Tested by If there’s one piece of non-negotiable equipment for cycling, it’s a helmet. If you haven’t purchased one in a while, you might be in for some real surprises in terms of the newest materials, features, styles, and prices. Like almost everything in cycling, helmets have gotten more and more specialized over the years.
You may already know what “kind” of rider you are, or at least what type of riding you’ll be doing, and narrowing that down will greatly aid in your shopping process. It’s usually the first question you are asked when shopping in a bike shop.
While you can divy helmets up by discipline (road, gravel, mountain, downhill, or recreational), you definitely don’t want to skimp on a decent helmet just because you think your riding isn’t extreme enough to justify a top-notch one. A fall is a fall. And typically, everyone has to cross a street or an intersection at some point, even if you think you’re going to be sticking to trails or bike paths.
What you might not know if you’re just getting started is what makes a gravel helmet a gravel helmet, or a road helmet a road helmet, and so on. Don’t get too hung up on these categorizations: All the helmets sold in the United States must pass the same minimum standards. Plus, a lot of the features that make a helmet an “X” specific helmet are often just visual cues.
You can go down the rabbit hole with aerodynamics or goggle compatibility if you want, but at the end of the day any helmet that you like the look of, fits you comfortably, and is in your price range is the best helmet for whatever kind of riding that you do.
Ready to ride? Let’s dive into some of the best helmets out this season and the pros and cons of each, as well as how to decide which is best for you.
See our top picks below, then scroll down for more in-depth reviews of these helmets and other great options, as well as helpful buying tips and advice.
The Best Helmets You Can Buy Right Now
- Best Budget Bike Helmet: Schwinn Intercept
- Best Value Mountain Bike Helmet: Bell Spark MIPS
- Best Mountain Bike Helmet: Lazer Coyote KinetiCore
- Best Budget Mountain Bike Helmet: Lazer Lupo KinetiCore
- Best Value Road Helmet: Specialized Echelon II
Jump to:
- The Best Helmets You Can Buy Right Now
- What to Consider When Buying a Bike Helmet
- Why You Should Trust Us
- How We Tested Bike Helmets
- Best Tested Helmets
- 4 Helmet Safety Technologies Explained
- Safety and Standards
- More About Full Face Helmets
- How to Ensure a Proper Fit
- Is There an E-Bike Specific Helmet?
- Q&A With Our Expert
What to Consider When Buying a Bike Helmet
Ventilation
Road helmets will typically be the lightest and most-ventilated helmets out there, and in some cases, they not only vent well, but enhance cooling (over wearing no helmet at all) by directing airflow through carefully designed shapes and vents and over your head. This also reduces sunglass fogging. Other helmets with increased coverage, like full face and mountain bike helmets, often have fewer vents.
Don’t be fooled by the “more vents are better” mantra. You can’t judge a helmet’s cooling ability simply by how many vents it has. The Giro Synthe, for example, has only 19 vents but is widely regarded as a well-ventilated helmet, while the Kask Valegro has a whopping 37 vents. Size and design of the vents, plus thoughtful internal channels, are more important than the quantity.
Weight
Weight needn't be your biggest concern because when it comes to a helmet, the one you wear will always win out over the one you don’t. It comes down to comfort—you’re more likely to wear a helmet that won’t get in the way or weigh you down.
Lightweight helmets tend to feel more comfortable, especially on long or challenging rides. Both material choices and design aspects contribute to weight savings. High-tech helmets will usually spare you a few grams by incorporating intricate internal bridges and supports that allow gaping vents but keep the helmet together in an impact. Just be prepared to pay a higher price for these innovations. Opting out of “extras” like visors and mounts will also cut down on weight.
Safety
Most modern helmets come equipped with added safety technology like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), WaveCel, SHIN (Shearing Pads Inside), Koroyd, and KinetiCore.
Each of these technologies should help further reduce the forces transmitted to your brain from impacts and collisions in different ways, even if they cannot guarantee a better outcome in a specific situation.
For starters, choose a helmet with a well-respected, time-tested safety system with a lot of positive reviews. Consider both rotational and direct impact forces when looking into the kind of protection a helmet offers. Full-spectrum protection might cost more than the most bare-bones helmet, but it’s worth the price for frequent riders and anyone who ventures off the beaten path onto gnarly singletrack or into heavy traffic.
