Equal Protection
Most helmets sold in the US must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and offer the same level of basic protection regardless of price (make sure yours has the CPSC logo). They work the same way, too: Nearly every model has a hard exterior shell molded to an inner layer of EPS foam, which crushes upon impact to dissipate force during a crash.
Choose Your Style
There's a helmet for every type of rider. Road helmets prioritize weight savings and ventilation. Mountain bike helmets often have larger profiles to protect the back and sides of your head, and larger vents that encourage airflow at slower speeds. Stylish city-riding models can be heavier, but tend to have more durable exteriors to withstand the rigors of daily urban riding.
Find the Right Fit
"A helmet will only protect you if it fits correctly," says John Thompson, Scott's helmet product manager. It should distribute pressure evenly and stay on without help from the chin strap, even if you turn your head upside down. Each brand fits differently, so try several in your price range. More expensive helmets are typically lighter, ventilate better, and have a more refined fit.
Three Key Features
1. Trauma-Reducing Designs
A few helmets offer protection beyond what the CPSC requires. By using integrated slip plates, like those designed by Swedish firm MIPS, these models have been shown to reduce the rotational forces from a crash that can cause a concussion.
2. Retention Devices
More expensive models have adjustable systems that allow you to fine-tune the fit. They can also improve air flow and reduce hot spots.
3. Accessory Mounts
Several helmets come with special fixtures to hold your sunglasses. And some mountain bike and commuter models have mounts for attaching GoPro-style cameras or lights for night riding.
Kim Cross is the NYT best-selling author of What Stands in a Storm, a narrative account of the biggest tornado outbreak on record. A national champion water skier, she has competed in more than 10 sports, some of them laughably obscure. She loves wheelies, dirt jumps, and riding in the snow in Idaho, where she coaches her son’s NICA mountain-bike team. Follow her at @kimhcross.
