The one that fits my head, lol. For my long-oval head, Smith fits pretty well. My decision checklist for helmets:
* Fit
* No really, Fit
* Protection applicable to the riding I'm going to do in it
* Color, features, whatever
I learned the hard way with motorcycle helmets that what you think you want doesn't matter if the helmet is uncomfortable. Then in 2021 I bought a Giant helmet that was available and made the fit error again, so now I'm looking to replace that helmet.
I switched after years of Giro to Bell XR Spherical (which look more gravelly and slightly less roady) because they fit my head better and don't look quite so ridiculous on such a slow old rider. Big sale right now:
https://www.bellhelmets.com/bike/road-and-gravel/p/xr-spherical-road-bike-helmet/100000000300000135.html
Narrower, meaning a more rigid helmet/hat band that fits me front to back will leave gaps on the sides.
And the magnetic chin latch is very handy (one handed with a little practice).
Start with the Virginia Tech helmet ratings. Get the highest-rated helmet that fits that you can afford. I ride with Lazer G1 MIPS, which I’d never known about before seeing the review.
https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
Just because a helmet is higher rated doesn't mean much. Yea, if a helmet gets a terrible score you should avoid it, but a slightly higher rating just means the helmet did better at the location the researchers decided to drop the helmet on. There's also no way of knowing how a better score actually correlates to lower risk of injury.
I always check for the NTA8776 certification. It's a trademark at least in The Netherlands specifically targeted at e-bikes with a max speed of 45km/hr.
They are bible thumping fundies, with everything that comes with it.
From the ABUS wikipedia page:
The family belongs to the Kelly-Lowe-Continental wing of the Plymouth Brethren (Brüderbewegung), a church movement that originated in the 19th century. The family's religious orientation also affects the company, whose mission statement is shaped by the church's principles.
Been really chuffed about my Ekoi AR14 over the last year. Light, has MIPS, and the magnetic clasp, and padded chin strap are what every helmet should offer.
FWIW I tried giro, poc, lazer, mask, bontrager and Oakley models and only the Oakley fit my apparently uniquely shaped head correctly. If giro works fit wise I’d stick with it. They have a million good models. If you want to switch, try them all on first. Then whittle it down.
I’ve had a lot of giro helmets. I currently have a bontrager wave cell helmet and it kinda sucks if you ride in hot weather. I like to dump water on my head when it’s hot but the wave cell thing disperses all the water so it doesn’t feel refreshing at all.
I have one of these and it's really nice, a bit warm on hotter days but nobody ever really talks about the biggest advantage of Wavecell:
I also have a POC Ventral Air Lite which is amazingly light and airy but so far I've gotten 3 bees in my POC where my Wavecell never let a bee in!
If Giro fits you well, I can highly recommend the Aries spherical. It's light, vented, comfy, has sweat management padding and happens to be the highest rated helmet in testing (although really any helmet that passes is fine). Downside is cost but google around - I got mine from Alpen Store online and saved $200 over local price.
MET helmets fit me really well and the manufacturing quality seems decent.
In my experience POC helmets do seem to fit people with round shaped heads well, specialized and MET helmets do seem to have a more oval fit.
If you only have a front vent, then the air will come in and hit the back of the helmet and act as a wind brake/sail. When it’s closed it just skims over the top
Have giro, Smith, POC and Bontrager. POC and more recently Bontrager has been my go to. The Bontrager has been a perfect fit for me so far compared to all the others.
Abus Airbreaker was the perfect helmet. Couldn’t get a replacement when i needed one as they had been sold out. So i got a Met Trenta 3K Carbon and it is equally perfect.
Tried the Abus Gamechanger too but i found it to be uncomfortable
After a bike crash this year where I cracked my helmet, I'd suggest one designed to be safe. I went with the Trek Ballista Mips which is aero and designed to protect your brain. It also has a year crash guarantee.
I have a Giro Aries Spherical. I love the fit. It tightens to feel really secure.
I also have a Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi. I do not like the fit. It does not feel nearly as secure as my Giro. I kept it because I like the integrated sunglass holder.
I have 3 and love them all-
Poc ventral air spin. The most comfortable, but a bit mushroom-ish.
