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Need a bike helmet for road, mountain, recreational riding, or commuting? Our cycling experts spent hundreds of hours comparing top options side-by-side. Each helmet was evaluated for impact test results, weight, ventilation, comfort, and usability.
The Giro Fixture II Mips is our top pick for everyday riding. This versatile helmet offers high protection, comfort, and great value. Whether on the trails or bike paths, it performs exceptionally well. The Retrospec Remi is our recommended commuting model for those on a tight budget. It looks stylish and proves to be one of the most durable helmets we've tested.
If you like rippin' up or down the mountain or forest trails, check out our recommendations for mountain bike helmets. For road cyclists, our road bike helmet review is comprehensive and has today's lightest and sleekest options. If you're looking to save a few bucks, our budget bike helmet review has some great options that are light on the wallet.
Editor's note: On April 25, 2025, we completely revamped all of our bike helmet reviews to include impact testing.
Who it is best for: The Trek Solstice Mips is ideal for budget-conscious cyclists seeking a reliable, comfortable road or casual riding helmet. Its solid fit and excellent ventilation make it perfect for riders who prioritize comfort during long rides, especially in hot conditions. However, those who prefer a sleeker, lower-profile design or more extensive head coverage might consider alternatives like the Cannondale Junction.
Why we love it: We were continually impressed with the comfort, which kept our heads dry even on the hottest days, thanks to its excellent ventilation system with a few large vents. The dial harness system, supported by structural elements, ensures a consistent, secure fit without riding up. The straps feature a simple ear-splitter mechanism with a hinged clip for easy, one-time adjustments, keeping them flat and tidy. The fit is solid with no discomfort or pressure points during longer test rides, and it excels in our impact crash tests, confirming its protection factor.
Should you buy it? This is a strong choice for a budget bike helmet, offering impressive comfort, ventilation, and crash protection. However, its larger profile and higher positioning on the head, stopping at or slightly above the ears, may give a subtle muffin-top look that some riders find less appealing. Riders seeking a slim, sleek style might prefer others that are less bulky but still well-ventilated. If you're happy with a slightly bulkier design and prioritize performance over aesthetics, we recommend this for its reliability and value.
The Trek Solstice is one of the most comfortable budget bike helmets in our lineup.
Who it is best for: The Grottico suits budget-conscious casual cyclists needing a lightweight helmet for rides under an hour. Ideal for beginners prioritizing value, it may not meet the needs of those seeking top impact protection or comfort for longer rides.
Why we love it: Its has a stupendous price-to-performance ratio. It offers above-average impact test scores and a lightweight design. It's large, non-adjustable visor effectively shades eyes from the sun, and the inner cushion pads provide adequate comfort for shorter rides.
Should you buy it? This is a solid purchase for casual riders seeking a budget-friendly helmet, but it has minor drawbacks. The buckle occasionally slides off the strap due to an unstitched end, a nuisance that can be mitigated with a simple knot. Additionally, the net-like padding covering the front vents slightly reduces airflow, as noted during our downhill breeze test. If you overlook these small issues and don't need the highest impact protection or premium comfort for long rides, the Grottico's lightweight design and value make it a worthwhile buy.
The Grottico produced some respectable impact test results, even though it's highly affordable
Who it is best for: The Specialized Ambush 2 is ideal for mountain bikers seeking top-tier ventilation and high performance across various conditions, particularly on long, hot rides. It's perfect for riders who value innovative features like the eyewear holder, but don't mind a non-adjustable visor or slightly higher harness positioning.
Why we love it: It has unmatched ventilation, leveraging computational fluid dynamics modeling to channel air from the forehead to the back, even at low speeds, preventing sweating or overheating during long, exposed climbs. Beyond ventilation, it's a top-performing mountain bike helmet, featuring a secure eyewear holder with rubber-flapped vent ports, a highly adjustable strap and harness system, and a durable, removable visor. Combined with its competitive price, these features outshine many flagship models from other brands.
Should you buy it? This is a stellar choice for mountain bikers due to its superior ventilation, innovative features, and high performance at a reasonable price. However, the non-adjustable visor, positioned high on the helmet, offers less sun protection at lower angles, and the harness cannot be positioned as low as some competitors.
Who it is best for: The Lazer Lupo KinetiCore is ideal for cyclists seeking a high-performing helmet with excellent crash protection and unique features like eyewear-friendly recesses and deep rear head coverage. It's great for riders who value ventilation and the option to add a Lazer LED light.
