[primal]

I'm not a fan of the SNELL ratings. In order to be SNELL certified, a helmet must be EXTREMELY stiff. Everything I've ever learned about physics says that a stiff helmet will transfer more energy to your neck than a less stiff one. Also, it should be noted that there are NO SNELL helmets in Europe. Why? Because European standards test a helmet's ability to absorb energy, not their ability to withstand 2 or more hits without cracking (i.e. SNELL). I'd much rather have a DOT/ECE helmet than a SNELL helmet. I actually have more faith in the ECE ratings than DOT ratings, because its no secrete that Europe has a more robust motorcycling culture (in that they actually see them as valid forms of transportation rather than toys) than we do here in the US.