Aegis
Caladesi
English Chaps/Boots/Helmets
Manufacturer: Aegis
Model: Caladesi
Category: English Chaps/Boots/Helmets
Purchase: PETsMart.com / State Line $59.95, MSRP is $64.95
Likes: It's very lightweight It's washable. It looks great. The matt rubberized finish and stainless mesh makes it look like a far more expensive helmet, the shiny decoration center line adds some looks value too. It's inexpensive for its looks.
Dislikes: Frankly, I am shocked by its lack of design and ergonomics. It looks like it was designed and tested on a mannequin, so that no person can talk back. I will be surprised to find out anyone at Devon-Aire/Aegis actually took it for a ride before starting to sell it. My head is 7 3/8" so the L-XL size should have fit without a problem, however this helmet is simply painful to put on. The contact between the head and the foam feels like it covers the top of the head only (like wearing a yamaka!) and when it comes to the basin of the head there's a sharp step in the Styrofoam about 1" above it that abruptly stops the helmet's protection which I find so odd. It probably wouldn't have bothered me so much but if it was padded, but the step is so sharp, that every little punch or push of the helmet from the back makes it violently dig into the lower back skull painfully. What's that all about?
The 4-point strap system leaves much to be desired too – The two rough wide nylon straps are meant to have full contact with the face from the chin through the cheeks and to the top of the head. With so much contact and such rough unpadded material, I can see sweat, pimples and bruises. How can this be tolerated for a ride of more then 5 minutes? In addition, the straps attachment is so forward that they actually get to your field of view. I really don't see how this could have ever passed a focus group or even one test factory ride. The inside has so many stickers and Velcro attachments, that pull your hair and constantly scratch you.
Quality: Quality of construction is not that great either. It is sealed in at the bottom with what looks like electrical tape that you can peel off with your hand. The back emblem is stuck with cheap rubber glue (could be snapped off easily) The front emblem is riveted in - but is not straight. The stainless mesh doesn't look too sturdy either. Velcro look like it will wear out in a few months because.
What has happened to American products? (Oh yes, did I mention it's made in China?)
Summary: I have ridden schooling helmets by Troxel and IRH that cost $25 and provide better protection and comfort. True, they are not as beautiful, but what good is a beautiful helmet if it provides no protection and can't be mounted in comfort? The sad thing is that this product has so much potential - it is beautiful, lightweight, washable and looks expensive but a little bit of testing and comfort improvement could have made this the bests helmet one can get at this price range, but as it happens in corporate america, someone seriously cut corners or was in a hurray to start marketing it. I cannot believe this would have passed any test group successfully as it is. I really didn't expect such discomfort and unthoughtful ergonomics from Devon-aire. Back to the drawing board...
Rating: 1
Author: IratherFly
Date: 2006-08-24
Usefulness Rating: 4.44444 out of 5.
9 reader(s) voted.
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