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Ready to start pedaling? Protect your head with the best bike helmets of 2024.
Written by Will Porter, Jeremy Benson and Bennett Shane
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Whether you simply enjoy getting your bike out for a weekend cruise or are a bonafide, road, gravel, or mountain biker with a garage full of bikes, the simple truth is this — you need a bike helmet. They are vital to staying safe and protecting yourself while you’re on the bike, regardless of surface or riding style. Safety is paramount, but the best bike helmets of 2024 are much more than plastic brain buckets.
Modern helmets provide next-level ventilation to keep air flowing throughout a ride, they’re built lighter and stronger than ever before, and the tech has become so advanced that the lines between road, gravel, and mountain bike helmets are as blurry as ever — which is actually a good thing for consumers.
If you spend most of your time on the road but enjoy the occasional mountain bike ride, your road helmet will do just fine on the trails. The same goes the other way — if you love spending time on the trails but get roped into a Sunday gravel ride with your local club, you can easily sport your mountain bike helmet on a drop-bar bike.
On the flip side, helmets have never been so specific. Roadies can pick up a low-profile, ultra-light, ultra-breathable helmet that won’t leave them feeling bogged down after a long day of climbs. Enduro mountain bike enthusiasts can choose a lightweight lid with an adjustable visor and expanded coverage.
Commuters can choose between stylish, vintage-inspired options or pick their favorite from the performance bunch. Even gravel riders have their pick of helmets tailor-made for skinny-tire speed off the tarmac.
To help you decide which one (or two, or three) is best for you, we got our hands on dozens of the best bike helmets across all of the most popular categories, gathering first-person insights, taking notes, and digging into the details that we think move the needle.
Read on to explore our ten favorite options across the road, mountain, and commuting categories. Also included is buying advice with all the information you need to know when choosing a bike helmet, a comparison chart, and answers to the most popular helmet FAQs.
The Best Bike Helmets of 2024
- Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet: Giro Manifest Spherical
- Best Budget Mountain Bike Helmet: Specialized Camber MIPS
- Best Overall Road Bike Helmet: Giro Aries Spherical
- Best Budget Road Bike Helmet: Lazer Tonic KinetiCore
- Best Mid-Range Road Bike Helmet: POC Omne Air MIPS
- Best Gravel Bike Helmet: Smith Network MIPS
- Best Commuter Bike Helmet: Thousand Chapter MIPS
- Best Budget Commuter Helmet: Outdoor Master Goat Helmet
Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet
Giro Manifest Spherical Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseMTB
- Weight362 g (Medium)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS Spherical
- Adjustable VisorYes
- Number of Vents19
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-Star
Pros
- Comfortable
- Great Ventilation
- Good Coverage
- Eyewear integration
Cons
- Expensive
Will Porter
In addition to dominating the world of road bike helmets, Giro makes some of the best mountain bike helmets you can buy, most notably its flagship model, the Manifest Spherical ($260). This well-rounded lid was a favorite among our testing group, edging out every other pick in a very competitive category.
Thanks to its advanced safety features, including MIPS Spherical, which has dual shells connected with elastomers that function as a slip plane in the event of an impact — the Manifest earned five out of five stars in the Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Test. This helmet has a deep fit with extended coverage at the back of the head and temples, which results in a safe, secure feel when paired with Giro’s Roc Loc Trail harness fit system.
With 19 vents and huge internal air channels, the Manifest is one of the most well-ventilated mountain bike helmets we’ve ever tested. Well-placed antibacterial Ionic+ padding is comfortable on the head, and the Y-shaped strap splitters ensure an annoyance-free fit around the ears.
The adjustable visor is effective in a wide range of sunlight, and integrated rubber grippers keep just about any pair of sunglasses secure. We also loved the convenience of the magnetic buckle, which was easy to use with just one hand.
The Giro Manifest Spherical doesn’t come cheap, but we feel it’s worth every penny. This well-rounded helmet provides the perfect blend of low weight, great coverage, excellent ventilation, and features that make it stand out from the crowd. The fact that it looks great and comes in a wide array of colors only sweetens the deal.
Best Budget Mountain Bike Helmet
Specialized Camber MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseMTB
- Weight400 g (Large)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS
- Adjustable VisorNo
- Number of Vents13
- Available SizesXS, S, M, L, XL
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-Star
Pros
- Very reasonably priced
- High-end look and feel
- Comes in 5 shell sizes
- Surprisingly comfortable
- 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating
Cons
- Non-adjustable visor isn't great at blocking the sun
- Basic strap design
- Moderate ventilation
Will Porter
In spite of being known for its high price points and outlandish, premium S-Works line, it turns out that Specialized can make a darn good budget-friendly piece of gear, too. The Camber MIPS ($75) provides insane value, boasting a fit and features normally reserved for much more expensive helmets. Add in a five-star rating from the Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Test and you’ve got a helmet that punches well above its price.