Extras
While we don’t recommend adorning your helmet with too many accessories, extras such as visors, GoPro mounts, and lights certainly have their place and time.
If you find yourself riding in the dark, light mounts can make your life easier and safer by illuminating the path ahead, and providing another rear facing blinker light to help drivers see you in low light. Bike commuters especially should consider light mounts to make the morning and evening transitions as smooth as possible. Helmet-mounted bike lights work great in conjunction with handlebar mounted lights because they move with you when you turn your head.
For those who ride during daylight, visors provide a built-in sun shield, especially for mountain bikers or rec riders. Road riders may choose a cycling cap under the helmet and eschew any helmet related extras.
For the Instafamous: GoPro and other camera mounts give thrill-seekers and explorers the ability to document their first-person POV experience.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Bicycling, we’ve been vetting and reviewing bikes, gear, and accessories for more than 50 years. Recommendations are based on the extensive work of the test team: Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, Test Editor Dan Chabonov, and Maintenance Editor Gabe Ortiz. Together, they have more than 60 years of ride-testing experience and insight that is brought to every recommendation made.
For these helmet selections, Matt Phillips and Dan Chabanov tested a wide range of options and chose the ones included here based on their experience, deep familiarity of the brands, and extensive industry knowledge.
Further supporting their efforts, expert Aaron Bible added additional insight and further detail based on his industry background coupled with comprehensive research of the current offerings in the market by top brands.
Aaron Bible has made a lifelong career of testing and writing about new products in the outdoor world. He is an award-winning writer, photographer, and multimedia producer with three decades of experience contributing to publications including SKI, Freeskier, Men’s Health, Sunset, Gear Junkie, 5280, Elevation Outdoors, Runner's World, Bicycling, and more. He’s been racing bikes on dirt and road for 20-plus years and has tested dozens of brain buckets over that time. When not hammering away on his computer, Bible can be found hammering out miles on the gravel trails surrounding his home in the Pike’s Peak region of Colorado. Follow along for more adventures on Instagram at @definitelywild.
How We Tested Bike Helmets
Every helmet in this roundup has been thoroughly evaluated and considered by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding in these helmets—and even crashing in some of them—to determine the best options.
Our team of experienced testers spent many hours and miles wearing these helmets on the road, on the trail, on commutes, and at the bike park. We evaluated them on performance, value, fit, comfort, ventilation, aerodynamics, adjustability, and aesthetics to come up with the models that best serve every budget and every kind of rider.
Best Tested Helmets
Pros
- Great value
- Has dial-adjust fit system and removable visor
Cons
- Comes in one size only
- Not well-ventilated
Key Specs
| Weight | 0.77 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | 10 vents |
| Safety (material, or other): | unlisted |
The Schwinn Intercept is a $25 helmet that ranked four stars in Virginia Tech’s STAR testing. That’s a higher ranking than several helmets VT tested that cost hundreds of dollars more. Though it is an inexpensive helmet, it still features a dial-adjustable fit system and a removable visor.
The Intercept is a one-size-fits-most helmet with a claimed weight of about 350 grams—surprisingly light for such an affordable helmet. Note that the Intercept has fewer and smaller vents than higher-end helmets, so it likely won't be as cool as some other options.
Pros
- Built-in visor
Cons
- Only available in one size
Bell introduced this entry-level mountain bike helmet at a lower price than its previous comparable models. Meant to be beginner and budget-friendly, the Spark is made with a single layer of EPS foam and uses a MIPS system. It comes in two universal sizes—adult and youth/women’s (same size range but different colors).
The visor is fixed in a functional, low position to minimize adjustment distractions. Built to be simple and affordable yet long-lasting, the helmet has edges that aren’t coated with the hard outer shell that covers the rest of it. But the contact points where it touches the ground (also where the chin strap attaches) are reinforced with rubber bumpers to protect the exposed EPS foam from cracking or wearing down.
