AFX FX-16 $120-$130The AFX sports DOT and Snell certifications, and its poly-alloy composite (read: plastic) shell felt rather lightweight and comfortable sitting atop our noggins. The removable and washable nylon helmet liner and cheek pads are a nice touch, and the faceshield is optically correct, scratch-resistant and UV-protective-though it didn't close as solidly as we'd like. Vents at the chin, sides, top and rear flowed air adequately, though the covers felt somewhat loose when being manipulated. There was also substantial space in the ear cavity (to fit speakers) that felt a bit too airy. The AFX does come with a storage bag and another bonus-a lifetime warranty. All in all, the combination of features and price makes for a very good value.
EXTRAS: cloth storage bag, hypoallergenic and antimicrobial liner and cheek pads
CR RATED: 2 stars
Bell Apex $190-$210
Bell has come a long way since the '70s and '80s, when it was the only game in town. The company is on the upswing these days with a slew of new designs including a variety of street lids. We were duly impressed with the Apex for its comfort, light weight and feature set. The shell features Kevlar composite construction and comes with an antifog, antiscratch and UV-protected shield that's detachable without tools. The top vents are easily manipulated, though not terribly effective, while an adjustable chin vent helps cooling and shield defogging to some degree. The interior liner felt comfortable, and it's removable and washable, too. With its five-year warranty and DOT and Snell certifications, the Apex is a solid choice for the money.
EXTRAS: antibacterial and antimicrobial liner, removable chin curtain, cloth storage bag
CR RATED: 3 stars
Fulmer SS $130-$140
The SS-new for 2008-may be priced low but has features not found on Fulmer helmets a few years ago, including a fiberglass shell and both DOT and Snell certifications. The chin vent provides air to defog the faceshield, while the front vents bring cooling air to the forehead. The back wing creates a draft to help extract hot air from inside the helmet, and there is a removable breath deflector and a chin curtain. On the down side, the helmet is quite narrow with a small head opening, so this one is best for those with a long-oval head shape. Also, the shield mechanism is plastic, making us wonder about its longevity. Nevertheless, it's a stylish-looking helmet with a great shape.
EXTRAS: DRI-LEX moisture-wicking liner, removable breath guard, removable chin spoiler, cloth storage bag
CR RATED: 3 stars
GMAX GM68S $120
As with many of the helmets here the GMAX gets its light weight from a plastic shell. Top intake and rear exhaust vents feature large controls (though the plastic covers felt loose). The fit was good for our round heads, and the removable Coolmax liner suited our skulls (though it's somewhat thin), but the chin-bar padding (not EPS) hit our noses. The GMAX also lacks EPS in the area under the ear and around the lower jaw. There's an air deflector to shunt hot breath away from the faceshield, but the GMAX's trickest feature is the LED light incorporated into the rear vent-click it on for an instant high-visibility running light. The optically correct shield is antiscratch, antifog and UV-blocking. The GM68S is DOT-certified only, but a good value nevertheless.
EXTRAS: Coolmax liner, extra tinted shield, shield bag, cloth storage bag, optional cheek-pad sizes, vented chin curtain, LEDs on rear of helmet
CR RATED: 3 stars
HJC CL-15 $120-$135
From the biggest helmet manufacturer comes another new-for-2008 lid, the CL-15. The features, fit and finish are similar to those of the more expensive HJC lids, including the excellent faceshield mechanism. The polycarbonate composite-shelled helmet has both DOT and Snell certification. Along with the standard chin and forehead vents, there are breath vents to reduce fogging and rear extractor vents to keep your head cooler. All of the vent sliders feel solid and snap open or closed with a satisfying click. Fit is very good, and the liner fabric is quite comfortable on the skin. There are five graphic schemes plus solid colors available. The only negative is the weight, which, although high, doesn't keep the CL-15 from being one of the best.
EXTRAS: cloth storage bag; Nylex comfort pad material reduces odors and dissipates moisture
CR RATED: 3 and 1/2 stars