, with a fleece headband. I notice that these are great for reducing wind noise in my ears. I can actually hear a lot better with them on, anything over 15 mph or so.

I've been thinking about a winter helmet, too. But I want one with a clear shield. I don't want full face since it looks too 'motorcycly' but a face shield would be nice. I wear glasses and they tend to fog up in goggles.

I've considered a heated visor. Like this. But doesn't look at all easy to mount to a bike helmet. https://www.amazon.com/Ski-Doo-Snowm...=Heated+Shield

Heated/ventilated goggles that won't fog would be great, but don't seem to exist.

[Galroc]

Just had my first ride with the Smith Aspect. It is mostly comfortable and warm. However, since my seating position is crouched due to flat handle bars and MTB, the back of the helmet slightly hits my neck. For snowboarders, this isn't an issue because they are always looking downhill, but you are always looking "up" when cycling.

So, pay attention to how the back of a helmet is designed with regards to your seating position.

I do plan on raising my handle bars about an 1-2 inches and this will solve this issue for me.

It is the hard plastic adjuster in the back of the helmet that is the issue. I could remove it because I don't need any adjustment.

[Scoonie]

Snow boarding helmets. Balaclava, and goggles.

[Stew]

My favorite thin balaclava was a firefighter's, it has a full coverage flap in the front and the back. Hit up a firefighter for a used one. My favorite thick one was for tank drivers, but it was ugly. I wore these under a hardhat at work.

[Gettinglost2]

Hi! New here.....question-Husband and just purchased new bikes.....(Fat tire)..my husband is 6’5”... we need to raise the handlebars (seat rise addressed). Question is...have any of you raised your handlebars if so any suggestions? Help appreciated.

[73Eldo]

Interesting that that reply from July doesn't seem to have anything to do with cold weather helmets........

With the cold weather on its way what are the 2020 recommendations? And I will throw in a new twist, how about for a big head? 20 years ago I was a large but this year on my return to cycling I discovered I am now an XL which was very difficult to find in a regular helmet. Luckily I am in the low end of an XL so I think at least to start with I can get away with a head band or some light covering designed to work under helmets but looking for other options too.

[73Eldo]

I did some riding with a helmet cover and skull cap thing. The helmet cover covering the vents I think made a big difference and the cap helped block the wind but I could tell that wasn't going to get me all the way where I needed to be. Not a waste of money because the cover can easily be stowed in a pack somewhere and pulled out for a sudden cool night or rain. Cover is a Louis Garnou and the cap was Giro and has a small brim. Worked well with my regular Giro XL summer cycle helmet. I did have to remove the visor to get the cover on but it just snaps out so it can go back for summer.

One of my local shops only does cycling so they only had one option for a winter helmet from Giro, the Timberwolf which didn't come in an XL so I went to another shop that also does skis and they had a model called the Ratio. Its MIPS rated and is marketed as a 'snow sports' model. Both have the shutter mechanism for the vents. The Ratio has the clip on the back for goggles but not sure if the Timberwolf did. Both are right around $110 so pretty reasonable for a helmet.

I also got Giro cycling goggles that fit over my glasses. They are supposed to integrate with vents in the helmet to not fog. The band didn't seem like it wanted to stretch all the way around my XL helmet so for the one ride I did so far I put the goggles on first. Maybe later I will try them stretched over the helmet which I believe is how you are supposed to do it. My cap which is also from Giro has a small brim which seemed to not fit well between the goggles and helmet and would also block those magic vents so I ended up letting the goggles smush the brim. Didn't feel strange since there was enough give in both the brim and foam but I think for googles you want something without any sort of brim. The brim is good when you don't have the googles because it can keep the wind from blowing through the gap between the headband thing and the shell of the helmet.

Researching Baklava type of things now. Not so sure I will like the 45Nrth one but while looking for reviews and more info on the different ways to wear theirs I stumbled on a Canadian company called North45 that has an interesting system where its 2 parts, the normal neck gator type of thing but then a second piece that is a scarf that isn't attached in the front. Its got a metal bow at the top that sticks to a magnet you stick on the nose bridge of your goggles. Idea is then the scarf hangs away from your mouth so when you breath it can just exhaust straight down instead of up into your goggles. Apparently also reduces how fast your scarf ices up since its not all going through the material. I'm very interested in that system.