Lazer Coyote KinetiCore
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cool and airy
- Comfortable
- Goggle compatibility
Cons
- Narrow visor
Lazer’s Coyote is a $110 helmet that looks, fits, and feels like it is much pricier. In fact, having ridden in both we say it’s superior to Lazer’s $220 Jackal KinetiCore. At 340 grams (our scale, size medium), the Coyote is quite light for a modern mountain bike helmet. One reason: No MIPS. Instead of MIPS, the Coyote uses Lazer’s KinetiCore, which consists of “controlled crumple zones” built into the EPS foam to mitigate rotational impacts.
An additional benefit is the raised foam blocks that make up the crumple zones create lots of internal channeling, perhaps a reason why this helmet feels so cool and airy.
Pros
- Customizable fit for a one-size-fits-all helmet
- Integrated visor
- Winter-kit compatible
Cons
- A bit bulky on small heads
- Not the lightest option
Key Specs
| Weight | 350 g |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | 12 open vents |
| Safety: (material, or other): | KinetiCore |
For cost-conscious off-road riding, the Lazer Lupo combines KinetiCore technology with true mountain style. And for a one-size-fits-all helmet, it's surprisingly customizable. The turn dial adjusts fit in both width and height, and the relatively low-profile shell allows for a range of fits without too much extra volume.
The fully integrated KinetiCore protection system also cuts down on volume. Those with especially large heads may find the fit a bit restrictive, but the majority of riders will appreciate a helmet that feels stable, secure, and sleek across all sizes. The sturdy visor won’t budge no matter how bumpy the ride gets either. Five stars from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab makes this the safest helmet you can buy for a mere $70.
Pros
- Comes with ANGi crash sensor
Cons
- Vents are on the small side
The Echelon II is the latest incarnation of the tried-and-true Echelon, which has been a staple of the Specialized helmet line for years. Although it’s labeled as a road helmet—in Specialized-speak that means there is no visor—it’s perfectly suited to trail riding as well.
Like its more expensive sibling (the Prevail II), the Echelon II features the Hairport fit system. It comes in a unisex model so ponytails and bronytails will fit comfortably in the updated retention system. The Tri-Fix web splitters aren’t adjustable, but the straps stay well away from the ears, and reflective details are found in the webbing and in stickers on the helmet’s surface.
Pros
- More aerodynamic and better ventilated than the Aether
- Sweat diverting strip built into brow pad
- Giro’s Spherical nested shell design to mitigate rotational forces
Cons
The Aries is Giro’s best-ventilated and most protective road helmet to date. The new model replaces the Aether and takes the position as the brand’s premier road helmet. What’s new is that five years of experience with Spherical and Aura, along with the constant march of technology, allowed Giro to build a helmet that, on paper, exceeds the Aether in almost every way. It's also currently the best helmet that Virginia Tech has tested and rated.
Specialized Propero 4
Pros
- Innovative ventilation that generates strong airflow
- Stows glasses well with dedicated storage
- Subtle silhouette for an aero helmet
- Versatile style for road or gravel
Cons
- Runs large
Key Specs
| Weight | 308 g |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Micro-channeling |
| Safety (material, or other): | MIPS Evolve Solution |
When it comes to gravel or road racing, the Specialized Propero finds middle ground between comfort and aerodynamic advantage, as the Propero 4 prioritizes ventilation with “Micro-Channels” that make the most of minimal vents by funneling air more effectively through the helmet, which maximizes cooling.
Regarding aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing clocked the Propero 4 as 4 watts faster than the S-Works Prevail 3—the helmet that inspired the ventilation tactics used on the Propero 4—so you get the best of both worlds. Tack on MIPS and you’ve got great value in a lightweight helmet from a trusted brand.
Pros
- Thin, unobtrusive straps
- Hassle-free ventilation
- Well-integrated MIPS liner
Cons
- Ventilation suffers during climbs and max efforts or in warm weather
Key Specs
| Weight | 280 g |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Open outer vents (front vent plugs for aero optimization and weather protection sold separately) |
| Safety (material, or other): | MIPS air node technology |
Comfort isn’t always the top priority in aero helmets, but the Cadence Plus does a respectable job of balancing that with speed-centric features. This helmet keeps the exterior sleek and unadorned for the sake of minimizing drag, but the orientation of its few front vents allows for comprehensive cooling, with the option to plug them up for increased aerodynamics. These plugs are sold separately from the helmet, but unlike aero covers of the past, these are small enough to fit in a jersey pocket. Which is handy if the day turns warm.
