Whether you’re looking for a way to improve your safety on your commute, off-road or long weekend rides, these are the best cycling helmets you can buy…
When it comes to improving your safety while riding one of the best electric bikes (or any bike), clipping on one of the best cycling helmets is the best thing you can do before leaving the house. Although there isn’t a law that enforces the use of a helmet when getting around on two wheels, studies show that wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of death and the severity of brain injuries if involved in a crash.
All helmets sold in the UK and US have to meet the EN 1078 and Consumer Product Safety Commission’s CPSC 1203 standards respectively, passing requirements such as G-force thresholds and impact tests. But when looking for a helmet, this is the minimum you should expect.
A key safety feature to look out for is MIPS – a multi-directional impact protection system. Located between the internal padding and the EPS (expanded polystyrene) outer shell of the helmet, the thin layer is unnoticeable when wearing the helmet but comes into its own if involved in a crash. The MIPS allows for 10-15mm of rotation, reducing rotational impacts and associated risks such as concussion and trauma.
Other than MIPS, things to factor in when buying a cycling helmet include its airflow (with more vents generally equalling better ventilation), reflective detailing and even integrated lights.
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These are the best cycling helmets in 2024
- POC Ventral MIPS
- Endura Singletrack MIPS
- Specialized Align II
- Oakley ARO3 Endurance MIPS
- Giro Escape MIPS
- Smith Network MIPS
POC Ventral MIPS Helmet
Best aero helmet
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RRP: $300 / £270
Pros:
- Comfortable aero-optimised helmet
- Superior MIPS safety
Cons:
- Matte black finish scratches easily
- Price
Comfort: 5/5
Ventilation: 5/5
Extra features: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
| Sizes: | S (50-56cm) / M (54-59cm) / L (56-61cm) |
| Features: | MIPS, EPS liner, aero-optimised design, grippers for sunglasses storage |
| Colours: | 9 colours available |
It’s no surprise that Swedish company POC can apply its headgear knowhow to snowsports and cycling with equal success. Both sports rely on comfort, reliability and aerodynamics for its safety gear, and its Ventral MIPS cycling helmet excels at all three. It’s a premium, aero-optimised helmet with 13 vents so it never leave you red-faced. Well designed padding, sunglasses storage and lots of strap adjustment help make this one of the comfiest, best designed lids we’ve tested.
Read our full POC Ventral MIPS Helmet review
Endura Singletrack MIPS Helmet
Best for mountain biking
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RRP: £109.99 – not available in the US
Pros:
- Koroyd and MIPS protection for reasonable price
- Great breathability
Cons:
- No reflective detailing
- Worth going a size up if between ranges
Comfort: 4/5
Ventilation: 5/5
Extra features: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Sizes: | S-M / M-L / L-XL |
| Features: | Koroyd, MIPS, removeable/adjustable visor, goggle-friendly design, one-handed micro-adjust fit system |
| Colours: | 9 colours available |
Endura has become one of the most dependable UK brands when it comes to off-road gear. Its Singletrack helmet offers both MIPS and Koroyd protection, an adjustable and removeable visor and a goggle-friendly design, making it suitable for cross-country, enduro and all-mountain riding. There are 15 vents and plenty of moisture-absorbent padding, and overall we think this is a great off-road helmet for all but the most extreme pursuits, particularly for the price.
Read our full Endura Singletrack MIPS review
Specialized Align II Helmet
Best value MIPS helmet
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RRP: $55 / £45
Pros:
- Great price
- Reflective detailing
Cons:
- No eyewear storage
- Sweat management could be better
Comfort: 4/5
Ventilation: 4/5
Extra features: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Sizes: | S/M (52-56cm) / M/L (56-60cm) / XL (59-62cm) |
| Features: | MIPS, reflective detailing, compatible with Specialized’s ANGi crash sensor |
| Colours: | Matte black / matte white / oak green metallic and black reflective / gloss cast blue / white sage |
With the Align II, Specialized proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to look after your noggin. A fraction of the price of some of the helmets on test, it’s one of the best value MIPS lids around. And while it might lack features like dedicated eyewear storage, the Align II gets the job done and looks pretty good doing it. With 16 vents, Specialized’s proprietary 4th Dimension Cooling System and a micro-adjuster at the rear to fine-tune fit, we think it’s a standout pick for the price.