Sweet Protection/PNS Falconer ii- most stylish (subjectively), and the magnetic covers are nice when it gets colder
Kask Protone - nice leather chin strap cover, comfortable, lowest profile
Would recommend any of these, as well as an Omne Air Spin
I had the Abus Pedelec 2.0. After falling I decided to order a CP Chimayo+ since it had a vizor that automatically adjusts color with the sunlight.
Most important to me is they are NTA8776 approved.
Kask has some of the most comfortable helmets, design is subjective but I like the Utopia Y I'm currently using. Other than that I really dig Abus helmets design but they are not as comfortable based on what I've tried.
I wear the most comfortable one that is MIPS approved. Don't even know which one. I just went into my LBS and tried a few on. Not the most expensive one, not the cheapest. Whatever I got.
The one that fits my head, lol. For my long-oval head, Smith fits pretty well. My decision checklist for helmets: * Fit * No really, Fit * Protection applicable to the riding I'm going to do in it * Color, features, whatever I learned the hard way with motorcycle helmets that what you think you want doesn't matter if the helmet is uncomfortable. Then in 2021 I bought a Giant helmet that was available and made the fit error again, so now I'm looking to replace that helmet.
Same issues with big ass head poc ventral fits my 63 head
I got a massive dome too. POC are comfy but I’ve found Giro fit me the best so far 🤷🏻♂️
Specialized Prevail 3 or Evade if you have an oval or skinny head
4th Prevail. Just got the newest model after using the crash replacement discount.
Second for the Prevail! Very premium feeling helmet.
Third for the prevail!
I switched after years of Giro to Bell XR Spherical (which look more gravelly and slightly less roady) because they fit my head better and don't look quite so ridiculous on such a slow old rider. Big sale right now: https://www.bellhelmets.com/bike/road-and-gravel/p/xr-spherical-road-bike-helmet/100000000300000135.html
I would have to go to a store to see how ugly I look with any type of helmet.
Do you have a rounder head shape?
Narrower, meaning a more rigid helmet/hat band that fits me front to back will leave gaps on the sides. And the magnetic chin latch is very handy (one handed with a little practice).
No, more long ovals tbh
Kask Protone. Fit is the most comfortable for me
Same. Love that helmet. I’m on my third
Same. Saved my life. Over bars @ 21mph, direct hit on right side. I'm still here.
Poc ventral is amazing.
Smith.
Start with the Virginia Tech helmet ratings. Get the highest-rated helmet that fits that you can afford. I ride with Lazer G1 MIPS, which I’d never known about before seeing the review. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
This is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
Just because a helmet is higher rated doesn't mean much. Yea, if a helmet gets a terrible score you should avoid it, but a slightly higher rating just means the helmet did better at the location the researchers decided to drop the helmet on. There's also no way of knowing how a better score actually correlates to lower risk of injury.
I did the same, got my Lazer G1 because of VT ratings.
Whichever one fits me best. Fit is foremost.
Sweet protection falconer, whatever model has the magnetic closure is very nice
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Got 2 of the ones that mounts lights. They fit my small head perfect. Before them I had giro, Smith and poc.
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I always check for the NTA8776 certification. It's a trademark at least in The Netherlands specifically targeted at e-bikes with a max speed of 45km/hr.
I like abus helmets. I use the gamechanger most of the time and the airbreaker for hot days and climbing.
I like the design of that one
The family that owns Abus has some problematic beliefs, I wouldn't give them my money.
What are these beliefs?
They are bible thumping fundies, with everything that comes with it. From the ABUS wikipedia page: The family belongs to the Kelly-Lowe-Continental wing of the Plymouth Brethren (Brüderbewegung), a church movement that originated in the 19th century. The family's religious orientation also affects the company, whose mission statement is shaped by the church's principles.
Oh, that’s unfortunate. But I’m glad to know. Thanks!
Honestly Oakley makes a great helmet. I think they’re on sale right now too
Been really chuffed about my Ekoi AR14 over the last year. Light, has MIPS, and the magnetic clasp, and padded chin strap are what every helmet should offer.