Budget helmets are easy on the wallet, sure, but they often fall short when it comes to sizing and tech. The Camber does its best to stick up for the little guy, though. It comes in five sizes ranging from 49 to 63 cm, which allows a huge range of riders to dial in the perfect fit. The Headset SX fit system works well when dialing in the fit, the padding is comfortable, and the Y-shaped strap splitter yoke prevents any pesky contact around the ears.
While the Camber is an excellent budget pick, it still has a few quirks you’d expect from cheaper options. The rear strap connection feels less refined than more expensive options, and while decently ventilated, the helmet runs a bit hotter than other options. We also don’t love Specialized’s non-adjustable visor, which is positioned higher on the helmet, because it doesn’t block the sun very effectively.
Regardless, the Specialized Camber MIPS is a great pick for those getting into mountain biking for the first time or folks who just want to save a little extra cash. It looks just like the brand’s more expensive models, yet it’s one of the least expensive helmets on the market.
Best Overall Road Bike Helmet
Giro Aries Spherical Cycling Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseRoad, gravel, XC Mtb
- Weight271 g (Medium)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS Spherical
- Number of Vents24
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-star
- ColorsMatte Ano Blue, Matte Ano Harbor Blue Fade, Matte White, Matte Black, Matte Carbon/Red, Matte Metallic Coal/Space Green
Pros
- Supremely comfortable
- Great ventilation
- Light
- Excellent coverage
- Easy eyewear storage
Cons
- Expensive
Will Porter
Giro is one of the leaders in the cycling helmet market, so it’s no surprise that their latest road helmet, the Aries Spherical ($300), takes the top spot. It builds off the success of its predecessors, claiming big performance gains while subtly shifting the style cues of other Giro lids.
We’ll start with the most important feature of a bike helmet — safety. The Aries Spherical nailed the Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Test by earning 5/5 stars and the highest overall rating of any helmet they’ve ever tested. Much of the helmet’s safety success comes from the MIPS Spherical technology fitted inside the Aries, which uses a ball-and-socket design to redirect the force of impact away from a rider’s head during a crash, reducing the risk of a concussion.
But as we said before, modern helmets are about much more than safety, even if that is still the most important feature. It was love at first sight for our tester, who was pleasantly surprised by Giro’s willingness to deviate from its typical aesthetic. The prominent Aura II reinforcement arch across the top gives the helmet a minimal, sleek appearance — indeed, it’s one of the most compact, low-profile road helmets we’ve tested.
Giro has always excelled when it comes to fit, but the Aries takes it up a notch, boasting a more luxurious, secure fit than its previous top-of-the-line offerings. The emphasis on a perfect fit means our tester didn’t have to overtighten the Roc Loc 5 adjustment dial, making the helmet feel even more comfortable. Combine all that comfort with prodigious airflow and Giro’s new DryCore brow pad for sweat management, and you’ve got a helmet that’s well worth its price tag.
And, while the Aries Spherical is geared toward road riding, this lightweight helmet is a solid choice for gravel riders and XC mountain bike racers, too. With a killer fit, excellent ventilation, and protection with MIPS Spherical, the Giro Aries is hard to beat.
Best Budget Road Bike Helmet
Lazer Tonic KinetiCore Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseRoad
- Weight240 g (M)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemKinetiCore
- Number of Vents18
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-star
- ColorsTour de France, matte white flash orange, matte blue black, black flash yellow, white, matte black, red black, cosmic berry
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Comparatively less ventilated
- Bland-ish looks
Will Porter
Road cycling isn’t an inexpensive sport, but it’s refreshing to know that you can still get quality head protection with an affordable model like the Lazer Tonic KinetiCore ($80). Lazer’s entry-level road cycling helmet may not be quite as flashy as some higher-end models, but what it lacks in style, it makes up for with its lightweight and impressive 5-star safety rating from Virginia Tech’s independent test lab.
Lazer developed its own rotational impact protection system, called KinetiCore, which is intended to work in a similar way to the MIPS liners common in many other helmets. KinetiCore saves weight by forgoing a separate liner in favor of small foam blocks in the helmet’s foam that are designed to crumple and shear to absorb both direct and angled impact forces. Lazer has switched to this system throughout its line, and based on the test results, it seems to work as advertised.
