Light or dark tri helmet

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Light or dark tri helmet Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-02-17 6:14 PM

User image

Greenville, SC
Subject: Light or dark tri helmet
Wondering if it is more common to purchase a lighter color helmet vs dark so that there is reflection of heat from the sun?  Sorry if this is dumb question.  Not really concerned about it for shorter tri's but half IM's and Full IM's in hotter places (Florida, Arizona, Texas)....where I am considering doing one....i would think it would be a factor to stay cool.  Thoughts?

2012-02-17 6:23 PM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
Match the bike and/or the primary colours you wear in tri clothing. Heat is about 80th on the list of things that matter.

2012-02-17 6:24 PM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Member
448
10010010010025
Clemson, SC
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

Don't see a lot of dark ones here:

Top 15 men in Kona 2010



Edited by beebs 2012-02-17 6:25 PM
2012-02-17 6:27 PM
in reply to: #4053886

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
beebs - 2012-02-17 6:24 PM

Don't see a lot of dark ones here:

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/The_bikes_of_the_top_15_men_in_Kona_2010_1759.html

It wouldn't have matched the rest of their getup very well.

With the materials involved in a helmet, I'm not convinced the outer color will make an appreciable difference.

2012-02-17 6:30 PM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
Guess I never realized that Crowie did not wear a "tri looking" helmet.  What kind is it?
2012-02-17 6:59 PM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Extreme Veteran
645
50010025
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

Similar question from a few weeks back; found something on the internet that concluded that color didn't matter related to heating in the helmet; while a dark color sitting in the sun will definitely get warmer than a light color, once the wind blows, or you get on the bike, the convective cooling will take away all the heat gained from sitting in the sun.

So maybe for the first few minutes, a dark helmet (they've gone to plaid!) will probably be warmer, but then the differences are minimal.

 

2012-02-17 7:19 PM
in reply to: #4053880


10

Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
The helmet Craig is wearing is a Giro Atmos
2012-02-17 10:19 PM
in reply to: #4053880

Member
22

Gilbert, AZ
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
I live in the Phoenix area and have had a white helmet and now own a black one.  I haven't noticed a difference between the two.  I was wondering if the dark color would be an issue when I bought the black one but as someone else mentioned, once you get moving, the airflow keeps it cool.
2012-02-17 11:12 PM
in reply to: #4053888

User image

Member
448
10010010010025
Clemson, SC
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
brigby1 - 2012-02-17 7:27 PM
beebs - 2012-02-17 6:24 PM

Don't see a lot of dark ones here:

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/The_bikes_of_the_top_15_men_in_Kona_2010_1759.html

It wouldn't have matched the rest of their getup very well.

With the materials involved in a helmet, I'm not convinced the outer color will make an appreciable difference.

Unless you're trying to look pro lol

2012-02-18 5:37 AM
in reply to: #4053894

User image

Extreme Veteran
612
500100
England
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

NeverEnough - 2012-02-18 10:30 AM Guess I never realized that Crowie did not wear a "tri looking" helmet.  What kind is it?

He did in 2011 . . . . . and won.

2012-02-18 9:07 AM
in reply to: #4053894

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

NeverEnough - 2012-02-17 6:30 PM Guess I never realized that Crowie did not wear a "tri looking" helmet.  What kind is it?

He only didn't wear an aero helmet in Kona because of the heat there. He's worn one in most other races. From some testing he thought the heat build-up would counter the drag savings.  This year, however, he did decide to wear an aero helmet.

2012-02-18 9:25 AM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Master
3205
20001000100100
ann arbor, michigan
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
I bought a light one. My wife says she wishes I would have bought a really bright colored think pink, bright yellow, etc.... so it would be easier to pick me out on the course.
2012-02-18 4:03 PM
in reply to: #4053885

Veteran
867
5001001001002525
Vicksburg
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

DanielG - 2012-02-17 6:23 PM Match the bike and/or the primary colours you wear in tri clothing. Heat is about 80th on the list of things that matter.

 

x 2

2012-02-18 8:00 PM
in reply to: #4053880

User image

Pro
5361
50001001001002525
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet

between the plastic shell of the helmet and your head- is about an inch of styrofoam.  So, you're well insulated from the hotter skin of the helmet.

2012-02-18 9:26 PM
in reply to: #4054911

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Light or dark tri helmet
Right, and that thin skin of a shell might be painted too, not molded.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Light or dark tri helmet Rss Feed