No matter where you are in the world, cycling is always about safety first.
While two-wheelers cycling around London on Santander bikes may think that they’re cool with their lack of helmet and unruly trench coats billowing in the wind, rest assured you are being judgeed for your blatant disdain for self-protection. While London is getting better at introducing cycle superhighways, we’re not quite at Amsterdam-levels – and even the Dutch value the importance of some good protective headgear.
Now, one thing we can empathise with is that the vast majority of helmets look and feel awfully clunky. What’s more, women can find it hard to get helmets that accommodate smaller head shapes and slimmer necks while still offering decent protection.
Whether you’re dusting off an old bike that has been hidden away in your parent’s garage for the last decade, or you’re looking to take your commuter cycling habits to the next level, investing in a multi-purpose and adaptable helmet can be a daunting task in itself, let alone purchasing one that actually looks good.
How do I find my helmet size?
It’s really quite as simple as taking a flexible tape measure and wrapping it around your head just above your eyebrows and your ears, to find the circumference of your head in centimetres. You should also ensure that you’re measuring the largest part of the back of your head, so your helmet will fit nice and snug without wiggling around.
What are the different types of helmets for adults?
Road biking helmets: road bikers want to invest in am aerodynamic helmet that prioritises ventilation. Road bikers are consistently changing elevation and are always working to gain speed, which means a lightweight, streamlined helmet which will prevent your head from getting overly hot is best.
Mountain biking helmets: as well as aerodynamics and ventilation, mountain bike helmets need more coverage on the front and back sides of the helmet. Visors might also be a priority for some mountain bikers for better visibility in more elevated environments.
Commuter helmets: as you’re rubbing shoulder with vehicle, commuter helmets cyclist are incredibly strong and durable, yet lightweight enough to be comfortable and portable. They’ll often have reflective details for cycling home when its dark, and even LED lights on the back for extra visibility on the road.
These helmets also have safety ingrained into their designs thanks to what is known as a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). You’ll find this exoskeleton-like structure in between the expanded polystyrene layer (EPS) and the inner helmet liner, and it works to reduce rotational impact forces in the event of a collision. EPS functions like the crumple zone on car bumpers and is designed for shock absorption.
BMX helmets: A distinctive, full-coverage helmet with extra layers of protection and the ability to absorb the shock of multiple impacts, BMX helmets are designed to be messed with.
Leisure helmets: The most common type of cycling helmet, and one that combines the key factors of ventilation, a lightweight nature and portability. Though they might not be as likely to have in-built MIPS and EPS, it’s certainly worth considering purchasing a versatile leisure helmet with extra protection, even if you’re just cycling down the promenade.
What should I consider when buying a cycling helmet?
Ventilation: ensuring your head is able to release body heat will prevent you from suffering from light-headedness or even heatstroke and will also help in the war against helmet hair.
Retention: a retention system allows you to adjust your helmet for an extra-snug fit. Road biking helmets might have an adjustable wheel on the top of the helmet head, while leisure and commuter helmets often have it inside the back of the helmet.
Visors and peaks: like wearing a baseball cap, some helmets are designed with peaks to help protect your eyes against sun and rain. BMX riders often go with helmets equipped with visors to protect against flying bits of debris and dust, though a decent pair of cycling glasses usually does the trick for everyone else.
Reflectivity: a vital factor for commuter cyclists who are on the move after dark.
Best women’s cycling helmets at a glance
- Best for an all-rounder: Pas Normal Studios Falconer Aero 2VI MIPS Helmet - £290, Sigma Sports
- Best for versatility at a bargain price: City Cycling Bowl Helmet 500 - Rosemary Green – £34.99, Decathlon
- Best for portability: Closca Helmet - £108, Cowboy
- Best for making cycling feel like a party: Disco Bike Helmet Silver - £40, Bobbin
- Best for luxurious style: Heritage 1.0 Bike & Skate Helmet - £89.34, Amazon
- Best for visibility and protection: Bolle Stance MIPS - £44, Bolle
MIPS, EPS and EPP liners – how safe is your helmet?
As explained, MIPS is the protective system designed to absorb shock and reduce damage cause upon impact. Though EPS is the most common, additional protective layer, you could also go with EPP instead. The main difference between the two is that EPS will lose its shape over time, while EPP does not deform permanently. This means that EPP is better for absorbing multiple impacts.
Keep scrolling for our edit of the best women’s cycling helmets which ensure a comfortable, safe, and stylish ride for all.
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Pas Normal Studios Falconer Aero 2VI MIPS Helmet
Best for: an all-rounder
This helmet from Pas Normal wins extra combo points for style, safety, and practicality. Equipped with MIPS Air Protection system, the Falconer 2vi also has improved ventilation technology – which is referred to by the brand as Superficial Temporal Arteries Cooling Channel (STACC) ventilation.
