What type of activity?
Different riding disciplines place different demands on a helmet. A road racing helmet needs to be lightweight, aerodynamic and properly ventilated so you won’t overheat. Similar story for XC riding and racing. If you’re into more aggressive MTB, such as enduro or downhill racing, you’ll want purpose-built features including extended coverage in the rear of the helmet, a visor, goggle integration and perhaps a full-face design. For commuting, you need to think about everyday comfort in all types of weather, along with visibility and style. Whatever type of riding you love most, there’s a Mips®-equipped helmet that’s just right.
Competition or fun?
How serious are you about training, racing and gaining a competitive edge? If you’re aiming for the podium or chasing Strava KOMs, it’s all about light weight, aerodynamics and head-cooling ventilation. If all-day epics are your thing, comfort counts. Whether it’s a 200km gran fondo or a big backcountry adventure on dirt, you want a helmet that you’ll barely notice on those endless grinder climbs. For those who like to mix it up—commute during the week, tackle longer adventures on the weekend—consider an all-rounder helmet that can do double duty.
Safety
This is what matters most when choosing a helmet. You can look for certain safety features, including our Mips® safety system and other special functions made for the type of riding you do, but the first step is to make sure the helmet is certified to helmet standards in your country. There are many different standards worldwide, but some of the most common ones include Europe’s General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the U.S. Any helmet you are considering purchasing should be certified by the latest safety standards for its category (road, mountain bike, downhill, etc.) and country.
Climate
Most of us live in regions where the weather changes with the seasons. But when choosing your helmet, it’s wise to think about what type of conditions you ride in most often. If heat and humidity are a factor, you want maximum ventilation. If, on the other hand, you are fat biking in the snow or commuting through the cold and rainy winter season, you might consider a helmet with an insulated liner. Cold-weather riders require less ventilation, but if you ride hilly terrain think about a helmet with vents that can be open or closed. And for those in rainy climates, an integrated visor can help shield you from the elements.
Rotational management
This is the reason Mips exists. We have done the research. We have the data. Studies show that when you crash and hit your head, it’s most often an angled impact. This creates rotational motion, and the brain is very sensitive to this. So, this part is easy: just be sure to pick a helmet that’s equipped with Mips® safety system, which is intended to help reduce rotational forces to the head during certain angled impacts.
Comfort and fit
When trying to find the correct helmet model and size, it’s important to consider everything from the overall helmet shape to retention systems and straps. A poor fit isn’t just uncomfortable, it can compromise safety. The first thing you need to know is your head circumference. You can find this by wrapping a flexible tape measure around your head about 2cm above your eyebrows. Or you can wrap a string around your head and measure it with a yardstick. Once you have the right size, be sure to properly adjust the chin straps and buckle, along with the adjustment dial if it has one (usually located in the rear of the helmet).
