Rudy Project Sterling Fluorescent Helmet

Hard to Find Fault with this Full-Featured, Safety-First Helmet

When you shop for a cycling helmet you want comfort, safety and style. Rudy Project’s Sterling fluorescent helmet has all three, in spades. Wear this helmet and you’llbe seen “not only by motorists but by envious cycling buddies, too.

Designed with a perfect balance of function and style, the Sterling fluorescent helmet fits your noggin like a kid glove. It’s as comfortable as one, too. Weighing in at 349 grams (12 oz), it’s not the lightest helmet out there, but I barely even noticed it on my head.

Adjustment is a Cinch

For a helmet to keep you safe it’s got to fit you properly. Adjusting the Sterling helmet is a cinch. To get a snug, comfortable fit you incrementally dial-in the micrometric disc at the back. Its reinforced runners allow for tiny, smooth adjustments. A removable, washable pad covers the back adjustment panel — another feature that adds to your comfort.

If you need to adjust the side straps there are two clip-in clasps to do that. The chin strap has a standard one-click clasp with another removable, washable 3-1/2 inch strip of padding that protects your chin from the clasp. It’s the attention to these small details that makes the Sterling Fluo helmet special.

It’s easy enough to dial in adjustments that you can safely do it while riding. Mine was a tad tight after adjusting it to accommodate a skull cap. While cycling, I reached back with one hand to dial the micrometric disc one notch looser. Voila! Instant comfort.

Safety First

The In-Mold technology forms a seamless impact protection grid, making the helmet more resistant and lighter than helmets made using traditional methods.

You want that impact protection if you take a spill, but being seen by motorists is equally important for your safety on the bike. The Sterling helmet comes in three bold, fluorescent colors: pink, green and yellow — which stand out, even at a distance. (While I like this feature of the helmet, I realize that not all riders go for neon colors in their gear.)

Additional Features

Ventilation:  With 18 air vents designed to pull air through the helmet, its ventilation is excellent, keeping your head cool and comfortable even on hot summer days.

Bug net:  If you happen to live in an area that has a variety of flying insects and bugs that occasionally find their way into your helmet, you’lllove the optional built-in bug net panel. It prevents bugs from getting in through the front vents, to bite, sting and distract you. Another nice touch.

Washable padding:  Washable padding lines the inside of the helmet. Made of a new non-allergic and anti-perspiration pile fabric, the washable padding adds to your comfort while protecting the helmet from the corrosive effects of sweat.

Eyewear docking system:  For those of you who have a tendency to lose track of your cycling glasses at the cafe, ice-cream shop or convenience store you stop at, Rudy Project’s Sterling Fluorescent helmet has an eyewear docking system. It keeps your glasses snug and safe on the top of your helmet, till you need them again.

Bottom Line

I really had to stretch to try to find something I did not like about this helmet. I really could only come up with what other riders might not like: the fluorescent colors. If, like me, you do like them, this is a full-featured helmet well worth trying.

October 2012

Laurel-Lea Shannon is publisher of www.WomensCycling.ca, which contributes the Women on Wheels column that runs occasionally in RBR Newsletter.