Read our full Specialized Align II Helmet review
Oakley ARO3 Endurance MIPS Helmet
Best for versatility
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RRP: $135 / £110
Pros:
- Impressive ventilation
- Front vent eyewear storage
Cons:
- Size comes up a bit small
Comfort: 3.5/5
Ventilation: 5/5
Extra features: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
| Sizes: | S (52-56cm) / M (55-59cm) / L (58-62cm) |
| Features: | MIPS, adjustable dial, sunglasses grippers |
| Colours: | Polished and matte black reflective / matte redline / matte poseidon / matte franktel and light curry / matte light grey / polished and matte white reflective |
Oakley is another manufacturer that specialises in cycling and snowsports gear, and in the ARO3 it’s produced a versatile all-rounder that’s lightweight, well vented and relatively affordable. It managed to squeeze 19 vents into a sleek, low-profile design. And we reckon that minimal look makes it suitable for road, MTB or commuting use. Given its reasonable price, this might be the only helmet riders who dabble in different kinds of cycling really need.
Read our full Oakley ARO3 Endurance MIPS Helmet review
Giro Escape MIPS Helmet
Best for commuting
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RRP: $130 / £149.99
Pros:
- Integrated rechargeable lights
- Reflective detailing
Cons:
- Can get quite hot
Comfort: 5/5
Ventilation: 3/5
Extra features: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
| Sizes: | S (51-55cm) / M (55-59cm) / L (59-63cm) |
| Features: | MIPS, integrated rechargeable lights, one-hand micro-adjustment, reflective webbing and detailing |
| Colours: | Matte black / matte chalk / matte graphite |
If you’re a regular commuter or urban rider, we’d recommend you check out the Giro Escape. Not only does it come with the peace of mind of MIPS protection, it also has integrated rechargeable lights, front and rear. There’s reflective detailing too to increase your night-time visibility, and a rear adjustment dial you can use with gloves, making it our go-to helmet for year-round city use.
Read our full Giro Escape MIPS Helmet review
Smith Network MIPS Helmet
Best reflective helmet
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RRP: $170 / £139.99
Pros:
- Koroyd and MIPS protection
- Reflective detailing
- Yellow viz colourway offers extra visibility
Cons:
- Eyewear storage system optimised for Smith sunglasses
- Sizing comes up small
Comfort: 3.5/5
Ventilation: 4.5/5
Extra features: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
| Sizes: | S (51-55cm) / M (55-59cm) / L (59-62cm) / XL (61-65cm) |
| Features: | Koroyd, MIPS, reflective detailing, optional fabric visor for extra sweat wicking |
| Colours: | 14 colours available |
Smith is not a widely known maker of cycle helmets yet, but we predict that won’t be the case for long. Its Network helmet features both Koroyd and MIPS safety features, as well as 360-degree night-time visibility. That’s thanks to reflective panels front and rear as well as reflective detailing on the straps. And if you opt for the Matte Neon Yellow Viz finish, there’s no way you can be missed on the road. Fifteen vents take care of cooling duties too.
Read our full Smith Network MIPS Helmet review
How we tested the best cycling helmets
Our testers ride up to 150km a week across a mixture of road, gravel and indoor cycling. They test these helmets over a variety of uses: on commutes to work, trips to the gym or supermarket, as well as longer sessions on road, gravel and trail. Each helmet is primarily tested in the environment it was designed for – for example, a mountain bike helmet off-road, and a commuting-focused lid for shorter, local journeys. All helmets are tested over a prolonged period, mostly from the height of summer to the depths of winter.
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