Why we love it: It stands out with its KinetiCore interior crumple zones, delivering exceptional crash test results without relying on third-party technology. Its eyewear-friendly recesses reduce temple pressure by providing grooves for sunglass arms, a simple yet highly appreciated feature. The helmet offers deep rear head coverage, broad vents for ample airflow, and a design compatible with a separately sold Lazer LED light, making it a versatile and innovative choice.
Should you buy it? This is a strong purchase for its robust crash protection, eyewear-friendly design, and good ventilation. However, one tester noted a minor pressure point at the forehead during longer rides, which could concern comfort-focused riders. Otherwise, the Lupo's unique features and safety performance make it a compelling option.
Instead of a rotational system, the Lazer Lupo KinetiCore has cube-like “crumple zones” that did well in our impact tests.
Who it is best for: The Lazer Coyote KinetiCore is perfect for budget-conscious mountain bikers who want a high-performing, lightweight helmet without sacrificing safety or comfort. It's ideal for riders tackling technical descents or long pedals who don't mind a bulkier profile or a large, non-intrusive visor.
Why we love it: It has a stellar impact score and is one of the lightest mountain bike helmets we've tested, offering decent comfort and ventilation with 22 vents and a generously padded interior that kept testers happy across various trails.
Should you buy it? This has an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, delivering top-tier impact protection and decent comfort at half the cost of high-end options. However, its bulkier profile may not suit pedal-intensive rides, and the large visor, while adjustable, slightly impedes the view despite better sun blockage.
Who it is best for: The Giro Manifest Spherical is ideal for mountain bikers seeking a top-tier, high-end helmet with superior protection, ventilation, and fit. It's perfect for riders who prioritize safety and performance across various head shapes and are willing to invest in a premium model.
Why we love it: If you're looking for the best helmet available, look no further. It features two EPS foam shells of different densities that rotate like a ball-and-socket joint for enhanced angular impact protection. The interior foam shell provides extended low coverage on the back and sides, comfortably fitting a wide range of head shapes. Large air vents and interior channels deliver exceptional ventilation, while the interior padding excels at absorbing and wicking sweat.
Should you buy it? This is a top choice for its unmatched performance among premium mountain bike helmets, justifying its high price with superior protection and ventilation. As our tester notes, “Its average weight is a minor trade-off for the dual-shell design's safety benefits. I barely notice the weight on the trail.”
Who it is best for: The Trek Velocis Mips is ideal for cyclists who prioritize all-day comfort, superior ventilation, and lightweight design for long, hot rides. It's perfect for riders who value premium features, a velcro visor, and a sunglasses port, and are willing to pay for top-tier performance.
Why we love it: This is shockingly comfortable all day long, with exceptional ventilation that keeps your head cool during extended, hot rides. The minimalist padding with fewer contact points feels like the helmet is floating above your head, while the dial ensures a snug, even fit. Easy-to-adjust chin straps and a full-coverage polycarbonate shell protect exposed EPS foam, complemented by extra technology for enhanced crash protection. The velcro visor and sunglasses port are handy for evening rides, and at one of the lightest weights tested, the duotone color design adds a fast, stylish look.
Should you buy it? This is a worthwhile investment for its innovative ventilation, comfort, and premium features, though its high price and bulkier profile from internal recessed vents may deter some. The cooling air channels, which also reduce wind roar, justify the long, hot ride costs.
Who it is best for: The Lazer Tonic Kineticore is ideal for budget-conscious road cyclists seeking a lightweight, stylish helmet with solid performance for long rides. It's especially suited for riders with rounded skulls who value reduced neck fatigue and don't prioritize top-tier ventilation.
Why we love it: One of the lightest we tested, it noticeably reduces neck fatigue on long rides. Its adjustment system, with easy-to-turn dials and a vertically adjustable cradle, accommodates most heads, while thick contact areas over the temples minimize pressure points. This budget-friendly helmet delivers key benefits of pricier models, making it a standout for cost-conscious riders.
Should you buy it? This is a great purchase for its low cost and lightweight design, but it falls short in comfort for some head shapes due to narrowing at the temples and offers mediocre ventilation with its 28 vents. If you have a rounded skull and don't mind sacrificing high-end aerodynamics or airflow, it's a fantastic value.
