Since fit and comfort are two of the most important features of bicycle helmets, we then head-tested every model, riding many miles in different circumstances (off road, dirt roads, highways and city streets) to see how they held up under real world use. We also considered the results of a 2020 study conducted by a Swedish insurance company as part of our evaluation.īelow is a chart with the Virginia Tech ratings of the helmets we reviewed the lower the number, the better. Those included Virginia Tech and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's evaluation of 162 bike helmets and a 2021 study of 27 helmets tested in oblique impacts published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Of course, we could not test the helmets under actual crash conditions, so we consulted several test reports that conducted extensive lab-based impact analysis. If a helmet had other features - such as built-in lights - we also tested their ease of use. We then wore the helmets on a number of bike rides, evaluating their fit, adjustability, and comfort. MIPS, which in this use stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, includes a layer that allows the helmet to slide relative to the head, thus reducing rotational forces which can cause concussions or other brain injuries. One of the criteria in selecting the best bike helmets to test was if they had MIPS protection, or the equivalent. We like the look of the Axion as well, although it wasn't as comfortable a fit we wished it shipped with additional pads to reduce friction in the back. The Axion SPIN uses a system of silicone pads to deflect rotational forces and appears to do better than traditional foam-only designs in tests. The Axion also eschews the MIPS impact system and instead uses POC's own solution, SPIN for Shearing Pad INside. Its design is not completely enclosed like urban models, but it does cover more of the back and sides of the head than typical lightweight road helmets designed for speed and hot weather. POC's Axion SPIN is equally at home on city streets or flying around dirt trails, which makes it one of the best bike helmets for those who want one model for a variety of conditions. We found the Lumos Ultra to be very comfortable, with an extended front brow pad and rear-dial fitting system that worked well.Ī helmet good for on- and off-road biking The Lumos Ultra can also be ordered with the integrated MIPS system. We found that the Lumos controller worked well (but was tricky when wearing gloves), and the helmet easily and automatically paired with the controller every time we turned it on. The app will also track your rides and is compatible with Google Fit and Strava. If you have an Apple Watch, when you make a hand gesture to turn, the appropriate signal on the helmet will blink.Īn app also lets you set the lights to flash, adjust brightness, and more. The Lumos Ultra has a front LED headlight and red turn signals in the rear of the helmet and comes with a wireless controller that straps onto your handlebars. If you're a serious mountain biker, the Bell Super Air R may be the best investment you make. The visor also has three positions, so if you're going uphill you can push it back so it's not obstructing your view. With its open vented design, however, you can leave the chin guard in place without worrying about fogging up your glasses. The chin guard can quickly be removed two front hooks secure it with a pair of snap-down clips in back. It uses a dial-in Float fit system, but has thicker padding inside than any other model we tested and the padding stretches farther back for a better fit. The best bicycle helmets you can buy todayĪmong the best bike helmets we tested, Bell Super Air R was the only model that included a chin guard to protect you in case of an off-road face plant, and it offered a more snug yet comfortable fit than any of the others we tried. So, before you get on one of the best electric bikes or best electric scooters to go to work or school - or to have fun - be sure to strap on one of the best bike helmets first. And, be sure to pick up one of the best bike locks, too - after all, you need to protect more than your head.
That's why we tested a dozen of the best bike helmets on the market, ranging in price from about $50 up to around $300. And, we only picked MIPS helmets, as they offer much better protection than other models. What's more, some bike helmets are downright expensive. Previous studies in New York City found that almost all bicyclists who died (97%) were not wearing a helmet.īut finding the best bike helmet for you can be difficult, not just for the fit, but also depending on the type of biking you plan to do. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. In 2019, sixty-two percent of bicyclists killed were not wearing helmets, according to the U.S.
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