At 240 g (size medium), the Tonic is very lightweight. In fact, it weighs less than many helmets that cost double or triple the price. It feels light on the head, and it’s quite comfortable too. A total of 18 vents do an admirable job of letting the air flow, but it doesn’t feel quite as breezy as some of the more expensive competition.
Style is subjective, but the Lazer Tonic has a somewhat more basic design and style than flashier models. This may be a pro or con, depending on your personal aesthetic, of course. That said, it comes in eight color options to suit varying tastes. If you’re looking for a lightweight road helmet that won’t break the bank, the Lazer Tonic KinetiCore begs the question, why spend more?
Best Mid-Range Road Bike Helmet
POC Omne Air MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseRoad, gravel, XC Mtb
- Weight350 g (Large)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS
- Number of Vents10
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating4-star
- ColorsLead Blue Matte, Sapphire Purple Matte, Lemon Calcite Matte, Epidote Green Metallic/Matte, Uranium Black Matte, Hydrogen White, Himalayan Salt Matte, Fluorescent Orange AVIP, Cerussite Kashima Metallic/Matte
Screenshot
Pros
- Sleek profile
- Excellent coverage
- Reassuringly snug fit
- More affordable than high-end options
Cons
- Slightly heavier weight
Will Porter
POC’s most affordable road helmet, and our pick for the best mid-range road helmet, is the Omne Air MIPS ($180). It’s the perfect example of the brand’s ability to trickle its high-end tech into more affordable, albeit slightly heavier, offerings. While you can feel the extra weight when compared to lighter options, we can’t deny the helmet’s comfort, sleek looks, and enhanced visibility of POC’s AVIP (Attention, Visibility, Interaction, and Protection) colorway.
The fit is secure and provides a solid amount of coverage when compared to other road helmets. The extra coverage is a safety bonus for those who want to wear the helmet on the trails or their commute, but it also dials up the safety from the inside, utilizing the MIPS Integra system to help reduce rotational impact forces in the event of a crash.
Being integrated into the pads, this MIPS system doesn’t squeak or impede airflow.It comes in a number of colors, but we are big fans of the AVIP colorway, which uses a bright orange panel on the back to draw the attention of even the most distracted motorist.
The ventilation layout is simple, pairing vents at the front and the back to create roomy channels for air to flow through. This isn’t the most breathable helmet we’ve tested, but the creative design works well enough. The ventilation structure also adds to the overall aesthetic of the helmet, which is decidedly POC but a bit more low-pro than some of its other helmets.
Of course, $180 is still a bit of cash to lay out for a new lid, but it’s significantly less than premium models from other brands. The POC Omne Air MIPS should be on your radar if you’re looking for a more moderately priced helmet that doesn’t skimp on comfort, ventilation, or protection.
Best Gravel Bike Helmet
Smith Network MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseRoad, gravel, MTB
- Weight300 g (M)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS
- Adjustable VisorNo (comes with removable fabric visor)
- Number of Vents19
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia tech Helmet Safety RatingNot tested
Screenshot
Pros
- Relatively lightweight
- Versatile
- Removable visor helps shield eyes from the sun
- Moderately priced
- Numerous color options
Cons
- Straps could use some refinement
Will Porter
The Smith Network MIPS ($170) falls roughly in the middle of the brand’s range of road and gravel helmets. Not only is this helmet moderately priced, but it also works well for nearly any type of cycling and is one of our favorites for gravel riding. In fact, one of our testers has been riding and racing gravel in the Network for years in addition to using it for commuting and running errands around town.
Like many other helmets in Smith’s range of road and mountain bike models, the Network is constructed with an in-mold EPS foam shell and strategically placed zones of Koroyd. Koroyd is a cellular structure that looks a lot like a honeycomb, is lightweight, air-permeable, and crumples to absorb impact energy. Additionally, they’ve added a MIPS liner with the goal of reducing rotational impact forces. The Network provides an average level of head coverage, on par with most other road and gravel-oriented models.
A total of 19 vents — 15 of which are wide open without Koroyd underneath — provide ample airflow. In fact, this is one of the best ventilated Smith helmets we’ve ever tested. It has a versatile fit that works with most head shapes, and while the padding is minimal, it is comfortable and easy to adjust with Smith’s Vaporfit harness system. It comes in three sizes — small, medium, and large — which should cover the majority of adult riders. While somewhat basic in their design, the straps work fine and can easily be positioned comfortably to avoid ear contact.
One of our favorite features of the Smith Network is the removable visor. This simple visor looks a lot like one you’d find on a cycling cap, and it attaches under the brim to help shield the eyes from lower sun angles without blocking any ventilation. As usual, Smith’s eyewear integration is on point, and it’s easy to stash glasses when needed. The Network is our top choice for gravel, but it’s a great option for anyone seeking a versatile helmet to cover all your riding needs.