Who it is best for: The Smith Trace Mips is ideal for safety-conscious cyclists prioritizing top-tier crash protection and a comfortable fit, particularly those with average or shorter head shapes. It's perfect for riders willing to trade some ventilation for top-notch impact test performance.
Why we love it: This helmet's outstanding impact test performance, fitting system, with adjustable headband length and vertical adjustments, ensures a comfortable, secure fit that encourages consistent use, arguably the most critical safety feature. These attributes make it a standout for safety and wearability.
Should you buy it? This scores at the top, but the third-party protection features slightly increase weight and obstruct airflow by plugging vents. The adjustment range, particularly vertically, is limited, and the shallower design may not suit taller heads. If ventilation or a deeper fit is a priority, consider others that offer better airflow and a deeper fit. The Trace is a worthy investment for riders focused on safety and a good fit.
The Koroyd in the vents are both a blessing and a curse. They're purported safety features get in the way of some usability, like having a confident sunglass garage.
Credit: Justin Simoni
How We Tested
Nearly everyone remembers their first bike ride without training wheels, and that feeling of pure elation keeps most of us coming back time and time again. But, everyone also probably remembers their first real spill onto the gravel, pavement, or grass. Biking can have dangers along the way and many obstacles to avoid, but when you can't, you will always want a solid helmet to protect you or your loved one's noggin. We have taken dozens of helmets everywhere from trails, mountain roads, to work commutes, and long road pedals. For this review, we compiled a myriad of helmets, all purchased at retail prices from many of the same popular merchants where our readers might shop.
Our seasoned team of two tire testers brings the range of skills and experience needed to make in-depth reviews of the newest bike helmets.
Credit: Kelby Spore
We purchase two units of each model, one of which goes directly into our tester's well-worked hands for field testing, and the other is sent to an accredited testing lab, where two professional impact tests are performed. These two drop tests are designed to simulate a low-speed and a high-speed crash. Check out our How We Test Helmets page to learn more about our in-depth review process.
We use the following performance metrics for scoring:
Impact Test: After selecting products for testing, we purchase two of every model, one of which goes directly to an accredited testing lab for professional impact testing, while the other gets sent to our experts to test on two wheels. The lab conducts drop tests from two different heights — the lower height is designed to simulate a slow impact, while the higher height is designed to simulate a fast impact.
Comfort: All of the helmets chosen by our team are tested on how they fit, their padding levels, and any other oddities while on your head. Do the straps adjust to my liking? Is it tight on my temples? Does my neck hurt at the end of the day? The best helmets are often the least noticeable while you ride.
Ventilation: Every seasoned biker knows those tough uphill summer days in anticipation of finally harnessing the downhill wind. They also know the importance of proper ventilation along the way. That's why our testers breezed through and inspected every helmet's ventilation system with a keen eye on airflow.
Usability: Each bike helmet has a unique style, weight, gizmos, and gadgets. Our testers take every opportunity to adjust each visor, attach extra features, and throw on a pair of shades under every helmet so as to score for usability properly. This metric also incorporates the durability of the helmets aside from a heavy impact. Only after all other tests have been reviewed and scored can the durability test be gauged. We do this by observing and then taking note of any wear and tear each helmet has undergone throughout the hours and hours of testing. Have the straps worn down? Has something broken during regular transport? These types of factors help determine the durability score of a helmet.
Weight: No matter how much time one can spend at the gym, a heavy helmet may mean a stiff neck for days following a big ride. That is why each helmet is weighed twice over and worn for days of riding by our testers before being given a weight score.
Every helmet chosen here at GearLab is impact tested in a high-tech lab and brought out on the trails for real-deal dust testing.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Why Trust GearLab
Testing for this review is led by a team from all forms of pedal, with avid road cyclists, downhillers, trail bikers, mountain bikers, weekend warriors, and true work commuters. Pat Donahue is a former Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor at OutdoorGearLab and has been obsessed with mountain biking for more than 20 years while simultaneously working in the bicycle industry for over 8 years. He has extensive experience in enduro and downhill racing, as well as riding for fun, and uses his knowledge to inform our full-face helmet recommendations. Zach Wick can be found riding and racing bikes in Santa Cruz County, and he heads our mountain bike helmet reviews. Zach has been riding, racing, and fixing bikes his whole life and has spent several years working in product development in the biking industry. Luke Hollomon has therefore been our most direct source of mountain bike information and culture. Luke has been racing bikes for over 20 years. He lives and bikes in Richmond, VA, living a (mostly) car-free lifestyle, whether commuting, exercising, or playing, he gets on his bike at least once every day of the year, if only to commute to his other job as a physical therapist.
