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review
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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BTR's High Visibility waterproof helmet cover is precisely that and while lacking the figure hugging profile, comfort and outright finesse of Gore-Tex models, comes in rather handy when God's metaphorically washing his tandem or pelting us with hail.
Packing small enough to reside unobtrusively in a medium sized wedge pack or jersey pocket, there's nothing particularly exciting about its materials or construction. We're talking common or garden canary yellow nylon with retro-reflective detailing that adjusts in seconds via draw string closure to accommodate pretty much any adult lid from Cromwell commuter to Roswell racer.
Cynics will suggest the thin, virtually opaque nature is indicative of the price and achieves less flattering effect atop sleeker helmets but it hasn't shown any builder's tarp fluttering tendencies when bustling along in blustery weather and offers welcome protection from 'ice cream' headaches.
Things do turn a little clammy given twenty minutes or so at more spirited cadences. This isn't comparable with the sogginess synonymous with old school cotton race caps when the mercury creeps past the mid-teens, although there remains familiar lag before fibres kick in, so a merino skull cap knocks both into a cocked hat.
Performance in persistent/showery conditions compares well to that of micro jackets; we're talking trace dampness rather than a royal soaking. Its yellow hue seems suitably extrovert in low light. Several mile-long shortcuts through overgrown bridle path and singletrack have provided some disturbing soundtracks, though fiendish foliage hasn't ripped ours to shreds and it doesn't object to low temperature tours de Zanussi either.
Verdict
Basic but fairly cheerful wet weather cover
road.cc test report
Make and model: BTR High Visibility Waterproof Helmet Cover
Size tested: Yellow
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
"High quality high visibility waterproof helmet cover. Elasticated so fits the vast majority of adult cycling helmets. High visibility material with additional reflective stripes down either side for additional visibility". I'd say cheap but cheerful and highly water-resistant (sewn not welded seams)
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
100% nylon construction, one-size-fits all (adult helmets) draw cord closure, retro-reflective detailing.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
6/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
6/10
Better than I was expecting and the fabric density suggests.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
23g
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
6/10
Not a patch on Gore-Tex but keeps the weather out without boiling one's brains.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall performance was better than I was expecting on all fronts and broadly similar to that of budget micro-jackets- easily slipped in wedge packs, pockets and/or panniers in case weather should turn bandit.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Relatively inexpensive, convenient and reasonably effective.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Not terribly stylish atop sportier lids.
Did you enjoy using the product? Indifferent.
Would you consider buying the product? No.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly, if they were just looking for a relatively cheap, cheerful standby.
About the tester
Age: 40 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)
Latest Comments
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It is possible that he didn't know that many of the trees need to be cut down.
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You should learn to share the road: like the drivers do.
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I don't think Lime are anywhere near folding.
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Add new comment
33 comments
Tee hee.
I suppose it might fill a gap in the market somewhere
I just had to look at this again, never ceases to amuse
Can you take the photo down now? It's getting disturbing.
'In this context, I'm not convinced that "high visibility" is a good thing.'
or in any context.
Why are you lot complaining about this essential bit of kit?
Who wants to stay at home and perm their hair under a steamer, when they could be out on the bike!
This bit of kit allows you to perm and ride! All you have to do when you get home is take out your rollers and 'Hay presto! lovely curly locks of hair.
You could be the 'Kevin Keegan' of the cycling world
A well known tennis player once said "You cannot be serious!", got to say, I have to agree with him.
Photo says it all...!
"Kill me.... kill me now"!
I want to thank ROAD CC for the best laugh I have had all day.
I will though be keeping a close eye on future reports just in case this is actually bullying in the work place.
Another crap cycling accessory to avoid. Three stars, OMG!
As article says there are far better Goretex caps available which I have - a lined Mountain Equipment one that has a wired peak and keeps your neck and ears dry as well which sits nicely under my lid.
Don't waste your money on this crap.
Nice pic Dave! I am just so glad it's not a schwagg bag! Otherwise I would probably win it!
Lidl's plastic bag: 9 pence
BTR hi vis helmet cover: £6-99
Look on his face: priceless!
Best. Photo. Ever.
You've just rescued what's been a shocking week. Chapeau Dave. Chapeau.
£6.99 for a shower cap. Keep 'em coming road.cc Funniest site on the net.
So far in life my wet helmet has not caused any issues.
The 'why me?' look says it all.....
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
ahahahahahahaahaahahahahahahaahah eh!
Well, I likes it.
It needs a peak to keep the rain off his glasses.
I swear by my sou'wester.
I'm surprised that the helmet-wearing brigade thinks *that* would make them look silly.
In this context, I'm not convinced that "high visibility" is a good thing.
So this is how impressed a grown man looks when having a photgraph of him wearing a shower cap.
In terms of utility, it seems a perfectly reasonable solution and at a low price point. Unfortunately, it does look a little *baggy*
Uh-ma-hazingballs photo. Really rocking that look.
"No, no, no No NO, NO NOO!" - Cleveland Brown
This is a very dangerous development as it is the very epitome of the Hi Vis safety gear we will be forced to wear if we aren't careful. Right now, someone is adding it to the list of essential equipment along with an inflatable body suit and a full face helmet - probably with a wind turbine attached to power the 500 flashing lights that will be attached to your Aero streak of carbon loveliness.
Whether it's raining or not, my hair is dripping when I get home and there are better solutions for when it gets cold.
No not ever ever ever whilst I can breathe, speak and control my body will one of those go on my head.
[style] I was more concerned that the arms of his spectacles are INSIDE the helmet strap [/style]
Is it a floppy helmet condom or did the school dinner ladies I had when growing up design this?
Ugh.
I'm not too shy to wear lycra in public, but if you think I'm wearing that, you're having a laugh...
My head is soaked with sweat when I ride. Why would I need to keep rain off ?
Might be an idea if you ride really gently on a commute.
It looks a bit like a Lidl carrier bag...
I have to say, I'd rather get wet...
I would very much like to raise the intellectual tone of this review and point out it looks like one has a rubber johnny on ones head.
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