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Best Bike Helmet Reviews 2023

One essential piece of equipment for bike riding is a bike helmet. In the US, 75% of all bicycle-related deaths result from trauma to the head. In this guide, we'll discuss the most important safety features to consider when comparing bike helmets.
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Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Type
Size
Weight
Adjustable
Extras
Our Top Choice
Troy Lee A1
Troy Lee A1
Troy Lee Designs specializes in making excellent bike helmets. However, they also have a wide range of other safety equipment as well as a custom paint department, if you’re interested.
Lightweight. Lots of sizes, even folks with big noggins can find their fit. Comfortable. Cool graphics.
The liner is comfortable, but soaks up too much sweat. Velcro feels a bit loose.
Adult Mountain Biking Helmet
XS/SM, MD/LG, XL/2X
1.9 lbs.
Triple position retention system
CoolMax pads, Cam-lock stabilizer
Best Value
POC Sports Crane Pure
POC Sports Crane Pure
POC is a Swedish brand much lauded for their quality designs and strong commitment to preserving lives.
True to size, good fit, even for large heads. Quite lightweight. Solid, sturdy and sleek design. Replaceable padding. Generously ventilated.
Basic design, no bells, no whistles. Might as well have been a pro instead of a con.
Adult Cycling Helmet
XS–XXL
1.9 lbs.
Straps
Extra padding for better fit
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet
Giro is yet another great choice for folks looking for protective gear. They specialize in cycling and snow equipment with some quite unique and innovative products.
Design looks cool. Has included shield with magnet attachments. Comfortable retention system. Good for cold conditions.
Pricy. Could be better ventilated. Not for hot conditions.
Aerodynamic Adult Helmet
Small, Medium, Large
1 lbs. (400g)
Roc Loc® Air Fit System
Removable XStatic padding
Bell Sidetrack Youth Helmet
Bell Sidetrack Youth Helmet
From power sports to kids’ equipment and from apparel to accessories, Bell has it all. Their single most important department is their helmets, so it is no surprise they’re skilled at making them.
Universal fit. Lots of colors to choose from. Adjustable and comfortable. Great ventilation. Has a visor.
No magnet attachments.
Youth Cycling Helmet
Universal Youth (50–57cm)
1.8 lbs. (276g)
ErgoDialTM Fit System
EPS impact foam
Critical Cycles CM-1 Helmet
Critical Cycles CM-1 Helmet
Unlike other brands on this list, Critical Cycles doesn’t specialize in just helmets and protective gear, but rather in bicycles, related components and accessories.
Extremely lightweight. Cute design. Ideal for casual wear. Great multipurpose helmet. Absurdly cheap.
As long as you know how to use a conversion table, there won’t be any problems.
Adult Multi-sport Helmet
Small, Medium, Large
Not provided
Adjustable straps
Interchangeable pads

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Watch Our bike helmet Review

What is the Best Bike Helmet?

We’ve prepared a list of the best cycling helmets out there, including some of the most popular items in different price brackets. With a selection of high-end and budget-price options, we hope to introduce you to the best bike helmet for your needs.
Our Top Choice
Troy Lee A1
The A1 comes in a stunning variety of colors and sizes, providing a wide range of choice. If, however, you can’t find your pick among the various A1 varieties, check out the D2 Midnight. Besides the cool design, this one is also a closed helmet, adding a measure of protection.

Troy Lee Designs A-1 Helmet - Available in 21 Colors


Features
Troy Lee Designs is a brand that made its name making high-quality custom helmets featuring unique graphics that appealed to riders nationwide. Today, they make much more than just helmets, and their range includes anything from gear bags and jackets, to jerseys and accessories; not only for bikes, but also motorcycles, as well as some other assorted sportswear.

Apart from being as comfortable as a pillow, the A1 comes in such a vast variety of styles and sizes that it is difficult to make a choice. More importantly, virtually anyone can find a helmet that fits. Thanks to the A1, you won’t have this problem!

Let’s see what makes this bad boy such a good buy.
  • Open-faced helmet
  • Shell is made of reinforced polycarbonate, which makes it lightweight and durable
  • Features EPS impact foam to protect your noggin
  • Has 16 vents to keep your head cool
  • Weighs about 1.9 pounds
  • Allows you to fit it snuggly using the Triple position adjustable retention system
  • Has an adjustable visor
As we have repeated ad nauseam, there’s really a staggering volume of choice between different colors, styles and sizes for these helmets.
No head is too big or too small for Troy Lee Designs, check out their roster and find your ideal match today!
Best Value
POC Sports Crane Pure
If you want something to keep your head safe and nothing more, then the POC Sport Crane Pure is your friend, just like the whole of their product range. But, if you find its design lacking for whatever reason, give the Tectal a try. It is a slightly more aerodynamic design than its cousin.

