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Best Road Bike Helmets of 2025 | Impact Tested

Our experts tested the top bike helmets from Trek, Giro, POC, Smith, and more to find the best
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Best Road Bike Helmet Review
Credit: Justin Simoni
Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Updated December 8, 2025
Contributions From: Nick Bruckbauer, & Luke Hollomon

If you've been stacking cycling miles in a generic helmet, consider that road-specific models are lighter, more aerodynamic, and have far better ventilation than run-of-the-mill bicycle helmets. After thousands of miles of roads, single tracks, shuttles, and chairlifts on just about every type of bicycle you can imagine, we firmly believe that a road-specific helmet is well worth the investment.

Beginning more than a decade ago, we have studied hundreds of cycling helmets and have tested around 50. For this update, we took 11 top helmets on hundreds of long endurance rides, short jaunts around town, and everything in between in all types of weather.

After exploring the heat of a southern summer, the cold snowstorms of mountain winter, and rain that poured for hours, we feel the Trek Velocis Mips is the best for most people. It scored high on every test, especially comfort and ventilation, in addition to showing noteworthy impact test results.

If you want the best value, get the Lazer Tonic Kineticore. While not as comfortable or well-vented, it is light, easy to adjust, and is a fraction of the cost of the helmets that scored higher.

Related: Best Mountain Bike Helmets

Related: Best Budget Bike Helmets

Editor's Note: We updated our road bike helmet review on December 8, 2025, with some new photos of our test fleet and some additional notable helmets worth considering.

Top 11 Road Bike Helmets

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#1
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trek velocis mips
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smith trace mips
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Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Road Bike Helmet
Top Pick Award
Best-In-Class Ventilation
  Editors' Choice Award
Best Impact Test Results
Top Pick Award
Lightweight Performance and Unique Style
 Best Buy Award
Best Helmet on a Tight Budget
   
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A lightweight, race-ready wonder helmet that could be perfect for those that are looking for a helmet to support their yellow jersey fantasiesFor long rides, high temps, and epic mountain climbs, the beyond impressive ventilation found of this helmet will help keep your head cooler and drierA standout mid-tier road bike helmet that packs similar levels of comfort, ventilation, and ease-of-use of much more expensive optionsA comfortable, dependable road helmet that will keep you safe out on the roadA lightweight road bike helmet that goes the extra mile in bringing a multitude of safety technology wrapped up into a comfortable packageThis uniquely designed helmet offers excellent airflow and performance that warrant its high costThis stylish, well-built helmet packs in comfort and features at a lower price point than mostNot top in any category but above average in most, this is a good helmet at a great priceA comfortable, very adjustable helmet with divisive aesthetics that puts protection first, ventilation secondA comfortable helmet with good features at a surprisingly low priceA less expensive road bike helmet that packs a unique look, it falls a little flat in all but comfort
Pros Generous padding, beyond average impact test scores, excellent ventilation, lightweight without durability compromisesIndustry-leading ventilation, sets solidly on head, good impact scoreClassic look, tons of airflow, Mips equippedLightweight, cool, moves sweat away from eyes, uses MipsExcellent impact test score, additional protective tech built-in, good adjustment options for a dialed fit, lightweightVentilates well, comfortable, unique style, sunglass garageVery comfortable, great style, good for all disciplinesInexpensive, super adjustable, lightweightExceedingly comfortable, extra crash protection, very adjustableComfortable, adjustable, inexpensiveUnique look,
Mips tech,
Cons Price, padding difficult to remove, back harness gets out of place when stored, limited colors availableExpensive, minimal sunglass garageSlightly heavier than other helmets, minimal paddingBuckles might break, straps could loosen, less aerodynamicKoroyd tech hampers ventilation and usability, shallower fit than most, priceyExpensive, side Y-buckles not easy to adjustLess adjustable than some, middling ventilation, narrow at the templeMiddling ventilation, limited comfort and durabilityPoorly ventilated, heavier than most, bulky aestheticHeavier, slightly less ventilation, poor finishPoor side and top ventilation,
limited adjustment,
heavier than other helmets
Rating Categories Trek Velocis Mips Giro Aries Spherical Giro Synthe Mips II Bell Stratus Mips Smith Trace Mips POC Ventral Air Mips Smith Persist Mips Lazer Tonic Kineticore Trek Starvos WaveCel Giro Agilis Mips POC Omne Air Mips
Impact Test (30%)
7.9
6.7
7.4
8.0
9.0
7.7
5.7
5.3
7.7
6.1
6.0
Comfort (20%)
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Ventilation (20%)
7.5
9.5
8.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
Usability (15%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
5.5
6.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Weight (15%)
7.5
7.1
6.5
7.4
6.9
6.8
5.4
9.0
4.0
6.9
5.2
Measured Weight 270 g (Size M) 279 g (Size M) 287 g (Size M) 271 g (Size M) 279 g (Size M) 282 g (Size M) 308 g (Size M) 240g g (Size M) 335 g (Size M) 280 g (Size M) 312 g (Size M)
Size Range 54-60cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 54-59cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 54-60cm (size M) 55-59cm (size M) 54-59cm (size M)
Number of Vents 16 21 19 18 18 15 21 18 17 32 10
Mips Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No, Kineticore No, Wavecel Yes Yes
Sizes Available S, M, L S, M, L S, M, L S, M, L S, M, L S, M, L S, M, L, XL S, M, L, XL XS/Y, S, M, L, XL S, M, L S, M, L

