How to Choose a Bike Helmet:

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.

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.

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RECREATIONAL & COMMUTER BIKE HELMETS

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.

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ROAD BIKE HELMETS

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.

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Mountain Bike Helmets

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.

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Choosing a Helmet for Your Kid?

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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