Road Bike Online

Catlike Whisper Plus – £149.99

The ventilation offered by this helmet is impressive , due to the  39 round and oval nostril-style vents scooped out of the shell.The vents link together with deep internal channels forcing any air to flow straight out of the back . Heat loss is excellent at lower speeds such as when climbing and the airflow is efficient when used at fast pace too.

The retention system on the Whisper Plus is bulkier than many however making it slightly heavier to wear  and the helmet weighs in at comparably heavy to most of it’s competitors .( XS -260g S-270g M-280g and L -290g)

The helmet is designed to perform well with regard to safety , the manufacturers claiming that “CES Crash Energy Splitter technology is the key factor in ensuring safety to the highest standards. ”

Some riders find the straps Y Buckles move more than is preferable but overall the helmet wins over most others in the ventilation stakes.

Giro Aeon – RRP £199.99

Giro’s new Aeon helmet is a very top end pro level  helmet. Its a mix of the best features of  the Ionos and Prolight  combining  the superb ventilation of the former with the lightness of the latter.

The quality of this helmet is extremely high also offering top level comfort, The RocLoc 5 is a more minimal version of the previous retention device and  the best yet.  The comfort factor is so high partly due to it’s slightness and the ease of adjustment it offers.

The helmet is actually a dual-layered helmet, comprising of  a shell within a shell.  The Thermoformed SL internal  structure is in fact made of the same polycarbonate material as the Aeon’s outer shell .

The straps also don’t disappoint  offering softness, lightness and narrowness whilst remaining compliant even after a thorough soaking.

The Aeon offers top rate airflow and is so comfortable you could really forget you’re wearing a helmet  but it is a serious amount of money to pay for the privilege.