Finding the best bicycle helmets is easy if we know what elements to look at when buying one. 

What type of cycling helmet are you looking for? That is the first question you should ask yourself when it comes to knowing how to choose a bicycle helmet, and from that base, focus on the following elements to ensure you get the helmet you need. 

 

Homologation

The first thing to keep in mind is that the helmet meets homologation regulations; in the European Union, the EN 1078 certification is the standard certification for a cycling helmet. But if you are also looking for an Enduro or DH helmet with maximum safety, it should have the ASTM F1952 DH certification.

Size

To know your helmet size, the first thing you should do is measure the perimeter of your head with a tape measure above your eyebrows. Once you have this measurement, you can compare it with helmet sizes, but remember that each brand has its own measurements when it comes to classifying sizes.

Weight

The weight of a bicycle helmet can be very important depending on the discipline we practice. For cross country, helmets need to be as light as possible, while for disciplines like enduro or trail, weight does not matter as much, but always within limits so as not to end up with a sore neck on routes that are too long.

 

Mountain bike discipline

Mountain bike helmets are different depending on the discipline they are made for, so we can find the following differences:

XC Helmet: They are very light, without a visor, minimalist, and have many ventilation channels. Their aesthetic is similar to a road helmet. 

Trail / Enduro Helmet: They have a visor, are less ventilated, have a trial motorcycle helmet aesthetic, and offer more protection by covering the nape of the neck and temples. 

Full-face/detachable chin guard helmets: Motocross helmet aesthetic, they offer maximum protection, cover the face, and are not very ventilated.

 

 

 

Ventilation

The best bicycle helmets have several ventilation ducts to maintain a constant flow of air inside the helmet and keep the cyclist's head cool at all times. These ducts work by introducing air from the outside at the front and expelling hot air from the back; the good design of these ducts will increase the helmet's cooling capacity.

Materials

Helmets are composed of a foam called EPS, which is distributed in different thicknesses throughout the structure of the helmet to absorb impacts. The outer part of the helmet is usually made of smooth plastic material, designed to slide along the ground in case of impact and dissipate the forces produced. 

Within the construction of mid/high-range helmets, we find In-mold where the helmet is manufactured in one piece, while low-range helmets are formed by layers glued with industrial adhesives. 

 

 

Special safety systems

Each brand includes its own safety systems to improve helmet protection. Perhaps the most famous and well-known is the MIPS system, which allows our head to rotate inside the helmet itself and dissipate the rotational forces of an impact, thus preventing our brain from hitting the cranial cavity.

Helmets focused on trail and enduro also have deformable or pre-cut visors so they break in the event of a fall and do not act as a lever on the cyclist's neck. These latter helmets also usually carry a support for action cameras with a quick release, so that in case of a fall, the camera pops off on its own and does not cause a neck injury. 

 

Fid-Lock closure

 

Closure

In an open cycling helmet, we can find two types of closures: the classic click closure and the more current ones with the Fidlock system that close by magnetic attraction, much easier to manipulate with gloves. 

Top-of-the-range full-face mountain bike helmets will be found with “motorcycle type” closures, a double buckle through which the strap is passed, although in mid and low ranges we will also see the click-type closure. 

 

Prices

Helmet prices oscillate in a wide range; this is due to everything we have seen, from the design of ventilation technology to additional safety systems, weight, and closure systems. At zetabikes you will find the best bicycle helmets, at the best prices.