Mom in the Mtns

Disclaimer: I received the Rudy Project Sterling helmet to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Hi everyone!  It’s Friday, and time for another Friday Five with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney.  This week, I’m focusing on the most important piece of cycling gear:  the helmet!  When I first bought my road bike (which you can read all about here), I went to Walmart and bought myself some inexpensive gear to go with my bike – a water bottle holder, an emergency kit, and a helmet.  I picked out the helmet based on the color, which was mint green and looked super cute next to my white bike.  I honestly felt like it fit a little big, and was kind of huge and heavy, but I didn’t have anything to compare it to.  I also felt like I looked a bit silly wearing this giant clunky helmet around, but was too afraid of falling and hurting myself to ever ride without it. I honestly know too many people who have had traumatic brain injuries and I want to do everything I can to prevent that.  

And then I got the amazing opportunity to test out the Rudy Project Sterling helmet!  I’m not going to lie, this helmet costs more than my cheap mountain bike.  And that almost made me feel like I didn’t deserve to own such a nice helmet.  But then I took a second to really think about something:  a good bike is nice, but it doesn’t make your ride safer.  But a good helmet does.  If it fits correctly it will keep you safe and comfortable on your ride, so it’s worth it to get a good helmet.  And this one is honestly perfect!  So what are the five things you need in a helmet?

1. A good fit:  The Sterling helmet is super adjustable, not only on the straps but on the helmet itself.  There’s a clip on both of the helmet straps to get them to fit perfectly on both sides, as well as a dial on the back of the helmet that either tightens or loosens the entire helmet on your head.  This is a huge improvement over the generic fit of cheaper helmets, and made me realize that if I wear a loose helmet I’m really putting my head at risk of injury.  No matter what helmet you choose to wear, please make sure it fits properly!

2.  A lightweight, comfortable feel:  Some helmets are really bulky and heavy (like my old, cheap helmet!) and wearing something uncomfortable on your head is not going to really inspire you to get out on a long bike ride.  The Sterling helmet is very lightweight and has been rated as their most comfortable helmet.  One thing that really stuck out to me was the padding on the bottom of the chin strap – that’s usually the most annoying part of wearing a helmet, so this was a huge perk for me!

3.  It keeps you cool during workouts:  The Sterling helmet has a whopping 18 vents, which lets tons of air flow when you’re on a ride in the heat.  I also loved that when I started sweating, the padding in the helmet didn’t get super wet and uncomfortable like my old helmet.

4. A bug net:  This is a perk that I didn’t even realize could be part of a helmet, but now that I have it I’m never going back!  Alaska’s unofficial state bird is the mosquito, and there can be clouds of them on the trails.  Having a bug net inside the helmet helps keep the bugs out while still keeping my head cool.  The one in the Sterling helmet is attached with velcro and is removable, although I’m probably keeping mine in there forever!

5. Bright colors:  Let’s be real, I’m more likely to work out in really bright, fun colors.  Plus bright colors are more visible in low lighting, so it’s another safety feature.  The Sterling helmet comes in some super bright fluo colors including yellow, orange, green, and of course pink!

After trying out the Sterling helmet, I realized that I’ll never go back to my old, cheap helmet again!  It’s just so much more comfortable – I even forget I have it on, which means that I can focus on riding my bike instead of constantly adjusting my helmet.  Want to try the Sterling helmet out for yourself?  Go here to get 25% off your purchase!  No matter which helmet you choose, make sure that it’s safe and fits correctly so that you can ride without any worries.

What do you look for when you buy a helmet?  What color would your dream helmet be?