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From what I've read normal mtb helmets are pretty poor for crash protection. Are BMX ones any better?
I more concerned about how severe an impact it can protect from rather than surviving repeated knocks. It is for commuting.
I don't fancy going for a full face. Too sweaty and tbh would look rather ridiculous.
From what I've read, they're worse. They help you stop cracking your skull open, but they don't protect against brain injuries the way cycle helmets are designed to do. Or something like that.
I could be completely wrong, but I seem to remember this is what I found when I looked into it a while back.
I don't fancy going for a full face. Too sweaty and tbh would look rather ridiculous.
Especially if you get the bus to work.
I think butcher may be correct. For a helmet to be better at protecting you, i.e increasing the time it take for the velocity of your head to change, you need to have more squishy stuff to squish, which means a bigger helmet. BMX helmets just have a harder outer case, rather than more protection for a saver impact.
As an aside I think I read somewhere that most cycle deaths are from trama to the body / massive internal bleeding rather than head injuries.
Helmets aren't designed or tested for much beyond slow speed impacts. A couple of cm of polystyrene won't help you much if you are hit by a car doing 30mph+
Only thing I would consider is that commuting helmets get a fair few small knocks and scrapes as they are handled more. Something with a harder shell will last longer.
What jonba said.
All helmets meet the same standards.
If you're set on a BMX helmet then try the Bell Segment - weirdly squishy and really comfy. Use mine for commuting and everything else.