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Riding bikes is loads of fun, but occasionally we fall off our bikes and when that happens, it is highly important to have a bike helmet protecting one of our most sensitive and crucial parts of our bodies. Current generations of bike helmets are lighter and more comfortable than ever before while still providing heaps of brain protection. There are many other factors to consider when choosing a bike helmet that are important to know about and we want to make sure you can go from shopping to riding as soon as possible. This guide is here to help you in choosing the right fit, style, and functions of your bike helmet to match your needs.
A properly fit helmet is one of the major factors to riding safely. If a helmet is too big it can flop around reducing it's ability to protect your head the way it was intended or if it's too small it can be very uncomfortable and you may choose not to wear it. This is why choosing the correct size helmet is so crucial. Follow our quick steps below to ensure that your new helmet is sized right and is adjusted properly to keep you comfortable and safe throughout your ride.
MEASURE YOUR HEAD
The first step you’ll want to take to finding the right bike helmet is to determine the size of your head. This requires measuring the circumference of your head. To do this, simply wrap a soft measuring tape around your head about 1 inch above your eyebrows and ears. If you don’t have a soft measuring tape, a piece of string will work well, and can be measured against a standard measuring tape or ruler. Most bike helmet size guides are measured in centimeters, so if you don’t have a metric measuring tape simply convert your measurement by multiplying the number of inches by 2.54.
USE OUR SIZE CHARTS
All helmets on our site will have size charts that are recommended by the manufacturer found in the helmet's description. Match your head measurement to the correct sizing in that chart. Then, select the correct size from our drop down menu before adding to your cart. You can also check out the reviews sections for sizing recommendations from other customers or submit a question to other users, in our Q&A section, on which head shape a helmet is best suited, if sizes are accurate, or any other questions you may have.
TRY IT ON
Once your new bike helmet arrives from us, you’ll want to try it on to make sure that it is comfortable and sits properly on your head. Your bicycle helmet should sit around 1 inch or just slightly less above your eyebrows. Adjust the bike helmet’s retention system to cradle your head snuggly, but gently, without pinching or pain. You don’t want to have any excess gaps between your head and helmet. Be mindful of any pressure points as they will indicate a bike helmet that is too small or is not the correct shape for your head.
BUCKLE UP
Many people don’t consider how the straps of their bike helmet fit, but this is important for both comfort and function. You’ll want to buckle the clasp under your chin and adjust the strap so that you can just fit one finger between the strap and your neck. You’ll want to be able to open your mouth and tilt your head back with only slight pressure from the strap, but without choking you. This “wiggle room” will allow you to ride comfortably while still holding the bike helmet in place in case of a crash. Don’t forget to adjust the straps around your ears. These should form a ‘V’ around your ears and meet just below your ear lobes.
THE WIGGLE TEST
This test is a great way to ensure that your bike helmet fits properly, and all the retention devices are adjusted correctly. Simply shake your head side to side, up down, and around. If your bike helmet moves too dramatically during any of these movements, you'll need to adjust the retention system or add thicker padding to remedy the movement. Bike helmets generally have a head size range. Try to find a helmet where your head size is close to the middle of the range to give you some adjustment in either direction. If you’re retention system is maxed out, you likely need a different sized bike helmet.
RIDE READY
Once you’ve ensured a solid fit, you are ready to ride with your new bike helmet. Be sure to check your fit adjustments before each ride as straps and retention systems can loosen during use or travel. A simple wiggle of your head or push with your hand will indicate if your bike helmet is good-to-go or needs a quick adjustment. As you ride, temperature and sweating can cause your helmet fit to change. You may find that you need to make some small adjustments as you ride, so be sure to familiarize yourself with all adjustment options before you go.
There are two primary types of bike helmet styles; half shell and full face. A half shell bike helmet covers the upper and back portion of your head, while a full face protects your entire head with an included chin protector. Below, we dig a bit deeper into sub-categories and features of each style to help you choose the style that's right for you.
Half Shell Helmets
The majority of bike helmets will land in the half shell category including road, commuter/urban, MTB, and BMX style bike helmets. These bike helmets run a wide range of designs and builds that are distinct for the type of riding they are intended for. Road bike helmets put more focus on venting, aerodynamics, light weight, and provide a bit less coverage. Mountain bike helmets emphasize more coverage and protection for the back, temples, and jaw areas of the head and loads of ventilation. MTB helmets tend to be somewhat heavier due to the types of impacts that they must protect against.
Full Face Mountain Bike Helmets
Full face mountain bike helmets provide maximum protection but make sacrifices in weight and ventilation. They are the best choice for gravity-oriented riders and those who love to get boosty on their bikes. Full face mountain bike helmets are currently gaining in popularity for enduro riders. This has grown thanks to a new batch of lighter weight and better ventilated (lighter duty) full face mountain bike helmets and the rise of convertible bike helmets that have a removable chin protector.
