Do you search for a lightweight helmet or one that is stylish but perhaps a bit on the heavy side? Can a mountain bike helmet do the trick? And what is MIPS anyways—and do you need it? The amount of choices available can make the search seem overwhelming.
That’s why we studied 10 of the best road bike helmets on the market and found that the Giro Agilis Bicycle Helmet is the best in terms of performance, safety, and affordability.
Top Road Biking Helmets Reviewed
Best Overall Road Bike Helmet
Giro is one of the top helmet manufacturers in the cycling world, known for its attractive price point and long-lasting quality. The Giro Agilist is no exception to the brand’s legacy, with a two-piece hardshell and in-mould lower shell that’s perfect for road biking.
The helmet is built with an integrated Multi-Directional Impact Protection System or MIPS, which keeps the head stable, a removable visor, and 22 vents to keep your head cool. With the universal fit and Roc-Loc fit system that adjusts with the turn of a dial, it’s perfect for all types of cyclists.
What People Love About It
Cyclists appreciate the Giro Agilist for its perfect blend of comfort, safety features like MIPS, and easy adjustability.
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Best Small budget Road Bike Helmet
For budget-conscious cyclists in search of a top-of-the-line road bike helmet, the Oakley ARO3 Allroad MIPS Helmet offers an impressive blend of features and affordability. Developed in collaboration with the gravel cycling community, this helmet features a unique removable, dual-position visor that attaches with powerful magnets for protection from sun and debris.
The proprietary 360° fit system ensures a comfortable and customized fit, while the MIPS safety system offers added protection against impacts. Plus, 19 strategically placed vents maximize airflow, while a sweat-activated Ionic+ Antimicrobial liner helps keep your helmet fresh.
What People Love About It
Cyclists appreciate the ARO3 Allroad for its comfortable fit, excellent ventilation, and versatile visor that enhances protection and functionality.
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Best Aero Road Bike Helmet
Aerodynamic and lightweight, the POC Ventral Air Mips CPSC Helmet provides maximum protection with a ‘barely there’ feel. For bikers who feel overheated during summer months, the precise ventilation ports and internal channels keep you cool. The helmet is easily adjustable with a 360° Fit system to ensure maximum comfort.
The Ventral Air is lightweight and dynamic for long rides. An incorporated MIPS layer moves around freely in the helmet, which feels lighter than the embedded MIPS layers on other helmets. POC has also included a handy eyewear dock system in the helmet.
What People Love About It
Cyclists love the POC Ventral Air Mips CPSC Helmet for its lightweight, aerodynamic design, excellent ventilation, providing a cool ride even in the summer months.
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Most Stylish Road Bike Helmet
If you are searching for a helmet to look stylish in, POC’s Ventral Lite (CPSC) Helmet has you covered. While stylish, it doesn’t compromise on protection. A lightweight and well-ventilated helmet with SPIN (Shearing Pad INside) technology protects you from injury with its silicone padded coating. The EPS density optimized liner helps absorb the impact force of a crash. For a secure fit, the Omne Air Spin offers a strap adjustment system.
What People Love About It
Cyclists love the POC Ventral Lite (CPSC) Helmet for its stylish design, lightweight feel, and superior protection, thanks to its SPIN technology and optimised EPS liner.
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Most Comfortable Road Bike Helmet
For ultimate comfort on both daily commutes and long weekend rides, the POC Omne Air MIPS Helmet is an excellent choice. With optimal liner density, thicker core protection zones, and exceptional ventilation, it offers max comfort and multipurpose protection. Inspired by the award-winning designs of the Octal and Ventral helmets, it also includes Mips technology for enhanced rotational impact protection.
The Omne Air MIPS features a slim profile and an adjustable 360° fit system for a secure, personalized fit. Highlights include an EPS liner, a PC shell for structural integrity, and an eye garage for storing sunglasses.
What People Love About It
Cyclists love the POC Omne Air MIPS for its superior comfort, lightweight design, and excellent ventilation, making it perfect for both short commutes and long rides.
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Best MIPS Road Bike Helmet
For the best-in-class MIPS protection, the Smith Optics Trace MIPS Bike Helmet stands out. Whether you're tackling long winding descents, race-day lead-outs, or gravel adventures, the Trace combines complete Koroyd coverage with MIPS for reliable impact protection. Internal air channels with intake and exhaust ports ensure you stay cool, while AirEvac ventilation prevents your sunglasses from fogging up.
Designed for seamless integration with Smith performance eyewear, the Smith Trace offers a comfortable and secure fit with the VaporFit dial adjustment system. Plus, it boasts 18 fixed vents for consistent airflow, an Ionic+ antimicrobial lining for odour control, and lightweight single-layer webbing. CPSC and CE EN 1078 certified.
What People Love About It
Cyclists appreciate the Smith Optics Trace MIPS Helmet for its versatile protection, excellent, making it a top choice for serious riding conditions.
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Best Road Bike Helmet for Kids
Looking for the best road bike helmet for your kids this season? The Giro Hale MIPS Helmet stands out from the competition. With its 22-vent design, it’s perfect for keeping little heads cool during any ride. Featuring the same advanced In-Mold construction tech as their adult helmets, the Hale MIPS offers a lightweight yet durable design.
