Speaking of bike helmets, many people think that a bike helmet is just a helmet. You wear a bike helmet. Then, you are good to ride a bike. But, have you ever wondered how many of them truly know how to choose the right bike helmet?
Let me share my experience with you.
I got a bike helmet from my mom when I was learning how to ride a bike. Yeah, I was a kid. I was excited as learning to ride a bike was always my dream.
Yes. I managed to learn. But, when I look back, I don’t think my mom really knew how to choose a right bike helmet for me.
The helmet was too big and it didn’t fit my head properly. It didn’t really serve the purpose. Luckily, no serious accidents happened, despite the frequent falling from the bike.
What about you? Whenever you see cyclists riding on the road, try to observe whether they wear bike helmets or not. If they do, try to guess if they truly know how to choose the right bike helmet for themselves.
If they don’t……
Why need a helmet
Helmet is a MUST for motorcyclists. It’s under the law. The reason is simple. That’s to protect their head from getting or reducing head injury.
Similar to motorbikes, bikes are also 2-wheel vehicles. Logically, cyclists should also wear bike helmets when cycling.
But, that’s not the case. Most countries do not mandate bike helmets for cyclists. To date, there are only 3 countries, ie. Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, mandate bike helmets for cyclists.
And you can see many cyclists riding without bike helmets. They might think wearing a helmet is troublesome……
Nonetheless, I truly encourage cyclists wearing bike helmets. Even statistics also support the reason for wearing bike helmets.
This article, based on several studies, states some relevant facts about the importance of a bike helmet while cycling:
- Helmets reduced the chance of serious head injury by 60 percent
- Cyclists without helmet who had a head injury are 3 times more likely to die than those who are injured while wearing a helmet.
Apart from this, wearing a bike helmet is not enough, but wearing a RIGHT bike helmet is.
Here’s why I wanna share with you 10 main factors that help you choose the right bike helmet.
Factors
1. Purpose and occasion
Before getting to know the technical part, let’s take a step back and reflect.
Be clear with your intention, as the choice of bike helmet is greatly dependent on your intention.
Ask yourself the critical questions. There are 3 main areas that you need to think of:
1.1 Types of cycling
Do you mainly commute by bike? Or, do you ride fast with a road bike? Or, do you ride on trails? Etc etc……
Clearly, we are looking for the speed and safety of cycling. While you ride on a road bike, you want to be fast and efficient. Helmet can help.
Or, if you ride on trails, you want to look for the bike helmet that can FURTHER protect your head. You want to make sure the helmet can give you enough protection.
1.2 Duration
How long will you ride usually for each ride? 10 minutes? 1 hour? Or even longer?
And this depends on the distance that you’re gonna ride. You may need to ride 2km or 15km, perhaps.
This matters because it relates to the ventilation of helmets (discussed below).
1.3 Occasion
Do you ride on hot or cold days? And do you ride at night?
Clearly, you need to know the season / temperature that can influence the way you choose the right bike helmet.
If you need to ride at night, then you need to make sure you are VISIBLE to other road users. Your helmet can help.
And this will be discussed in the respective sections below.
2. Types of helmets
Some people say we can wear any bike helmets for any types of cycling. Well, yeah. Since helmet is to protect our head for getting injury, any helmet will do.
With that being said, bike helmet also serves to further improve performance.
That’s why you need to know the type of cycling that you want in advance. Because different helmet designs serve different purposes.
While the designs vary, bike helmets can be broadly classified into the following types:
2.1 Road helmets
- Elongated or oval shape
- Usually with vents
- Rear head coverage not extensive as mountain bike helmets coverage
The shape already tells it all. It is for AERODYNAMICS. This shape helps reduce air friction and air pressure, which slow down the speed.
And that is why they are called road helmets. – It’s for road bike cycling.
Despite less extensive rear head coverage, road helmets still provide sufficient head protection.
2.2 Commuter helmets
- Rounded shape
- Usually with vents
- Rear head coverage not extensive as mountain bike helmets coverage
Commuter bike helmets are very similar to road helmets. The only “subtle” difference is the shape of the helmet.