Recreational bike helmets are aimed at the casual rider that may prioritize value over light weight or exotic materials. These bike helmets still pass all rigorous safety standards. What you might miss are the additional air vents or higher end straps and clips. Many of the bike helmets at this level feature a universal fit to help save money.
Commuter bike helmets will share many qualities with the recreational helmets but may offer a couple of specific features that make them unique. Integrated visors help shield the eyes from early morning light. More specifically, some commuter bike helmets offer either an integrated rear bike light “tail light” or attachment area to clip on a bike light to add visibility to motorists.
Road bike riders look for light weight and airy bike helmets to keep them comfortable and performing at the highest levels during their regular rides. Most of these bike helmets will have light weight adjustable retention systems and anti-microbial liners and pads. For those looking for ultimate speed, aero road helmets feature better aerodynamic shaping and even built-in visors shields at the expense of ventilation. Many road helmets will have unique features like integrated channels to hold glasses or sweat channels to keep your eyes sweat-free.
Mountain bike helmet construction is similar to road bike helmets but features a visor and increased safety coverage in the rear. As the riding becomes faster and more extreme, helmets will have increased protection from the rougher terrain. At the highest level of protection will be full face mountain bike helmets that offer additional protection that wraps around the front of the face. These bike helmets are popular with downhill mountain bikers and riders that ride primarily at bike parks.
There has been a growing trend in the all mountain and enduro racing community to wear breathable and light full face helmets that allow the rider to have the increased safety of a full-face mountain bike helmet while also having good ventilation and weight to allow them to remain comfortable for all day rides. Most of these helmets have built-in chin protection, but a few have removable chin bars. While these provide additional protection, they are not intended to be used as full downhill style helmets.
It’s important to know that all the fit rules that we described above apply when purchasing kids bike helmets, but there are some additional considerations to be aware of. Very young kids may not be able to properly describe the fit or comfort of their bike helmet. Be mindful of any complaints they may share to give you clues towards proper sizing. Further, do not buy a bike helmet with “room to grow.” An overly-large bike helmet does not provide proper protection. Helmet manufactures often provide additional pads or adjustable fit systems that allow your child’s head to grow while working within the helmets functional range.
Young riders have numerous options to choose from. Manufacturers will provide very young riders with bright graphics that appeal to those young kids getting their first helmet when they start their bike riding adventures. These bike helmets will feature adjustable straps as well as universal fit that will grow with them. Most of these bike helmets are lightweight, easy to adjust and fit children’s heads that range from 46-54cm around.
A bike helmet's primary role is to protect your brain from injury when you can't keep the rubber side down, but it needs to be comfortable and have features that make it a seamless part of your ride. We all hope to never have to test our helmet's safety features, but we want to know we can trust them should we need them. Luckily, there's an ever-growing range of safety features and standards to ensure your helmet will keep you safe. Understanding these features and standards is crucial to choosing the right helmet for you.
Ratcheting Fit System
Most mid to high-level bike helmets will feature some sort of ratcheting or dial fit system. These are most commonly adjusted using some sort of knob at the back of your head that lets you dial in the precise sizing of the bike helmet retention system. Not only does this increase comfort, but it also allows for slimmer bike helmet profiles and reduced sized pads. It further holds the bike helmet properly in place during a crash.
REMOVABLE PADS
Removable pads are often found in lower tier helmets or in youth kids bike helmets. Many downhill mountain bike helmets use this sizing method as well since a ratcheting system can be very challenging to incorporate. Bike helmets are supplied with multiple pad sizes to adjust the fit.
Ventilation and Cooling
The search for balance between protection and ventilation is a crucial one. If a bike helmet doesn’t breathe well, you will be less likely to use it consistently. At the same time, you need to have ample protection for your riding protection. Bike helmet brands continue to improve this balance, and modern bicycle helmets all have some version of ventilation that draws air across your head and expels the sweaty air out the back. Since the needs of ventilation and protection vary for each riding discipline it is important to shop for bicycle helmets that match your riding needs.
At first glance, it may appear that all helmets are created equal. Digging deeper into what goes into making a helmet will reveal some important difference. A major part of choosing the right bicycle helmet for your needs is understanding the components that make a helmet, how a bike helmet is constructed, and what type of technologies are being used. While there are many similarities in how every helmet is constructed, specific build techniques and safety tech can affect price, performance, safety, and weight.
The 3 Main Components of a Helmet
Shell: This is the outer most portion of the bike helmet and is generally constructed out of impact-resistant plastic or a composite that helps to dissipate the energy of an impact across more of the helmet. This layer can also add protection from sharp objects.
Liner: This layer is found just under the shell and is composed of some form of foam designed to absorb the impact of a crash. This foam comes in many different types that are used to get specific performance aspects of energy absorption. Ultimately, the end goal is to reduce as much energy transfer to your brain as possible, and the foam liner is one of the most important components in that quest.
