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The fight against grams continues to rage in cycling. We’ve become accustomed to seeing this battle waged on frames, wheels, and components, but recently it has become red hot in a new category, and a category where even a few grams actually make a significant difference; the helmet. Giro started it with the sub 200 gram Pro Light and the drum beat has continued, ramping up significantly at this years Interbike with some shockingly light helmets.
Louis Garneau is bringing the X-lite to market at 190 grams. With 37 vents, quite small up front and much larger in the back, and the Spider Lock SL dial fit system it is billed as a full featured road helmet. Despite the low weight the micro shell extends around the rim to the helmets interior. Padding inside the X-lite is a sealed quick drying material and surprisingly minimalist. Of the sub 200 gram helmets on display it was the only helmet to already pass US certifications assuring its weight in the shop will be the 190 grams advertised. Small but plentiful vents allow the helmet to use extremely light foam while still passing stringent safety tests.  Use of the micro shell is limited at the rear and the styling echoes the helmets name.
The new Limar Ultra Light is billed as the lightest helmet in the world, even calling this out with their graphics package. The helmet uses large, but very shallow vents, which vent through the rear by way of a large triangular port. A rolling dial similar to the X-Lite gives fit adjustment although the helmet does without a continuous forehead pad, suggesting compatibility between head shape and foam shape will be critical. As with many Limar helmets bug netting is standard on the front vents. The helmet we looked at weighed only 163 grams, although it was the European version. Expect US versions, subject to more stringent testing, to tip the scales in the 190 range.  163 grams as spec'd in Europe to CE standards.  The profoundly ovalized shape of the helmets interior is reminiscent of the Giro Pro Light.  Seen on the heads of Specialized supplied riders at the Tour this year was the all new Prevail. Again billed as a full featured ultra light helmet it boasts a micro adjustable cradle for fit which snugs your head up against a full-length forehead pad. This ensures your comfort is not reliant on the shape of the foam itself. Extremely deep vents were sculpted to ensure airflow is driven directly through the helmet and out the rear. The rear itself has been trimmed down in comparison to previous Specialized helmets to deliver significant aero improvements to compliment the weight savings. The Prevail also uses a patented dual density foam construction with dense tough foam in the most critical areas.  Internally a kevlar skeleton ensures the helmet will remain intact in the case of multiple impacts during the same crash. The European versions of the helmet in medium come in at 175 grams. We can expect the US version to be slightly heavier but still well under 200 grams.
Look for all these ultra light helmets to be widely available in early 2011.
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