I picked this up as a friend of mine crashed his bike, and it didn't go too well, but his helmet kept his face from not meeting the pavement. I have never worn a helmet, as I grew up learning without one. After the not-me-close-call, I decided to get a helmet. The reviews and look of this one looked good, so I got it.
I have worn it on 2 rides so far, totaling about 14 miles. It took a bit to get adjusted for my head, but once it fit, it fit decently well. Whenever I first put it on, it feels too small, but once I am on my bike and a few minutes into riding, I completely forget about it besides for the face shield. So while annoying feeling at first, the problem goes away. Mostly, the issue is the chin strap, I wish it was about a half inch longer. The padding on the inside is very comfortable, and the face shield fits my face, ending about a quarter inch above my nose in the cutout. I haven't taken it on a super long ride yet, but so far, it is what I expect a helmet to be. Hopefully I never end up trying out the safety feature.
*** 10/4/2017 Update ****
So on 10/4/2017, I wrote that I would hopefully never end up trying out the safety features of this helmet. On 10/6, I was hit by a car while on my bike on a bike path. the car decided to not stop while crossing the path, so we collided. I got out of the hospital on Tuesday, and I just remembered this review a few minutes ago, so I wanted to update it.
I was seriously messed up, and will post pictures when I can stand up without pain and can take some. long story short, I'm alive, and the helmet took 2 hits on the front; one from the car's hood and one when I landed on the street after flying over the car. Based on how the helmet looks, it saved me at least a concussion, probably more. 3 different surgeons at the hospital remarked on the helmet, which was over with my clothes in the room. I still ended up with a broken eye socket, ribs, and ruptured spleen but I don't think any helmet could help with those. I was hit so hard that both of my shoes came off, which I thought was only a movie thing.
I added some pictures of the helmet now that I can move without it being too painful. On the right side of the helmet you can see where there is a dent from hitting (I think) the suv. On the left is where my head hit the asphalt. The middle of the helmet is cracked on both sides from the inside. I also took a few pictures of what is left of my bike. I was wearing the face shield, but it detached when the SUV hit me, so it wasn't on by the time I hit the ground. My doctor said that was a good thing, as it probably would have made my face injury worse due to how hard the polycarbonite is.
TLDR: I got this helmet, my very first helmet, just a few days before getting hit by a car. I have updated my review from 4 stars to 5 based on the fact that I am alive after being hit by a car. I can't recommend this enough.
*** 05/24/2018 Update ****
I bought this exact same helmet as a replacement, and have worn it a few times on a borrowed bike since I haven't replaced my bike yet. My main complaint about the one I got in October of last year was that the chin strap was too short. The new one is longer. The main complaint I had was the chin strap, which it looks like basecamp fixed. I still have the original helmet, I'll measure and take some pictures of the old vs new strap when I get a chance.
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