Whether you’re a commuter, mountain biker, or cycle on the road, a helmet is essential for safety. Find out what the best bike helmets are.
Table of Contents
1. Schwinn Thrasher Bike Helmet
The Schwinn Thrasher Bike Helmet is the best all-around helmet because of the level of protection it offers and a relatively low price. It’s the number one best-selling bike helmet for adults on Amazon and has a 4.7-star rating with more than 21,400 reviews.
Schwinn makes the Thrasher helmet for adults and children. The adult size is designed for anyone older than 14 years old, as the recommended head circumference is 22.88 to 24.5 inches. At 356g, it’s also a lightweight helmet.
The helmet is constructed with EPS and 2-piece PVC Microshell. With its dial, it offers 360-degree adjustability. It also has 20 air ventilation holes and moisture-wicking pads to keep you cool.
Buy the Schwinn Thrasher Bike Helmet from Amazon for $24.99.
2. Thousand Heritage Helmet
Thousand offers a vintage-looking bike helmet with plenty of safety features and colors. It’s dual-certified for cycling and skateboarding in Europe and North America with CE 1078, CPSC, and ASTM F1492.
The following are the sizes and how much they weigh:
- Small: Weighs 410g and fits a head circumference of 21.25 to 22.5 inches.
- Medium: Weighs 460g and fits a head circumference of 22.5 to 23.25 inches.
- Large: Weighs 490g and fits a head circumference of 23.25 to 24.5 inches.
It features vegan leather straps, a magnetic fastener, adjustable using a dial, and a PopLock to put a U-Lock or chain lock through. The Heritage Helmet also has 7 air vents and 3 cooling channels.
If you want to ride around the city safely and in style, the Heritage Helmet is an excellent choice.
Buy the Thousand Heritage Helmet from Amazon for $89.
3. Giro Aether MIPS Helmet
For a high-end bike helmet that’s powered by MIPS and has great styling, get the Giro Aether MIPS Helmet. It has an airy and open design with 11 air vents with deep internal channeling to keep you cool.
It’s strong and durable, as the helmet is built with dual-density EPS foam liner and Giro’s proprietary Spherical Technology between the layers of foam. The Aether helmet also has a shatter-resistant AURA reinforcing arch, which adds strength to its structure.
The medium size weighs 263g, which is light. It also has a Roc Loc 5+ Air fit system, which allows you to find the most comfortable and snug fit.
Buy the Giro Aether MIPS Helmet from Amazon for $299.95.
4. Specialized Echelon II
Costing less than $100, the Specialized Echelon II is one of the best bike helmets for road cycling. The Echelon II is has a nice, well-ventilated, natural, and compact shape. You’ll find that it fits organically and comfortably.
It has a 4th Dimension Cooling System, which increases ventilation. The Echelon II helmet also offers six height positions and a micro-adjustable dial.
Aside from comfort, it’s built with solid safety features. The fit system is ANGi crash sensor ready, and it’s MIPS-equipped. ANGi is a small, helmet-mounted device that provides live tracking, crash detection, and it monitors overall safety.
Buy the Echelon II from Specialized for $90.
5. ABUS Helmet Hyban 2.0
The ABUS Helmet Hyban 2.0 is a strong and stylish commuter helmet. It’s made with EPS foam and an ABS hard shell that has reflectors on it for visibility.
While there aren’t many air vents, ventilation is excellent because of how large the vents are. There are 5 air inlets and 8 air outlets.
It weighs 400g and has a dial on the back for adjustments. Inside the helmet, you’ll find a mesh layer. It’s designed to protect your head from bugs, and it’s a unique feature that works well.
Buy the ABUS Helmet Hyban 2.0 from Amazon for $79.99.
6. Lumos Kickstart Helmet
Lumos designed the Kickstart Helmet to be a smart helmet for commuters, especially if you bike when it’s dark because you’ll be seen from every angle.
It’s equipped with 10 white LEDs on the front, 38 red LEDs on the back, and 22 orange LEDs. The orange LEDs work as turn signals, which are activated with the wireless Lumos Remote. You can also connect it to an Apple Watch via Bluetooth and use the gesture-triggered indicators.