It's never a bad time testing mountain bike helmets!
Our tester's helmet was safe and secure as we searched for a camp site.
In addition to these three, our team of testers includes three additional gentlemen who call Colorado home. Zach Lovell is a professional mountain guide and avid outdoorsman who is IFMGA certified and enjoys sharing his passion for gear through writing and photography. Justin Simoni, who is a pioneer amongst the Southern Rocky Mountains and makes for a perfect hands-on tester, seeing as his fingerprints can be seen on nearly every peak in Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Alex Glades was an international travel enthusiast before settling in Colorado. He coaches Jiu-Jitsu, works as a Physical Therapist, and utilizes everything the Colorado outdoors offers, giving analytical and scientific approaches to his testing and research. Our extensive team of GearLab specialist are the bees' knees with over 100 combined years of experience riding, coaching, racing, fixing, designing, selling, or otherwise living and breathing bikes.
Riding bikes is a big part of our lifestyle; we have also chosen to incorporate safety into our lifestyle.
Credit: Emily Hollomon
What Type of Bike Helmet is Best For You?
Seeing as you will be wearing your bike helmet for hours at a time, it is essential to spend a moment choosing the right features and comfort to fit your needs. Though some helmets work across many general types of riding, there are some specialty helmets you'll want to consider for certain terrain and riding styles, such as a huskier helmet, a more durable helmet for aggressive downhill mountain biking.
Not all helmets are created equal, meaning some are designed specifically for road biking, while others are designed for smashing and bashing down rock, dirt, and rooted trails.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
If you focus on riding long distances in a more heated climate, having a helmet with great ventilation can maintain a cool head, keeping sweat out of your eyes. In some cases, such as downhill mountain biking, where high-speed crashes are more common, having the right helmet can prevent you from getting a severe head injury. In this review, we will walk you through all the different types of helmets available to help you decide which products have the right features for your needs.
Where Do You Want to Ride?
Before choosing a helmet, you must know what kind of riding you will do. If you want a helmet superior for commuting to work or school, it will be quite different in size and shape compared to a larger full-face helmet built for downhill mountain biking.
Many helmets here fit into the “standard bike helmet” category. What we mean by “standard” is not too specific to one type of bike riding. Most of the helmets in this guide are aimed at meeting the needs of a casual rider. Although many of these helmets look like standard bike helmets, most are intended for a specific use. You don't have to own the exact right helmet for each riding style, but there are certain factors you should consider if you're serious about a specific style or type of riding.
Budget Bike Helmets
Perhaps the most widely used and sought-after bike helmets by the billions of bicyclists worldwide are helmets that don't have a highly specialized purpose or a hefty price tag – they protect your head and don't break your bike account. Aside from the price, a key benefit to a budget model is that they don't have a specialized design and purpose, and many of them are perfectly suitable for a dirt single track, a commute to work, or maybe a weekend cruise on the beach cruisers down the bike path.
Key Metric Scores - Budget Bike Helmets
Product
Impact Test
Comfort
Ventilation
Usability
Trek Solstice
9.3
9
7
8
Smith Signal
6.9
9
8
8
Giro Fixture II
4.9
10
9
6.5
Cannondale Junction
4.9
8
10
6
Lazer Lupo
8.6
7
5
7.5
GROTTICO
7.5
5
5
6.5
Bell Nomad 2
5.9
6
5
5
Exclusky
4.5
5
7
5
Thousand Heritage 2.0
4.2
2
2
8.5
Schwinn Thrasher
3.5
4
5
3.5
In an unexpected yet welcome surprise to our testing team, we found a few highly affordable models that earned great overall scores, shown in the chart below. On the other hand, we found a few helmets with household names on them that we'd recommend leaving on the shelf. To see a complete breakdown of our testing, scoring, and process, head to our budget bike helmet review.
Road Bike Helmets
Road-specific bike helmets are typically the lightest and well-ventilated helmets. They have specific features designed to fit the needs of road cyclists. These helmets usually sacrifice a little protection to be as light and breathable as possible. Since road crashes less frequently involve colliding with an object after falling off a bike, they have less protection on the back of the head than other helmet styles. Road bike helmets usually don't have an integrated visor as well. This is most likely due to tradition more than anything. However, it does allow for easy differentiation between road and mountain bike helmets. Since road helmets typically don't have a visor, road cyclists often wear a cycling cap underneath to keep the sun out of their eyes.
