Been using half helmet since 2006. Got some serious red bumps on my face from some hard bugs and pebbles. ALWAYS WERE EYE PROTECTION! Also had bees up the sleeves--that ain't fun either.

 

I was riding with a group of 6 or 7 bikes one afternoon thru heavy L.A. traffic. Which means fast and tight! One of the guys ' sister is on a roller derby team and we were going up to watch her San Diego team play the L.A. team. You all should get a look at live roller derby fans. But that is a story for another time. Anyhow at about 75 mph something slams into the windscreen just above the headlight and I caught a glimpse of a D cell battery as it hung there for a couple beats and then dropped off. Was glad I had protection that day! It left a decent scuff on the screen.