Louis Garneau Quartz Helmet II

Bottom Line

The Louis Garneau Quartz is a good-looking, relatively lightweight and comfortable helmet that's cheaper than the top-rated Giro Aeon, while offering many of the same great features.

Performance

Well ventilated. Users say the Louis Garneau Quartz provides good air-cooling for riders through 33 vents, many of which are wide enough to stick fingers through to ease an itch. However, one reviewer, James Huang from BikeRadar.com, notes that nearly a dozen of the vents are too small to contribute to the airflow. The editors of CompetitiveCyclist.com feel that the detachable visor makes this helmet a good choice for road and off-road use, though Huang feels the high cut at the back of the helmet doesn't give enough protection for trail use. Although, he adds that same high cut may make this helmet a more attractive option for ponytail wearers.

Several Buzzillions.com reviewers comment on the helmet's sizing, saying it fits more loosely than other brands' helmets. Users who have larger, oval-shaped heads are pleased with the fit of the helmet, while those who typically wear smaller sizes feel it fits better when wearing a cap underneath.

The Quartz's sturdy build comes from fusing the expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liner and the outer shell together, much as the Giro Aeon does. Louis Garneau's design is different in that it incorporates a frame ring to keep the helmet from shattering on impact.

Comfort

Lightweight and easy to adjust. Although the Louis Garneau Quartz is not the lightest helmet on the market, it is still much more so than cheaper options. Reviewers say it's so comfortable it virtually "disappears." The Louis Garneau Quartz is listed at 250 grams, though one reviewer said the actual weight of his helmet was about 20 grams more. While not as light as the Giro Aero or Giro Prolight, the Quartz is still a comfortable helmet for the price.

Louis Garneau's helmets use a Spiderlock SL rack and pinion retention system, which incorporates the straps behind riders' ears as part of the adjustments. Several reviewers find this system surprisingly easy to use and adjust, with riders saying they need only two fingers to adjust the fit slightly and the mechanism works even while wearing gloves.

Ownership

Removable visor and padding. For riding on sunny days, the Louis Garneau Quartz includes a visor that can be easily removed. One user on Buzzillions.com complains that the visor obstructs his vision and causes neckache at times, but he appreciates the option to not use it. When not using the visor, the accompanying plastic plugs keep the attachment holes free of debris. The helmet's interior Sealed Airdry padding is removable, so users can wash it after sweaty rides. And extra pads are usually included with the helmet upon purchase.