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The original was posted on /r/cycling by /u/partylikeaninjastar on 2023-06-28 03:06:33+00:00.

I primarily use my bike (Raleigh Detour 2) for commuting to work. It’s under six miles and about 35ish minutes each way. I’m also starting to ride my bike more for grocery trips and stuff. When I got my bike three years ago, I just grabbed the first helmet on the shelf without any thought.

I’m ready to replace my helmet, and one thing I like about it is that it has a little visor that helps keep the sun out of my eyes when riding home into the sunset (there’s a stretch that has me riding directly into the sun). It seems like most people just recommend sunglasses…but I wear prescription glasses.

Prescription sunglasses are an option, but I tried on this helmet at REI, and I really love the style and fit:

https://www.rei.com/product/216583/smith-engage-2-mips-bike-helmet?color=MATTE POPPY%2FTERRA

I was going to buy it, then thought I should read some reviews, and that’s when I discovered this is a MTB helmet and that road helmets are designed for the road in a way MTB helmets are not. It never occurred to me that they would be two different things.

Is it really that big of a deal? From what I can see when comparing the below road helmet (a similar style Smith brand), the biggest difference visually is that the back of my head would have some extra protection. That can’t be a bad thing, can it? The MTB is also only an ounce heavier.

https://www.rei.com/product/216588/smith-persist-2-mips-bike-helmet?color=POPPY%2FTERRA

Prescription sunglasses ARE an option, but I’d prefer not to pay an extra $100 on top of a new helmet if it can be avoided. I wear transition lenses, but the bright California sun really gets into my eyes on my ride home without my visor to help.

For reference, I’m pretty sure this is my current helmet: https://playtristore.com/products/aerius-v19-sport-cycling-helmet-black-grey?variant=35657906389154&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwkeqkBhAnEiwA5U-uM2d4WuGXojv4IDz7t0p4cVT71PLCbbwMm0GVDdDUDJygRpuDvtp0KhoCuzAQAvD_BwE

Should I get the road helmet and splurge on the sunglasses (which may or may not find some use outside of cycling as I also try to have a more active lifestyle), or should I get the MTB helmet which fit perfectly and has that sun blocking visor I’ve grown accustomed to?

One article I read said MTB helmets are good if you need a versatile helmet for on and off road but that road bike helmets are generally a better bet. My use will be strictly commuting and store trips, and probably no rides that are much longer than an hour. And every comment regarding the visor is always “wear sunglasses” which is gonna be an extra $100 from Zenni for me.