Best Bike Helmets

Review & Comparison, Last Update October 12, 2024
What's the first rule of bike riding? It should be safe! And that's why any cyclist must wear a bike helmet. This item provides protection for your head and can even save your life. In light of the growing popularity of cycling, we've compared the best bike helmets on the market! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Helmet construction
Material
Size
Fit adjustment
Number of vents
Extras
 
PROS
The Crank Fit dial is very convenient and allows you to adjust the fit while cycling. Meets all modern safety standards, such as ASTM F 2040, CPSC, etc.
CONS
Visor adjustment might be a bit difficult sometimes.
OUR VERDICT
Lots of sizes and top quality. If you adore extreme cycling, this bike helmet for men is right what you need.
detailed parameters
Type
BMX
Helmet construction
Hard shell
Material
Zipmold® foam
Size
S/M: 21.25" - 22.5'', L/XL: 22.5" - 24'', XXL: 24" - 25''
Fit adjustment
Crank Fit dial
Number of vents
10
Extras
Flip visor
PROS
The low profile of this Giro mountain bike helmet protects your head and boasts a stylish streamlined design. The visor is reliably attached to the helmet, so you won't break it.
CONS
You can customize the length of the straps only.
OUR VERDICT
This is an excellent mountain bike helmet that combines the perfect quality and top-notch protection. Available in lots of color schemes. Win-win!
detailed parameters
Type
Mountain bike
Helmet construction
In-mold
Material
Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS)
Size
S: 20" - 21.75'', M: 21.75" - 23.25'', L: 23.25" - 24.75''
Fit adjustment
In-form fit system
Number of vents
12
Extras
Adjustable moto-style visor
PROS
There are high-impact reflectors on the back panel of this road bike helmet, so car drivers will see you on a dark road.
CONS
Available in a single size, so make sure to measure you head before getting this road bike helmet.
OUR VERDICT
Bell bike helmet is great for road cycling and for riding the mountainous areas. Best quality to price ratio!
detailed parameters
Type
Mountain bike
Helmet construction
In-mold
Material
Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS)
Size
M: 22" - 23.6''
Fit adjustment
True Fit system
Number of vents
16
Extras
Visor, Pinch guard
PROS
Schwinn mountain bike helmet has special moisture-wicking pads that keep your head dry. Moreover, this bike helmet has as many as 21 vent holes, so you can ride for a long time without even the slightest possibility of a heatstroke.
CONS
The visor is attached to the helmet with small plastic clamps that are quite fragile.
OUR VERDICT
Schwinn bike helmet is really stylish and safe. It's suitable for all kinds of recreation - from a quiet cycling in the country to a morning crosstown ride.
detailed parameters
Type
Mountain bike
Helmet construction
In-mold
Material
Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS)
Size
M/L: 22.88" - 24''
Fit adjustment
Dial Fit system
Number of vents
21
Extras
Visor
PROS
This is an ultra-lightweight mountain bike helmet that causes no fatigue to your head. Fit adjustment is easy - just turn the dial. Matte white bike helmet available.
CONS
The inner liner might seem too thin for some bike riders.
OUR VERDICT
That's certainly one of the best road bike helmets for men and women. It can be used for road and recreational cycling. Safe and comfortable!
detailed parameters
Type
Mountain bike
Helmet construction
In-mold
Material
Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS)
Size
S/M: 21.25" - 22.75'', M/L: 22.75" - 24.25''
Fit adjustment
Patented adjustment system
Number of vents
22
Extras
Visor, Soft chin pads
X

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Bern Brentwood (VM3MBKVLXL)

Helmet Type

Bern Unlimited Brentwood Summer Bike Helmet is designed for BMX. If you adore making stunts on your bike, this fantastic helmet will fully protect your head in case you fall. Bern is superb for dirt jumping, downhill riding, and other extreme activities. This is a hard shell type of bike helmet, so it absorbs incredible impact and doesn't break apart after a minor fall. Choosing this mountain bike helmet, you can be sure it will serve you for quite a long time.

Review of Bern Brentwood (VM3MBKVLXL) Summer Helmet with Flip Visor

Size and Material

Bern is a renowned manufacturer of bike helmets and one of the secrets to success is a wide choice of available sizes. The bike helmet we have reviewed (for adults) is offered in the following major sizes: S/M: 21.25" - 22.5'', L/XL: 22.5" - 24'', XXL: 24" - 25''. No need to mention, you can easily tighten or loosen the straps of the bike helmet using a special Crank Fit dial on the rear side of the unit. Thus, you can quickly adjust the fit even while cycling. As for the material, Bern uses its proprietary Zipmold® foam, which minimizes the thickness of the helmet (compared with other types of material) and, therefore, decreases the weight of the helmet.

