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What it is: The Bern Brentwood is billed as “the lightest low-profile action sports helmet available.” It’s a 12.5oz multi-sport, hard-shelled lid that meets ASTM F2040, CPSC and EN 1078 standards.
What it isn’t: The Brentwood is not a lightweight, highly vented cycling helmet. It’s fairly light, and reasonably well-ventilated, but you’ll probably cook your brain if you wear it all day in the summer. That said, unlike a conventional cycling helmet, the Brentwood’s shell can withstand lots of scrapes and dings before its structural integrity is compromised. However it uses the same polystyrene foam as a traditional cycling helmet, so one solid impact compromises the helmet’s safety.
Perhaps the most noticeable feature is the snap-in visor. It looks like you’ve got a baseball cap underneath your helmet, but in reality it’s just the bill and a sweatband. The Brendtwood comes with an optional snap in sweatband (minus the bill) or you can get the winter kit, which features ear covers and an integrated headphone system.
Bern helmets are offered in sizes XS-XXXL, which seems to indicate they fit more accurately than helmets that only come in S, M or L. Whereas I normally wear a medium cycling helmet without a hat underneath, I couldn’t squeeze my noggin into a medium Bern. I’m quite happy with the fit of the large Bern, and I can wear it with or without a cycling cap underneath. The adjustment system is a bit tricky to dial in, but once it’s set you can forget it.
The Brentwood retails for $69. Visit www.bernunlimited.com for more info.
Got one of these a couple months ago. Love it. Fits great and does not look like a space ship! Love the bill.
Can’t comment on the heat because it has not been warm yet but being black can’t really help. Had to get a XL here while other helmets I wear a large.
I tried one of those while getting a new tire over the weekend. they’re pretty comfy and I love it that theres a bleu that matches wonderful w/my bike. I wouldve been sold if it was a tad glossier though. I can see coffee stains on it already, which is fine with me ;D
How does one go about getting coffee stains on a helmet?
I chose a Bern because they seem like they should be really durable based on their construction and as Brian mentioned they don’t look like a space ship.
Super comfy for my XL head. The bill helps a little in the sun and Seattle is rarely hot enough for the lack of venting to matter. I’m excited to bust out the ear pieces in the winter time though.
Bought one of these at REI because of their awesome return policy. I found the Medium to be too big for my head, and they don’t carry Small. All that aside, the snaps for the liner ripped off the first time I tried to switch out the bill, and there is no way to adjust the fit without taking the helmet off. I exchanged it for a Bell, but I’ll probably revisit these helmets come Winter.
I purchased the Brentwood after a friend recommended them to me. I normally wear a M and the L Brentwood fit my head like a glove (or a helmet that *actually* fits!). Much to my surprise, the helmet is lightweight and well ventilated, and looks great. The padding is more detailed and elaborate than anything I’ve seen, and it feels invisible on your head while riding. Worth every penny as head injuries can really hurt your career!
I like the fit and feel of my Brentwood. It is much cooler in waqrm temps than my Bell Faction that it replaced. THe only complaint is that it is super hard to mount a helmet light. That is not enough for me to not wear and love the helmet.
recently got into riding with a new bike, and needed a helmet.
looking around at traditional bike helmets, i couldn’t help but feel they looked like crap. yes i know, safety first, but if i could have safety AND something that didn’t look like crap, might as well!
from some google searches, and this blog actually, found out about Bern. Love the look of the helmets, especially the brentwood with the visor, AND meets all the bike safety standards.
i will say, i got an XL, ordered online. measured my head, went by the store’s sizing, but it was too small…yes i have a gigantic head (well im 6′3) anyway, XXL fits perfect. so i would suggest trying on first, or perhaps going a size big. you can always tighten it up.
so yah, safety and not looking like crap is sweet.