The battery life ranges from 3 to 18 hours. If you use the solid light, it’ll last 3 hours. If you use the extended flashing mode, it’ll last 18 hours. It’s also rechargeable, and it takes about 2 hours.
The Kickstart Helmet is weatherproof, which allows you to ride in the rain. It’s also on the heavier side and is comfortable, but not ideal for long rides.
Buy the Kickstart Helmet from Lumos for $179.95.
7. Scott Centric Plus
The Scott Centric Plus is a lightweight, minimal, and protective helmet that’s designed for usage on roads or mountains. It has MIPS technology and reflective details, which make it safe.
While it’s on the higher end when it comes to price, the Centric Plus helmet is excellent. At approximately 220g, you can hardly feel it on your head.
It’s also designed to maximize airflow and provide top-notch ventilation. If you’re riding in the heat, this is the helmet you’ll want to wear. When it’s cold, you may want to wear an extra layer under it.
Buy the Scott Centric Plus from Backcountry for $209.95.
8. Specialized S-Works Prevail II with ANGi
The S-Works Prevail II with ANGi is a top-of-the-line helmet from Specialized. It’s a popular premium choice because of its comfort, excellent ventilation, low profile, and safety features. The helmet is lightweight and equipped with the ANGi crash sensor and a 4X DryLite webbing.
It’s equipped with MIPS SL, which is a new, ultra-light, and more comfortable version. The S-Works Prevail II also has an aramid-reinforced skeleton for extra internal EPS support.
Overall, Specialized did a great job with the construction of the S-Works Prevail II. It has a micro-dial fit system for easy adjustments, is lightweight and protective.
Buy the Specialized S-Works Prevail II with ANGi from Backcountry for $250.
9. Bell Avenue MIPS Road Helmet
Bell Avenue packs a bunch of value into the MIPS Road Helmet. It’s a high-quality helmet that has plenty of safety features. You get a lot of value for less than $100.
The helmet is designed for the road. It’s constructed with a polycarbonate shell, features 18 vents for ventilation, and the universal size weighs 300g.
On the front, it has a sweat guide pad that pushes moisture away from your face. It’s also equipped with an easily adjustable dial system to help you quickly find the perfect fit.
Buy the Bell Avenue MIPS Road Helmet from Amazon for $69.95.
10. Bontrager Starvos WaveCel Cycling Helmet
Bontrager’s Starvos WaveCel Cycling Helmet is comfortable and protective. It uses WaveCel, which is a collapsible cellular structure that absorbs the force from the impact.
WaveCel technology does an excellent job at protecting your head. The helmet received a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech’s impact testing facility.
It’s a versatile helmet that riders of all skill levels will find valuable. It also features soft and comfortable helmet pads, which are also moisture-wicking and washable.
The weight ranges from 10.4 to 14 ounces. It’s on the heavier end when it comes to weight, but it’s still comfortable. Being a top-rated helmet for safety, it’s worth looking into.
Buy the Bontrager Starvos WaveCel Cycling Helmet from Trek for $99.99.
Frequently asked questions
How do you know if a bike helmet fits?
A well-fitting bike helmet will sit level on your head without tilting to the side. The front edge of the helmet should be right above your eyebrows. It’ll also have a snug fit, and it won’t move around. If your head feels like it’s being squeezed, it’s too small.
Are cheap bike helmets safe?
Typically, cheap helmets will only meet the minimum safety requirements. More expensive helmets may have more safety features and exceed the minimum standards.
Do bike helmets expire?
While bike helmets don’t have an expiration date, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends replacing your bike helmet every 5 to 10 years based on the wear and tear.
Bottom line
Bike helmets are crucial for safety when you’re riding a bike. Finding the right one depends on how and where you plan to ride your bike. Plus, take into consideration the style that you prefer. By knowing these things, you’ll be able to get the perfect bike helmet to keep you safe and comfortable.
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- The Best Electric Bike Conversion Kits
- The best electric road bikes
- Electric bike range: How far can you go?
- The best bike pumps
- The strongest bike locks to prevent theft
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.
About David Em
David Em is the founder and editor-in-chief of Hello E-Bikes, the destination for electric bike reviews, comparisons, gear, and tips.