Bern Brentwood (VM3MBKVLXL) Summer Helmet with Flip Visor in the use

Convenience

This mountain bike helmet has a flip visor that effectively protects rider's eyes from dust and sun rays. Also, Bern bike helmet has as many as 10 vent holes that cool your head and, thus, prevent overheating. Bern offers this bike helmet in 13 different colors, so you can easily pick the one you like the most. Let's also mention that this amazing helmet can be used in winter if you have a special winter liner (sold separately). Another major advantage we would like to emphasize is that this bike helmet can be used to protect your head when you are riding a skate. Top choice, no doubt!

Detailed review of Bern Brentwood (VM3MBKVLXL) Summer Helmet with Flip Visor
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00LGUP5F8

VIDEO
Bern Unlimited Brentwood Summer Helmet with Flip Visor

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

As far as impact resistance, I hope never to have to test it, but the Brentwood seems extremely solid and Bern has a pretty good reputation for building quality helmets.

Features

The strap is high quality and doesn't rub or aggravate my skin (an issue with cheapies).
 

Giro Feature (2027GFM)

Helmet Type

Giro Feature is a mountain bike helmet that you can wear for all kinds of bike riding: from a usual morning ride to an extreme journey to the wilderness. It's an in-mold bike helmet that combines a small weight and provides a very efficient ventilation. Giro engineers have done their best to help you feel the maximum level of comfort. The sleek low profile of this mountain bike helmet reduces the air drag, so you can wear it even if you are going to have a speedy ride on the local roads. Also, the moto-style visor is quite large and really helpful against sun rays.

Review of Giro Feature (2027GFM) Mountain Bike Helmet

Size and Material

Giro offers quite a lot of sizes, so any bike rider can easily find the right one. Never think that a helmet alone protects your head - an oversized helmet will be rather useless. So, let's mention what major sizes this mountain bike helmet is available in. They are S: 20" - 21.75'', M: 21.75" - 23.25'', L: 23.25" - 24.75''. As you can clearly see, Giro mountain bike helmet can be used by teens and adults, so measure your head size and you will know what helmet you need! As for the material this fantastic mountain bike helmet is made of, it's expandable polystyrene - the most popular substance used for making bike helmets. Our testing team claim this mountain bike helmet provides excellent protection in case you fall down or bump into some obstacle ahead (a fence or a tree). Of course, you must never risk too much and ride at a huge speed in a really dangerous place.

Giro Feature (2027GFM) Mountain Bike Helmet in the use

Convenience

To provide a rider with the utmost comfort, Giro mountain bike helmet is quite compact and streamlined. As a result, it's lightweight and you don't get tired after 2-3 hours of cycling. As we've already mentioned, the visor of this bike helmet is rather big and it protects your eyes from sun rays so well that some people (according to the feedback we've received) don't even use glasses. The straps are soft and slim, so you nearly don't feel them on your face while riding. As for the ventilation, Giro mountain bike helmet has 12 vent holes - enough to cool your head on a sunny day. And if you wish to match the colors of a bike and all your outfit, this helmet is available in 10 different color patterns.

Detailed review of Giro Feature (2027GFM) Mountain Bike Helmet
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B005QZKAPY

VIDEO
Giro: The Feature Helmet

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

The rear head protection was the other big selling point for me.. as I get all the protection I need to save my melon if I take a spill at high speeds on the side of a mountain.

Features

There is a ton of ventilation to keep cool and it weighs so little that it is quite easy to forget its even there.
 

Bell 7019894-P

Helmet Type

Bell Adrenaline is a mountain bike helmet though you can use it for everyday cycling, too. This is quite a multifunctional helmet, actually! If you can't live without cycling, this mountain bike helmet is a great choice for a reasonable price. Though, let's go back to our topic. So, this model features an in-mold design, so the unit is very lightweight and ensures a good ventilation. Wearing this bike helmet, you won't feel any discomfort and your head will be well protected.

Review of Bell 7019894-P True Fit System

Size and Material

This Bell mountain bike helmet is available in a single size, which is M: 22" - 23.6''. So, if your head is smaller, this model will be too big. However, it's designed to fit the head of an average adult. The helmet has a True Fit adjustment system based on a self-adjusting fit belt. From what we've seen, the belt causes no discomfort unless your head is too big for the helmet of this size. Now, let's mention the material: Bell bike helmet is made of expandable polystyrene, just like many other helmets.