Key Metric Scores - Road Bike Helmets
Product
Impact Test
Comfort
Ventilation
Usability
Giro Synthe II
7
8
8
8
Trek Velocis
7.3
9
7.5
7
Giro Aries Spherical
5.6
7
9.5
8
Bell Stratus
7
7
7
7
Smith Trace
8.9
7
6
5.5
POC Ventral Air
7
7
6
6
Smith Persist
4.1
8
6
7
Bontrager Starvos
7
8
3
6
Lazer Tonic
3.6
6
5
8
POC Omne Air
4.4
7
5
6
Giro Agilis
5
7
4
6
With plenty of ventilation and lightweight builds, road bike helmets will allow your noggin to view many beautiful places.
Credit: Ryan Baker
We have tested over 100 road bike helmets over the last 13 years. Below, you can see the lineup from our latest side-by-side tests. For further details on how each model performed, check out our full review of road bike helmets.
Mountain Bike Helmets
Mountain bike helmets typically have more protection than road bike helmets. A mountain bike helmet covers more of the back of the head since you'll most likely take a tumble during a mountain bike crash. In general, mountain bike helmets provide more significant protection than road bike helmets; they often weigh quite a bit more. Also, mountain bike helmets have the potential to be less ventilated than road helmets, seeing as they have the extra material for protection. Below, you can see the latest group of MTB helmets that we have tested. While the overall score is listed below, you should read our best mountain bike helmet review to see how each model performed in each metric.
Mountain biking comes with many different variables, from trail consistency to weather, mountain bike helmets are built to handle a wide range of impacts.
Credit: Sarah Strobel
Full Face Helmets
Full-face bike helmets or downhill helmets look like motorcycle helmets, and they're designed for speeds close to what you can reach on a motorcycle. Full-face helmets prioritize protection over everything else. They cover your entire head, including your chin, so you'll be protected even if you go face-first into the ground. Full-face helmets are the heaviest style since they have the most material. And because they're not designed for the rider to be doing much pedaling, they have the potential to be quite hot. To view our in-depth list of downhill helmets, glance at our downhill helmet review.
Full Face helmets are built to withstand aggressive impacts, meaning they're built for aggressive terrain.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
How to Pick the Best Bike Helmet for You
Once you've figured out the helmet style that best suits your needs, looking at the specific design features of different individual models will help you narrow down the field considerably.
Whether going for a morning commute or enjoying a long ride on the bike path, this classic style is an ideal choice for those daily pedalers.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Protection
The entire reason you wear a helmet is to keep your head safe. Therefore, at GearLab, we consider crash protection the most important category for a brand-new bicycle helmet. Any helmet from a reputable manufacturer should protect your head to a minimum standard, but we aren't that certification agency. We're not crash test dummies, either, although we sometimes eat dirt, we aren't going out getting in crashes while wearing these helmets to see how well they protect our cranium.
Our analysis of a helmet's protection starts by assessing its overall construction quality, from materials to layers and design. We take ample time mulling over every facet of each helmet. Our next step is to understand each product's head coverage and fit, taking note of open spots and particularly coverage on the back of the head. This is a particularly finite focus of ours because head coverage varies and affects protection in a crash.
With proper coverage on the back of the head comes more security when riding intense trails.
Credit: Jeremy Benson
Some helmets we cover here protect more of the back of the head than others. Full-face helmets provide the most head coverage, followed by mountain bike and skate helmets, while road bike helmets generally offer the least overall protection. One of the most fun parts of our protection evaluation is understanding any additional protection features, such as rotational impact systems or new technologies. Finally, the data from our impact crash tests is considered to sum up and evaluate the protection of each helmet. Remember that every helmet in our review is certified through the CPSC Bicycle standard.
Most of today's bike helmets are constructed with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, designed only to withstand one significant impact. The foam liner in these helmets is designed to compress and get crushed while absorbing impact forces. Once a helmet is cracked or impacted, you should replace it as it will no longer provide the same protection. Helmets made using Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), often found in skate helmets, have a more rubbery rebound with multi-impact capability. You can take more hits in these helmets without losing their form and performance, but your skull will absorb more of the impact on each hit.
