Cassin Astral, $80, 12 ounces
Summary: For those with wide heads, Cassin’s Astral is a good bike-helmet-style lid. The adjustment knob provides quick and easy micro-adjustment within the well-padded suspension. If your head width is medium to narrow, however, you will have difficulty getting a good fit — the Astral is very wide. The helmet also receives top marks for its mesh-protected venting system. Headlamp compatibility is an issue, as headbands didn’t slide easily under the tooth-like retention tabs.
Pros: Easy to fit for wide heads; well ventilated.
Cons: Too wide for narrow to medium heads.
Overall grade: B
Cassin/ClimbAxe: (800) 895-0048, www.climbaxe.com

Test Results:

Black Diamond Half Dome
C.A.M.P. Silver Star
Cassin Astral
Edelrid Ultralight
HB Dyneema
Kong Scarab
Lucky Alpha
Petzl Ecrin Roc
Petzl Elios
Simond Bumper

About UIAA and CE helmet certification

Cassin Astral, $80, 12 ounces
Summary: For those with wide heads, Cassin’s Astral is a good bike-helmet-style lid. The adjustment knob provides quick and easy micro-adjustment within the well-padded suspension. If your head width is medium to narrow, however, you will have difficulty getting a good fit — the Astral is very wide. The helmet also receives top marks for its mesh-protected venting system. Headlamp compatibility is an issue, as headbands didn’t slide easily under the tooth-like retention tabs.
Pros: Easy to fit for wide heads; well ventilated.
Cons: Too wide for narrow to medium heads.
Overall grade: B
Cassin/ClimbAxe: (800) 895-0048, www.climbaxe.com

Test Results:

Black Diamond Half Dome
C.A.M.P. Silver Star
Cassin Astral
Edelrid Ultralight
HB Dyneema
Kong Scarab
Lucky Alpha
Petzl Ecrin Roc
Petzl Elios
Simond Bumper

About UIAA and CE helmet certification