Bell 7019894-P True Fit System in the use

Convenience

Bell bike helmet has a removable visor for protecting your eyes from sun rays and dust. Also, a Pinch Guard strap ensures a secure fit - the helmet will never fall off your head even if you make some extreme stunt. As for the vent holes, this Bell mountain bike helmet has 10 of them in the front part and 6 in the rear part; 16 in total - enough to cool your head even when it's sizzling hot. This bike helmet for adults is available in 2 colors only: black and white, so the choice is quite limited. In the end, we recommend you to attach a head- and a taillight to this helmet. If you like cycling at night, these items are truly necessary.

Detailed review of Bell 7019894-P True Fit System
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00D42G406

VIDEO
Bell Bike Helmets
 

Schwinn SW124 2PK

Helmet Type

Schwinn Thrasher is one more mountain bike helmet on our shortlist. This excellent helmet can be used not only for MTB riding but for town rides or even road cycling. However, this bike helmet isn't meant for extreme riding, so if you wish to try some downhill, choose an appropriate helmet for the sake of your safety. As for the construction, it's an in-mold helmet, so it's very lightweight. Also, this mountain bike helmet provides a good ventilation, ensuring a comfortable ride no matter how hot the air is.

Review of Schwinn SW124 2PK Dial Fit Adjustable System

Size and Material

Schwinn bike helmet is available in the following size - M/L: 22.88" - 24'', so most adults can wear it. The webbing is easy to adjust, so you can easily find the perfect fit. Also, there are moisture-wicking pads designed to keep your head dry during long rides. Schwinn bike helmet is made of expandable polystyrene - a commonly used material that provides effective head protection. As we've mentioned in the WTLF part, this material is shock-absorbing but it usually ruins after the accident. Thus, if you fall down the helmet will protect you but you will need to buy a new one.

Schwinn SW124 2PK Dial Fit Adjustable System in the use

Convenience

As nearly any mountain bike helmet, this Schwinn model has a removable visor for protecting rider's eyes from dust and sun rays. Also, the visor is quite efficient in preventing rain drops from getting into your eyes if it starts raining. Let's mention the incredible number of vent holes this mountain bike helmet has - 21! A superb result! No doubt, you will enjoy your ride even on a really sunny and hot day.
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B015O58OZ8

 

Obsidian Cicling Airflow Ultra Lightweight

Helmet Type

TeamObsidian is another representative of mountain bike helmets, though it's suitable for riding in a town or for amateur road cycling (professional racers use different helmets). Actually, this is a rather multifunctional helmet. Speaking of the construction, it's an in-mold unit which boasts an ultra small weight. Therefore, if you adore cycling for many hours, this is the best choice since it will not only cause no fatigue to your head or neck but it will also provide a good ventilation.

Review of Obsidian Cicling Airflow Ultra Lightweight Premium Quality

Size and Material

The ultra-lightweight mountain bike helmet is available in 2 sizes - S/M: 21.25" - 22.75'' and M/L: 22.75" - 24.25''. Unlike many other bike helmets for men and women, this TeamObsidian model has an innovative adjustment system - you can adjust the helmet not only horizontally but also vertically. No need to mention, you can turn the adjustment dial with one hand right on the go. Let's say a few words about the material this bike helmet is made of - it's expandable polystyrene, known for its small weight and good protection capabilities.

Obsidian Cicling Airflow Ultra Lightweight Premium Quality in the use

Convenience

This mountain bike helmet comes with a removable visor that you can easily adjust to protect your eyes from sun rays. And if you don't need one, just remove it and use the helmet alone. This amazing bike helmet has 22 wide vent holes that do a terrific job at cooling rider's head. Also, this helmet has a soft pad on a chin strap - it's very helpful during long rides. If you wish to emphasize your style, this mountain bike helmet is offered in 2 colors: black and white. Unfortunately, no other color options are available.

Detailed review of Obsidian Cicling Airflow Ultra Lightweight Premium Quality
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B017YCUPF6

VIDEO
TeamObsidian Ultra Lightweight Bike Helmet
 

What is a Bike Helmet

If there's one crucial component of any cyclist's riding kit, it's a bike helmet. Any bicycle is a vehicle, which means it moves at a certain speed and, therefore, an accident is quite likely, so the helmet will protect your head and minimize the risk of serious injuries. Moreover, any bike helmet protects from sun rays and serves as a cover for your head.