Since they are not in aerodynamic shape, these helmets are suitable for common cycling, like commuting. – But, a road helmet is perfectly fine for commuting too.
Same as road helmet. They still provide enough head protection despite the less extensive rear head coverage.
2.3 Mountain bike helmets
- More extensive rear head coverage than road helmets and commuter helmets
- Usually with vents
- Usually with helmet peak
Trail cycling is more dangerous than commuting and road cycling. So, trail cyclists need more head protection. This explains why trail cyclists need extensive rear head protection.
And while riding on trails, sunlight and rain are often the issues. Hence, mountain bike helmets have peak to block sunlight and rain.
2.4 Full-face helmets
- Resemble the shape of motorbike racing helmets
- Without any or fewer vents
- Heavy
- Usually with face shield or peak
- Chin bar (can either be one piece to the helmet or removable)
They are also mountain bike helmets. The design mirrors motorbike racing helmet to give FULL head protection to cyclists. Hence, they are full-face helmets with chin bar.
Also, the design and material make the helmets heavy.
This safety concern compromises ventilation. Heats can get trapped inside the helmets due to fewer or no vent. Thus, it can be uncomfortable wearing a full-face helmet.
Since safety concern is a critical factor for trail riding, full-face helmets stand out from the rest.
2.5 BMX helmets
- Round shape (resemble the shape of common motorbike helmets)
- With vents but usually small
The shape of the helmets looks like Buzzy Beetle, a villain in Super Mario game.
This design provides better protection than road helmets or commute helmets.
As the name suggests, many BMX bikers need them as they need to perform various stunts and moves.
And since BMX races are short, ventilation is not a big concern here. Hence, even if the helmet has vents, they are usually small and minimal.
Apart from that, if you plan to ride short distance, BMX helmet is a good choice too. First, it gives better protection than a road helmet or commute helmet. Second, ventilation is not your big concern.
3. Safety standard
You might have heard some people saying wearing a helmet is better than not wearing any. That’s PARTIALLY true.
While you risk your life while not wearing any bike helmet, a bike helmet might not give you enough head protection.
So, how do we know whether it gives us enough protection or not when we choose the right bike helmet?
That’s why SAFETY standard kicks in when you choose the right bike helmet.
3.1 Why safety standard is important
Safety standard makes sure helmets truly protect our head when collision occurs. It is an assurance to give comfort to the cyclists when cycling.
In fact, it is a strict process to get the helmets certified. Testers pick a few bike helmets as samples from producers for testing.
They test the strength by dropping / colliding the helmets with hard surface. Also, they test the durability by putting the helmets in extreme humidity and temperature conditions. – Eg. hot, cold, dry, wet.
If the helmets pass the stringent tests, the testers will CERTIFY the helmets for meeting the safety standard.
3.2 Basic
Strictly speaking, bike helmets that are sold in markets should meet basic safety standard. But, never presume this without your own validation. – You might notice some bike helmets are only for aesthetic purpose.
All certified bike helmets that meet the safety standard MUST have a certified sticker on the bike. So, remember to check if there is a certified sticker on the helmet.
The following basic safety standards are:
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – the US standard
- American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM)
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
- Snell Foundation (SNELL)
- Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
- Other respective countries’ equivalent standard
Depending on your nation, identify the relevant standard. If you can’t find any sticker on it, you may need to clarify with the expert in the bike shop.
Or, if you want to buy online, make sure to check the description. You may need to clarify with the seller before you place an order.
NEVER ever buy an uncertified bike helmet even the helmet looks really cool. Your helmet is not a decoration. Your helmet protects you head.
3.3 Advanced
Ok. Imagine you are wearing a bike helmet when riding on the road. And you meet an accident.
Do you know what might happen to your head when you fell down from an angular collision? Your helmet protects your head when hitting the ground.
But, you helmet might slide through or roll on the ground. This ROTATIONAL force will transmit to your head.
And scary part happens. You might still get brain injuries or CONCUSSION.