This is an extra fancy way of saying: this helmet will keep your head extra-cool and sweat-free, no matter the temperature outside.
Plus, there’s a wider opening in the helmet’s rear to accommodate for ponytails and longer hair, and us long-haired girls are already rejoicing.
This revamped Falconer model has also been equipped with a brand-new 360 Occigrip Fit System, which powered by a small adjustable wheel so that you can achieve breathable, yet safely snug comfort like never before.
Other notable features of the Falconer 2vi include the detachable magnetic aero covers, which turn a regular-old helmet into a sonic-approved aerodynamic dream, eyewear grippers for non-slip, protective ease, and a wonderfully simple magnetic buckle closure.
All of this in a sleek, matte white shell that can be wiped clean? We’re sold.
Buy now £290.00, Sigma Sports
City Cycling Bowl Helmet 500 - Rosemary Green
Best for: versatility at a bargain price
A city-ready helmet that can do it all, this BTWN bowl helmet is offered in an array of colours and sizes, though we’re partial to this pretty rosemary green.
No matter whether you’re cycling between gravel, asphalt or concrete in this certifiably topographic city, this helmet offers a range of customisable features which allow you to adapt it to your daily environment. For example, it comes equipped with removable ear protectors for use during the colder months, as well as an adjustment dial for loosening and tightening – ponytails and messy hair bun can affect the circumference of a woman’s head.
There’s also a hook situated at the back of a helmet for attaching an extra LED light. Safety certified with an ABS shell and EPS liner, this helmet comes with a two-year warranty, and Decathlon recommend switching it out for a new one after five years of use.
Buy now £34.99, Bobbin
Closca Helmet
Best for: portability
Inspired by NYC’s Guggenheim, this muti award-winning helmet has been designed with urban riders in mind.
Its lightweight, collapsible nature is incredibly novel in the world of cycling helmets, and it an absolute game changer for those who are used to lugging around a load of cumbersome gear the fact that cycling into work every morning usually means carrying around cumbersome gear and a change of clothes.
Though the Closca helmet is described to comply with shock absorption certifications, we struggled to find any information on whether this helmet comes equipped with MIPS or EPS lining.
Nevertheless, it is well ventilated with hidden holes dispersed throughout the shell in order to maintain a healthy airflow. It’s available in small, medium, and large, and weights approximately 250-290g depending on the size you go for.
Buy now £120.00, Closca
Disco Bike Helmet Silver
Best for: making cycling feel like a party
For stylish, leisure-biking helmet at a reasonable price point, look to the Disco Helmet from the bike experts at Bobbin.
Established in 2007, Bobbin has since made a name for itself as the home of chic, original vintage bicycles designed for those aged 2 to 92. As such, it seems only fitting that the brand has produced an incredibly fashion-forward helmet to go alongside their fabulous velos. Plus, they’re safety certified.
The Bobbin helmet features an ABS shell with EPS foam lining for extra protection, as well as a dial fit size adjustment system. It also has 11 extra-large ventilation holes for breathability and an extended back which provides a little bit of extra coverage.
Buy now £40.00, Bobbin
Heritage 1.0 Bike & Skate Helmet
Best for: luxurious style
Minimal and oh-so beautiful to look at, the Heritage helmet design was inspired by the simplicity of vintage moto lids often seen across Italy to this day, and the heritage bright and bohemian colour palettes of the late 50s and 60s.
Style aside, we’re particularly big fans of the fact that this helmet has a built-in, low-profile visor – significant enough to well and truly help block out the sun, without restricting you field of vision. As with all the helmets in this list, there’s of course an integrated dial fit system for those precise size adjustments.
However, this helmet also has a one-handed magnetic fastener, vegan leather straps and – perhaps most intriguingly – a secret PopLock so that you can attach your helmet to your bike lock. Nifty. We love the luxurious vegan leather straps, as well as the fact that there are seven discrete vents for increased airflow.
Though slightly heavier than some of the helmets in this edit (it weighs in at roughly 410-490g), if your priority is safety and style above all else, you’ll want to snag one of these.
Buy now £89.34, Amazon
Bolle Stance MIPS
Best for: visibility and protection
As you can already tell by the name of this helmet model from Bolle, this MIPS-protected piece of gear will keep you safe and sound on all your rides. Despite its wonderfully sleek, matte black shell, rest-assured this helmet can be seen in the dark thanks to its reflective sticker and webbing features. If you tend to cycle in climates and environments which are prone to the likes of mozzies and midges, this helmet also has an integrated mesh lining to prevent against pesky bug attacks. In addition, the helmet is equipped with Bolle’s signature click-to-fit system.
Buy now £44.00, Bolle
Verdict
Our overall top pick is the Pas Normal, which ticks all the boxes thanks to the fact that it is equipped with MIPS, LPS and an adjustable retention system. A close second in terms of all-round versatility at a fantastic price is BTWN’s City Cycling Bowl Helmet 500.
