Cunobelin wrote:The other difference between equestrian helmets is that equestrian head gear was first fashion driven,,,, Bowler and top hats, then became more protective
Cycle helmets are the opposites as they started off "safe" and became less "safe" and protective due to fashion
I'm not convinced of this. Not so much fashion as a driver, but the conflicting requirements of protecting in a fall and being as light and comfortable as possible. Cycle helmets were originally developed from hairnets in a sporting context, and sporting riding remains a driver. Sporting riding is a bit like hard work and thus a preference for lighter, better vented designs is understandable. And since the perception is that an EN1078 hat is Magically Protective in any case, why use anything heavier?
Marketing of helmets is mainly done on things like weight and venting in part because the legal departments of the companies concerned aren't going to go on much about safety benefits because that would put them on potentially rocky ground. And if you're wearing to race and racing is more fun with a lighter helmet, you'll have a lighter helmet. That's all pragmatic rather than fashion.
There is a line from parts of the pro-helmet lobby that helmets are "stylish and comfortable" in some objective sense, though oddly when I see folk out on the town in their party suits on a Saturday night nobody there seems to have got that particular message.
Pete.
Often seen riding a bike around Dundee...