Straps: The straps and retention systems of bike helmets are not the most glamorous tech, but they are hugely important for both comfort and safety. A bike helmet could have all the best tech in the world, but if it doesn’t stay properly in place it won’t be of much use.
Hard-Shell
Hard-shell bike helmets mold the liner and shell separately, then laminate them together. This generally means these helmets have a thicker and tougher shell. This tougher shell provides increased protection from penetration but deforms less easily. To compensate for the tough shell, many manufacturers will add other energy dissipating technologies and/or multi-density foams to the liner. Hard shell bike helmets are more common in mountain bike or BMX/skate applications.
In-Mold
In-mold bike helmets fuse together the outer shell and inner liner together by applying pressure and steam to the bike helmet while it’s still in the mold (hence the name). This process allows for the shell to be thinner, thus reducing weight. It also allows the bike helmet to deform more easily during an impact. The deformation of the foam is how a bike helmet slows and reduces energy transfer and protects your brain. In-mold bike helmets are common in road bike helmets or applications with where light weight and ventilation are key.
Safety Standards & New Safety Systems
Closely connected to the bike helmet construction, are the technologies and testing standards that help to ensure that your helmet will protect your brain. In the US, there are several standards put forth by the Consumer Products Safety Commission and also the Snell Foundation. These tests are designed to ensure that qualifying helmets pass a set of tests to ensure a high-level of protection. Look for a CPSC sticker on any bike helmet you buy. Click here to see our Safety Standards & Tech Glossary.
Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS)
SPIN - POC
LDL-Kali Protectives
360 Turbine – Leatt
Omni Directional Suspension (ODS) technology – 6D
ANGi - Specialized
Additional Safety Systems
Within the past few years, there has been increased awareness in protecting the brain from rotational forces during a crash. The idea is to provide a slip-plane between the bike helmet and head that allows the head to move just a bit inside the helmet thus slowing rotational forces transferred to the brain. The most common slip-plane technology is MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), but there are several other alternatives from various manufactures. The principle is generally the same with various executions. We look forward to new testing that clearly demonstrate the benefits of each system. Some brands are taking helmet safety to another level by adding technology that allows the rider to be tracked by loved ones
Helmet Care & Replacement
Once you have your bicycle helmet chosen, how long should you keep it? That will depend on many factors. Do know that if you crash and impact your helmet, that is a perfect time to replace the helmet. The foam and other materials used in the construction of the helmets are designed to absorb the force of the impact and will not be able to be reused.
Maybe you have never crashed and your day-glo helmet from the 80’s just looks a little dusty. Should be fine right? Unfortunately, the sun and the elements will weaken the effectiveness of the helmet over the years. Replacing your helmet every 3-5 years is recommended as you will gain the advantage of all the new technology as well without worrying if your helmet is “too old”. Lastly, do not use any harsh chemicals or cleaners on your helmet. These can shorten the life of the materials. Mild soap and water works great to get it looking and smelling fresh again. To help keep your helmet running longer, you can replace your liner, visor, or other accessories as needed.
ABS is an opaque thermoplastic that is known for its hardness, toughness, and gloss. This makes it a great shell material for hard shell constructed helmets.
Kevlar / Aramid
In-mold bicycle helmet construction is very lightweight, but this sacrifices penetrative resistance. Using aramid to mold to the liner, brands are able to maintain lightweight performance but increase safety.
Carbon Fiber
Another technology used to keep protection levels high while reducing weight is carbon fiber. The use of this material is most commonly found on full face mountain bike helmets. The primary aim is to reduce weight and works well in this application due to the large surface area of a full face mountain bike helmet.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is similar to ABS is function for the shell of a bike helmet but tends to be lighter and equally strong. This material works well for both in-mold and hard-shell bike helmets. It actually increases the strength of in-mold helmets substantially, so it’s use is quite common for that application.
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
This material is great for dissipating impact energy. EPS foam is the most common type of liner material. It has good impact performance, is cheap to work with, but is only good for one impact. After that, you should definitely replace your helmet.
EPP (Expanded PolyPropylene)
EPP is growing in popularity for bike helmets, but is not nearly as common as EPS. This material is capable of recovering somewhat after an impact which means it can function as a multi-impact material. Generally, EPP is more expensive and bulkier than EPS. Many manufacturers are integrating EPP and EPS into key areas of helmets to get the best characteristics of each.
Koroyd Straws
This relatively new liner material looks like a honeycomb of short straws. Koroyd has predictable and efficient crush characteristics, and can be further strengthened when bonded to the outer shell. The straws also let air ventilate through the helmet.
Upcoming Tech
There are several new technologies making their way into use within helmets. These range from multi-density foams to air or gel, or elastomer suspension. We are excited to see an ever-increasing focus on safety and performance.
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