MIPS technology adds reliable rotational impact protection without bulk. Additional features like the rear light mount, magnetic strap buckle, and secure sunglass stowage streamline your experience with the Cadence Plus, so you don’t have to sacrifice ease of use for speed.
The only situation in which the Cadence Plus doesn't shine is on very steep, slow-speed climbs, particularly if you live somewhere hot and humid. When the speed drops, you quickly notice the lack of air moving through the helmet. But if you're looking for an aero helmet that's at home in World Tour races but still has all the usable everyday features needed by riders, the Cadence Plus is an excellent option.
Pros
- Light for an aero helmet
- Comfortable
- Great ventilation
Cons
Aerodynamic helmets divide cyclists based on their looks. But while they continue to divide because of their looks, the comfort, weight, and ventilation of the best aero road helmets have improved greatly in recent years.
A prime example is Trek’s latest Ballista. Yeah, it kinda looks like a horseshoe crab. However, several Bicycling editors have tried this version, and all give it very high marks for comfort. It’s also quite light. On our scale, a size medium came in at 276 grams. That’s lighter than the Specialized S-Works Evade 3 (318 grams, medium) and even more “normal” looking helmets like the Giro Aires (284g grams, medium).
Ventilation is quite good too, with a noticeable rush of air streaming through the helmet. Other standout features: it’s quiet— an indication of how well it cuts through the air— and the folding fit system makes storing and packing the Ballista for travel easier.
Pros
- Great ventilation
- Great bang for your buck trail helmet
Cons
- Fixed visor
For its price, the Tactic is a great trail helmet that’s competitive with the best in the category. This well-made helmet has an integrated MIPS liner and slightly extended coverage at the temples and down the back of the head. The weight (380g, medium, our scale) is a touch heavy, but competitive.
It’s quite comfortable, too: The pads are plush and don’t irritate bare skin, the chin strap is supple, and the dial-fit system (horizontally and vertically adjustable) wraps the head without pressure points. High-speed ventilation and low-speed breathability are both very good.
The visor looks huge, but it doesn’t project into the field of vision much—a potential downside for riding when the sun is low. The Roam is goggle friendly, with integrated guides and room to dock the goggles under the visor. If you prefer glasses, the forward vents offer a place to stash them. With comfort, performance, and quality, the Tactic is one of our favorite trail helmets.
Pros
- Improved ventilation compared to the original
Cons
- Still much less ventilation compared to a road helmet
Inspired by vintage motorcycle helmets, the trendy, comfortable Thousand Heritage was a favorite when it launched and we're glad to see it get an update. It still has a faux leather strap, but now features larger vents both on the top and in the back to keep you cool.
The logo in the rear pops off to reveal a small channel through which you can run your lock to secure the helmet. This is handy if you don't want to carry it around with you once you're at your destination. An adjustable dial allows you to adjust the fit, and we had no trouble managing the magnetic buckle with just one hand.
Pros
- Optional fabric visor
- 15 vents
- MIPS
Cons
- Feels warmer than comparable helmets
The Smith Network has many of the features of the company's pricier models, along with some truly novel ones. It retains the panels of a honeycomb-like material called Koroyd that is said to increase airflow, and along with the EPS foam, absorbs more energy upon impact. Plus the Network has great eyewear integration and an optional fabric visor that adds the convenience of a cycling cap without the added bulk.
Pros
- Look and feel of a high-end road helmet
- 360-degree size adjustment system helps with comfort
Cons
- Ventilation isn't quite as good as pricier options
The POC Omne Air Spin looks like it should be a lot more expensive than it is. In the not-so-distant past, cheaper helmets looked, well, cheap. Straps were tough to adjust, retention systems were subpar, and there was less ventilation. In short, they were clunky.
The Omne, on the other hand, is far from clunky. It boasts extensive ventilation, a polycarbonate shell bonded to an optimized-density EPS foam liner, and POC's SPIN technology that reduces rotational forces from angled impacts (similar to MIPS). Add in the 360-degree size adjustment retention system and this helmet looks, feels, and performs just like many helmets that are double the price.
The ventilation is more than adequate to keep you from overheating, and despite the extra coverage in the back, it doesn’t feel excessive for road riding. Additionally, gravel and cross country racers who don’t like the full coverage of traditional trail helmets might enjoy this helmet.