POC Crane Pure (CPSC) Bike Helmet - Open-Faced with Passive Ventilation System - Available in 4 Colors


Features
POC, as noted earlier, is a Swedish brand with strong commitment to keeping people safe in risky situations. They made their break in the ski racing niche, but have over time spread into other markets and become one of the major players.

The Crane Pure is a true embodiment of Swedish utilitarian design – there are no bells nor whistles, no streaming banners and painted flames, just a simple plastic dome to protect your most precious asset.

Here are some of the main features of the Crane Pure.
  • An open-faced helmet, with a progressive core and dual-density liner
  • Features a highly effective passive ventilation design
  • Holds several certificates: EN 1078, CPSC 1203, AS/NZS 2063:2008
  • At around a pound, it’s one of the lightest on the list
  • Strap anchors are molded inside the liner
Once more, if you think that the Crane Pure doesn’t have enough bells and whistles, you can check out the rest of the POC’s product range and you’re bound to find something to your liking.
Don’t beat your brains too much about choosing the right helmet. Go simple, go safe, go POC Sports!
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet
The Air Attack does live up to its name, feeling very fast, but to really test it you’d have to take it into an air tunnel. What makes it less desirable is the prohibitive price tag, so if you want something more budget-friendly, we suggest you check out the Trinity model, which is way more affordable and has some great customer reviews to boot.

Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet, Optical Shield with Magnetic Attachment - Available in 7 Colors


Features
Giro seems to be on the forefront of head protective technology, with their innovative designs and quality materials. It should come as no surprise that their prices correlate in this regard, rendering some of their lines strictly prohibitive to amateurs.

One such product is the Air Attack, which is a marvel of modern engineering. If you can shell out the dough, you should definitely try it on for size and revel in the drag-reduced design. In all seriousness, though, the Air Attack does feel faster, but, more importantly, it serves the purpose of protecting your head. Moreover, it offers unparalleled protection from the sun’s rays thanks to the removable flash shield.

Here’s a list of the most interesting things about this helmet.
  • It’s an open-faced design with visor
  • Features a removable Carl Zeiss Flash shield with magnetic clips
  • Uses removable X-Static Comfort Padding
  • Offers custom fit through the Roc Loc Air Fit System
  • Has 6 internal vents for air circulation
Yes, the Air Attack is kind of pricy, but rest assured you’ll feel where each and every penny went once you put it on. Let’s just hope you don’t have to test it to the fullest.
Fly like the wind with your new Giro Bicycle helmet! Check out their full range of products today!
Bell Sidetrack Youth Helmet
If you’re looking for a helmet to protect your kids, simply get the Sidetrack Youth and consider the matter settled. However, if you happen to be on the hunt for an adult helmet - for yourself or your significant other - do consider the Segment model by Bell. Its simple, utilitarian design and good price are sure to win you over.

Bell Sidetrack Youth Bike Helmet - Kid's Universal Fit with Visor - Available in 11 Colors


Features
Imagine if a company invested all their knowledge and effort into making a single niche product - what would be the result? Well, luckily for us, we don’t have to imagine, instead we present you with Bell and their fairly impressive range of products.

One of the products worthy of closer examination is the Sidetrack Youth, a helmet intended for kids. Don’t worry about the fit, as the Sidetrack Youth has an adjustable dial fit system that allows for a snug fit around most kids’ heads (think 47–54cm, or 18.5–21.3in in circumference).

Let’s take a closer look at this helmet and see what other goodies we can find.
  • Open-faced helmet with integrated snap-in visor>
  • Features the ErgoDial Fit System for custom fit
  • 15 vents to keep your child’s head cool
  • Made of in-mold polycarbonate, with EPS liner for added protection and padding
  • It’s very reasonably priced
  • Has the following international certifications: CE EN1078, CPSC Bicycle
The Sidetrack Youth is a well-rounded and affordable way to keep your child safe (whether they like it or not). All jokes aside, though, it’s great value for your money and there are several styles to choose from – eleven, in fact, as of writing this article, though the range might change.
If you need a bike helmet for your kids, no one designs a more child-friendly helmet than Bell – check out their full product line.
Critical Cycles CM-1 Helmet
The CM-1 is a very basic, very purposefully designed helmet ideal not only for riding bikes, but also occasional mountain climbing, urban commute, and other similar activities. It’s worth noting that there’s an updated version of this model, the CM-2, with basically the same features and price tag - the only difference is an additional vent.