Best Commuter Bike Helmet
Thousand Chapter MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseCommuting, urban
- Weight370 g (M)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS
- VisorYes, removable
- Number of Vents8
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-star
- ColorsClub Navy, Racer Black, Supermoon White, Skyline Grey, Metro White, Deep Burgundy, Desert Sage
Screenshot
Pros
- Comes with a rechargeable magnetic light
- Multi use adapter to attach light to bike
- Easy-to-use magnetic fastener
- MIPS protection
- PopLock to secure helmet to lock
Cons
- We’d prefer more cushioning inside the helmet
- Pricey for a non-performance helmet
Will Porter
For the committed commuter who wants to get a helmet with all the bells and whistles, we recommend the Thousand Chapter MIPS ($145). The brand first made its name as a Kickstarter darling, raising money with the hopes of making a stylish commuter helmet that you’d actually want to wear. It seems they were onto something. They raised over $220,000, blowing their initial goal of $20,000 out of the water. It turns out that there are a lot of people who want stylish bike helmets.
The Chapter MIPS looks fantastic right out of the box. The sleek, purpose-built visor adds a high-quality feel that the sloping, integrated visor of other Thousand helmets doesn’t offer. It feels like a bike helmet, not a repurposed snowboard or skate helmet. The vents are large enough to promote some really nice airflow across the top of the head, and our tester was obsessed with the magnetic buckle that he could easily clasp and unclasp with one hand. He also loved the unique PopLock technology that allows the rider to slide the helmet onto a lock for safekeeping.
Another huge bonus is the rear light. The included USB-chargeable light is magnetized, allowing you to easily attach it to the helmet when you need it and remove it when you don’t — it’s nice to be able to charge the light without having to make space for the helmet near a power source. Plus, a handy attachment is included that lets you put the light on your bike if you’d rather.
Cool styling and commuter-specific features aside, the Chapter also includes a MIPS liner to help reduce the rotational impact forces that reach the brain in the event of a crash. It also scored a 5-star rating in Virginia Tech’s independent helmet testing. Overall, the Thousand Chapter MIPS is a stylish helmet that won’t make you look like a bike racer when you’re riding around town or in the city, and it has safety features and protection that make it our favorite for commuting.
Best Budget Commuter Bike Helmet
Outdoor Master Goat Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseCommuting, urban, skate
- Weight?
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemNone
- VisorYes
- Number of Vents18
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety RatingNot tested
- ColorsEmerald Green, Emerald Pink, Matte Black, Matte Grey, Matte Navy, Matte Orange, Matte Yellow, Meteorite Black
Pros
- Great bang for your buck
- Integrated, rechargeable rear light
- Quality airflow
- Stylish for a budget pick
- Numerous colors
Cons
- No rotational impact protection system
- Feels more fragile than pricier options
Will Porter
The Outdoor Master Goat Helmet ($50) is an excellent choice for anyone just getting into commuting or who wants to keep an extra helmet around for emergencies. It actually reminds us of the original Thousand helmet from Kickstarter —it’s an affordable, attractive option for those who want nothing to do with the world of lycra and high-performance cycling.
When looking closely at the Goat, we were impressed with the little details that separated it from the rest of the pack of affordable, budget-friendly commuter helmets. The design is sleek, the fit is exceptional for such an inexpensive helmet, and the integrated rear light makes a huge difference when riding at twilight or other low-light situations. Unlike the Thousand Chapter MIPS, the light on the Goat is not removable, but having a light at all is better than nothing when you’re riding on the road.
You can tell that the helmet isn’t a premium offering — it’s fairly heavy, and the construction of the helmet is almost too simple. But for $50, this is just fine. The Outdoor Master Goat Helmet meets all of the required safety standards, comes in a bunch of cool colors, looks pretty good, and has the added benefit of the taillight, so if you’re just looking for something that won’t break the bank, we would have no hesitation in recommending it.
Best of the Rest
Another Excellent Mountain Bike Helmet
POC Kortal Race MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseMTB
- Weight401 g (M-L)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS Integra
- Adjustable VisorYes
- Number of Vents17
- Available SizesXS-S, M-L, XL-XXL
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety RatingNot tested
Pros
- Generous coverage
- Lots of safety features
- Great Ventilation
- Meets Dutch NTA 8776 e-bike standard
- Comes in multiple colors
Cons
- Extended coverage at temples can conflict with some sunglass arms
- Expensive
Will Porter
No surprise here — POC has another of our absolute favorite mountain bike helmets on its hands with the Kortal Race MIPS ($270). Made to protect the most aggressive trail and enduro riders, the Kortal provides extended coverage of the occipital and temporal lobes and a deep, secure fit. The Race MIPS model is also outfitted with MIPS Integra to help reduce the rotational forces to the brain in a crash.
