VA Tech Testing Finds Cheap 5 Star Helmet
Summary: Researchers at Virginia Tech tested nine very low cost bicycle helmets provided to helmet promotion programs and found one currently selling for $7.45 that scored among their 5 Star models. Other 5 Star helmets are all selling for more than $75.
The VA Tech testing showed that the low-cost helmets ranked across the STAR scale, with one skate-style model racking up a lower score than the lowest-ranked 2 Star model on the current list. They concluded that the liners of the skate models were too stiff to perform well in their low-impact anti-concussion testing, although they may be able to handle very high impact levels.
The helmets came from Helmets R Us. The 5 Star performer was their Model 09 bicycle helmet. It does not have MIPS, WaveCel or any other internal anti-rotational technology.
VA Tech normally tests only helmets submitted by manufacturers. If they extended their testing this way there might be thousands of 5 Star helmets to be found.
Here is the article in Traffic Injury Prevention, titled A price-performance analysis of the protective capabilities of wholesale bicycle helmets.
We have more on our VA Tech page.
Note: content from The Helmet Update Volume 39 – #3 – June 21, 2021
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