Critical Cycles Classic Commuter Bike/Skate/Multi Sport CM-1 Helmet - Available in 7 Colors


Features
Critical Cycles, as you may’ve guessed from the name, specializes in making bikes, bike components, as well as related gear and assorted accessories. However, this is far from saying that their helmets are only suited to bike riding.
The perfect example of this is the aptly named Commuter Helmet CM-1. This helmet is perfect for urban commute, skating, joyriding, even mountain climbing, or whatever else floats your boat.

Let’s see what some of the more interesting things about this helmet are:
  • Features a quite basic, open-faced design
  • 10 expertly placed vents help you keep cool
  • Comes with interchangeable pads for perfect custom fit
  • Comes with innovative padding that helps collect the sweat
  • Has the following safety certificates: CPSC 16 CFR Part 1203, and EN1078:1012+A1:2012
  • Fully formed ABS dome, with high-quality EPS lining the inside
If you can’t find your pick among the seven colors that the CM-1 comes in, then we suggest you check out the rest of their line and surely you will find something more to your liking.
This is a no brainer – even if their Classic Commuter Helmet isn't for you - check out Critical Cycles full range of helmets now!

How Do I Choose the Best Bike Helmet?

Choosing the appropriate bike helmet requires a few key considerations. While you may think all helmets look and feel the same, this is not the case. There are three main types of bike helmets – recreational helmets, road helmets, and mountain bike helmets:
  • Recreational helmets are the most basic type of helmet intended for use by regular consumers, commuting, recreational cyclists, mountain bikers, and skaters. These helmets include visors to block harsh sunlight.
  • Road bike helmets are designed for amateur cyclists – they're light, aerodynamic, and keep your head well-ventilated to prevent heat stroke.
  • Mountain bike helmets are designed with a snug fit, rear head protection, and ventilation at lower speeds. Mountain bike helmets may also feature full-face masks.
Another thing to consider is fit. Your helmet should fasten so tightly that when you move it, it stretches the skin on your temples. In a collision, a loose helmet won’t be able to absorb the impact well and may even fall off. If the helmet does not absorb the impact, the force will be redirected to your neck.

The last two things to consider are related to helmet maintenance. Never use chemical cleaners to clean your helmet. Chemicals can damage the structural integrity of the helmet, making it dangerous to wear. If your helmet has survived a crash or contains any superficial cracks, it has been compromised and should be replaced immediately.

We recommend against lending your helmet to anyone so you are aware of any collision history. Additional tips for safe riding include regular bike maintenance and rust removal, and storing all belongings in a securely zipped backpack. For night rides, an LED vest will keep you visible on the road.
Price
Helmets are available at a range of price points. While more expensive bike helmets are higher quality than cheaper products, a less expensive helmet is not necessarily less safe than a high-quality helmet. All helmets must meet very strict regulations in order to be pronounced safe. Paying more for a helmet only means gaining access to some extra features like visors, better ventilation, or better aerodynamics.
Features
So, what kind of features does a cycling helmet have? First, there's the chin strap and the sizing wheel. These make sure your helmet sits securely on your head. Some helmets feature a sizing wheel with height adjustment capabilities for an even snugger fit. Helmets also feature slits that serve as ventilation to prevent heat stroke. Additional features may include visors, full-face shields, and hairports.

To summarize, here’s a concise list of features:
  • Chin straps with buckles
  • Ventilation slits
  • Sizing wheel, sometimes with adjustable height
  • Visor for protection against the sun
  • Full-face masks and shields
  • Hairports that accommodate pony tails
Construction and Design
Construction remains consistent between different types of bike helmets. A plastic shell keeps the helmet from shattering and covers a polystyrene foam liner, which absorbs the impact. The plastic shell can slide upon impact with the road or cement and dissipate some of the force of a crash. Some helmets are more aerodynamic than others, based on the type of helmet, attachments, and features.
Performance and Ease of Use
The performance of bicycle helmets is controlled by very strict conditions laid out by major safety authorities. Every helmet must pass very rigorous tests, regardless of the helmet's price point, to guarantee the safety of the person wearing it. The best helmets are usually simple. Ease of use facilitates a good fit. which is, as previously mentioned, extremely important.

Go back to the start of the reviews

Get the Best Bike Helmet of 2023!

We hope you’ve learned something and selected your preferred bike helmet. If not, at least this is a starting point for your research. Remember to check your helmets for all the things we’ve mentioned above, and you’ll find an excellent product. Safe riding!

Our Top Choice
Troy Lee A1
Troy Lee A1
Best Value
POC Sports Crane Pure
POC Sports Crane Pure
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet
Bell Sidetrack Youth Helmet
Bell Sidetrack Youth Helmet
Critical Cycles CM-1 Helmet
Critical Cycles CM-1 Helmet

Go back to the start of the reviews
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