Our Picks of Road Bike Helmets


Best Overall Road Bike Helmet


Trek Velocis Mips


78
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Impact Test 7.9
  • Comfort 9.0
  • Ventilation 7.5
  • Usability 7.0
  • Weight 7.5
PROS
Race-ready weight and durability
Great airflow
Impressive impact test score
More padding than most high-end helmets
CONS
Expensive
Difficult to remove and clean pads
Colorways limited
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight 270 g (Size M)
Size Range 54-60cm (size M)
Number of Vents 16
Mips Yes
Sizes Available S, M, L
The Trek Velocis MIPS offers an excellent fit and all-day comfort. You'll appreciate how light it feels on your head after miles and miles of pedaling, while the excellent construction quality means your investment in such a high-end piece of gear is protected. Ventilation is almost second to none, helping keep you cool while chasing those king of the mountain dreams. Attention to detail is apparent – the dial on the back works better than most of its competitors, and the quick-release Y-buckles are super easy to adjust, even on the go. “If you prefer generous padding in your helmet, the Velocis delivers this in ways that most high-end helmets forget about,” beams our lead tester, Justin Simoni, and we were having a hard time pulling this helmet off him.

A helmet that pampers you with such luxurious comfort comes at a high price, so you may have to save up for the Velocis. The aforementioned padding is excellent, but it's a bit of an annoyance to remove and clean. The back harness system that wraps the occipital bone curiously pops off sometimes when not worn, so you may have to re-attach it now and again. If this helmet doesn't quite fit the bill, consider the Giro Aries Spherical, another wonder-helmet, with incredible ventilation to keep you cool while setting personal records. “Both of these helmets are absolutely incredible works of wearable art,” maintains our lead tester.

Read more: Trek Velocis MIPS review

A good fitting helmet is one less thing we have to think about, when we're pushing our limits.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Best Helmet on a Tight Budget


Lazer Tonic Kineticore


63
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Impact Test 5.3
  • Comfort 6.0
  • Ventilation 5.0
  • Usability 8.0
  • Weight 9.0
PROS
Affordable
Nice adjustability
Very lightweight
CONS
Poor impact test results
Mediocre ventilation
Doesn't fit all heads well
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight 240g g (Size M)
Size Range 55-59cm (size M)
Number of Vents 18
Mips No, Kineticore
Sizes Available S, M, L, XL
The Lazer Tonic Kineticore is a stylish, lightweight helmet that is sure to appeal to most road riders, but especially those shopping on a tight budget. This helmet costs a fraction of the other award winners in our lineup, yet still offers many of the key benefits of those higher-performing options. Tipping the scales at a mere 296 grams (for a size Large), it is one of the lightest helmets in our lineup. Shaving off a few grams seemed to noticeably reduce neck fatigue, particularly over the course of long rides. We appreciated the head retention system, which features thick contact areas over the temples to combat this common pressure point. “I particularly loved the Lazer's adjustment system, which features easy-to-turn dials and a cradle that shifts vertically to accommodate many head shapes, including mine,” notes our tester.

