I used to tour with a Skid Lid. People in Germany were quite hostile towards me when riding with that hat. Maybe it reminded them of the war. I didn't see any other cyclists in Europe with helmets that summer (1983) either.
I used to use a Pletscher rack and gumwalls too. Hauling down Highway one with 40 lbs on the Pletscher, the bike shaking violently, a bulge in the sidewall was a little too exciting. Fortunately the Skid Lid was never put to the test.
Some of the old stuff wasn't very good, and it's better to be safe. Put a Skid Lid or a Cinelli hairnet on the wall, but not on your head.
Leonard Bulger
Ann Arbor MI
21 deg now, 45 deg yesterday