The 5 Best Women’s Bike Helmets in 2020
Looked at many bike helmets but can’t find the right one?
Perhaps it’s time to look for a women-specific bike helmet.
After all, there are some differences between women and unisex bike helmets. Things such as sizing, fit, designs, and room for our ponytail (sometimes this is called hair port).
You’ve probably noticed that selecting women-specific bike helmets is limited, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good ones out there.
Our Favorite Pick
Giro Seyen MIPS
For those interested in road biking, the Giro Seyen is hard to beat.
Based in the United States, their helmets are renowned for using the MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) for extra safety. MIPS shifts and redistributes the force from impacts, making crashes less likely to cause head injuries.
Situated in the rear of the helmet is Giro’s Roc Loc 5 retention system, easily adjusted with one hand for a secure fit that won’t need adjusting for long rides. The Giro Seyen offers a high level of protection at an affordable price tag, combined with the durable polycarbonate shell and the shock-reducing EPS foam interior.
- Pros : Comes with MIPS at an affordable price tag.
- Cons : Not ideal for cold weather.
Bern Allston
The Bern Allston is yet another great commuter helmet from Bern.
Cycling of all types is unfortunately male-dominated, which is why it’s refreshing that Bern has put together a commuter bike helmet that works equally well for women who work as messengers or even want to commute by bike.
The Bern Allston uses Boa’s 360 Fit System, which adjusts with the turn of a knob to achieve a lasting, comfortably snug fit. The Zip Mold+ interior makes the Bern Allston lighter, thinner, and more aerodynamic than its rivals, making this a great choice for those navigating city streets.
- Pros : Lightweight and sleek looking
- Cons : Sizing chart can be tricky.
POC Tectal
If there’s one company that can give Giro a run for its money in excellent protection and modern aesthetics, it’s Sweden’s POC.
The POC Tectal shares many of the same features found in POC’s perennial favorites, the POC Octal and its predecessor, the POC Trabec. This mountain bike helmet is designed specifically for mountain biking in the trails.
The half-shells extensive side and rear coverage protect kickup and branches, while long, even vents allow free airflow and reduce moisture from sweat.
A size adjustment system is operated with a handy dial, and an integrated visor provides coverage to the eyes.
- Pros : Extended side coverage for more protection with large air vents for airflow
- Cons : Expensive.
Kask Protone
The Kask Protone is probably the best women’s bike helmet with rave reviews from road cyclists everywhere.
Although it doesn’t feature a brand-name protection system like MIPS, it’s built on comparable technology, with a similar polycarbonate outer shell and EPS foam liner.
Designed with as much focus on safety as performance, the aerodynamics have been tested and refined in wind tunnels. With airflow and construction thus optimized, the Kask Protone is a terrific option for women looking to really knock their performance up to the max.
- Pros : Timeless design with more than 10 color combinations to choose from.
- Cons : Replacement pads can be hard to come by.
Read More : Kask Protone Review
Specialized S-Works Women's Prevail 2
The S-Works Prevail 2 is Specialized’s top-of-the-line bicycle helmet.
This sleek, lightweight road bike helmet is aimed at cyclists interested in racing and improving their performance at high speeds.
An extensive network of vents runs throughout the helmet, with the characteristic wide MouthPort at the front, meaning that, while not ideal for cold weather, this is one of your best options for maximum airflow and cooling.
The non-adjustable straps surrounding the ears have been designed to work easily with the chinstrap, so a comfortable fit can be achieved. Altogether, the S-Works Prevail 2 is one of the best road bike helmets for serious cyclists looking for the best equipment for top performance.
Newer models come with the ANGi crash sensor that will notify your emergency contact in the event of a crash.
- Pros : A dedicated hairport for those with ponytails.
- Cons : Expect to pay more.
Women's Bike Helmets Buying Guide
Your helmet is your most important piece of safety equipment, so it’s best to know what to look for when buying one.
For women-specific helmets, there are a handful of differences from men’s helmets. But for any helmet, you’ll want to consider size, ventilation, and safety features and ratings.
Here are 4 things you should know before buying.
1. Sizing
The key to ensuring both a comfortable fit and getting the most out of your safety features is buying the right size helmet.
Most road helmets come in small, medium, or large sizes, although these can mean different things depending on the manufacturer.
For example, many people find the Bern Allston to be slightly tighter when buying their normal size.
To get your correct size, wrap a flexible tape measure around your head just above the eyebrows and note the measurement in centimeters.
Most helmet manufacturers provide a sizing chart on their website, so compare the measurement to this chart to get a better idea of which one to go for.
Lastly, keep in mind that everyone has a different head shape, so what fits someone else might not fit you.
2. Number of Ventilation Holes
No matter what type of cycling you’re doing, in town or out, on trails or to work, there’s nothing more unpleasant than a helmet that traps sweat and heat.
If you want to arrive at the office in presentable condition, a commuter helmet with larger ventilation holes such as the Bern Allston is a good choice.
For the most part, the more ventilation holes there are, and the larger they are, the better the airflow to keep your head cool. If you’re into road riding, the S-Works Prevail 2 is an excellent choice for maximum breathability.
Or if you’re a mountain biker, then consider the POC Tectal.
3. Safety Standards
One of the most effective ways to determine how protective you can expect a helmet is by looking at its safety standards.
These require a helmet to have passed certain demanding tests and proved their reliability to be allowed for sale.
Certifications vary a bit across the world, but the standard in the U.S. is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard.
In Europe, it’s the CEN standards, while in Australia and New Zealand, it’s the AU/NZ standards.
If the helmets passed these certifications, you could often find the stickers on the inner sides. That way, you can be sure that helmets like the Kask Protone and the POC Tectal are just as safe as one another, having passed the same rigorous tests.
4. Safety Technology
These days, you’ll notice that helmets come with wordings such as MIPS, SPIN, Wavecel, or Koroyd.
In short, they represent the different safety systems built into the helmet’s shell to minimize the impact on your brain when your head hits the ground.
MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is by far the most commonly used and can be found in helmets such as the Giro Seyen and S-Works Prevail 2.
On the other hand, SPIN (Shearing Pad INside) is a proprietary technology owned by POC and used exclusively in their helmets such as the POC Tectal.
