Bike helmets are an essential for any type of rider, whether that’s recreational on your suburb street, more high-gear on a mountain-bike or commuter-driven, like those Citi Bikes you see all over Manhattan.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2021 report across New York City area-based data, nearly all bicycle-related deaths (97%) were boiled down to one common denominator: bicyclists were not wearing a helmet.
“Bike helmets typically are meant to provide protection from one crash,” Ken McLeod, policy director at the League of American Bicyclists, told the New York Post. “They absorb the energy of a crash and dissipate the energy through breaking apart.”
Aside from his decade-long experience working on policies to improve the safety and experience of bicycling in the U.S., McLeod is also a long-time bicycle commuter and recreational road and mountain bike rider, which is why we leaned on his expertise to help round up the 6 best bike helmets of 2022 — and what to know before buying one.
Click to jump to the best bike helmets:
What to look for when buying a bike helmet
Though any helmet is better than no helmet, there are few key characteristics to take note of when searching for your travel essential.
“When buying a helmet, people should look for a helmet that fits, is easily adjustable, is comfortable and that they’ll [actually] wear,” McLeod shares. “The most important feature of a helmet is using it, so buying a helmet that fits you and your style is very important so that you’re more likely to use it.”
Other than that, every helmet sold in the US should meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, per McLeod. “You can look at Virginia Tech’s helmet ratings if you want to know more about helmets meeting even higher standards,” he adds.
Another standard to look for is the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) seal, which catalogs tested helmets that meet the following criteria:
- They don’t block the riders vision (the “peripheral vision” test)
- They don’t come off when the rider falls (the “positional stability” test),
- The straps that hold a helmet on a rider’s head do not stretch enough to let the helmet come off in an accident (the “retention strength” test)
- The helmet significantly reduces the force to the rider’s head when the helmet hits a hard surface (the “impact attenuation” test)
McLeod personally looks for helmets with MIPS technology, which stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. This may reduce rotational forces in a crash.
What to avoid when buying a bike helmet
“Avoid buying a helmet that does not fit, is not comfortable, or doesn’t feel like something you’ll wear,” McLeod advises. “Features that may be appropriate for one style of riding — like a chin bar — may be uncomfortable and inappropriate for other styles of riding.” It’s important to (1) think about how you’ll use the helmet and (2) buy a helmet that you’ll use.
How to check if your bike helmet fits properly
This may seem like common sense, but according to a study from Injury Prevention, individuals whose helmets didn’t fit properly had nearly a 2% increased risk of head injury compared with those whose helmets fit well.
McLeod recommends following the 2-2-2 method to check helmet fit. “The 2-2-2 method checks fit by checking that two fingers fit between your eyebrows and the helmet, that the helmet straps go around your ears in a ‘V’ that is formed by your pointer and middle fingers, and that two fingers fit between the helmet strap and your neck,” he explains.
What materials to look for in a bike helmet
Bike helmets are typically made of a plastic foam surrounded by a hard-plastic shell, McLeod told The Post. “The specifics of the materials can vary by manufacturer and production processes,” he adds. “Technologies like MIPS and different strap materials can also be important to the fit, comfort and feel of a helmet.”
When to replace your bike helmet
According to McLeod, long-time guidance has been to replace a bike helmet every five years. “This guidance is mostly a rule of thumb based on potential degradation of helmet materials from use,” he says. “Any wear that may compromise the helmets structural integrity is an indication that it’s time for a new one.”
What’s more, if a helmet is no longer comfortable or your riding style has changed so that a new helmet is more appropriate, that’s also a great reason to get a new one.
Best Bike Helmets
1. The best bike helmet overall: Nutcase VIO MIPS Bike Helmet, $150
The Nutcase VIO MIPS Bike Helmet is one of the best on the market and just so happens to be the one McLeod uses (reminder: he has hit all the stops as a commuter biker, mountain biker and road biker). As his helmet of choice, especially if you’re an average commuter, you’ll appreciate its integrated lights and durable feel.
2. The best helmet for mountain bikers: Bell Super Air R MIPS Mountain Bike Helmet, $280
“Mountain bike helmets tend to provide more coverage than commuter or road bike helmets,” he says. “For serious mountain biking, full face coverage can be the best choice.” McLeod’s mountain bike helmet is the Bell Super Air R, which he chooses for its removable chin bar and spherical MIPS technology.
3. The best helmet for road bikers: Lazer G1 MIPS Helmet, $195
“Road bike helmets tend to prioritize aerodynamics and airflow,” he shares. McLeod’s road bike helmet is a Lazer G1 MIPS, which he choose for its ventilation and MIPS technology. Oh, and it comes in other great colors to suit your taste.
4. The best budget bike helmet: Align II MIPS Helmet, $55
While bike helmets can be an investment, they’re essential. But, if you don’t want to spend more than $75, the Align II MIPS Helmet is for you, especially if you’re on the market for a spare one.
McLeod recommends it because like other picks, it’s highly rated by Virginia Tech and is on the more affordable side. Plus, it has one of the widest color selections we’ve seen, including lavender, coral and other hues.
5. The best bike helmet for commuters: Nutcase Street Mips Helmet, $80
“City commuters can use a wide variety of helmets,” McLeod notes. “Often commuters are well served by helmets that blend in with work or casual clothing, with some prefer helmets provide commuter-oriented features like built in lights, visors, bike lock pass throughs or even folding for portability.”
He recommends the Nutcase Street Mips Helmet, namely because it’s highly rated by Virginia Tech’s standards and has that commuter-style look.
6. Best bike helmet with lights: Sena R1 Smart Communications Helmet, $143, original price: $159
Now this is that high-powered bike helmet Olympic bicyclists likely use. “For people who want to listen to music or talk on the phone while riding, some smart helmets, like these ones from Sena, are equipped with Bluetooth, microphones and speakers to facilitate listening to music or talking on the phone without degrading your ability to hear traffic or annoy others on trails,” McLeod highlights.
Not to mention, the optional Sena R1 Visor ($4) can be attached for added sun protection.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.