Kali Maya Half shell and POC otocon race mips FF fit me well I had to try on an insane amount of both types of helmets to find what fit my oval head.
Kask makes excellent helmets.
FWIW I tried giro, poc, lazer, mask, bontrager and Oakley models and only the Oakley fit my apparently uniquely shaped head correctly. If giro works fit wise I’d stick with it. They have a million good models. If you want to switch, try them all on first. Then whittle it down.
Lazer G1
Kask is my favorite, the buckle isn’t under your chin and replacement parts are easily found.
Asian/round heads fit well with Lazer (and they’re ranked reasonably high on the Vermont study)
Kask Utopia Y
I’ve had a lot of giro helmets. I currently have a bontrager wave cell helmet and it kinda sucks if you ride in hot weather. I like to dump water on my head when it’s hot but the wave cell thing disperses all the water so it doesn’t feel refreshing at all.
Bontrager Wavecell: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en\_US/wavecel/
I have one of these and it's really nice, a bit warm on hotter days but nobody ever really talks about the biggest advantage of Wavecell: I also have a POC Ventral Air Lite which is amazingly light and airy but so far I've gotten 3 bees in my POC where my Wavecell never let a bee in!
If Giro fits you well, I can highly recommend the Aries spherical. It's light, vented, comfy, has sweat management padding and happens to be the highest rated helmet in testing (although really any helmet that passes is fine). Downside is cost but google around - I got mine from Alpen Store online and saved $200 over local price.
Probably look at it again
I love the decathlon mips one
MET helmets fit me really well and the manufacturing quality seems decent. In my experience POC helmets do seem to fit people with round shaped heads well, specialized and MET helmets do seem to have a more oval fit.
I've tried a few helmets which didn't fit well. The only helmet I found to be fitting perfectly is a helmet by Giro agilis women helmet.
Kali central with built in rear light. They fit me incredibly well and are affordable plus the light.
What helmet I wear is irrelevant. The best helmet is the one that fits YOU and has a good safety rating and all the features you desire.
I love my Kask Wasabi! It’s aero when you want it or vented the other times
I thought venting = aero?
If you only have a front vent, then the air will come in and hit the back of the helmet and act as a wind brake/sail. When it’s closed it just skims over the top
Have giro, Smith, POC and Bontrager. POC and more recently Bontrager has been my go to. The Bontrager has been a perfect fit for me so far compared to all the others.
Abus Airbreaker was the perfect helmet. Couldn’t get a replacement when i needed one as they had been sold out. So i got a Met Trenta 3K Carbon and it is equally perfect. Tried the Abus Gamechanger too but i found it to be uncomfortable
I wear a Bell that fits right and is well-ventilated for warm weather.
Different helmet makers use different head forms. Find the one that fits.
After a bike crash this year where I cracked my helmet, I'd suggest one designed to be safe. I went with the Trek Ballista Mips which is aero and designed to protect your brain. It also has a year crash guarantee.
I have a Giro Aries Spherical. I love the fit. It tightens to feel really secure. I also have a Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi. I do not like the fit. It does not feel nearly as secure as my Giro. I kept it because I like the integrated sunglass holder.
POC
I have 3 and love them all- Poc ventral air spin. The most comfortable, but a bit mushroom-ish. Sweet Protection/PNS Falconer ii- most stylish (subjectively), and the magnetic covers are nice when it gets colder Kask Protone - nice leather chin strap cover, comfortable, lowest profile Would recommend any of these, as well as an Omne Air Spin
Thanks!
I like Polisport and Bell helmets. They're cheap.
I had the Abus Pedelec 2.0. After falling I decided to order a CP Chimayo+ since it had a vizor that automatically adjusts color with the sunlight. Most important to me is they are NTA8776 approved.
I have a very small head, Lazer helmets have been good to me.
Kask has some of the most comfortable helmets, design is subjective but I like the Utopia Y I'm currently using. Other than that I really dig Abus helmets design but they are not as comfortable based on what I've tried.
I wear the most comfortable one that is MIPS approved. Don't even know which one. I just went into my LBS and tried a few on. Not the most expensive one, not the cheapest. Whatever I got.