While the Tonic Kineticore fit the head of our lead tester well, this helmet is far from the most comfortable option we tested. Even though the shape seems to be perfect for those with more rounded skulls, we recognized that despite the additional padding, the helmet narrows at the temples in a way that could present a problem spot for other head shapes. But our biggest complaint with this helmet is the mediocre ventilation, as the 28 vents don't provide as much airflow as one might expect. Despite our complaints, we still would wholeheartedly recommend the Tonic Kineticore to anyone looking to save some money while still getting a truly great helmet. If you don't mind a helmet without high-end aerodynamics, the Smith Persist MIPS is comfortable and durable, ideal for those with a tighter budget.

Read more: Lazer Tonic Kineticore review

road bike helmet - the tonic kineticore can be a bit warm while climbing, but...
The Tonic Kineticore can be a bit warm while climbing, but considering the price point, we're willing to suffer a few trade-offs to save some serious money for an otherwise great helmet.   Credit: Emily Hollomon

Best Impact Test Results


Smith Trace Mips


72
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Impact Test 9.0
  • Comfort 7.0
  • Ventilation 6.0
  • Usability 5.5
  • Weight 6.9
PROS
Outstanding impact test score
Multiple adjustment options
Decent eyewear storage
CONS
Ventilation hampered
Not best for large volume heads
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight 279 g (Size M)
Size Range 55-59cm (size M)
Number of Vents 18
Mips Yes
Sizes Available S, M, L
When the dust had settled and we tabulated our own independent impact testing, the Smith Trace MIP came back to us as the highest scoring helmet of our entire lineup. On top of that, this helmet includes a rotational impact system along with a type of technology that claims to be similar to the crumple zones of a car. Along with these safety highlights, fitting the helmet is enhanced by both headband length and vertical adjustments. You're more likely to actually wear a helmet that fits well and feels good, which could be the most important safety feature of all. “The impact test results are impressive, and the helmet fits my head well and looks great. An amazing combination, which makes suggesting this helmet to others an easy sell,” says our lead tester.

Unfortunately, some of the safety features hamper other attributes of the Trace. The added impact technology adds a marginal amount of weight to the total, but what is more important is that it plugs up the vents it resides in, hampering free air flow. The rotational impact tech design in this particular helmet blocks additional flow. Even with all the adjustment points, they're somewhat limited on range — especially vertically. This helmet is slightly shallower than other helmets, so if you have a taller head, try a different helmet that'll probably fit you better. “On the hottest days, this wouldn't be the first helmet I'd reach for, but mild winters really allow this helmet to shine,” counters our tester. Smith's Smith Persist MIPS is another solid choice with a deeper fit and is less obstructive in the vents.

Read more: Smith Trace MIPS review

The Smith Trace Mips topped the results in our independent impact test scores.   Credit: GearLab/ACT Lab

Best-In-Class Ventilation


Giro Aries Spherical


76
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Impact Test 6.7
  • Comfort 7.0
  • Ventilation 9.5
  • Usability 8.0
  • Weight 7.1
PROS
Second to none ventilation
Secure fit with no bobbing
Light weight
CONS
High price
Limited vertical headband adjustment
Average impact test score
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight 279 g (Size M)
Size Range 55-59cm (size M)
Number of Vents 21
Mips Yes
Sizes Available S, M, L
It's hard to wrap your head around just how much airflow the Giro Aries Spherical affords the wearer. Even a casual look at this helmet will have you believe almost half of the helmet body is hollowed out for some of the best ventilation we've seen in a high-end helmet. Several other features conspire to make sure as much air makes it through the helmet and onto your head – channels cut into the interior of the helmet body allow air flow to sneak into areas where vents aren't present. Even the lateral stiffening joints have airflow cutouts in them! “The engineering on this helmet is impressive,” Justin says.

No helmet is perfect, although we'll concede that the Aries gets close. This amount of performance comes at a price, so expect to pay for such performance. Our tester also notes, “I struggled with the sunglass garage because there's just not a lot of foam padding for the temples to rest on. For marathon rides that start or end at night, this can be a small annoyance.” The vertical height adjustment on the headband is adequate, but won't accommodate outliers. If you like a lot of padding, you won't find that on this helmet. An excellent option to consider is the Trek Velocis MIPS, which does have a great garage and padding — and almost as good ventilation.