The Kortal’s fit is similar to other POC helmets that we’ve tried. It works very well for those with oval-shaped heads but may feel a tad narrow for those with rounder heads. POC’s sizing is also a tad different, so be sure to double-check when ordering. Thanks to a 360-degree adjustment system and plush MIPS Integra pads, it’s a comfortable lid when sized properly. Its 17 vents allow for ample airflow across the scalp, and the strap splitter yoke keeps straps flat against the face and off the ears.
Riders who prefer to wear goggles will love the large adjustable visor, which easily accommodates large eyewear, and the rear vents designed to fit a goggle strap without blocking air. The lowest visor level isn’t very low, so we didn’t actually adjust it that much, but we appreciated the visor’s breakaway feature, which is intended to help prevent neck injuries in a crash. It’s worth mentioning that the Kortal was designed to integrate perfectly with POC’s Devour sunglasses, but the extended temple coverage can conflict with some other sunglass arms.
While the POC Kortal Race MIPS hasn’t been tested at Virginia Tech’s independent lab, it meets all required safety standards and the Dutch NTA 8776 e-bike standard for safety. Though it’s expensive, we think its one of the best and most protective half-shell mountain bike helmets you can buy. It also comes in a large range of color options and can often be found on sale for less than its relatively high retail price.
Premium Road Performance
Trek Velocis MIPS Helmet
Specs
- Intended UseRoad
- Weight240 g (Medium)
- Rotational Impact Protection SystemMIPS Air
- Number of Vents16
- Available SizesS, M, L
- Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating5-star
- ColorsViper Red/Cobra Blood, Dark Aquatic, Black, White, Red, White/Nautical Navy
Pros
- Well-ventilated
- Super compact profile
- Liberal use of carbon fiber for impressively low weight
- Unconditional comfort guarantee
- Eyewear storage
Cons
- Expensive
- Not a great application of BOA
Will Porter
A delightfully minimal, lightweight, and well-ventilated helmet, the Trek Velocis MIPS ($300) made a strong impression on our road bike tester right out of the box. Outfitted with the brand’s OCLV carbon fiber, the helmet is race-ready, super sleek, and well-ventilated.
The Velocis is outfitted with MIPS Air, the lightest and best-vented version of MIPS. This version is actually integrated into the padding inside the shell, saving weight while still scoring five stars in the Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Test. Given the helmet’s minimal appearance and barely there feel, a five-star score is all the more impressive.
Our tester said that the helmet’s interior had no apparent pressure points and felt firm and secure, resulting in an exceptionally comfortable fit, even if he felt that the innovative 360° BOA fit system left something to be desired.
Once he figured out the fit, the Trek Velocis MIPS was great to wear. Thanks to thoughtfully placed channels, it easily secured sunglasses and was noticeably quieter than other helmets we tested. Despite its high price, we still think the Velocis is a top pick for any road cyclist who likes to go fast and look good doing it.
Bike Helmet Comparison Chart
| Bike Helmet Model | MSRP | Weight | Impact Protection | # of Vents | Sizes | Virginia Tech Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giro Manifest Spherical | $260 | 362 grams (M) | MIPS Spherical | 19 | S, M, L | 5-star |
| Specialized Camber MIPS | $75 | 400 grams (L) | MIPS | 13 | XS, S, M, L, XL | 5-star |
| Giro Aries Spherical | $300 | 271 grams (M) | MIPS Spherical | 24 | S, M, L | 5-star |
| Lazer Tonic KinetiCore | $80 | 240 grams (M) | KinetiCore | 18 | S, M, L | 5-star |
| POC Omne Air MIPS | $180 | 350 grams (L) | MIPS | 10 | S, M, L | 4-star |
| Smith Network MIPS | $170 | 300 grams (M) | MIPS | 15 | S, M, L | Not tested |
| Thousand Chapter MIPS | $145 | 360 grams (M) | MIPS | 8 | S, M, L | 5-star |
| Outdoor Master Goat Helmet | $50 | 500 grams (L) | MIPS | 18 | S, M, L | Not tested |
| POC Kortal Race MIPS | $270 | 401 grams (L) | MIPS Integra | 17 | XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL | Not tested |
| Trek Velocis MIPS | $300 | 240 grams (M) | MIPS Air | 16 | S, M, L | 5-star |
How We Tested Bike Helmets
Our team is composed of cyclists and outdoor-oriented athletes looking for the best products on the market. Our staff includes professional gear reviewers, former and current racers, recreational cyclists, folks who bike commute 60 miles a week, and everyone in between — people who care about fit, finish, and function but, at the end of the day, want a product they can trust.
