does helmet color have an effect?

[username]

Kind of a dumb question as I browse for a decent road helmet, I got to wondering if a white/light colored helmet would be cooler on the head than a dark colored one when out on the road for hours. If anyone has any anecdotal experience, I'd love to hear it.

[GoRacers]

I have no idea, but I'd almost argue that heat from a darker color would be negated by the heat transfer via convection through the airflow as you move.

Though, a loudly-colored helmet may have an effect on how many drivers notice you.

[wearyourtruth]

yes it should have some effect. like with anything, your jersey, shoes, the color of your car, dark colors always absorb and light colors always reflect heat.

that said, you are pretty well insulated either way in a helmet, so it probably isn't as noticeable.

i have no personal experience with trying the same helmet in 2 colors, chances are the airflow is going to be more important. but if you find the helmet you like, and don't think a white helmet is sissy, then i say go for it, it's certainly not going to hurt you.

[merckx56]

I've worn black helmets in the past, but have gone back to white. The difference in heat wasn't noticeable. I switched back b/c white helmets are just more visible, especially when riding at night.

[fiatjeepdriver]

What I think makes the biggest difference is proper vents. I currently have a giro ionos and the way the air moves it really keeps my head cooler.

[Biz]

What I think makes the biggest difference is proper vents. I currently have a giro ionos and the way the air moves it really keeps my head cooler.

This. My coolest helmet is matte black but it's got a boatload of huge vents and moves a lot more air than my other helmets in a variety of colors.

In regard to visibility, I find the brightly dressed, 187 pound man below the helmet generally gets me noticed pretty well, but I do feel a bit safer in my new, painfully bright high-vis yellow Lazer Helium, especially riding to and from work at rush hour. That sumbitch GLOWS in the sun.

[benjaminobscene]

white helmets are pro.

[username]

white helmets are pro.

haha, cool, because I was kind of eyeing that white/silver one. I've only had black helmets, and wondered if there were any reason other than simple color preference to switch it up. I kind of forgot there is like an inch of styrofoam between your head and the painted surface too, so probably no heat transference between the two anyways, making vents way more important than color.

[JohnEcanuck]

I've had a couple of dark helmets and while I didn't find a major difference, I've been using white helmets for close to 20 years because they are more visible and if they reflect some heat off my head, that's even better.

BTW, never leave your helmet in the cabin of your car. I learned the hard way when I accidentally left my (years old) Specialized Piranna in my GTI and found the whole shell deformed.

[andrewmartinee]

I've had black, aphotic blue, white and my accepted one is pink/white/black/silver. The alone time I apprehension a aberration is if I'm chock-full at a ablaze with calefaction advancing up from the pavement and the sun animated down. I abrasion a glassy arch blanket to accumulate my helmet apple-pie inside. Really helps. My accepted helmet has several vents that advice a lot if affective and, if closed, accumulate my arch warmer if it's cold.

[Swoosh0217]

Stick with white or something that has eye popping color. You want drivers to see you as much as possible. Same goes with the jerseys you wear... The more prints and colors you have, the better it is for drivers to see you.

The most important thing is that your head is protected no matter what color your helmet is.

[J-Tim]

Who cares about helmets!

The most important question of them all is..... does shaving your legs make a difference ?

[tiptronic]

Who cares about helmets!

The most important question of them all is..... does shaving your legs make a difference ?

for road rash it does

[JohnEcanuck]

for road rash it does

QFT!

[J-Tim]

Red helmets make you go faster. Fact.

[VR6~aholic]

I have both the white and black giro aeon aeon and I find no difference. Spending money to get a good helmet in the first place with lots of venting will be your best bet regardless of color.

[Dubbinon]

Helmets.. only required when racing.

Leather hairnets FTMFW!

[pschmerg]

Helmets.. only required when racing.

Leather hairnets FTMFW!

This. Cipo doesn't wear a helmet, so why should anyone else.

(100% joking, wear your helmets kids)

[benjaminobscene]

Cipo's head is protected by his hair.

Moving along, so what's the general consensus on the Giro Air Attack?