Read more: Giro Aries Spherical review

Good ventilation all over the helmet -- like on the Giro Aries Spherical -- is critical for long, hot hill climbs.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Lightweight Performance and Unique Style


POC Ventral Air Mips


70
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Impact Test 7.7
  • Comfort 7.0
  • Ventilation 7.0
  • Usability 6.0
  • Weight 6.8
PROS
Excellent comfort
Great ventilation
Sunglass garage
Unique style
CONS
Expensive
Less than ideal airflow when climbing
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight 282 g (Size M)
Size Range 54-59cm (size M)
Number of Vents 15
Mips Yes
Sizes Available S, M, L
The POC Ventral Air MIPS stands proud with the other award winners for its excellent ventilation and comfortable design. The deep, recessed air channels move air very efficiently from the large forehead vents to the open trailing edge, retaining the blunt trailing edge that is signature to their line of helmets. POC markets that this aft design is an aerodynamic advantage over other shapes. The lightweight construction proved very comfortable on 100+ mile rides without creating any neck strain. The very thin liner that makes up the Mips Air Node system also holds the small foam pads that wick moisture away and prevent hot spots.

The unique shape and geometrical design may not be for everyone, if just for aesthetic reasons – people either loved or hated this look, according to our very casual survey from a ride to our local coffee shop. “The venting design of the Ventral Air quiets the wind roar,” notes our tester. We loved the sunglass garage, and it held our shades securely at high speeds. The webbing straps are easy to adjust and supple, with secure Y-buckles that lie flat under the ear, although you will need to take off the helmet to make adjustments. This helmet may not suit everyone's style, but with nearly a dozen colors to choose from, chances are you can find one to suit your personality if you can afford it. If you like the design of the POC Ventral but want to avoid the high price tag, the POC Omne Air MIPS is slightly cheaper and provides adequate ventilation and durability. The caveat is limited adjustability and inferior comfort.

Read more: POC Ventral Air MIPS review

POC is known for its unique looks, but this helmet also performs admirably in our test metrics.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
78
Trek Velocis Mips
Best Overall Road Bike Helmet
$300
Editors' Choice Award
76
Giro Aries Spherical
Best-In-Class Ventilation
$350
Top Pick Award
76
Giro Synthe Mips II
$200
74
Bell Stratus Mips
$150
72
Smith Trace Mips
Best Impact Test Results
$285
Editors' Choice Award
70
POC Ventral Air Mips
Lightweight Performance and Unique Style
$270
Top Pick Award
64
Smith Persist Mips
$130
63
Lazer Tonic Kineticore
Best Helmet on a Tight Budget
$80
Best Buy Award
60
Trek Starvos WaveCel
$115
60
Giro Agilis Mips
$120
59
POC Omne Air Mips
$220

road bike helmet - the feeling during an early morning ride is what it&#039;s all about!
The feeling during an early morning ride is what it's all about!   Credit: Justin Simoni

How We Tested


Before purchasing products, our team spent weeks scouring the market for the most promising, unique, and exciting cycling-specific helmets available today. After narrowing it down, we went with the 11 odds-on favorites and took them all for a ride.

To take our testing beyond industry standards, we teamed up with ACT Lab, an accredited testing facility. For our impact tests, each helmet was tested using the lab's crash-test rig, which employs a dummy head that is outfitted with accelerometer sensors. In addition to the helmets we sent to the lab, an identical version of each model was sent to our expert cyclists for road miles, where they were judged for ventilation, comfort, and features such as sunglass holders, straps, and adjustments. Check our How We Test Helmets article to learn the details of our testing process.

The tests we devised are meant to simulate a serious impact on the helmets.   Credit: Justin Simoni

To complete our unbiased testing in an extensive manner, we scored and rated each product based on five performance metrics:
  • Impact Test (25% of overall score weighting)
  • Comfort (20% weighting)
  • Ventilation (20% weighting)
  • Usability (20% weighting)
  • Weight (15% weighting)

road bike helmet - our team took these helmets from the valleys to the mountain tops to...
Our team took these helmets from the valleys to the mountain tops to test them in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Why Trust GearLab


Our cycling experts have tested nearly 50 of the best road bike helmets in the last decade. To test these helmets, we selected the highest-performing products available to use and abuse. We performed side-by-side comparisons on the same ride under the same conditions to compare metrics such as ventilation and comfort. Comfort was also assessed by riding all day in different riding positions. We rode in all conditions, including spring snowstorms, sweltering heat, pelting thunderstorms, thigh-pumping climbs, and exciting descents for hundreds of miles altogether.


Justin Simoni heads up our road bike test team. He resides in the road bike mecca of Boulder, CO, and can be found grinding up the local gravel hill climbs. He's raced the Tour Divide and has toured for weeks on end up and over some of the most famous hill climbs in Europe.

