BTR High Visibility Waterproof Helmet Cover

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