I have been mulling over buying a helmet that would offer me a bit more protection, particularly for my face.

I dont want a traditional full face helmet as they would be far too warm.

I would have bought a Giro Switchblade as it looks just like what I am after (front bit looks strong-ish) but they are no longer made.

The Casco Viper looks strong, but it also looks a bit warm and truely looks ugly (does it look ugly in the flesh?)

The Met Para-Chute looks good, but the front bit doesnt look the strongest.

Anyone got any input? Any switchblades still out there? Met Para-Chute stronger than it looks?

I have a parachute and shortly after this picture was taken I face planted a tree, very very strong, much better than I expected.

http://images5.fotopic.net/?iid=yamnob&outx=800&quality=70.

Still using it and it is very good, in fact I used it last Tuesday night in this pic

http://images5.fotopic.net/?iid=ygl9v2&outx=800&quality=70.

i bought a viper but found i couldnt breath on the uphills - the chin piece is big and covers your mouth and is quite close aswell

it is much more convinient to take the chin piece off than the paracute though so could be in your backpack until you get to the hairy sections then easily fitted back on

i went for the parachute in the end feels just like an ordinary helmet compared to the viper

i havnt crashed on either helmet so i cant say about strength but the viper does look a bit stronger

My riding buddies are going to morzine this year so they were checking the Viper out at The Hub @ Glentress over the weekend.

I aint really a pads & full facer type but from what i saw they look bloody strong if a little cramped in the chin dept. However, as airhead said, it looked like a 2 sec job to remove so you could choose when you have it fitted.

Thing that gets me is how do you end up falling on your face?? Even when i do fall, my face is always well protected by the rest of my body. Or do people like to see what they are hitting when they fall and dont protect it ;-)

I had the met and was great split mine in half on a nasty fall though. I was going to replace it then heard some nasty rumours about the chin gaurd shattering on impact and impailing faces, did a search and it was confirmed by a few people.
So i bought the viper its warm on the uphills but i just unclip the front and clip it on my pack, then clip it back on which takes seconds for the excitting bits.
Its not that ugly in the flesh either (blue and white).

I've got a hardly used 2002 Switchblade in titanium and would consider selling it if the price were right.

;-)

"Thing that gets me is how do you end up falling on your face?" I managed to go over the bars, smack my knee on the way past and pivot head first into the only rock for miles. Smashed my helmet into 3 parts and ended up with a face and mouth full of stitches. Found myself buying a Met Parachute after that.

My thoughts:
It's not a full facer, but then it's not supposed to be
It's easy to breathe - just like a helmet without the chin guard.
I find it does cool effectively even in the hottest weather but the downside is that the wind noise makes it a little harder to hear things.
It's easy to take the guard off but I never bother - it's more mushroom-like than most helmets and looks worse without it.
And talking of looks - well, it's not pretty. But then a face full of stitches was really unpretty.
Never heard of the guards shattering but would be interested if anyone can post a link.

Review here: http://www.ferryhillfreeriders.co.uk/crash%20test%20reviews/reviews/helmet.htm

Is the chin bit stiff? front to back and side to side?

I am considering Pinp's SwitchBlade, but need to measure ma heed first.