Our team spends its time carefully evaluating new products so that you don’t have to, which translates to more time in the saddle for you. We strive to create thorough, comprehensive, helpful reviews to help you find the best gear for your individual needs.
Our bike helmet buyer’s guide is more general in its scope and combines our favorite models from our more specific best mountain bike helmet and best road bike helmet guides with a few additions for commuting and gravel riding. Our mountain bike helmet tester, Jeremy Benson, has been professionally testing and reviewing bikes and related accessories for the past 8 years.
Benson is an avid mountain and gravel rider and racer who spends an inordinate amount of time in the saddle training, riding for fun, and testing all manner of new gear for reviews. He isn’t immune to crashing (spectacularly), and he takes his safety seriously, so he’s always searching for the most comfortable and protective helmets he can find to protect his brain. He has tested over 30 mountain bike helmets, including all of the models in our guide to the best mountain bike helmets.
Our road bike helmet buyer’s guide author, Bennett Shane, has been cycling seriously for over two decades. While his racing days are behind him, he’s shifted his focus to achieving other goals on the bike, riding for fitness, and testing countless road-related products for reviews. He also spent years working for various prominent brands in the cycling industry and has an uncanny depth of cycling products, technology, and material knowledge.
As a father of a young child, Bennett is extra-conscious of his own safety while riding, and he takes head protection very seriously. In the past year, he’s tested over 15 different helmets, including those in our guide to the best road bike helmets.
Another tester and contributor to this story, Will Porter, loves to ride his XC bike in the foothills outside of Boise, Idaho, spend hours in the saddle of his gravel bike, and restore old mountain bikes to their former glory — right now, he’s in the middle of making a ’90s Hard Rock his go-to daily rider.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Bike Helmet
Riding Style: Mountain, Road, Gravel, or Commute
The terrain you ride will ultimately dictate the helmet you buy. Before you open your wallet, give some thought to where and how you plan to spend the majority of your time in the saddle. It will point you in the right direction. Below are some considerations to check out before you throw down on a new lid.
Mountain Bike Helmets
Mountain-oriented helmets have more materials that wrap the side and back of the head, creating extended coverage to protect the occipital lobe (the bony knob on the back of your head) and temples. Steep trails increase the risk of falling backward and onto the back of your head. This makes good occipital coverage like that offered by our favorite mountain bike helmet, the Giro Manifest, that much more important.
Mountain bike helmets typically also come with a visor similar to the one found on the POC Kortal Race MIPS, which provides shade as riders move in and out of the direct sun. A visor also brings a little extra protection from brushy limbs that tend to stretch out over unmaintained roads.
Our favorite visors are also adjustable, so you can optimize their position to keep the sun out of your eyes. To learn more about helmets for tackling your favorite trails, check out our guide to the best mountain bike helmets.
Road Bike Helmets
In general, helmets designed for road cycling tend to be a bit more streamlined and provide a bit less coverage than their chunkier mountain bike counterparts. With more of a focus on aerodynamics and ventilation, road bike helmets are often much lighter and racier looking, too. Still, the goal is protection, and modern road helmets feature innovative designs and technologies to keep riders safe out on the road.
Helmets like the Giro Aries Spherical do an excellent job of combining good coverage, excellent ventilation, and the newest safety technologies to provide a great helmet for road cyclists looking to maximize safety, style, and comfort. Other road helmets may prioritize aerodynamics more, and there is a growing number of aero options available for those seeking marginal gains. If you’re in the market for a road bike helmet, we cover lots of options in our guide to the best road bike helmets.
Gravel Bike Helmets
Gravel riding is essentially road biking on gravel roads. As such, the protection demands are similar, but with the addition of sometimes less predictable loose or rocky surfaces. Realistically, most road and mountain bike helmets can easily pull double duty for gravel riding. While there certainly are many gravel-specific helmets on the market these days, most serious gravel riders are typically seen wearing high-end road helmets that are lightweight, well-ventilated, and protective.
Ultimately, gravel riders should consider the terrain they ride most often, and factor their favorite backroads, routes, and trails into choosing a helmet that will best suit their needs. Check out our FAQ for more on gravel-specific helmets.