Third Party Technology
As year passes, many manufacturers add new and uniquely named technologies to their product lineup to sell more units and push the boundaries of advanced protection. All current helmet models have in-mold construction, with a polycarbonate shell wrapped around an EPS foam liner. Fortunately for our noggins, many of today's newer helmets have dual-density foam designs with a mix of EPS and EPP foam. These manufacturer-specific blends of foam help with high and low speed impacts, and they utilize similar blendfoam blendstrengthen against rotational impacts.
Many technologically advanced helmets contain two types of foam, EPS (Dark Grey) and EPP foam (Light Grey).
Credit: Jeremy Benson
Rotational Impact Protection Systems
Rotational impact protection systems are being incorporated in more and more helmets. Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) was the first type of rotational impact protection system to come to the market. Recently, many other technologies have been introduced in other helmets. Leatt developed Turbine, a 100% designed Smartshock; Kali implemented LDL; Bontrager made WaveCel; and 6D designed ODS. Some designs, like Smartshock, LDL, and 6D, employ direct and rotational impact protection, while the original Mips system is designed strictly to help with rotational impacts.
Mips has been the leader in proprietary protection technology. However, more and more companies are beginning to push the forefront of advanced protection.
Credit: Alex Glades
Many of these manufacturer-specific technologies are challenging conventional protection with introductions of new materials like the D30 impact protection gel. This particularly advanced protection science uses a gel-like, non-Newtonian substance with variable viscosities, allowing it to harden on impact. Another forefront in brain bucket protection comes from Koroyd, who take its inspiration directly from car crashes. Their product uses a welded tube core designed to mimic crumple zones on a vehicle by having consistent and instant force absorption throughout specific parts of each helmet. Similarly, Lazer has created its advanced proprietary protection, KinetiCore, which also imitates the crumple zones on a vehicle. However, their design is different due to its crumple zones being built into the helmet's vents. Their claim is that this allows for superior airflow while providing proper protection from direct and rotational impacts.
Which technology is best? The jury is still out. We recommend doing some research and deciding for yourself. However, helmets that contain rotational and direct impact protection will better safeguard your dome when the gravel gives way. The cost of these systems has also come down in recent years, adding on average 5-10% to the price of a helmet, so we think they're worth the slight price increase. That's the whole point at the end of the day anyway, right? Protecting the brain.
Most helmets we have tested here at GearLab have rotational impact protection of one kind or another.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Comfort
Some cyclists spend long days in the saddle, so a comfortable helmet is crucial if this is you. Ideally, you shouldn't notice your helmet once it's been strapped on; preferably, you shouldn't think about it during a ride. Even though head sizes and shapes vary from rider to rider, our testers consistently found certain design elements that helped a helmet fit comfortably on different-shaped heads, adding to the overall comfort regardless of the user.
Comfortability of a helmet comes from many variables, from foam, to shape, size, and strap adjustability.
Credit: Zach Wick
Padding design, full circumference headband adjustability, and chinstrap design all play an essential role in the comfort of a helmet. Since the headband adjustment systems on most helmets tighten in the back and push the head against the front, good padding is essential in both the forehead and temple areas. While quality padding is important, we have found during all our testing that the location and coverage of the padding, along with the shape of the foam liner, were more important than the thickness of the padding itself.
The M6 padding covers the majority of the helmet, and is designed to be trimmed at the perforations to optimize the fit should you choose.
The Z20's Float Fit Air headband system and generous padding make it one of the most comfortable models that we tested.
The best internal headband system designs make a complete loop around the head. Some helmets only circle partially around the head and anchor into the helmet liner near the temples. This isn't as comfortable, generally.
Chinstrap design also plays a massive role in the comfort of a helmet. Our testing team appreciates helmets incorporating thinner webbing straps and a Y-buckle, allowing the straps to lie flat against the face.
A comfortable chin strap can make a long ride seem much more effortless.
Credit: Zach Wick
Adjustability
Any climber will tell you that a properly fitting harness is the most important safety feature to save their life from a fatal fall. Then why not have a similarly appropriate fit in the most important protection device a biker can wear, a helmet? For a helmet to work properly in case of a spill, it must fit well to protect the specific shape of your noggin. Correct fore/aft positioning, headband tightness, and chinstrap adjustment will help your helmet stay in the proper position atop your head for the highest amount of protection.
