I thought they were cool too. I traded some photography work for one in Hood River long ago. I used the soft helmet for many years. I never took a hit but if I have taken a hard hit, I think the blow could go through the foam and knock someone out. That wouldn't be good. So, with this new knee in recovery mode, I was thinking about this helmet problem. ]

Soft is not enough for 100% protection. Bicycle helmets are better due to hard shell but still you could get knocked out with that mast.

This Christmas I decided to replace my dirt bike helmet. You would not believe the new features these helmets have to protect against this type of blow to the head. My helmet is carbon fiber, very light weight, tight fit against my head and cheeks. I feel the mast could not do much more than make a hit noise and you would barely feel the blow. I also think that a tight fitting helmet like this with all the ventilation it has would drain very quickly. Plus the helmet coves the entire head and the mouth. Bicycle guys and gals are already using this type of helmet instead of those little bike helmets. My helmet cost $200.

I will experiment with this this spring when weather is better.