Commuter Bike Helmets
Commuter helmets occupy a bit of a middle ground in the helmet world. Even if your commute is short and mellow, a good helmet is an excellent and necessary investment. While weight may not be the top priority, coverage, visibility, and comfort certainly are. You might not be shredding the gnar on your way to work (or maybe you are), but cars and pedestrians are omnipresent hazards that warrant a good helmet regardless of your riding style.
While you can wear any helmet you like while commuting, many riders prefer not to look like they’re heading out on a serious road or mountain bike ride when they’re pedaling to the office or running errands around town. For this reason, many commuter helmets have more casual styling that fits in better with casual or work clothes. Additionally, many commuter helmets also have features for enhanced visibility, such as the lights on the Thousand Chapter MIPS and the Outdoor Master Goat Helmet.
Fit
The best helmet is one you don’t notice. Because you’ll be wearing it every mile in the saddle, look for a helmet that fits your head. Compromising on fit can be dangerous, increasing your exposure to injury in an accident or fall.
A helmet should fit snugly, but not too tightly, and never cause pressure points or hot spots. A good-fitting helmet should be snug around the head even before clipping the straps.
Look for a helmet that sits level on your head without tilting forward or backward and that cradles the shape of your skull all around without any gaps. The straps should feel snug but not strained while you ride. It shouldn’t move more than an inch in any direction. If you can pull, twist, or slip it off, try a different size or another helmet.
Most helmets have a range of measurements — small, medium, large — that have some wiggle room for folks who are between sizes. Not all brands fit the same.
Once you decide on the style, it’s time to try a few on. And this is where your local bike shop is a huge asset. You’ll want to actually try on several helmets to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
If you do decide to buy a helmet online, start by measuring your head. Take a tailor’s tape measure and wrap it around the dome of your head — the widest circumference of the skull, just above the brow.
Microadjustment features, like a dial-fit system and chinstraps, tighten behind the head and under the chin to fine-tune the fit, minimizing movement. In recent years, this feature has become almost ubiquitous, and all of our top picks feature this technology, usually in a proprietary design.
Ventilation
Because cycling is a highly aerobic sport, good ventilation is a necessary component of any helmet to help manage heat. Helmets with ventilation holes allow fresh air to pour over the head, cooling you as you exert more energy. How important ventilation is to you will likely depend on your environment, the intensity at which you ride, and your tolerance for heat and humidity.
Well-designed ventilation, like that of the Giro Aries Spherical or the Trek Velocis MIPS, is a godsend in hot and humid environments. That said, riders should be mindful of eschewing good coverage for good ventilation if they are riding aggressively. Fortunately, you don’t really need to these days, as most modern helmets successfully provide good ventilation and a high level of protection.
Rotational Impact Protection
Innovations in crash protection, like MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system), have been shown to reduce rotational forces on the brain in a crash. Helmets with this kind of protection may cost a little more, but it’s our brains we’re talking about here, so we feel it is worth the extra cost.
In a crash, a bicyclist can experience an angled impact, which causes rotational motion. When you hit the ground, the brain will continue to travel through space until it hits the skull. In addition to the impact force, the shear force can pull brain tissue, causing trauma. While CPSC certification guidelines account for vertical free fall, they don’t address angular collision.
MIPS is a Swedish-based company that specializes in helmet safety and brain protection. It specializes in a polycarbonate plastic layer that creates a slip-plane to allow the head to shift 10-15 mm relative to the helmet, with the goal of reducing the rotational forces on the brain.
MIPS now comes in many different forms, but they are all intended to work similarly to the classic liner system. The evidence certainly shows MIPS reduces brain trauma when you hit the ground at an angle. Good marketing has awarded MIPS gold in the headspace. Check out more about MIPS here.
While MIPS was first on the scene, over the past decade or so, other brands have poked at the problem with their own solutions. Bontrager uses WaveCel, Kali developed its Low-Density Layer, Lazer uses KinetiCore, and other brands have developed similar systems. All of them work to achieve the same goal of reducing rotational impact forces transferred to the brain.
To be clear, all bicycle helmets are built with a layer of stiff foam materials that crushes, expands, or collapses to absorb energy in a crash. To measure their impact protection, helmets sold in the U.S. must meet the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle helmet standard. Your best bet is to look for the CPSC sticker label inside the liner, certifying that the helmet meets safety standards.
Is MIPS the best? As Vibram is to outsoles, MIPS is to helmets. As a consumer, expect to pay a little extra for the yellow sticker.
FAQ
How much should I spend on a bike helmet?
The helmets in this guide range from $50 to $300. Recreational bike helmets with basic impact protection are adequate for casual, mellow rides and will sit on the lower end of the price scale.