Because of this, some companies adopt advanced safety technologies in making bike helmets.
The advanced technologies that you might need to look at are:
- Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS)
- Shearing Pads Inside (SPIN)
- WaveCel
The technologies might be different. But, the ultimate purpose is that same. That is to reduce the rotational force.
In other words, these helmets help reduce the chance of brain injuries and concussion.
Not all bike helmets have the above technologies. But the name of the technologies will be printed on the liners of the helmet if the helmets have these technologies.
Similar to the basic standard above, remember to check the mark if you want a helmet with one of these technologies. – Same goes to the online purchase.
4. Ventilation
You have similar experience before. While riding a bike, you can feel the wind blowing on your face and your body.
You feel cool. But, once you stop and take off your helmet, your hair is soaking wet.
It’s easy to understand. The heat is trapped inside the helmet. Sometimes, you can feel it. And it’s extremely awful.
That’s why ventilation is important for bike helmets.
Obviously, you are working out when riding a bike. The longer you ride, more heat is trapped inside the helmet.
So, you know why you need to know the cycling DURATION and OCCASION, right? Clearly, you need a helmet with good ventilation, if:
- Riding duration is long
- Riding under hot weather
VENTS can be either stripes or holes, depending on the design. But, it shouldn’t matter as long as the helmet ventilates well.
What you need to concern is the number and size of vents. Ultimately, the bigger the area of vent is, the better the ventilation is.
5. Retention system
With that being said, a helmet can only protect your head if the helmet FITS you.
Thus, if it doesn’t fit, regardless of the safety standards, there’s no different from cyclists who don’t wear helmets.
Retention system makes sure the helmets stay fit with your head. Otherwise, the helmet falls off in the event of accident.
Hence, you should never ignore the retention system of bike helmets. Bike helmets should have 2 components in the retention system, ie. REAR RETENTION and CHIN STRAP.
While wearing a bike helmet, make sure you adjust the rear retention and buckle the chin strap properly. And I saw some cyclists didn’t do either one of it or both.
Rightfully, bike helmets have both components, especially for road and commute helmet. If you see a road or commute bike helmet without the rear retention, I don’t recommend you to buy it.
However, full-face bike helmets and BMX helmets MIGHT not have rear retention. In fact, they don’t need it because the design already provides full head protection.
6. Weight
A bike helmet that can protect our head is all we need. Then, we are good to go.
But, there’s a catch. The helmet might be too HEAVY for you……
It might not be an issue for short riding sessions. But, if you intend to have long riding sessions, you definitely need to consider the weight factor.
Think about this. You could be riding hours non-stop while having this heavy load on your head. You know the feeling.
Right now, I can see why some cyclists / commuters refuse to wear bike helmets. A heavy bike helmet with poor ventilation is the recipe of this.
After all, we need a “light” helmet that can protect our head.
Obviously, the shell materials dictate the weight of the helmet. The materials below are common materials for the shell.
6.1 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- Thermoplastics (mold at high temperature)
- Strong and rigid
- Heavy
6.2 Polycarbonate
- Thermoplastic
- Strong and flexible
- Lighter than ABS
6.3 Composite
- Composite of fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar
- Very light
- Very strong and stiff
- Expensive, used in high-end helmets
6.4 What it means to you
You need to weigh between three factors: hardness, weight, and price. See which one matters to you the most. Then, strike a balance.
After all, all helmets should give you enough protection. Now, it’s your preference when you choose the right bike helmet.
7. Visibility
Be VISIBLE when riding on the road. That is crucial. Hence, you can consider those bike helmets with bright colour.
Same reason. If you have to commute or ride at night, visibility is a must. Then, you need a bike helmet with reflectors.
This might not be as important as other factors, as you can buy reflective stickers and stick on any bike helmets. But, the stickers might not suit your bike helmet model. – Thus, you waste the money.
Besides, your life is simpler when you can choose the right bike helmet that already has reflectors. This built-in reflective stickers save your time from buying others.
Depending on the design, some bike helmets have LED lights. You can easily toggle the switch when you need it.
