How to Choose the Right Bicycle Helmet – Tips and Recommendations

A Few General Words About Helmets

Although the law does not require cyclists to wear helmets on or off the roads, every sensible cyclist prefers to protect their skull and its contents in case of a fall or similar incident.

The function of a bicycle helmet is obvious – to protect the head from injuries and especially the brain from concussions. Along with that, it must be comfortable (in every sense), lightweight, and depending on its purpose, meet some additional requirements. All this determines its construction. In general terms, all modern helmets have a "shell" made of a foam material called EPS, which resembles hard styrofoam. It has more or fewer ventilation holes "cut out," and on the outside, it is covered with a hard "shell" made of a light and durable material (polymer and/or composite). The EPS foam has a primary protective role – upon impact, this material absorbs energy and often breaks as a result. You understood correctly – a bicycle helmet is designed so that in a serious impact, it is the helmet that gets damaged, not the head.

Before we get to the questions about choosing a helmet, it is good to know generally what types are available on the market.

Road Helmets

What characterizes them is that aerodynamics is of essential importance. This determines their shape, which is more streamlined and in some cases slightly elongated backward. Low weight and good ventilation are also very important qualities.

A variant of road models that has gained popularity in recent years is the so-called Aero Road helmets, such as the Giro Vanquish MIPS. They originate from specialized Time Trial helmets, where aerodynamics is so crucial that ventilation holes are completely removed, focusing on maximum streamlining. Aero Road helmets are something in between – their shape aims to achieve maximum aerodynamics, but ventilation is still considered through carefully designed openings.

MTB Helmets

In mountain biking, the variety of helmets seems to be the greatest, but we can mainly reduce them to two types:

Open MTB helmets (half-shells), such as the iXS Trail RS Evo, cover only the top part of the head and are therefore lighter and better ventilated. The shape, thickness, coverage, and details depend on the purpose and price range of the product. This group includes both very expensive models with all kinds of extras and more ordinary, amateur helmets at an affordable price – for example, the DRAG Race Contour.

Helmets with chin guards (full-face helmets) cover the entire head, including the face. Until recently, they were mainly used for downhill, freeride, and other types of riding with increased risk, but in recent years there are more lightweight and/or detachable models that find use in enduro discipline and everyday riding. One of the most popular such products is the IXS TRIGGER FF.

BMX Helmets

Models like the Giro Combyn, Bell Local, or the children's Bell Span are used not only by BMX riders but also by DJ cyclists, skaters, and other urban sports enthusiasts. They are characterized by having a rather thick and sturdy shell and fewer ventilation holes, are heavier, but more resistant to minor impacts, providing better protection in serious incidents. Their simple construction usually makes them more affordable.

Children's Helmets

Protective gear for little ones is no less important than for adults. Most children's helmets do not emphasize extras but aim for simple construction and affordable price, as well as a design attractive to young cyclists. When the helmet is for older children, it resembles the design of adult helmets, while for younger children, child-friendly motifs prevail.

How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet?

First of all, you need to assess what level of protection you need. Of course, helmets meet certain standards (the European ones are EN 1078:1997 and EN 1080:1997), but this does not always mean the same level of protection. For example, an open XC helmet and a DH full-face helmet may both meet the same standard, but it is obvious that the full-face model will provide more complete protection. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider how and where you ride, what the usual risk is for you, and choose the appropriate type of helmet. You cannot ride a road bike with a downhill helmet, for example...

Another very important thing is to choose your helmet by trying it on in person. Besides the fact that size is crucial for adequate protection in a fall, it sometimes varies slightly between different manufacturers. Moreover, the shells of different helmet models are not shaped the same – some may fit rounder heads better, others fit elongated heads better. So come to one of our stores, put the helmet on your head, adjust it... Don’t forget to try it on with the glasses you use while riding – sometimes there are incompatibilities in this regard.

Pay attention to the adjustment system, whether it has the range you need, and whether it is comfortable to use (for example, with one hand while riding). In some cases, the helmet may not be entirely comfortable in the standard setting but allows adjustment to fit your head better.

Ventilation is hard to judge without actual riding, but generally, you can get an idea by looking and comparing which helmets suggest better airflow and which are more closed. Weight is not a decisive factor for most people, but if you want the lightest possible helmet, consider it as well.

Think about what other details and elements are important to you – is there a visor, is there an insect net, what type of fastening is used, what type and material are the padding, is there a system against rotational forces (e.g., MIPS), is there an attachment for a camera, etc.

When Is It Time for a New Helmet?

We have already clarified that after a serious impact, the helmet is compromised, even if no cracks are visible externally. In most cases, such incidents directly lead to the shell breaking in at least one place – remember, that is its function! Therefore, after such an event, it is best to buy a new helmet to be sure it will protect you next time as well.

The material from which the helmet shell is made usually retains its qualities for a period of 3 to 5 years. It is great if you have not had any incidents during this time, but even if you love your old helmet, it is wiser to replace it if it has accumulated such an age.