So I got a new helmet last November (Black Friday). It’s a Kask Mistral and I really like the comfort, fit, it has been rated highly in aerodynamics.

I’ve used it in a few early season (short) races and a couple summer training rides. The magnetic shield sits super close to your face, and it gets really hot under there. In summer or longer rides I end up flipping it up because it’s just too hot. (But when you flip it up, it blocks 4 air slits in the helmet).

Basically I can’t ride with the shield that way. As a last ditch effort, I drilled a bunch of holes in the shield to try and get some air flow. I haven’t ridden outside with it yet, I just did it. My only “testing” has been to sit in front of a fan. If I’m racing August Sunday and it’s going to be really hot, would you vote to leave the shield at home, or try the shield, and if it doesn’t work, just flip it up (and block the vents). It’s not like blocking the vents is the end of the world. My whole face is exposed so I’m still getting airflow. But they would help keep the top of my head cooler.