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Just like with MTB, enduro and downhill biking, a helmet is also essential when road cycling. Road cycling helmets provide protection on the road, are specifically adapted to the needs of road cyclists and have an aerodynamic shape for high speeds. However, finding the right helmet is not always easy. What functions does a road cycling helmet have? How should a road cycling helmet fit properly and what size do I need? In this article, you'll find out what you should consider when buying a road cycling helmet and which road cycling helmets are the perfect match for the NAKED Optics road cycling glasses.
What you'll find in this guide – road cycling helmets for your sports glasses
- What functions does a road cycling helmet have?
- Different helmet safety systems
- What helmet size do I need?
- How should a helmet fit properly?
- Cycling glasses under or over the helmet straps?
- Road cycling helmets tested in 2023: These helmets fit NAKED sports glasses
What functions does a road cycling helmet have?
Bicycle helmets for road cycling are mainly characterized by their light weight and aerodynamics. When road cycling, you mostly ride in a low, bent-forward position. This makes their shape different from conventional enduro and MTB helmets. However, not all road cycling helmets are the same. Depending on the needs of road cyclists, you can choose between different models: very lightweight road cycling helmets, aero road cycling helmets, road cycling helmets with safety systems (MIPS, SPIN, WaveCel), time trial helmets or visor helmets. So make sure you choose the right road cycling helmet for your requirements.
Different helmet safety systems
When buying your bicycle helmet, make sure it is equipped with a safety system. There are various technologies such as “MIPS” and “WaveCel”. They are designed to reduce rotational forces and protect you. MIPS in particular is used by many major helmet brands. MIPS stands for “Multidirectional Impact Protection System” and is designed to reduce rotational forces that can act on your head during a crash. This can reduce the risk of a concussion or serious traumatic brain injury. The technology works with a movable inner shell. In the event of an impact, the forces acting on the helmet can be reduced and redirected.
How do I find the right helmet size for my road cycling helmet?
Road cycling helmets can only protect you if they fit properly. That's why wearing the right helmet size is essential. If you buy your bicycle helmet in a store, you can simply try it on and check whether it fits well. If you buy your road cycling helmet online, you should definitely know your head size so that you can order the right model. On the manufacturers' product pages, you will usually find a size chart for guidance. You can easily measure your head circumference with a measuring tape. Simply wrap it around your head: start measuring in the middle of your forehead (above your eyebrows) and guide the measuring tape once around your head. The most common helmets are available in the following sizes: S (55/56 cm head circumference), M (57/58 cm), L (59/60 cm) and XL (61/62 cm), or in combined sizes such as M/L.
How should a road cycling helmet fit properly?
The fit of the helmet is absolutely essential and should be your top priority when buying one. Only if it fits well and comfortably can it protect you 100%. The best way to determine whether the fit is right is to put the helmet on. It should sit horizontally on your head and should not slide too far down into your face or toward the back of your neck. When you're wearing the road cycling helmet and shake your head, it should not move at all. If it doesn't pinch or put pressure on your head, you've found the perfect road cycling helmet.
Cycling glasses under or over the helmet straps?
Should the arms of your road cycling glasses actually go under or over the helmet straps? On a road bike or gravel bike, it's best to wear your glasses over the straps. This is not only more comfortable on the road but also safer, as the glasses can come off more easily in the event of a crash without getting caught and potentially injuring you.
On demanding MTB or downhill trails, the situation is different. Here, it's better to wear the arms under the straps. This keeps the glasses firmly in place during heavy impacts from roots and rocks and prevents them from slipping.
Road cycling helmets tested in 2023: These helmets fit NAKED sports glasses
One important factor when buying a road cycling helmet is, of course, that the helmet is compatible with your glasses. The glasses and helmet should fit together in a way that ensures the road cycling helmet doesn't slip while cycling and feels comfortable. To make your purchasing decision easier, we tested a few popular helmet models. Here are our recommendations 👇
The POC Omne Air road cycling helmet in the Sapphire Purple Matt color is equipped with the MIPS safety system and offers optimal protection on a road bike. We tested it in size S (50–56 cm). The road cycling helmet is a perfect match for our sports glasses The VOLT and The HAWK.
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The Ventral AIR is another popular helmet from the POC brand. We tested it with the The VOLT and The BLADE glasses.
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In our road cycling helmet test, we also combined the Uvex Boss Rice with our sports glasses. The bicycle helmet is unisex and suitable for both women and men and features an aerodynamic ventilation design with 19 ventilation channels. Our sports glasses The VOLT and The FALCON fit perfectly with the helmet.
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We also tested the Giro Isode in gray for you. The road cycling helmet is equipped with MIPS technology and features quick-drying padding. For this helmet, we recommend our cycling glasses The FALCON and The VOLT, as they can be perfectly combined with the helmet and give you perfect visibility on your road bike.
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During our bicycle helmet test, we also combined the Giro Foray in size Small (51–55 cm) with our sports glasses. The road cycling helmet features a lightweight and slim design, is equipped with MIPS technology and has a robust in-mold construction. Our sports glasses The VOLT and The HAWK are a perfect match for this road cycling helmet.
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ABUS was also represented in our road cycling helmet test with the ABUS Viantor road cycling helmet. The sporty bicycle helmet for beginners is unisex and equipped with a ventilation system. Both our sports glasses The VOLT and The HAWK fit perfectly with the helmet and provide comfortable wear when combined.
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Of course, the ultra-lightweight ABUS AirBreaker also has to be included in our test. The The BLADE and The VOLT sports glasses fit particularly comfortably with this helmet.
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Buy road cycling glasses for your road cycling helmet online
NAKED Optics cycling glasses fit the most modern and popular road cycling helmets. If you'd like to check whether there are already road cyclists in the NAKED Community using your helmet, simply check us out on Instagram . Our community loves sharing their experiences and equipment: #nakedoptics #lifeisbetternaked
Credits: Christiane Freimann , Mathäus Gartner & Elias Neier