The 10 Best Bike Helmets

It’s a tight competition for best all-around bike helmet since designs vary so much between riding styles. We went with POC’s generous coverage model, which can conceivably be worn for moderate mountain biking, in-town commuting, gravel touring, and road riding. This vibes stylistically with gravel helmets, and has a more robust fit system than other options, with multiple mounts set further forward than other models. This allows for a near-custom fit, which we love for longer days in the saddle. This helmet also comes with several external attachment points for lights and small items, and is RECCO enabled for enhanced security. The vents in the Omne Ultra feel open and ergonomic even at lower speeds, and despite the slightly heavier weight, the helmet doesn't pinch or apply pressure.

The Details: 11.7 ounces | Size small 50-56 cm.; medium 54-59 cm.; large 56-61 cm.

Road bike helmets can be split into two main categories: aero helmets and climbing helmets, and this one can conceivably be both. A climbing helmet should be ultralight and highly vented without sacrificing all aerodynamic benefits, which is why this landed as our top pick for road cyclists tackling long climbs on hot days. This helmet has 22 vents that maximize airflow while promoting heat dissipation, and it is highly adjustable thanks to the Rollsys dial. The G1 comes in both a Mips and non-Mips version, though the Mips technology does add a nominal amount of weight. If you do want to use this helmet as an aero helmet, you can throw on the optional AeroShell, which adds less than two ounces to the helmet and reduces drag. 

The Details: 7.4 ounces | Size small 52-56 cm.; medium 55-59 cm,; large 58-61 cm.

Some of the most urban commuter helmets forgo venting and other techy details, but we love that the Bern Allston has 16 vents for hot-weather commuting as well as a visor to help keep the sun out of your eyes. This makes the helmet good for longer rides and doesn’t limit it to in-town, but it has a less technical look for city riding. The liner is sweat-wicking and doesn't chafe, and the updated styling is more rounded as opposed to the wind-swept look of the technical styles. Despite the more urban look, this helmet doesn't compromise on safety, using Bern's patented Zipmold+ Technology that gives the updated model a lower profile and lighter weight while still being strong for potential impact.

The Details: 11.6 ounces | Size small 52-55.5 cm.; medium 55.5-59 cm.; large 59-62 cm.

Like their line of ski and snowboard helmets, Smith utilizes Mips as well as their proprietary Koroyd materials and structure, which helps absorb even more impact from a variety of angles, important for the different angles at which you can hit the ground during a mountain bike fall. This helmet has a drop-back to protect the back of your head with rotational force impact protection along with 20 strategically placed vents for airflow during hot climbs.

The Details: 14 ounces | Size small 51-55 cm.; medium 55-59 cm.; large 59-62 cm.

Most of the least expensive bike helmets won’t provide top-rated safety in the event of a crash, but the Giro Vasona Mips Cycling Helmet, also offered in a unisex model, is a trustworthy value pick that also offers top-tier protection. This helmet is Mips-equipped and uses an in-mold polycarbonate shell and an impact-absorbing EPS liner. This helmet comes with all the bells and whistles of the more expensive models, including 22 vents, adjustable back dials, and is a great all-around option for everything from commuting to cross-country mountain bike rides.

The Details: 9.2 ounces | Size 52-63 cm.

Fox’s Proframe Helmet was one of the originators of the full-face protection style for downhill mountain biking, and it is still one of the top models on the market. This helmet is a solid choice for both downhill and enduro riders, with Mips technology, an EPS liner, and a lightweight shell that doesn't compromise on protection while offering enough airflow for some uphill pedaling thanks to the intake and exhaust vents that help move air. The visor is also specifically positioned for maximizing airflow without compromising protection, and the liner is removable for washing and odor management. 

The Details: 26.5 ounces | Size small 52-56 cm.; medium 56-59 cm.; large 59-60 cm.; extra-large 60-64 cm.

This chic, stylish helmet comes in a wide variety of retro-inspired colors with a classic rounded shape that looks as at home on a moped as it does on a commuter bike. While it doesn’t include Mips technology, it does comply with the U.S. CPSC Safety Standard. The updated version of the Heritage Helmet has more vents than the original version, though cyclists in warmer climates or pedaling hard uphills, might still end up with a sweatier noggin at the end of the ride than they would with a more vented model. This Heritage 2 has a dial-fit for tailored sizing and has an easy-to-use one-handed magnetic closure. As a bonus, Thousand is a carbon-offset, climate-positive company so you can feel both safe and good about your environmentally friendly purchase. 

The Details: 17 ounces | Size small 54-57 cm.; medium 57-59 cm.; large 59-62 cm.

Perfect for adventurous youngsters ready to get into the biking game, this miniaturized version of Giro’s Mips helmets works for kid whether they’re riding along with a parent, kicking off on a straddle bike, or learning to balance on two wheels. This helmet comes with a version of Giro’s Roc Loc fit system, which allows for both vertical and tension adjustment for the best (and safest) fit. This is a well-ventilated helmet with a specially designed pinch-free buckle under the chin, and is built with the same in-mold construction and EPS foam liner as many of Giro’s adult-sized helmets. 

The Details: 9 ounces | Size extra-small 45-49 cm. and small 49-53 cm.

This ultralight, super ventilated helmet also falls under the “climbers’ helmet” category (as opposed to aero), and in fact, this helmet almost looks like it has more vents than material. Cleverly designed with a series of transparent arch structures to hold the shell, this helmet uses a Mips-adjacent technology in their spherical design, which utilizes a ball-and-socket build that has the two parts of the helmet moving against each other without blocking airflow, but still absorbing rotational head impact. The internal channeling adds even more airflow, and this updated version has less drag and more ventilation than previous models. 

The Details: 9.9 ounces | Size small 51-55 cm.; medium 55-59 cm.; large 59-63 cm.

This helmet is one of our favorites for everything from multi-day tours to in-town commuting. It is geared toward gravel riders, with slightly extended coverage but still lightweight and well-vented. The Air Stratos is comfortable for all-day wear and has an easy-to-adjust dial in the back for fine-tuning the fit on the go. This is made with a durable in-mold construction and like Limar’s road helmets, has 15 generously-sized vents to keep air moving. 

The Details: 8.5 ounces | Size medium 53-57 cm. and large 57-61 cm.