If you are new to cycling then the wide range of helmets can be confusing. How do you guarantee safety and comfort, and what's the best helmet for you? Read on to find out…
Bike helmets are designed to protect riders from head injuries, but there are several different types, and to the new cyclist this can be confusing. This guide will explain the features and different kinds of helmets that road cyclists use.
Firstly, what are the key features you should look for in a helmet?
Safety
Always look to see if a helmet has a European CE EN 1078 sticker. The EN 1078 standard ensures the helmet has passed a number of tests that look at the following: helmet construction, field of vision, shock absorbing properties, retention system properties, chin strap and fastening devices. In order to cycle in certain events such as races, sportives and triathlons it is often a requirement to have a helmet that adheres to this standard or an international equivalent.
Lizzie Armitstead wearing a correctly fitting helmet
Fit
If a helmet doesn’t fit properly then it will not do the job it is designed for. Helmets are often available in different sizes relating to the circumference of your head, and while you could measure your head with a tape measure and buy online, we strongly advise going to a bike shop and trying a helmet on before you buy it. You are going to be wearing the helmet a lot, potentially for over five hours at a time, so it’s imperative that it is comfortable. It is also advisable to try on a variety of makes and models to see which is most comfortable and the best bike helmet for you, as they are often different shapes internally.
Some helmets are women specific and even feature a special gap to allow for a pony tail, such as Specialized’s Hair Port system. However, most helmets are unisex and will fit both men and women.
This women’s specific Specialized Aspire helmet features a Hair Port (a gap for a pony tail)
Adjustment/retention system
This is used to adjust the fit of the helmet to your specific head size. These are commonly adjusted by a click wheel or some kind of ratchet system. The best ones can be operated with a single hand, which is useful for making slight adjustments on the move.
The retention system on a Cube Helmet
It should be possible to loosen the retention system on a helmet to allow for a thermal skull cap or cycling cap to be worn underneath. This is done for added warmth, and the peak of a cycling cap can be useful for deflecting rain from the eyes. Because of this, caps are a common sight in the spring classics, such as Paris-Roubaix. If when you try on a helmet the retention system is on its limit, it is probably the wrong size for you.
Tom Boonen on his way to victory in Paris Roubaix in 2008; note the cap under his helmet
Comfort and Padding
Padding makes a helmet more comfortable but also helps to wick sweat away from your head. Better designs feature padding that can be removed for washing and replacement.
The padding inside a Smith Overtake helmet
Venting
These are holes in the shell of the helmet. They have two functions – to reduce the weight of the helmet, and also to add ventilation. Helmets with fewer or no vents are considerably warmer. This might not be obvious when you try one on in a shop, but once you start working up a sweat climbing a big hill at the height of summer it becomes invaluable.
The Catlike Mixino Helmet has lots of vents/holes to keep your head cool on long rides
Weight
As is common with cycling kit, as weight decreases price tends to increase. Lighter helmets are more comfortable because they don’t place any strain on your neck, but the main advantage to a lighter helmet is increasing your power to weight ratio. 50g might not make much difference to most of us mortals, but to a top professional looking for any marginal gain, it becomes significant.
Different Types of Helmet
Kids
There are a wide range of kids helmets available and you shouldn’t have to spend the earth to protect your children. As mentioned before look for a CE sticker, but another good tip is to let the child pick the helmet, because if a helmet is deemed uncool or ugly, your child will be less inclined to wear it. Don’t be tempted to get a size bigger in the hope they will grow into it, and watch out for them growing out of their current one, as a poorly fitting helmet will offer far less protection.
Ensuring a child’s helmet fits correctly is important
Kids often find the straps on helmets irritating, so some designs feature foam padding to make the chin strap more comfortable.
A large number of kids’ helmets are available with designs featuring everything from racing cars and barbie to dinosaurs!
Leisure/Commuting
These kinds of helmets typically range from £40-80 and are ideal for those getting into cycling, or people who are not concerned about spending lots of money with a mind to saving 50-100g. They tend to be just as comfortable in terms of padding as more expensive helmets, but with a slightly heavier weight.
A Giro Savant Helmet
A good example is the Giro Savant (£59.99), pictured above. The Specialized Echelon II (£50) is another great option, although there are many more.
Performance Road
These helmets are among the lightest available, often seen adorning the heads of professionals during races and particularly in mountainous terrain, owing to the low weight and abundance of venting. Helmet vents can be useful for stowing glasses, when not being worn.
Johan Van Summeren wearing the POC Octal helmet. A top-end, lightweight, performance lid
Time Trial Helmets
Time trial (TT) helmets are designed to be worn during time trials and are not permitted in UCI road races. They are also a popular option for triathletes and track riders. These helmets often feature elongated or tear drop shapes to maximise aerodynamics and reduce drag. Venting is minimal, as vents create drag and visors are common. Do not turn up to a sportive or Sunday ride in a time trial helmet, unless you enjoy being ridiculed.
Bradley Wiggins during the World Championships Time Trial. He is wearing a Kask Bambino TT helmet
Aero Road
A new development that has become increasingly popular the last few years. An aero road helmet is a cross between a traditional road helmet and a TT helmet. It is designed to be more aerodynamic than a standard helmet, but this means they often try to reduce drag by featuring less venting, making them slightly heavier and warmer. This is a trade off and this kind of helmet is often favoured by break away riders and sprinters. The Giro Air Attack and Smith Overtake are good examples.
Mark Cavendish sprinting to victory, wearing a Specialized Evade Aero Helmet
A cheaper alternative can be to fit a removable cover to a standard road helmet, such as the Lazer Z1 helmet, although these can be quite sweaty.
Top Tips
Some manufacturers offer a crash replacement scheme, where you can buy a cost price replacement if your helmet is damaged within the first couple of years of the original purchase.
Most helmets are made from expanded polystyrene, with an outer polymer shell, covering this. During a big impact the polystyrene is designed to absorb energy and compress. After a crash, the outer casing can hide the compromised polystyrene underneath, and look undamaged. Always replace your helmet after a crash or impact, and check it regularly for wear and tear.
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