Best Bike Helmets

Trek Velocis MIPS sits at #1 in the A tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over current expert reviews. A recent purchase highlighted in a new-bike delivery post signals current popularity and owner satisfaction for the Trek Velocis MIPS.

Specialized Evade 3 ranks #2 (A tier). Recognized as an example of modern helmet technology and safety design within a respected engineering analysis, the Specialized Evade 3 is highlighted for its contemporary construction.

Our research places POC Cularis, Giro Eclipse Pro, Trek Starvos WaveCel, Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet, Lazer Tonic Kineticore Pro, Giro Aether in the bottom tiers (D/F). The POC Cularis is not highlighted in any positive discussion within the dataset and appears to have limited relevance at present.

A helmet should sit level on your head, about one finger width above your eyebrows, and not rock forward, back or side to side when you shake your head. Measure your head circumference just above the ears and buy the size whose range includes it, then use the rear dial to snug the cradle. The chin strap should form a V under each ear and allow one finger between strap and chin. On our board reviewers single out the Giro Synthe MIPS for its balanced fit and the Giro Eclipse Pro for excellent fit, so start there if fit has been your problem.

MIPS is a thin low-friction liner inside the helmet that lets the shell rotate a few millimetres on impact, which is meant to reduce the rotational force reaching the brain. Most current helmets from the major brands include it or a similar system, such as Lazer's Kineticore or Trek's WaveCel. Our top pick, the Trek Velocis MIPS, and the Giro Synthe MIPS both carry it, and reviewers count the missing modern slip liner against the F tier Giro Aether. For a new purchase there is little reason to skip it.

Road helmets are lighter, more ventilated and often shaped for aerodynamics, with no visor. Mountain bike helmets add a visor, more coverage at the back and sides of the head, and a thicker shell for trail falls. On our board the Trek Velocis MIPS, Specialized Evade 3 and Giro Synthe MIPS are road helmets, while the Bell Super 2, Smith Forefront 3 MIPS and Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet are built for trails. Buy for the riding you do most, a road helmet will feel airy and light on a trail but gives less coverage.

On our board the reliability signals cluster around Trek, Giro and Smith. The Trek Velocis MIPS is praised for long-lasting EPS foam, the Giro Synthe MIPS for a durable shell, and both the Smith Persist MIPS and Smith Forefront 3 MIPS for long-lasting construction and a solid warranty record. Bell also scores well, with the Bell Super 2 noted for robust construction and a reliable warranty program. Lazer and Fox Racing are the brands where reviewers report thin shells and restrictive warranties.

Replace a helmet after any crash that hits the head, even if it looks fine, because the EPS foam crushes once and does not recover. Without a crash, most makers advise replacing a helmet every three to five years as the foam and straps age with sweat, sun and heat. On our board the Trek Velocis MIPS, Smith Persist MIPS and Bell Super 2 are the models reviewers describe as long lasting, while the Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet is reported to show shell wear after two years.

The common failures are a thin outer shell that dents or deforms, straps and pads that wear out, and fit dials that loosen. On our board the Lazer Tonic Kineticore has a thin shell prone to deformation and the Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet shows shell wear after two years. Warranty terms matter when this happens, reviewers flag the Lazer Tonic Kineticore for a limited warranty and the Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet for excluding impact damage. Helmets with a robust shell and a solid warranty record, such as the Bell Super 2 and Smith Persist MIPS, avoid most of these complaints.

For a pedal-assist e-bike limited to the usual assist speed, any certified bike helmet on our board is suitable, and the Trek Velocis MIPS or Giro Synthe MIPS is a good choice. Faster speed-pedelec e-bikes, the class that assists to roughly 45 km/h, are treated as mopeds in many countries and may legally require a helmet certified to a stricter standard such as NTA 8776. Check your local rules before relying on a standard helmet for that class. None of the helmets on our board is tested to that speed-pedelec standard.

No. Bike helmets are certified for cycling speeds and single impacts, and they lack the full-face shell, chin bar and thicker liner a motorcycle or dirt bike helmet needs. Motorcycle and ski helmets are separate categories and are not on this board. For downhill mountain biking at a bike park, a full-face mountain bike helmet is the right tool, the Fox Racing Speedframe Helmet on our board is a trail helmet rather than a full-face model.

Wash the shell and liner with mild soap and lukewarm water, rinse and air dry away from direct heat. Remove and hand wash the pads, and never put a helmet in a dishwasher or dryer. Avoid solvents, strong cleaners and stickers with aggressive adhesive, which can weaken the foam and shell. Store it indoors out of the sun and do not leave it in a hot car, heat ages the EPS foam faster than riding does.

Avoid buying on looks before checking fit, a helmet that rocks on your head protects less. Avoid older designs without a modern slip liner, the reason the Giro Aether sits in F tier on our board. Avoid paying extra for a premium version that reviewers say adds nothing, which is the case for the Lazer Tonic Kineticore Pro over the standard Lazer Tonic Kineticore. Avoid used helmets, you cannot see whether the foam has already taken a hit.

Usually not on our board. Reviewers rate the Lazer Tonic Kineticore Pro below the standard Lazer Tonic Kineticore because it costs more with similar features and no performance gain. The Giro Eclipse Pro draws the same complaint, a premium price for minimal improvement. Spend the extra on a better-fitting helmet from the A tier, such as the Trek Velocis MIPS, rather than on a Pro badge.