Expect to pay more for helmets that provide above-and-beyond accessories like chin guards, proprietary clips, and rotational motion impact reduction. For $75 or $80, respectively, you can’t go wrong with the Specialized Camber MIPS or Lazer Tonic KinetiCore, but keep in mind that at that price point, you might be skipping out on some extra comfort and ventilation features.
The further you ride, the more you might want to consider extra protective features. A helmet is like buying an insurance plan. Yes, they are expensive, but we can guarantee they are cheaper than a hospital bill.
I already have a road or mountain bike helmet. Do I need a special helmet for gravel cycling?
Gravel is at the crossroads of road and mountain biking. While a handful of helmets are specifically geared towards gravel riding, you can probably use the cycling helmet you already have, depending on the terrain you ride.
Road bike helmets are generally more aerodynamic and lighter. Stylistically, they look different. Most mountain bike helmets have extended coverage on the back of the head, which is important if you fall backward. They usually have an integrated visor that shields the eyes from the sun and brush.
For the most part, gravel riders tend to gravitate towards road-style helmets. In fact, most road helmets are versatile enough for gravel and cross-country mountain biking.
If you primarily mountain bike and are dabbling with gravel, you can save a few bucks by using your mountain bike helmet. Be sure to check out the Giro Manifest if you’re looking for a rock-solid dirt and gravel-oriented lid. If you’re coming to gravel from the road and want to tackle more remote roads and maybe dabble with singletrack, we’d err toward safety and recommend buying up for more protection.
Regardless, all bicycle helmets in the U.S. are CPSC-certified, whether they’re designed for road or trail rides. You can safely wear a road or mountain-oriented helmet.
Helmets are sport-specific, designed to mitigate specific risks. Mountain bike helmets are not verified to protect a climber or mountaineer in an accident and vice versa.
How long will my helmet last?
Keep track of your helmet’s age. Over time, exposure to environmental factors like sunlight or extreme cold, moisture, and sweat will diminish the lifespan of the helmet. So will repeated small impacts, such as dropping the helmet at the trailhead or tumbling around the back of the rig on the commute home.
The CPSC recommends replacing your helmet every 5-10 years, depending on the frequency of use, storage conditions, and overall care. However, each manufacturer’s guideline is different. If you need to retire a helmet, it’s one gear item you shouldn’t donate at the local thrift shop. You can check with the manufacturer to see if they will properly dispose of it for you.
Some brands have a crash replacement policy and may sell you a replacement at a discounted price. You’ll need to register your helmet, and they may want to see the damage. If they approve your claim, they’ll often award a discount toward your next helmet purchase.
If I crash and hit my head, should I replace my helmet?
It is always recommended that you replace your helmet after a crash in which you hit your head, even if you can’t see any damage. Sometimes, even minor impacts can result in a crack in the foam. That’s not because a helmet is cheap or defective — it’s because it’s doing its job. Helmets absorb impact forces by compressing and cracking, and once they do, their ability to do so again has been compromised.
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Will Porter
5 articles
Will is a freelance writer for GearJunkie. He has been writing about running, cycling, style, and various other outdoor pursuits for over 5 years, with bylines in GQ, Men’s Health, MyGolfSpy, and others. Before going freelance full-time, he was an editor at Gear Patrol, covering everything from single-village mezcal to marathon shoes to making the most of annual Black Friday sales. Based in Boise, Will is spending his time training for an ultramarathon, frequenting the local breweries, and trying to get tickets to every good concert that comes through town.
Jeremy Benson
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Jeremy Benson is a Managing Editor at GearJunkie. He has been professionally testing and reviewing mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and all of the accessories that go along with them for 8+ years. Prior to GearJunkie, he worked for other outlets like Bikerumor and OutdoorGearLab, as a freelance writer, and was sponsored ski athlete for 15 years. Benson is also the author of two guidebooks, Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes: California, and Mountain Bike Tahoe, both published by Mountaineers Books. Based in Truckee, CA, he can usually be found in the woods riding mountain or gravel bikes or climbing mountains with skis when there’s snow on the ground.
Bennett Shane
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Hailing from Portland, Ore., Bennett enjoys exploring the mountain passes and backroads of the Pacific Northwest on skinny tires. Having worked in various roles in the cycling industry since 2008 has helped Bennett develop an impressive knowledge base and thorough understanding of cycling gear and tech.
Although he wouldn’t call himself a retrogrouch, he does have an irrational love of rim brakes and a fondness for boutique steel frames. After racing on paved and gravel roads for a decade, Bennett turned his focus to achieving personal goals including three Everests and climbing over 1 million vertical feet in 2020. Although he rides (and sleeps) less since starting a family, he still enjoys pushing the pace on climbs and ripping fast descents as much as ever.