Pros
- Easily adjustable on the go
- Made from 70% recycled material and fully recyclable (with zero-glue tech for home recycling)
- High safety ratings
- Built-in port for removable rear light
Cons
Key Specs
| Weight | 350 g |
|---|---|
| Safety (material, or other): | KinetiCore Protection System |
Helmets don’t last forever, which is ok, as technology advances and plastics break down over time, but also because it motivates you to upgrade your head protection. As you retire an older helmet, there is also the environmental impact that many are thinking about nowadays.
Enter the Lazer Verde KinetiCore which makes discarding a helmet easier on your conscience. It’s made from 70 percent recycled material without using glue to piece components together, so you can continue the cycle by deconstructing and recycling this helmet once its riding days are over.
The Verde uses a relatively new rotational protection system, KinetiCore, that’s already earned a four-star rating from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. Its safety ratings extend to the e-bike realm, too, for use at high speeds.
Pros
- Excellent ventilation
- Uses MIPS Air Node technology
Cons
Specialized claims its new Prevail is the most ventilated helmet the brand has ever made, and it’s easy to see why. Looking at the helmet from the front, Specialized has eliminated many of the traditional “foam bridges” that typically create all of the little vents on a helmet, replacing them with its new Air Cage design. It makes for five massive vents and provides a nearly helmet-free feeling on your head.
Giro Helios Spherical
Pros
- Shell-in-shell construction is comfortable and offers great protection
Cons
The Helios is the latest in Giro’s line of Spherical helmets. Debuting with the Aether, Giro’s Spherical helmets feature a slip plane claimed to reduce rotational forces on the brain in some impacts.
Though it employs the same design, the Helios does not use the Aura polyamide reinforcing ring used by the Aether and Manifest. Without Aura, the Helios’s vents can’t be as large as the helmets with the reinforcement, which knocks ventilation down a peg. It's by no means hot or stuffy—it has internal channeling, and air moves through it well—but, compared to the Aether, ventilation felt only average.
Aimed at the gravel/all-road crowd, the Helios is a rounder, smoother-looking helmet: One that doesn’t shout, “I RACE!” Coverage also drops slightly lower in the rear, so the Helios covers more of the skull and provides additional protection if the rider falls backward.
Pros
- Three LED lights provide full 360 visibility
- Remote activated turn signals
Cons
- One size fits most sizing
- Not certified for e-bike use
At 415 grams, the Ultra is no flyweight helmet, but it offers a ton of functionality that other helmets at the $120 price do not. The Ultra has all of the functionality of Lumos’ original offering, while also incorporating Mips technology and conveniently charging with a USB-C cable.
The downsides of the Lumos are the lack of e-bike certification, one-size-fits-most sizing, and that it’s a bit of a tight head-fit if you wear a ponytail. But if the sizing works for you, the added visibility on congested roads or when riding at night is appealing. A full charge can get you through about 10 hours of riding before needing to be topped off.
Pros
- MIPS liner enhances protection
- Has additional e-bike certification (NTA8776)
- Better ventilation then many helmets like it
Cons
- Warm compared to a road helmet
- Lights not included
If you prefer the look of a skate helmet but are in search of something a bit more refined, the Mode is a great option. It’s priced well, looks right, and has some thoughtful details. The hard plastic outer shell and urethane edge bumper protect the foam against everyday knocks, so you don’t need to handle this helmet as delicately as a lightweight model. The MIPS liner is nicely integrated and should help with some impacts, and the padding is comfortable.
Ventilation is better than most helmets like this as there is channeling inside the helmet. Still, the vents are small, so don't expect road helmet levels of ventilation. Additionally, the Mode passes the Dutch e-bike helmet standard for added peace of mind.
Pros
- Easily adjustable fit
- Low-density foam to reduce volume and increase softness
- Won’t ride down on the forehead and obstruct vision
Cons
- One size, runs small
Key Specs
| Weight | 290g |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | 11 open vents |
| Safety (material, or other): | KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and MIPS collaboration |
Unlike the old days, kids should be, and are, wearing helmets from day one on bikes. But finding a helmet that’s effective and actually worth the money isn’t an easy task. The Specialized Mio 2 removes the guesswork. It’s top-rated safety comes out of a collaboration between the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and MIPS, for a helmet specifically designed to protect the soft skulls of young riders while reducing overall helmet size.
