I've spent the last few days looking into helmets and have reached a point where anything more I read just adds to my confusion. I was initially considering between a Scorpion EXO-400 and 700 -- both are Snell-testing certified, which I understood subjected helmets to a more rigorous set of tests, demonstrating them to be more durable and, therefore, safer. But as I looked at more expensive helmets, $300 and up, I stopped seeing Snell certifications mentioned in the product details. I wondered if the more expensive helmets were really safer, or equally so and just more 'featured'? (inflatable cheek pads? i had a pair of sneakers like that in high school) Paddling around on the Intertubes, I came across some mention that Snell tests place unrealistic demands on the equipment, particularly this piece:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html (kind of a long read, but worth it)
...which leads me to my next area of confusion: polycarbonate vs kevlar/fiberglass, particularly since the EXO-400 is made of the former and the 700 of the latter. After reading about how much shock a 'hard' helmet transmits to the head as compared to a 'soft' helmet, I started doing some pro/con-ing on the two materials. I've come across a lot of material that, taken alone, would lead me to believe that polycarbonate is cheap and to be avoided at all costs, and that kevlar is the equivalent of Frodo's mithril shirt for your head.
But, then I think of two things: one, in the afore-linked article, Dr. Hurt's saying "If they'd had a softer helmet they'd have been better off.", and a line from a post here by Vince: "I know that your buddy, the internet, and magazine writers know more than the scientists and engineers that actually make helmets, but this is my head I'm talking about."
In the above article, the EXO-400 did pretty well in their tests, but they rave about the Z1R ZRP-1. The sub-$100 price of the latter helmet concerns me, but I'm not sure it should; the 400 is only $130.
So...I dunno. I'm still leaning toward the EXO-400, and I'd like your opinions/preferences/experiences concerning helmets and price ranges. I just wanna protect my noggin is all...