Nick Bruckbauer and Luke Hollomon also contributed to our testing. Nick is a former competitive runner and eventually found his road bike legs by grinding away in the beautiful and steep mountains above Santa Barbara, CA. He now lives and adventures in the outdoor playground of South Lake Tahoe, CA. Luke is across the country, in Richmond, VA. He rides and races thousands of miles per year on the rolling roads that professional riders like Ben King, Emma Langley, and Eddie Anderson cut their teeth on.

Analysis and Test Results


We chose helmets that are best for road biking. While all of the helmets meet the same safety standards set by the U.S. Government, construction methods and design features vary by manufacturer and model. To help find the best model for each rider, we scored each model on five important metrics: impact test, comfort, ventilation, usability, and weight.

Worse Value
Better Value

What's the Best Value?


To help you find the best balance between price and performance in your next road bike helmet, we rated each helmet in our lineup against the competition and mapped out which models represent the best overall value. The Smith Persist offers high-end performance in a very affordable package. The Giro Agilis provides similar features to Giro's higher-end offerings with a slightly heavier weight and a much more affordable price. We also appreciate the value offered by the Lazer Tonic Kineticore. It didn't top the charts in our impact tests, but we like its light weight and adjustability, and the price is hard to beat.

road bike helmet - the smith persist makes an excellent value buy.
The Smith Persist makes an excellent value buy.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Impact Test


The reason you buy and wear a helmet is to help protect from the impact of a fall or crash. Our own impact test results greatly influence the overall score of the road bike helmets we tested.

Impact Test Analysis Results
ProductSlowFast
Smith Trace9.58.6
Bell Stratus8.67.4
Trek Velocis7.97.9
POC Ventral Air7.38
Bontrager5.99.4
Giro Synthe II7.27.6
Giro Aries7.26.3
Giro Agilis5.86.3
POC Omne Air6.85.1
Smith Persist4.86.6
Lazer Tonic4.95.7

All the road bike helmets in our review meet or exceed U.S. standards for bicycle helmets. Our intention in performing our own impact testing is to explore beyond the minimum of what's required to gather data to help us determine which road bike helmets may give you an additional amount of safety.

Footage of the Bell Stratus Mips going through our third party independent impact tests. Sensors collect data used later for analysis.   Credit: GearLab/ACT Lab

Two different impact tests were performed: a “slow” and a “fast” test. The “slow” test was meant to emulate a fall from your bike, and the “fast” test was closer to being hit by a vehicle. We perform both tests, as often helmets that perform well in one of the tests do not always perform well in the other.

Slow Impact Test Results


The helmet that earned the best score for this assessment was the Smith Trace Mips. Other standouts were the Bell Stratus Mips and the Trek Velosis Mips. Rounding out the bottom of the pack was the Lazer Tonic Kineticore.

The chart above displays data gathered by the accelerometer sensors during the slower drop onto the anvil. The lower the curve, the less trauma the dummy head underwent.

Fast Impact Test Results


In a bit of a shakeup, the Bontrager Starvos Wavecel (recently rebranded under the Trek name) was the highest performer in this test, even though it showed mediocre results for the slow impact trials. Other notable scores are the Smith Trace and POC Ventral, with the POC Omne Air earning the lowest score.

This is a visual representation of our fast impact tests. The lower the line on the graph, the better the helmet is at absorbing higher impacts.

road bike helmet - inspecting the inside of the poc ventral air mips after the impact...
Inspecting the inside of the POC Ventral Air Mips after the impact test shows a crack in the EPS body of the helmet, as designed. Road bike helmets are only meant to survive a single impact; the helmet body (rather than your head!) sacrificially absorbs the immense energy from an impact.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Trek Velocis MIPS also scored very high in our Impact Test results, being a premium helmet. Not trailing too far behind are the Giro Synthe MIPS II, Bell Stratus MIPS, POC Ventral Air MIPS, and Trek Starvos WaveCel.

road bike helmet - after the impact test, some deformation is seen on the exterior of...
After the impact test, some deformation is seen on the exterior of the Smith Trace MIPS, but overall, the helmet has kept its form.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

A Note on Rotational Impact Protection


Many road bike helmets on the market today also come with Multi-directional Impact Protection System (Mips), which usually incorporates a thin plastic liner inside the helmet between the plastic protective foam layer and the padding that sits against the head.