In terms of safety, the integrated Multi-Directional Impact Protection System redirects energy and provides enhanced protection for certain impacts. The helmet's Full Hardbody shell and EPS liner offer additional protection, while the quick-dry padding ensures comfort on longer rides. Features like reflectivity enhance visibility and the helmet complies with the US CPSC Safety Standard for children aged 5 and up.
What People Love About It
Parents appreciate the easy adjustability and secure fit, while kids love the cool designs and comfort.
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Best Road Bike Helmet for Winter Cycling
For winter cycling, the Salomon MTN Lab Helmet offers the perfect blend of safety, comfort, and eco-friendliness. It features Salomon's EPS4D tech for superior energy absorption and impact protection, along with a fast-drying merino wool liner for added comfort. The helmet is also made from recycled and natural materials, aligning with sustainability efforts.
The MTN Lab helmet provides excellent fit and adjustability with its Custom Dial fit system and includes a headlamp retainer and specific helmet bag for convenience. Plus, it’s multi-purpose, meeting the safety standards for alpine, mountaineering, and biking.
What People Love About It
Cyclists appreciate the MTN Lab for its top-notch safety features, comfort, and eco-friendly construction, perfect for winter adventures and beyond.
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Other Favourites
The ABUS PowerDome Helmet is another strong contender in the aero road helmet category. With advanced technologies like MIPS integration and Forced Air Cooling for improved airflow, it offers both comfort and performance. Its aerodynamic design and lightweight construction provide excellent value for cyclists looking to enhance their performance.
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The Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi Mips combines aerodynamic performance with enhanced safety features. Designed to exceed EU, US, and UK bike standards, it includes advanced technologies like Mips Air for rotational impact protection and STACC ventilation for superior cooling. It also boasts detachable magnetic ventilation covers for versatile airflow management. Perfect for competitive cyclists seeking comfort and speed.
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Smith’s helmets are known for being lightweight, comfortable, and breathable. The Smith Optics Persist is built with the VaporFit system to ensure an airtight feel, and the AirEvac channels promote airflow and reduce fogging. For road bikers looking for extra features such as glasses storage and an adjustable visor, the Engage has you covered. It’s stylish while also being top-notch in safety with the MIPS system.
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How To Choose The Right Road Bike Helmet
How should a bike helmet fit?
When you try on a helmet, make sure it’s level on your head and low on your forehead—the correct amount of space is two fingers above your eyebrow.
Another tip? When you’re done adjusting the straps and the turn dial, open your mouth wide as if you’re yawning. You should feel the helmet pull down on your head—if it doesn’t, tighten the chin strap. Finally, make sure that the helmet isn’t blocking your vision or rocking on your head.
Ventilation
Helmets with larger vents allow for more airflow and some helmets also have ‘exhaust’ holes in the back of the helmet. Vents and exhaust channels work to push cool air over the head and force out hot air so you stay cool when cycling long distances.
MIPS (Multi-directional impact protection)
MIPS, or Multi-directional Impact Protection System, has recently become a buzzword in the biking community. The main purpose of the technology is to reduce the ‘rotational forces’ or brain damage resulting from a crash. MIPS uses two layers that rotate independently from one another, with the outer layer rotating when you crash.
Some complaints about MIPS are that it makes the helmet feel wobbly, which makes sense given the technology. However, it’s been proven to reduce impact damage after a fall, so some minor discomfort is worth it.
SPIN (Shearing Pad INside)
POC’s SPIN pads are the most recent development in bike helmet technology. Unlike the MIPS’ rotational layer, SPIN uses far more comfortable, newly-developed silicone-gel pads inside the helmet. This technology has proven to be just as effective as MIPS.
The pads function similarly to the outer layer in MIPS helmets by absorbing the shock from an impact. The main difference is that this safety system doesn’t affect ventilation or comfort, which creates the ‘barely there’ feel.
Retention System
Though retention systems vary significantly, they all essentially function the same. An adjustable webbing system across the back of the helmet is pulled together by a ratchet dial or thumbwheel.
For example, the Boa Fit System consists of a micro-adjustable dial designed to optimize fit with a single-hand adjustment. Different brands have their retention systems, such as Occigrip from Sweet Protection, which looks similar to the Boa turn dial. The most important feature to look for in a ratchet system is that it can be easily adjusted with one hand.
FAQs
When should you replace your bike helmet?
It depends on what kind of shape the helmet is in. If you’ve been in a crash then the foam will need to be replaced. Also, age plays a big factor—after 3 years, foam begins to break away from the mold and protection deteriorates.
Do road bike helmets expire?
No. Road bike helmets don’t expire, but most manufacturers recommend replacing a helmet every 3 to 5 years. Some helmets are more durable than others and therefore last longer.
Why are some road bike helmets so expensive?
Comfort, aerodynamic vents, and built-in technology dramatically increase the price of bike helmets.
Can you use a mountain bike helmet for road biking?
Yes, if you would like to. A mountain bike helmet is less aerodynamic, but offers better protection for road biking. There will be compromises, however, in visibility (less in mountain bike helmets), weight, and other factors.
Conclusion
In 2024, most road bike helmets come standard with MIPS technology, ventilation, an easy adjustment strap system, and comfortable padding. Choose a helmet that fits your needs and your budget. You will find your dream helmet in no time, and can work on the rest of your urban cycling gear and outfit!
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