A kid-specific headset ensures that you can fine-tune the fit so toddlers of all sizes can wear it properly and open it up as their heads grow. Details like the tri-fix web splitter simplify size adjustments to reduce frustration on both sides. The Mio 2 comes in four fun colors and patterns with an included sticker pack.
Another great option for toddlers is Thousand, a kids brand that only makes helmets and helmet accessories. The Heritage 2.0 is a classic shell design with great ventilation, little weight, comfortable padding with a fully adjustable chin harness, lots of color options (rad sticker pack also included), and an option for a magnetic tail light. They also have a MIPS option. ($75 - $145)
4 Helmet Safety Technologies Explained
MIPS
(Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) comes in several versions. The most common uses a liner inside the helmet that allows your head and helmet to move relative to each other in the event of a crash.
Upon impact, the helmet can move a little without pulling on your head, which is claimed to reduce brain trauma. MIPS Spherical, shown here in the Giro Aether helmet, is another variant, as are the MIPS SL pads in the Specialized Prevail III helmet.
Specialized ANGi
A small electronic sensor will automatically signal your phone to send out a call for help—along with your GPS coordinates—to selected contacts if you crash and can’t do so on your own.
Smith Koroyd
While Specialized is no longer supporting its ANGi technology released a few years ago, a new and similar system called Aleck is now available in two Smith bike helmets: The Payroll and the Triad. Both also have Koroyd. The technology behind Koroyd involves miniature tubes thermo-welded together to create what looks like drinking straws or honeycomb if you were to look straight down on them.
The material crumples in on itself given a certain amount of force upon impact. Smith typically applies Koroyd in a zonal manner, built into particular places on the helmet to optimize weight and space savings while protecting the most vulnerable parts of your head. One of Smith’s newest bike helmet models, the Triad, utilizes Koroyd in combination with MIPS for a double dose of leading-edge protection.
The new Triad also includes Aleck “intelligent impact” crash sensors, which detect the amount of impact absorbed by the Koroyd technology, and can send out an emergency GPS signal to select contacts if the crash is severe.
The Triad (Weight: 290g; $210) also features an integrated skeletal structure, creating a “roll cage” for added strength and impact protection, and it crosses over from mountain to gravel to road. Smith’s VaporFit system provides 270-degree fit adjustment so riders can fine-tune comfort on the go, while 19 fixed vents provide consistent airflow.
Its AirEvac ventilation system integrates with Smith eyewear to reduce lens fogging, and front and rear channels in the helmet are there to store sunglasses when needed.
Bontrager Wavecel
Wavecel is a 15mm-thick grid of layered polyester that can crumple, flex, and glide on impact, reducing forces.
Safety and Standards
All helmets sold in the U.S. must meet a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard. However, the standard is old (adopted in 1998), and does not, for example, contain any language about mitigating rotational forces on the brain, nor does it lay down any standards for a full-face helmet’s chin bar. Given all we’ve learned about brain injuries in the past 20+ years, the CPSC test is in desperate need of an update.
There are voluntary and third-party tests outside of the CPSC test. Of them, we like Virginia Tech’s STAR tests, which were developed with a more modern understanding of head injuries than the CPSC’s test.
VT’s protocols evaluate a helmet’s ability to mitigate linear acceleration and rotational velocity, then assigns a ranking of zero to five stars. A helmet gets more stars if the testing indicates it does a better job of reducing injury. Virginia Tech only recommends helmets that receive four or five stars.
Outside of CPSC and VT’s STAR, most reputable helmet makers have their own in-house test protocols. The specifics of those tests and the results are often proprietary and not shared with the public.
However, no controlled test can replicate every possible real-world crash. But wearing a helmet is always better than not wearing a helmet, and our understanding of what makes an effective helmet, and the associated testing, improves every day. And that means helmets are always improving.
More About Full Face Helmets
Most of the helmets shown here are “half-lids.” These helmets cover the top of the head with coverage ending around the eyebrows and top of the ears, though some—particularly mountain bike helmets—offer extended coverage at the back of the rider’s head.
