Best Commuter Bike Helmets
The best commuter bike helmets combine style and function into one brain protecting package.
Obviously you don’t need the latest and greatest performance helmet technology to commute across town or roll down to the coffee shop. Features such as low weight, ventilation, and aerodynamics just don’t matter as much — unless you’re racing taxi drivers. But, as we all know, helmets save lives, and are especially important when you’re dodging in and out of traffic. That means enhanced safety — along with a little style — are important factors when shopping brain protectors. With that in mind, here are 10 of the best commuter bike helmets.
Bell Annex MIPS Equipped
Commuting by bike can be exhilarating yet challenging, and the Bell Annex is designed to help empower your mission. This is a MIPS bike helmet (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which can provide an additional measure of protection in certain impacts. The Active Air Slider vent lets you regulate temperature for cool comfort. The Float Fit system gives you a perfect fit with no fussy adjustments. And special features — including integrated reflectivity, integrated light mount and weather-considered soft-brim visor — give you all the tools you need to be self-sufficient and super mobile.
More Info: www.bellhelmets.com
Price: $125
Giro Bexley MIPS
While the price tag is admittedly high, the Giro Bexley MIPS is a truly top tier urban helmet including all the features you’d expect in a premium lid. The compact shape of the Bexley MIPS creates attractive style while still providing extended coverage, and the antimicrobial padding keeps you comfortable and stink free. A retractable and replaceable shield protects your eyes from wind and glare, especially during higher speed commutes — or if you’re an e-bike rider. It also has an integrated rear light designed so that you don’t even know it’s there when it’s off, but turning the light on makes the entire back panel of the helmet glow for increased visibility on the road.
More Info: www.giro.com
Price: $250
Electra Commute MIPS
Keep it safe and stylish with the Electra Commute MIPS Helmet, which balances form and function, including use of MIPS, aka multi-directional impact protection system which was developed to help reduce rotational forces on the brain caused by angled impacts to the head. Other features include a Boa System that ensures easy adjustment and secure fit, camera/light mount and reflective visor, magnetic Fidlock slide buckle, in-mold EPS with PC shell for enhanced comfort and protection, and certified to NTA 8776 standard, meaning it covers e-bikers as well.
More Info: www.trekbikes.com
Price: $130
Nutcase Technicolor with MIPS
Arguably the most stylish helmet in this round-up, the Nutcase Technicolor with MIPS features a Fidlock magnetic buckle, dual-position spin dial fit system, durable snap-in visor, lightweight in-mold PC shell with protective EPS foam, 3M reflective straps for safety, three sets of moisture-wicking pads for customized fit, and it’s CPSC 16 CFR 1203 certified for cycling.
More Info: nutcasehelmets.com
Price: $105
POC Crane
The POC Crane is a lightweight helmet with a durable and dent resistant construction where POC has implemented a new kind of liner, combining two different densities. The stiffer outer part deals with higher energy impacts while the inside provides protection for lower energy impacts. Together the two densities are designed to work to provide a progressive stop in case of an impact. The POC Crane also has a considerably thicker shell than traditional in-mold helmets, further improving durability. The unique size adjustment system makes it possible to customize the fit of the helmet to ensure it stays safe and comfortable in place.
More Info: www.pocsports.com
Price: $120
Lumos Kickstart
The Lumos Kickstart is an exceptionally unique “smart” helmet that integrates lights, hard braking, and turn signals into one streamlined package. Other features include rechargeable batteries, weather proofing, a wireless remote, and a smartphone app. Claimed battery life is 6 hours, making it ideal for commuting.
More Info: lumoshelmet.co
Price: $180
Laser Street DLX
We love the urban street styling of the Lazer Street DLX helmet, which features leather straps and metal strap dividers for a highly unique look. But this helmet is more than just cool looking. Its 16 vents including top exhaust vents help keep you cool while you roll down the street in style. The helmet also comes with an integrated LED light at the back to provide additional visibility and safety.
More Info: www.lazersport.com
Price: varies
Specialized Centro Winter
Day or night, the Specialized Centro Winter LED helmet proves itself to be more than just your average around-town helmet. It features an integrated LED taillight to increase your visibility, an easy-to-use, one-size-fits-all system, an in-molded shell for lightweight protection, and all around reflective webbing to help increase your visibility to motorists in low-light conditions. The Centro Winter LED also features an insulated cold-weather liner that is sure to keep you warm in chilly conditions.
More Info: www.specialized.com
Price: $70
Kali Haha
The affordably priced Kali Saha is an eco-friendly urban helmet featuring Bio-Dome construction, recycled EPS, and natural fabrics. And the PLA-ABS blended shell, removable visor, and Fidlock buckle make the Saha tough and versatile helmet for any commute.
More Info: bike.kaliprotectives.com
Price: $50
Bern Melrose
At home on the bike path or dodging through traffic, the Bern Melrose is a great looking commuter/urban helmet for women riders who want style, safety and function. Inspired by the men’s Bern Allston, the Melrose has the same technical features like ultra-light weight Zipmold+ construction and BOA retention system, but it’s specifically engineered for women with more feminine vent patterns and two scaled down shell sizes. The performance liner helps control moisture and keeps you cool, and can be removed and hand-washed as needed.
More Info: www.bernhelmets.com
Price: $80
RoadBikeReview is committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
The post Best Commuter Bike Helmets appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.