A complete guide to running in the dark.
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From cross training to triathlons, we've tested the best bike helmets on the market to suit all your cycling needs
Tested by The Runner's World Editors
Finding the best bike helmet for your needs shouldn't be a tricky task, but with broad sizing options from each brand and different styles that suit certain head shapes and activities, it can he hard to pick the right one from a seemingly endless list. Thankfully, we're here to make your life easier.
We've tried and tested some of the best road bike and commuter helmets on the market so that you can travel in style, comfort and safety. Whether you're commuting to work, adding a bit of cross training Youll likely be wearing glasses with your helmet be it triathlon or ironman, Ready to get spinning? Here are our tried and tested picks of cycling helmets for the road.
Shop the best bike helmets now
Got places to be? Here's our pick of the best cycling helmets, at a glance. Keep scrolling to read more.
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POC Ventral Lite Road Helmet 2021
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How to measure for a bike helmet
It's really important to get a correct fitting bike helmet – after all, it could literally save your life.
Grab a tape measure (and a willing volunteer) and loop it around your head, above your eyebrows and just above your ears. Make sure it goes around the largest part of the back of your head too. This will give you the circumference of your head in centimetres.
Most helmets suit a range of head sizes (i.e. a medium might fit a head circumference of 55-59cm). Why such a range? The helmet body is a set size and is then held in place with a chin strap and a retention device at the back of the head, to accommodate the general lumps, bumps and hair that you might have.
How should a bike helmet fit?
Size: There are a couple of tests you can do to make sure your helmet is the correct size. A helmet needs to cover most of your forehead as this protects the frontal lobe of the brain. Draw your middle and forefinger together at the eyebrow – if it touches the helmet, it's a good fit. You can also shake your head from side to side. If the helmet moves more than an inch, it's likely to be too big.
There are a couple of factors that may influence the size of your helmet. If you are a devout casquette wearer, for example, consider that when choosing your helmet size. The same goes for fitting a warm hat underneath for winter riding. It might only be a few millimetres of fabric, but if you're on the very edge of a helmet size, it could be the difference between a well-fitting helmet and one that's slightly too tight.
Glasses: You'll likely be wearing glasses with your helmet – be it sunglasses or prescription – so we have tested the below helmets to see how compatible they are with the leading cycling sunglasses brands, which include Oakley, Bolle, KOO and 100%.
The reason for this variety in testing is to make sure that the helmet tightening/ratchet system doesn't interfere with the arms of the sunglasses, there is enough room between ear and helmet for the glasses, and that the glasses can be easily stored in the vents of the helmet. Where there was an issue, we have highlighted it.
MIPS: You'll see below that some helmets feature MIPS technology (a little yellow sticker). This is a low-friction layer inside a bike helmet that allows a multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head. Some helmets have different systems that are similar to MIPS, but it's somewhat of an industry standard when it comes to protecting the head from adverse movement in an impact.
The best bike helmets for 2023
Ready to get spinning? Here are our tried and tested picks of cycling helmets for the road...
You might be more familiar with Bollé as makers of running eyewear, but the French brand have just made its best ever helmet and we've been really impressed. Lightweight and with quite a shallow profile, the AVIO sits very comfortably on top of the head with no hot spots or irritations once out on the road. All sunglasses work with it and the rubberised holding vents at the front are some of the most secure we've tried. Boasting MIPS too, it's a great option and the white version looks clean and fast.
Key specs
| Sizes | S (52-55cm), M (55-59cm), L (59-62cm) |
|---|---|
| Colours | Three |
| Weight | 277g (size M) |
This is an expensive helmet, but what you get is an aero helmet that is well vented and cool to ride in, comfortable and has improved safety features (according to Lazer) thanks to the KinetiCore construction. It also uses less plastic than other models, which is a bonus. The retention system feels like a more advanced and less fiddly version of what was used on the z1 and Genesis and works equally as well in achieving a decent fit. Longer armed sunglasses did overlap with the retention device towards the back of the head, but most paired up nicely.
The 15º sprint angle that the helmet is designed around isn't really applicable in a day-to-day performance stand point (unless you're sprinting EVERYWHERE), but what is important was there were no noticeable fit issues because of it. A sprinters/aero helmet for those who want to ride fast and look fast.
Key specs
| Sizes | A complete guide to running in the dark |
|---|---|
| Colours | Four |
| Weight | 290g (size M) |
Incredibly lightweight and comfy, this helmet from POC is the perfect choice for those seeking all day comfort, especially when the mercury rises. With a claimed weight of under 200g for a medium, the test sample weighed 202g on the kitchen scales, so we'll forgive those three extra grams for the 'feels like I'm wearing nothing' sensation. POC have always prided themselves on the safety testing of its helmets and the Ventral Lite is no different; it conforms to all safety standards regardless of the weigh saving measures, so you know you can ride with peace of mind too.
Key specs
| Sizes | S (50-56cm), M (54-59cm), L (56-61cm) |
|---|---|
| Colours | Three |
| Weight | 200g (M) |
Tipping the scales at 300g in a size large, the AR03 wasn't the lightest on test but it was one of the most comfortable and affordable (and includes MIPS). The massive vents at the front do a great job at keeping you cool on warmer days and, as you’d expect from a brand famed for its sunnies, there’s plenty of room for storing your shades in the vents of the helmet when not in use. The look of the helmet is also something of note; riding about looking like an aero stormtrooper might not be to everyone’s taste, but it certainly stands out.
Key specs
| Sizes | S (52-56cm), M (54-58cm), L (56-60cm) |
|---|---|
| Colours | 10 |
If lightness and multiple vents is what you want, the Valegro is a strong option. At 205g in a size medium, this was one of the lightest we rode in, but it's not just lightness that makes this helmet a smart choice. The degree of adjustment on the retention device means you can not only move it up and down the back of the head, but widen or narrow the contact points around the back of the head, too, maximising on comfort. The recessed brow pad is a nice design feature, too. The only downside of the low weight is the lack of MIPS or other extra safety features.
Key specs
| Sizes | S (50-56cm), M (52-58cm), L (59-62cm) |
|---|---|
| Colours | One |
| Weight | 180g (size S) |
A lightweight and smart-looking lid from the Belgian helmet makers, the Genesis comes in many different colour options and even a MIPS version. The fit feels a touch shallow on the head, but is comfortable and secure, while the clean lines give it an understated and subtle look. We did find that glasses with longer arms (Oakley's Sutro and Radar models, in particular) tended to catch on the outer loops of the retention device at the back, but it wasn't a big issue.
Key specs
| Sizes | A complete guide to running in the dark |
|---|---|
| Colours | Four |
| Weight | 195g (size S) |
For those looking for the ultimate bespoke helmet experience, HEXR could be for you. It all starts with a scan of your head (you do it at home using an app) and that then informs how your helmet will be custom-made to fit you. It's then 3D-printed using a 100% renewable raw material produced from castor oil (thumbs up from an eco point of view). With a bespoke product, it's hard to comment on fit aside from saying it fits very well. In fact, the helmet covered more of the side of the head compared to other models, to the point where the gap between ears and the helmet was too small for some glasses to fit, which was a bit of an issue. It was also the heaviest helmet on test at just over 400g.
Key specs
| Sizes | Customised |
|---|---|
| Colours | Black |
| Weight | 310g (size M) |
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