Another style of helmet is the full face. As the name suggests, this style of helmet covers the majority of a rider’s head and face. In addition to the chin bar that juts out in front of the rider’s jaw, a full face covers a rider’s ears and the back of their head with the large opening in front providing room for goggles.
As you can guess, full face helmets protect more of the rider—particularly the mouth and jaw—but are heavier and less ventilated than a half lid. Full face helmets are primarily used by mountain bikers—especially downhill and enduro racers—but all riders can benefit from the extra protection they provide.
Full face helmets generally fall into two categories.
A heavy-duty full face—typically used for downhill racing—has the most coverage of any type of bicycle helmet. They also have fewer vents, thicker foam, and a larger visor. Inside, a heavy-duty full-face helmet usually has thick pads that squeeze a rider’s cheeks, which helps keep the helmet in place and prevents it from wobbling.
Heavy-duty full-face helmets typically do not have any sort of dial-adjustable fit system, but instead rely on padding thickness to adjust fit. At the high end, these helmets often use a carbon fiber shell to shave weight. Specialized’s $500 Dissident 2 is a perfect example of a modern downhill race helmet.
Because they have the most coverage and the thickest foam, a heavy-duty full face should offer the most protection and energy attenuation of any bicycle helmet. But, as it is in every case, it comes down to the individual helmet and the specific impact.
A different take on the full face—and one that’s seeing increased popularity—is the lightweight full face like Fox’s Proframe RS. The promise of this style is the increased coverage and protection of a full face, but in a lighter and better ventilated (uphill friendly) format.
In contrast to the almost completely solid shell of a heavy-duty full face, a lightweight full face has numerous and large vents in the shell. A lightweight full face’s interior is like a half lid with less padding and lighter and thinner straps than a heavy-duty full face, and a dial-adjustable fit system.
Most full-face helmets are one piece, but a few helmets that have a removable chin bar. This allows the rider to have extra protection when they need it, with the option to ride in a lighter and better ventilated helmet when the extra protection is less critical. Examples include the Giro Switchblade, MET Parachute MCR, and Bell Super.
So, does crashing in a full-face helmet guarantee a better outcome than crashing in a half lid? That’s hard to say. As a bicycle helmet, the only mandatory (minimum) standard a full-face helmet needs to pass to sell in the USA is the same as a half lid (CPSC 1203). That means that even though a full face offers more coverage than a half lid, that increased coverage is not subjected to any mandatory minimums testing.
However, there is a voluntary standard (ASTM F1952) that subjects helmets to more severe impacts, tests more of the helmets surface area (lower test lines), and has minimum chin-bar impact requirements. That’s why we typically recommend only buying full face helmets that meet this voluntary standard.
How to Ensure a Proper Fit
“A helmet will protect you only if it fits correctly,” says John Thompson, Scott’s helmet product manager.
Sizes vary by brand, and most companies offer a fit guide to help you determine which size is best for your head. Measure the circumference of your head to determine the best size; if you fall between sizes, go by comfort.
Is There an E-Bike Specific Helmet?
Only the Netherlands has an e-bike-specific helmet standard (which was adopted there in 2017). NTA 8776 is a standard designed around protecting against higher impact speeds and covers a slightly larger part of the head.
In the U.S., there are currently no helmet requirements specific to e-bike use. But several manufacturers sell commuter helmets built to the NTA 8776 standard. Two of our favorites are the Specialized Mode and Smith Dispatch.
Q&A With Our Expert
Expert Aaron Bible With More on Protecting Your Melon
When it comes to gear, few have made a lifelong career of testing and writing about new products in the outdoor world the way Aaron H Bible has. With three decades of experience as a content specialist, creative director, and journalist, Bible is an award-winning writer, photographer, and multimedia producer. In addition to outdoor gear, Bible has written about everything from technology and home electronics to healthcare and home furnishings. He is a contributing writer, editor, and photographer to publications including SKI, Freeskier, Men’s Health, Sunset, Gear Junkie, 5280, Elevation Outdoors, Vanish, Runner's World, Bicycling, and more. Bible holds an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design, and has worked as a photographer, gallery director, and educator. A ski bum at heart, he lives with his family in the high-country of Colorado where he and his wife are raising two girls to love thin air, fresh pow, and the flow state.
A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling, Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race.
Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.