Many helmets have an adjustable head strap to fit securely on your head when taking long rides, allowing for more comfort.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
The best helmets have a chinstrap system that attaches under the chin and splits into two straps in front and behind the ear, before attaching to the helmet. Usually, the straps are joined by a plastic Y-buckle just below the ear. The Y-buckle allows you to adjust the straps in front and behind the ear on many helmets. Helmets that utilize an adjustable Y-buckle often earn better scores in our adjustability metric, however, each beautiful cranium is unique and some helmets without an adjustable Y-buckle still seem to fit a wide variety of head shapes and sizes.
Dials are among many manufacturers' favored fast skull protector methods. These dials are generally near the back of the helmet to tighten and loosen the helmet's headband. While the tension dials usually work as intended, some are harder to use, particularly on a wintery day with cold hands or while trail riding and wearing gloves.
With even pull and tension, the Roc Loc adjustment system is easy to use and very comfortable.
Credit: Kelby Spore
The best dials are easily accessible and easy to operate with gloves. It's also crucial that these adjustment dials do not cause discomfort in the neck when the neck is flexed, which is most of the time when riding extreme terrain.
Weight
Formula 1 drivers can experience up to 6.3 g of force on their heads while braking, cornering, and throttling; therefore, they must undergo specific weight training for their necks with a helmet on. Now that is a pretty extreme amount of force that hopefully none of us will have to experience while riding our bikes; however, after a long ride with a heavy helmet, one can sometimes have a neck ache for days after, which is why we encourage all of our readers to consider this a factor when purchasing a new helmet.
Some cycling pursuits are more weight-conscious than others, but a lightweight helmet can alleviate the neck pain that any of us has experienced. Weight, therefore, will affect the comfort of a helmet. Yes, extra grams can slow you down on an uphill climb, but comfort is the most important benefit of a lightweight helmet.
By having more coverage, a helmet will often weigh more.
Credit: Sarah Strobel
However, the lighter a helmet is, the less material there will be to protect your head in case of a tumble. More material equals more protection. Generally, road bike helmets are the lightest for long rides and least protective due to less need for protection from obstacles. Mountain bike helmets provide better head coverage and are typically heavier to fend off rogue tree branches and the occasional dirt spill. Full-face helmets cover most of your head, so they give the most protection and weigh the most, however they can affect the rider's neck if not used to the weight.
Our size M/L helmet weighed 401-grams. Not the lightest, but pretty light considering its coverage and robust feel.
279 gram is an excellent weight for this high end helmet.
Most helmets have a specific weight associated with their purpose for each type of riding. Generally, road bikes are much lighter, while full-face helmets are much heavier.
Ventilation
On any hot day, ventilation will come into play when you take your first pedal. With excess heat or long uphill rides, a well-ventilated helmet helps keep your head cooler, keeping your overall body temperature down. Ventilation, therefore, enhances the comfort and performance of a helmet. The best-ventilated helmets are not always those with the most vents, either. Some helmets combine well-placed vents with channels built into the helmet's internal design to create adequate airflow. The Mips system's inner liner is known for sometimes having ventilation blockage, but some of the best helmets have a liner with holes that line up to a helmet's vents.
Nearly half of this helmet's surface area is for ventilation.
Credit: Ryan Baker
Durability
Most helmets use a soft EPS foam liner that is susceptible to abrasion. Durable helmets use a design that wraps the shell around the foam's base, leaving very little of the liner exposed to dents and dings. This design keeps helmets relatively protected from minor everyday dings. However, this extra durability measure also adds to the helmet's weight.
As you can see, this helmet has foam wrapped in a layer of plastic, creating a shell to protect the interior foam from day-to-day wear and tear.
Credit: Zach Wick
No matter how well constructed, most bike helmets are designed to function for a single impact. So, if you get in a crash and your helmet makes an impact with something, you should replace it to be safe. Some helmet manufacturers even have a crash replacement program to encourage you not to keep wearing a helmet that might not protect you as well as the next time you need it.
Since helmets are single-impact, our durability assessments look at how well a helmet can withstand the daily abuses of minor bumps and scrapes.
We hope this review has helped you find the just-right helmet! Happy pedalling.
Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Conclusion
This guide should help make your helmet-buying decision a little bit easier. This list of helmets is the best of the best. So, choose the one from this list that fits your needs appropriately and get pedaling. Rest assured, we will keep buying, using, testing, and reviewing the newest, most technologically savvy, and high-grade helmets the industry offers to keep this list relevant.
