I use a Reevu helmet which I find brilliant in traffic but is way too sweaty on low speed climbs.
Looking around, the Met A Tomo seems to be a well ventilated helmet at a sensible price.
Anyone got any suggestions or comments?

Basically the more you spend the more vents you get. If you want a MTB helmet then a Giro E2 will be as good as you'll get.

spesh decibel is meant to be one of the coolest.

Thanks Tom and Mike but these are both at the top end of the price range - a bit too much for my pocket!

How much can you spend Henry?

spesh M1 (what i have) can be got for around £30 iirc. if you look around. (poss crc?)

can't recomend it enough.

I have a 04 Specialized Teluride, dont know how it stacks up vent wise (seems to have a handful of big vents rather than loads of little ones), but I have used it on some of the most gruelling climbs in the hottest climates and never found my head overheating.

Mike - maybe £40 tops.
X commie - some of the reviews I have read talk about problems with the lining of the telluride - what is your experience?

Had no problems at all with my noodle saver, the fabric comfort strips have stayed where they are supposed to for me.

I should disclaim myself though, its the only helmet I have experience of, but I am pleased with my choice overall.

Have a look on the Chain Reaction site, if you have an XS head then you could get an E2 for £35. Either way they have some very good prices at the moment.

try before you buy though.

My head is about 58cm - more XL than XS!!

Thanks for your ideas!!

I'm very wary of highly vented lids since my Met broke into 3 pieces in a relatively low speed impact. OK - it did it's job and I'm still alive but if it had held together it might well have saved me a faceful of stitches. I know it's acted as designed and absorbed the impact by disintegrating but how many offs have just one impact?

Anyway - apparently you can now get ones which have integral support mesh (the new Spesh carbon one?) and if you can spare the extra cash I would recommend you look at those.

Queeg

Henry, Have you thought about the Spesh aurora lid its £60 rrp but can be had for £40 from wiggle in all sizes.

I tried one on in a shop yesterday in large (my heads 62cms or summit) and seemed darn comfy so it will be on my list after xmas. The aurora is the cheaper version of the decibel.

Hope this helps

Uvex Supersonic RS is my latest acquisition.

brilliant and cost effective.
I especially love the clip on LED lights which are awesome for illuminating the bars and close in areas on the bike during a night ride.

Bit over my £40 budget, Tim!!

Thanks for the comment Queeg.

I went over the bars after hitting an obstruction badly and all 13st of me landed on my temple.
I had a slight cut to the bridge of my nose from my specs but no other injuries.
The helmet did well but I replaced it anyhow.

Wouldn't want to compromise on structural rigidity - me or the helmet!!