Edition 43: Bike Helmets for a City Slicker
And: Where to find non-plastic folders for document transport
Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
This week, Sydney and Xéla in the Bronx are shopping around for something that I’ve been waiting patiently for a submission about: “We're looking for a stylish but practical bike helmet for someone who doesn't like wearing helmets. He gets motion sickness when he gets too hot so some sort of ventilation is preferred. A face shield isn't a must but would be cool. "Cannot look doofy and needs to look chic", send help!”
Dear Sydney and Xéla,
There are no safety products I am more passionate about than bike helmets, especially for an urban cyclist! You’re constantly dodging doors, pedestrians, Amazon delivery carts — it’s the wild west out there in the bike lane.
First things first:
The helmet must fit properly! Helmets are not one-size-fits-all and it needs to be snug. If it’s sliding in any direction, it’s not doing its job.
Don’t keep your helmet forever. Most experts recommend replacing it every 5-ish years, because the materials deteriorate. Especially if you drop it a lot, or get into an accident wearing it, the EPS (expanded polystyrene) has compressed and isn’t going to be nearly as effective in protecting you.
Since ventilation is a concern, we can rule out most commuter or skate-style helmets like this popular one from Thousand. All of that considered, I’m going to break this down into four types: face shield, sporty, under $100 and minimalist.
Face Shield
This is something I didn’t know I needed until one day a woman came into my shop wearing an expensive-looking helmet with an attached face shield that was clearly for an actual bicycle and not a motorbike. I bought one that very night and am still getting comments and compliments from fellow cyclists on a weekly basis. The Kask Urban R Helmet ($249) is comfortable enough for all-day wear and has a face visor that you can pull down to protect your eyes from weather, wind and pollution. It’s a total game-changer in rain and will also keep your face from collecting a layer of street grime.
Sporty
POC makes the coolest sporty helmets that you won’t feel like a poser wearing around the city. The Octal Mips model ($200) is lightweight, well ventilated and comes wildly fun colors.
Under $100
Look no further than Specialized for actually good helmets on a budget! The Align II is $55 and under (some colors on sale, like this one in a cool coral fade).
Minimalist
The Outrider Mips Helmet ($170) from Sweet Protection is your best bet if you’re going for something understated. The earthy neutrals are refreshing, and it’s not a brand that you’re likely to see all over the streets.
Several of these helmets have the term “Mips” in the name and a little yellow circle on them. Don’t know what Mips is? I didn’t either. As it turn out, it’s a helmet safety technology developed by a neuroscientist in Sweden to protect your head from rotational movement upon impact. What this means is that there’s a low friction layer between the EPS foam and the helmet liner that slides in order to reduce the transfer of rotational motion onto your brain. These are the absolute safest helmets on the market right now, but the technology is expensive, so they tend to cost $40-$50 more than they otherwise might. Is it worth it? In my opinion, if you’re going to make the commitment to cycle safety, you might as well go the whole hog.
QUICK ANSWER
Kyra in Harlem: “I want durable, ideally not plastic, pocket folders or a non bulky portfolio. I am a law student in a clinic, so I would like to keep my things tidy. Because I commute to school, I want things to be effective and sleek (my bag is heavy enough). If possible, I would love a non-plastic folder, though recycled plastic folders would be cool too!”
The downside of so many industries existing entirely digitally is that good folders, binders and portfolios are getting hard to find! And it doesn’t help that in the U.S. we use a paper size that isn’t standard anywhere else. The best place to check is always an old-school stationer who might have deadstock. Janoff’s is not far from you (2870 Broadway) and is real treasure trove of supplies.
Online, I’d recommend visiting JAM Paper. They have every possible style of folder and portfolio, made of paper and available in many colors, like this one:
If an accordion filer is something you’re interested in, I’ve been eyeing this rainbow one from Poketo, which has a hard board cover for added durability:
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Arizona Cactus Ranch Prickly Pear Concentrate is a product that has recently entered my non-alcoholic beverage repertoire. A couple of years ago, I went on a formative wellness adventure in Arizona and fell in love with Prickly Pear. I’d contemplating filling my suitcase with products to bring home but then I remembered that I live in NYC and can probably buy it here. Well, I was wrong, which is comforting — to know that I can still experience new things that are place-specific. When I received a bottle of this nectar in the mail a few weeks ago I was immediately transported back to the desert. It’s tart, fruity and packed with vitamins and minerals. Pour a little in your seltzer, add to hibiscus iced tea, or use it in a margarita!
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for a fresh recommendations. xo Caroline
Caroline! You are a delight. C.W. was my no. 1 favorite store in the whole city and your newsletter tops my list, too. (Or should I say No. 2 favorite ✏️ ?!)