The Smith Persist Mips is a good example of the flavor of Mips we see the most in road bike helmets: a thin plastic layer that allows the helmet to slightly slip and rotate independent of the head.   Credit: Justin Simoni

This layer is designed to act as a “slip-plane” between the head and the helmet, with the intention of reducing rotational forces on the brain that can result from certain types of impacts. A few models we tested take the design a step further.

The Giro Aries Spherical is an example of “Mips Spherical”, where the helmet body itself moves around slightly, rather than using a liner.   Credit: Maddock Rigby

The Giro Aries Spherical has a Mips Spherical system that eliminates the standard plastic liner and instead consists of two pieces of dual-density foam, which are free to rotate against one another. This unique design doesn't necessarily provide any additional crash protection compared to a traditional Mips liner, but is intended to improve comfort and reduce both weight and bulk.

The Trek Velocis uses, “Mips Air” which is integrated into the padding of the helmet itself.   Credit: Justin Simoni

The Trek Velocis MIPS has the Mips Air system, which integrates the Mips technology within the inner foam padding, saving a little bit of bulk and weight.

One helmet in our lineup that does not come with Mips technology is the Lazer Tonic Kineticore. Instead, it uses a brand-specific technology called “Kineticore”, which sculpts the protective foam layer itself, marketed as creating embedded crumple zones, and thus being very similar to Mips.

Comfort


Road cyclists often spend long days in the saddle for both training and racing, making a comfortable helmet critical. Ideally, your road bike helmet should “disappear” once you put it on and shouldn't cross your mind during your ride. While head sizes and shapes are extremely variable from rider to rider, our testers consistently found certain design features that helped a helmet adapt to different heads, adding to the overall comfort regardless of the user.


Our testing revealed that padding design, full circumference headband adjustability, and chinstrap design each played an essential role in overall comfort. Quality padding is crucial, especially in the forehead and temple areas, because the headband adjustment systems on most helmets tighten in the back, pushing the head against the front of the helmet. While quality padding is an important component, we found that the location and coverage of the padding and the shape of the foam liner were more important than the thickness or density of the padding itself. We found the Trek Velocis, Trek Starvos WaveCel, and POC Ventral Air provided exceptional comfort with minimal well-placed pads in the fore and superior areas.

The Poc Ventral Air is easy to put on and quickly re-adjust before you get back on your way.   Credit: Justin Simoni

All of the helmets we tested have internal headband systems that allow adjustment to fit various head shapes and sizes. The best designs make a complete loop around the head, rather than those that do a partial loop and anchor into the helmet liner near the temples. The Giro Agilis has a newer Roc Loc 5.5 headband system that integrates the MIPS liner into the headband and cradles the head for a snug, customized fit. The adjustment systems on the Giro Synthe MIPS II also wrap entirely around the head, earning these models top scores in this category.

With the Giro Synthe Mips , one just needs to put the helmet on, snap the chin strap underneath your chin and adjust the back dial then go!   Credit: Maddock Rigby

Chinstrap design also plays a significant role in helmet comfort. Our testers preferred helmets that incorporated thin webbing straps and a Y-buckle, allowing the straps to lie flat against one's face. The Smith, Trek, and Giro models use different strap designs, but models from all three of these brands stand out with thin, supple webbing material and well-designed Y-buckles that allow the webbing to lay flat.

Helmet Y-buckle designs vary, but we favored those that featured a simple quick release system -- like seen on the Smith Persist Mips -- to allow you to easily dial in a fit even while you're riding.   Credit: Maddock Rigby

Overall, the Trek Velocis MIPS stands out as the most comfortable helmet we tested. The Giro Synthe MIPS, Smith Persist Mips, and Trek Starvos WaveCel are also quite comfy to wear. These helmets all have the best combinations of sufficient and well-placed padding, adjustable headband systems, and comfortable chinstrap systems.

Ventilation


A well-ventilated helmet helps keep your head and core temperature down, helping enhance comfort and performance. As aerodynamic designs become a higher priority for helmet manufacturers, balancing aero design with ventilation has increasingly become a challenge. The best-ventilated helmets are not necessarily those with the most vents but rather the ones that pair properly placed vents with internal channeling for optimum airflow.