8. Fit and comfortable
With all the above being said, eventually you need a FIT bike helmet.
All you need to do is to measure the circumference of your head. That’s right. You need to do this before you go to bike shop or purchase online.
Get the measurement and refer to this chart. You know what bike helmet size you need to look for.
Then, check the size stated in the helmet.
Next, you need to TEST the helmet. Adjust the rear retention and buckle the chin strap. Not too tight nor too lose. Move or shake your head slightly to see if the helmet slips. Feel whether you are comfortable wearing it or not.
If helmet slips, readjust again. If it still doesn’t fit properly, then you have to consider different sizes or other bike helmets.
Or, if you want to buy online, remember to refer the size chart in the product description. The seller should disclose the chart. If otherwise, try to clarify with the seller before you make a purchase.
Since you can’t test it prior to buying, try to identify or clarify with the seller on the return policy as well. In case where the helmet doesn’t fit, you have the option to choose another one.
After all, fit is one crucial factor for safety purpose. And you need to wear it whenever you ride a bike. Of course, your bike helmet must make you comfortable.
9. Extra features
Bike helmets don’t have to be boring. Why not add some extra features to make it more fun?
In fact, a bike helmet with extra features can make your ride more convenient and enjoyable. Here are some extra features that you can consider when you choose the right bike helmet.
9.1 Peaks
Peaks are common for mountain bike helmet. But, it doesn’t mean other helmets can’t have these.
If rain and sunlight are your concern for riding a bike, you definitely need to look for a helmet with a peak.
9.2 Sunglasses ports
Some bike helmets have sunglasses ports, which help hold the sunglasses while riding. So, the riders don’t have to take off the sunglasses and put in their pockets or on the collar.
Are you a rider who always wear sunglasses? This feature is for you!
9.3 Magnetic buckles
If you are the type of person who hates nitty-gritty stuff, you’ll find this feature lovely.
Buckling chin strap the old-fashioned way is time wasting. You wish you don’t have to waste your time and energy to do this simple stuff.
Why can’t they make this simple move efficient? There you are! Magnetic buckle is all you need. No more time and energy wasted on this simple routine……
But, bear in mind where this shouldn’t unbuckle on its own easily. Never compromise safety and protection.
9.4 Design
No fixed rule on this. Everyone’s taste is different.
What you need is to really like the design of the bike helmet. You wear it. Then you look good and feel great while riding.
This is YOUR bike helmet. You need to love your helmet so that you can wear it whenever you ride a bike.
10. Price
Well, who doesn’t care about the price? In the end, we use money to buy the bike helmet.
And the price is the final product of all the factors above.
Luckily, the price range of bike helmet is not as wide as bike’s. Usually, you can buy cheap ones at less than 100 dollars. And the experience ones are a few 100 dollars.
But, never ever assume expensive bike helmets are always better. – Don’t ever think of choosing the bike helmet with higher price, and ignore the other factors.
Let me tell you. A cheap one could out-perform an expensive one, in terms of safety. So, you need to know exactly what you are looking for before buying.
Remember what I said in Section Weight above? Strike a balance with the price and non-price factors.
Also, why not get a second-hand cheap or free bike helmet? Save a lot of money, isn’t it?
My advice: NEVER ever get a second-hand bike helmet. Think about this. Bike helmets protect our head. To do this, it must be in perfect condition.
If you got a second-hand bike helmet, how would you know that the condition is perfect? Though it might look fine, you’ll never know it could be spoiled inside the helmet. – A damaged bike helmet can’t protect our head effectively.
Final thought: choose the right bike helmet
Bike helmet seems like a simple item. We wear it. Then, we are ready to ride our bike.
But, if we want to choose the right bike helmet, things can be tricky. And that’s why we need to educate ourselves before buying.
Bike helmets come with different designs and features. But, what matters is to choose the right bike helmet that can really protect us.
That’s why cyclists should always wear helmets when riding bikes. It’s not a matter of convenience. It’s the matter of playing our role to ride safely, regardless of whatever riding occasion.
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