I got a free helmet and it is nice

I was sent a free helmet by the people at Thousand and it is a very nice. 

I've had a lot of helmets over the years - those 100% styrofoam ones from the 1980's, and the ones with the cloth covers. I've had the racer style ones with the tapered back end and a couple of urban-commuter helmets. I've used snowboarding helmets and a downhill mountain biking one with a face guard; but I've never had one that was so fashion sensitive as the one I got from Thousand.

They sent me the GT Stripe helmet - the front one in the picture above - and it has many pleasing features. It has fancy leather straps (vegan leather to be exact) and a stylish design.

It also has a cool little poplock on the side that lets you push a bike lock through. I have at times locked my helmet, but lately have taken to the philosophy that if you need a helmet so badly that you're willing to steal my gross sweaty one maybe you really need it more than I do. But these helmets might be meant for more leisurely rides with less Brandon Frazier-style sweating and thus are more enticing to helmet thieves, whoever they are. Still it is a nice feature with a pleasing snap, and the helmet comes with an anti-theft guarantee.

The buckle is also easy to use, magnetic instead of plastic snap, and it too has a satisfying feel to it. 

I made the mistake of asking for a medium, when what I need is a large, but it fits Ms. Washcycle who says it is comfortable. If you can trust her. 

As for safety, who knows? I tend to think you're better off with a helmet than without - which is why I wear one - but is this one safer or less safe...I have no idea. They're certified is all I can say.

Finally, the company has put some emphasis on its environmental impact, including a carbon offset program, which is not something you're likely to get with bigger companies. 

In the end the helmet looks great and fits well, and if that's what you're into you should check them out. 

Comments

[Jeffb]

YT look at the founder:
A Helmet You Actually Want to Wear
https://youtu.be/vnE76vC8N3Y

[huskerdont]

They look a bit like some whitewater kayaking helmets. No ventilation though, so yeah, maybe just for toodling around, not for hard riding in hot weather.

[Pepper Burly]

Agreed with lack of ventilation although it looks much cooler then traditional helmets. I think part of the reason people don't bike is because they don't think of it as a cool thing to do. Hopefully this helmet helps with that.

[Crickey]

Or maybe we don't need to send a message that biking is so inherently dangerous that you must wear a plastic head covering, or you will die.