The Giro Aries Spherical took the top prize as the best-ventilated helmet that we tested, employing many of the tricks of the trade: generous vents, internal channeling, raised-up lateral reinforcements, and a Mips system integrated into the helmet body rather than on the interior face of the helmet. Its brethren, the Giro Synthe MIPS II, also scores high, sharing many of the same features.

We scored the Giro Aries Spherical at the head of the pack when it comes to ventilation.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Only the Trek Velocis came close to providing the same level of ventilation. Its deep recessed channels work brilliantly to pull air into the helmet, and padding inside floats the helmet off your head, letting air flow right over your skull.

Excellent ventilation like we observed on the Trek Velocis Mips is clutch on hot summer days and grinding up hard climbs.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Lower-scoring products, such as the Trek Starvos Wavecel, can be stiflingly hot on even moderately warm days. While aero helmets typically sacrifice ventilation for a sleeker profile, others have a retractable vent cover that gives the option of switching between more ventilation or more aerodynamics.

road bike helmet - many smith helmets utilize koyord tech in the vents, which can...
Many Smith helmets utilize Koyord tech in the vents, which can impact how well air can enter them.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Usability


What's the point of buying an expensive, lightweight road bike helmet if it's difficult to get the most out of it? The usability metric reflects how well the helmet works on the road. Can the helmet's fit be easily adjusted while on a ride, even with gloves on, or will you have to stop on the side of the road and watch your friends disappear into the distance? Does it come in a size that will fit your own head? Will it match your own riding kit or will it clash wildly? Is there a place to put your equally expensive sunglasses when not in use?


Topping our results for Usability is the Giro Synthe MIPS II. We particularly enjoyed its full-wrap headband and easy-to-adjust Y-buckles. The Giro Aries Spherical also scores high, sharing many of the same design details. Both also have a tough enough rubber strap end keeper, and the headband height, which is also easily adjustable.

road bike helmet - the giro synthe mips ii has an extremely usable sliding y-strap to...
The Giro Synthe Mips II has an extremely usable sliding y-strap to help dial in fit in a sensitive part of your face.   Credit: Maddock Rigby

The Lazer Tonic Kineticore also scores high, due to its own excellent adjustability — especially on its vertical fit.

road bike helmet - the lazer tonic kineticore gives you a wide-range of easy-to-use...
The Lazer Tonic Kineticore gives you a wide-range of easy-to-use adjustments to work with.   Credit: Emily Hollomon

Other helmets that have scored high include the Trek Velocis MIPS that features a genuine Boa wire enclosure for the headband, the Smith Persist MIPS, which has two additional areas where the headband can be adjusted, and the Bell Stratus MIPS.

Weight


Road cycling is a gram-conscious sport where both professional and amateur riders go to great lengths to decrease their riding weight. Every extra gram can slow you down on climbs, and a heavy helmet can also cause neck fatigue on a long ride. While helmet weight can certainly impact comfort, all of the helmets we tested are relatively light compared to the overall marketplace, so these comparisons are relative to the models tested in our lineup.


We weigh each product ourselves to get an objective comparison, as the manufacturer claimed weights could often be inaccurate. We're happy to report that every helmet we measured was within 5% or less of the claimed weight, which is essentially equivalent when accounting for potential measurement tolerances and precision.

road bike helmet - the trek velocis mips impressed us with it&#039;s feather weight, at only...
The Trek Velocis Mips impressed us with it's feather weight, at only 270 grams.   Credit: Justin Simoni

Interestingly, some of the more expensive products we tested are heavier than some of their more affordable counterparts. There are several factors for this. Many of the higher-end helmets have more polycarbonate shell material covering the EPS foam liner, which marginally increases weight but also increases durability.

road bike helmet - for all the features the giro aries spherical packs, it&#039;s a pleasant...
For all the features the Giro Aries Spherical packs, it's a pleasant surprise that it only weighs 279 grams.   Credit: Justin Simoni

The Lazer Tonic Kineticore comes out as one of the lightest helmets at a svelte 240 grams for a size Medium. It is also one of the cheapest. The Trek Velocis MIPS comes close at 270 grams in size Medium, and is one of the more expensive choices.

road bike helmet - despite first impressions, the poc ventral air mips is one of the...
Despite first impressions, the POC Ventral Air Mips is one of the lighter bike helmets we've reviewed, coming in at 9.9 ounces / 282 grams.   Credit: Justin Simoni

The POC Ventral Air MIPS only comes to a total of 282 grams; the Smith Persist MIPS comes in at 308 grams. The Giro Aries Spherical only weighs in at 279 grams itself.