Bike helmets are very popular all over the world and in some countries wearing them while cycling is even obligatory. Millions of people ride bicycles every day and not only for fun, many people ride to work since it's healthy and costs nothing at all. Moreover, many cities have paid parking lots, which means you can park your car for a certain fee only but there's nothing to pay for if you are a cyclist! Therefore, we have decided to select the most popular and bestselling bike helmets so that you can choose the one for yourself.

Sports sunglasses will make your bike riding a way more pleasant experience.

What Features to Compare

Helmet Type

Bikes are different, so bike helmets are different, too. They are designed specifically for the type of cycling each rider practices. So, let's not beat around the bush and go straight to the helmet types:

  • Aero Road and Time Trial - these 2 types look very similar and they are designed to minimize the air drag. No need to mention, these helmets are used for races and road cycling.
  • Mountain Bike - they are, probably, the most widespread in the world of cycling. Mountain bike helmets usually have vent holes and a visor that protects eyes from the sun.
  • BMX - these helmets are created to protect riders who adore extreme cycling (trial, BMX, street), downhill, dirt jumping, etc.
  • Kids & Youth - bike helmets of this type are intended to provide the maximum safety possible. As usual, they feature different color patterns since kids adore colorful outfit.
  • Full Face - helmets of this type provide protection for the lower part of your head, i.e. for your jaw. These bike helmets are crucial for fast downhill riding and extreme cycling. Moreover, they have a fairly big visor that perfectly protects from the sun. Of course, Full Face bike helmets are also very helpful in protecting your face from branches and twigs when you are riding through a wild forest or a similar terrain.

There's one more feature to be considered - the helmet construction. In general, they are either Hard Shell or In-Mold. What does this mean? It isn't that difficult. In hard shell helmets, the shock-absorbing foam layer and the outer plastic casing are separated from each other. Such helmets are heavier but they are rather durable and provide great protection against any impact. In-mold bike helmets, the outer surface and the shock-absorbing foam are a single unit. These helmets are very convenient because of their small weight. Moreover, in-mold helmets have lots of vent holes, through which the air comes and cools your head. If you think that in-mold road bike helmets provide poorer protection, you're wrong - they protect your head perfectly well. In all, in-mold bike helmets are great for everyday cycling.

Size and Material

The next step you should make on a helmet selection path is the choice of the relevant size. There are the following helmet sizes for adults:

  • XS - 19"-20'',
  • S - 20"-21'',
  • M - 21.75"-23.25'',
  • L - 23.25"-24.75'',
  • XL - over 25''.

The sizes for kids and teens are, of course, different:

  • Toddler - 18.5"-20.5'',
  • S/M - 20.5"-22.5'',
  • M/L - 22.5"-23.75''.

Once you put a helmet on, you should also adjust its fit. That's why most bike helmets have a special fit adjustment system that usually works like this - you turn a small dial at the back of the helmet and it tightens or loosens the straps. That's simple and you can do it right while riding.

Of course, you should consider the material every bike helmet for men, women, and kids is made of. Most of them are based on EPS (Expandable PolyStyrene), which can't be recovered once damaged. So, if an accident happens, you can only throw such helmet away. Some bike helmets are made of EPP foam (Expanded PolyPropylene) - it recovers from a minor shock, which means such helmets are more durable.

Convenience

Finally, we recommend you to check how convenient each bike helmet is and it's determined by some extra features. For example, a good helmet should have numerous vent holes that cool your head and prevent your hair from getting wet. It's really important if you go for a day-long summer ride. Also, most helmets have a removable visor. Some models have a special anti-insect mesh (it protects your hair from unpleasant insects living in any forest). If you wish to ride a bike in winter, make sure to choose the helmet compatible with a winter liner that will keep your head warm in winter. Finally, the straps of the fit system should be soft enough.

Sources:

1. Duncan Moore Buyer’s guide: how to choose a cycling helmet, RCUK. May 24, 2015.

2. Keeping One’s Head, Consumer Reports. April 2016.

3. How to Choose a Bike Helmet - Video, BikeRadar. July 16, 2014.

4. Helmet Buying Guide, Wiggle.

5. How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet, wikiHow.

6. How to Choose a Bike Helmet, Eastern Mountain Sports.

7. Luke Lydiard How to Choose a Mountain Bike Helmet, Outdoor GearLab. June 1, 2015.

8. How to Choose the Right Helmet? Decathlon.

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