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Whether it's road cycling, mountain biking, cross-country or e-biking: safety comes first and should not be neglected when selecting the right equipment. Bicycle helmets are essential for any ride on a bike. But how do you find the right helmet for cycling? That is truly not an easy task. Many questions such as “How much does a good bicycle helmet cost?”, “What helmet size do I need?”, and “What are the best bicycle helmets?” need to be answered in advance to ultimately find the perfect head protection. In this guide, you’ll find answers to the most important questions and recommendations for suitable helmets for biking.
What will you find in this bicycle helmet guide?
- What should you consider when buying a bicycle helmet?
- Different helmet safety systems
- How should a helmet fit properly?
- What helmet size do I need?
- Ordering a bike helmet online: How do I measure my head circumference?
- Bicycle helmets in the 2023 test: These helmets match NAKED sports glasses and bike glasses
What should you consider when buying a bicycle helmet?
A bicycle helmet is of course not just a bicycle helmet. There are different models specifically for road cycling, MTB, downhill biking or cross-country. In downhill biking, a full-face helmet is usually used to protect the head at high speeds and sharp turns. For MTB, e-biking, road biking, BMX, gravel biking or relaxed city rides, half-shell helmets in various designs are used depending on the riding style. Generally, MTB helmets cover more areas than road cycling helmets. According to statistics, road cyclists tend to fall forward, while mountain bikers fall in all directions. Therefore, MTB helmets must protect the back of the head and temples, while road cycling helmets focus more on the forehead and face.
Regardless of which helmet you ultimately choose, two features are very important: the safety system and the ventilation system of a bicycle helmet. For optimal ventilation, the helmets are equipped with ventilation slots to ensure good air circulation. In addition, good helmets must keep the head cool and channel the airflow through the helmet.
Helmet safety systems: How do I know if a helmet has been tested?
There are various safety procedures and tests. Helmets that have been tested carry a DIN EN label. In this test, the helmets undergo an intensive procedure and crash scenarios to assess safety. If a helmet passes, it is marked with the DIN EN 1078 standard, or for children's helmets DIN EN 1079. There is also the GS seal (tested safety) and the CE seal. The GS seal confirms that the helmet passed the fall test and thus meets tested safety. The CE seal confirms that the helmet meets the safety requirements of the relevant EU directives.
What is the MIPS system?
If you're looking for a bicycle helmet, you'll also come across the MIPS system. MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. It exists in various forms and offers additional protection through a lining inside the helmet. The MIPS system is important in the event of a crash because it allows your head and helmet to move independently, reducing rotational forces. Many common models are already equipped with the MIPS system.
How should a helmet fit properly?
Whether a helmet fits properly can be tested easily. Put on the helmet and leave the chin strap open so you can adjust the helmet correctly. This is usually done at the back with a small adjustment wheel. It's important that the helmet sits close to the head without pressing. Then you can close the chin strap and shake your head to check if the helmet fits. If it doesn't wobble or slip, you've found the right setup.
What helmet size do I need?
To find the perfect helmet, trying it on is essential. Only a well-fitting helmet can protect you from accidents and injuries. Helmet sizes are usually given in XS to XL or in centimeters. For the centimeter sizing, you’ll need your head circumference.
Ordering a bike helmet online: How do I measure my head circumference?
If you can’t try the helmet on in a sports store, you can easily order it online. What you need: your head circumference. Use a measuring tape. Place it one centimeter above your eyebrows and guide it around your head as level as possible, just above your ears. Now you can read your head circumference.
Price comparison: Costs for bicycle helmets
The cost question is also important before buying. The cheapest helmets start at around €40. Helmets with more features or MIPS start at around €100. Generally: the more areas a helmet covers, the higher the price.
These helmets match NAKED sports and bike glasses
So far so good. For comfortable wear, the helmet must fit well with the sports glasses, so that it doesn’t slip while biking. We tested several models (mostly MTB helmets) with NAKED Optics glasses and have some recommendations for you.
The O’Neal MTB All-Mountain Helm is a popular mountain bike helmet, which is provided with practical air openings for ventilation and cooling. The bike glasses The VOLT and The BLADE fit optimally with the helmet and guarantee comfortable wearing comfort.
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A bicycle helmet for beginners is Abus Stadthelm Urban-i 3.0 for women and men. We pared the helmet in Size S with our sports sunglasses The HAWK and The VOLT.
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We have tested the Poc Tectal (55-58cm) in blue. Our model The FALCON fits perfectly with this helmet.
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Also a popular helmet model of POC is the Kortal bicycle helmet. The models are ideal for this The VOLT and The BLADE.
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Helmets from the brand Alpina are also often found among the cyclists. We have tested the helmet in Size 52-57cm. With this helmet we can The HAWK and TROOP BIKE recommend.
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In our bicycle helmet test, Fox was also represented with the Fox Speedframe in the Size M. Our glasses The FALCON and TROOP BIKE fit optimally and ensure a great set-up.
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Within our helmet test we have also fitteed the Abus (51-55cm) with our downhill glasses TROOP BIKE and The HAWK which fit optimally and ensure the perfect protection.
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For the Giro Helm (54-61cm) we can also recommend our top sellers The FALCON and TROOOP BIKE.
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IXS is a company that specializes in highly functional protective clothing for bikers. We have tested a model in the Size 54-58cm and can recommend our bike glasses TROOP BIKE and The HAWK.
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Bell is also a common bicycle helmet company from Los Angeles. During the test, the helmet was pared with our models The FALCON and TROOP BIKE.
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Our model is wearing an Uvex helmetin the Size 52-57cm. Both our downhill goggles TROOP BIKE as well as our bicycle glasses The HAWK offer comfortable wearing in combination with this helmet model.
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Suitable cycling glasses to match the bicycle helmet for women and men
The cycling and downhill glasses from NAKED Optics fit the most modern models on the bicycle helmet market. If you want to check whether there are already cyclists in the NAKED community with your helmet, just take a look at our Instagram.
Our girls and guys are happy to share their experiences and equipment:
#nakedoptics #lifeisbetternaked.
Credits: Christiane Freimann & Elias Neier