road bike helmet - the persist has no exposed eps foam externally, preventing dings and...
The Persist has no exposed EPS foam externally, preventing dings and scratches with its polycarbonate shell   Credit: Emily Hollomon

Other Notable Road Bike Helmets


Just like the contemporary Pro Tour peloton or even your weekend warrior race series, competition out there for road bike helmets is ruthless! Even on our local coffee shop ride, we can find die-hard fans of road bike helmets we've never even tried out ourselves. Here are some additional bike helmets we've looked at and reviewed in the past that just haven't collected enough points to make it to our current lineup:
  • Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 Mips — Ventilation is beyond excellent on this helmet, with impressively wide vents fore to aft, bridged with only thin braces made from high-tech aramid fibers between. The Mips Node Air tech on the inside keeps itself out of the way. This helmet is an excellent choice to look at for those who need as much airflow as possible. Its main weakness may just be its fit; we found it to be narrower than most, and too low in the crown for our testers to really fall in love with. But if you have a flatter crown and narrow temples, take a serious look at this option. Secondary is the price: it's higher than most, and we're just not sure it delivers enough value for your money. Try on the Giro Aries Spherical if ventilation is what you're seeking above all else.

road bike helmet - the specialized s-works prevail 3 mips is a great helmet for hot...
The Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 Mips is a great helmet for hot, summer riding – provided that the design fits you're own noggin.   Credit: Emily Hollomon
  • POC Octal — We remember when this helmet first came on the scene at our local cyclocross series: no other helmet looked anything like it, and it didn't hurt that some of the fastest riders were the ones wearing it. Since we've reviewed it, this helmet has been updated and modernized to include Mips technology, which the vast majority of the helmets in our lineup also have, so it's still worth a look, and we may re-evaluate it in the future. But compared to models released in the last few years, the Octal still seems to fall a little short on comfort and adjustability. Try out POC's own Ventral Air MIPS instead, which is an upgrade on both of these issues, while still keeping the unique look from this company and similar specs in the weight department.

road bike helmet - the poc octal is a signature helmet from this swedish brand.
The POC Octal is a signature helmet from this Swedish brand.   Credit: Emily Hollomon
  • Giro Aether Mips — This helmet was one of our favorite road bike helmets and we found the Spherical Mips idea really intriguing. Ventilation and adjustability are at the top of our rankings, but comfort, weight, and price trailed slightly behind. It has since been superseded by the Giro Aries Spherical, which addresses many of the issues we discovered on the Aether. If you need a more modest price tag, however, you might take a look at the Giro Agilis Mips and Bell Stratus Mips.

road bike helmet - the aether is made for long climbs and hot weather with its...
The Aether is made for long climbs and hot weather with its excellent ventilation.   Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
  • Giro Cinder Mips — For its price tag, the Cinder delivers some solid performance, and looks much like some of its far more expensive brethren that also provide a similar ventilation pattern. Its vents aren't quite as large, compromised by the use of more modest materials that are used in construction. Adjustability is one of the strongest suits on the Cinder – and that's important, as you're less likely to wear a helmet that doesn't fit well. It's heavier than other performance picks, which may be a deal breaker to some. The Lazer Tonic Kineticore is a good alternative, which delivers great value for its price. The Smith Persist Mips is another great pick if you're looking for a solid helmet at a great price.

road bike helmet - the giro cinder is a good choice if you love the style of this helmet.
The Giro Cinder is a good choice if you love the style of this helmet.   Credit: Nick Bruckbauer

Conclusion


The primary purpose of a road bike helmet is to protect your head in the case of a crash, and all helmets sold in the USA are subject to the same minimum safety standards. While all helmets may offer the same basic level of crash protection, beyond that, they are far from equal. Different helmet designs go above and beyond by adding extra features such as MIPS liners for extra safety, adjustable headbands and chinstraps, comfortable padding, and different ventilation levels. Our testers racked up thousands of miles in the saddle, through all sorts of conditions, to sort through the differences in each helmet to help you find the best model for your next ride.

If you're in need of a new bike or bike accessory, our comprehensive and exhaustive list of bike and bike-related products may be of interest. We've tested everything from the electric bikes to mountain bikes. If you're a gravity fiend, check out our list of our favorite downhill helmets.

Justin Simoni, Nick Bruckbauer, & Luke Hollomon