Bike commuters have different needs in a helmet than say road cyclists or mountain bikers. Commuter bike helmets should be stylish, low profile for easy storage off the bike, offer plenty of ventilation in addition to protection, and not break the bank in terms of affordability. And many urban best bike helmets today add additional high and low tech features that help you safely or more easily navigate busy city streets on your way to and from work. Here is our review about bike commuter helmets, perfect for a variety of situations.
1.Specialized Propero III With ANGi
This helmet-inspired design is known for its incredible fit and tremendous value. It has many similar features to the S-Works Prevail, like the Tri-Fix webbing system and 4th Dimension Cooling, granting the Propero III incredible performance at a more attainable price.
Our new ANGi Crash Sensor gives you and your loved ones peace of mind like never before—when combined with our iOS or Android app, the sensor will detect a crash and send a text message to specified contacts in your phone. It also syncs with our app and STRAVA to provide GPS-based activity tracking. That’s why this helmet is one of the best bike helmets for communters in 2020.
2.Lumos Smart Bike Helmet
You should already have lights on your bike — it’s illegal to ride in NYC at night without a white headlight and red taillight (this USB-rechargeable set is a good pick) — and if you regularly commute before sunrise or after sunset, a light-up helmet ensures that cars on the road won’t miss you. Reynolds says Lumos helmets are popular among commuters: “These are essentially smart best bike helmets with lighting integration, including automatic braking and indicating lights on some models, which work in tandem with their app as well as other apps like Strava.”
3.Giro Cormick MIPS Cycling Helmet
If you’re riding anywhere near cars, it’s a good idea to make yourself super-visible. Joseph Nocella, owner of 718 Cyclery, says he uses the Giro Cormick helmet and likes that it comes in a shade of “high-visibility yellow so the [most] people can see me as possible.” Nocella notes that it’s a “nice hybrid of the roadie style and the bowling ball/skater style,” meaning it “looks nice and sleek but has ventilation”.
4.Giro Caden MIPS Urban Cycling Helmet
Ryan Zagata, president of Brooklyn Bicycle Co., calls this helmet “stylish yet incredibly functional,” adding that it offers “an abundance of ventilation to keep your head cool while riding.” It also has a removable visor to shield your eyes from the sun. The combination of these features, Zagata says, makes this one “a top-notch city helmet” and one of the best bike helmets for communters in 2020.
5.Thousand Adult Anti-Theft Bike Helmet
Christina Torres, founder of City Girl Rides, says she has been “obsessing over Thousand bike helmets for their retro look, functionality, and sustainability practices.” Sitting pretty at the intersection of form and function, the brand unsurprisingly was mentioned by several of the experts we spoke to. “While the design is clean and simple, the helmets have innovative features that include vegan-friendly straps, a creative pop lock to help leave your helmet with your bike, and a simple-to-use, pinch-free magnetic clasp,” says Lauren Jones, manager of marketing and product development at Brilliant Bicycle Co.
6.POC Crane MIPS
As crash impacts don’t always happen straight on, POC’s popular Crane commuter helmet now comes with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) that works to reduce the rotational forces to your brain in the case of side-on impacts. Added protection comes in the form of a dual-density EPS foam liner that protects against both high and low energy impacts, with an extra tough outer shell to cut down on the possibility of dents. The interior of the Crane is treated with Polygiene, an antimicrobial agent that fights off the bacteria that cause odor. The helmet is generously ventilated so you don’t overheat. The lightweight helmet weighs 420 grams and comes with an adjustment system that helps you dial in the perfect fit.
7.Bern Watts Urban
If the streamlined look of the helmets above leaves you cold, then maybe the style of the Bern Watts Urban helmet will suit you better. It sacrifices a little in the way of ventilation, but passes both bike and snow safety certifications, so you can use it on the slopes as well as the cycle paths.
8.Hedkayse ONE
This one costs a pretty penny, but you can rest assured it’s the last one you’ll ever have to buy thanks to a proprietary material that recovers after an impact – whether that’s dropping it on the floor or being involved in an accident. However, we weren’t convinced by the folding and multi-fit features, and found it somewhat uncomfortable and ever so heavy, but its unique self-sustaining properties certainly make it an option.
9.Van Rysel Roadr 500
This budget helmet is lightweight and breathable thanks to the 17 vents it has on the top. Since all helmets have to meet certain safety regulations you won’t find many that cost much less than £30 unless on sale, and we reckon this as good a bargain as you’ll find when seeking a new lid.
10.Sawako Furono Leopard Helmet
Torres acknowledges that helmet hair can be a “major issue” for commuters, and she recommends Sawako helmets as your hairstyle’s best defense. Part of preventing helmet hair, she says, is “letting your head breathe and sweatproofing your tresses.” A Sawako helmet’s 11 evenly distributed ventilation holes set it apart from other commuter options. And, being extremely lightweight, it won’t put as much pressure on your head as a heavier helmet will, making less of an indent in your hair.
11.Giro Montaro MIPS Helmet
Several experts we spoke to recommend helmets from Giro, and Caddad singles out the Montaro model as a good choice for mountain biking. He says it offers “concussion prevention” and is available at “a great price point.” The helmet boasts MIPS technology, which stands for “multi-directional impact-protection system.” Helmets with MIPS technology feature a layer between the shell and the liner that allows the helmet to slide relative to your head in instances of angular impact and that helps to reduce brain trauma should you fall or be hit.
12.Giro Women’s Seyen Bike Helmet With MIPS
Women’s helmets tend to be a little smaller than men’s for a better fit. That said, don’t forget to leave room for your hair: Cyclists with thicker hair may need a bigger helmet, and if you’ve gotten a short haircut recently, you may want to make sure your helmet still fits as snugly as it used to. For women, Andrew Crooks, owner of NYC Velo, suggests the Giro Seyen MIPS helmet, which he says “represents an incredible value for a performance-driven helmet for women.” It also has plenty of ventilation to keep your head from getting too sweaty while you ride.
13.Nutcase Metroride
Protect your noggin and have a little fun at the same time. Filled with EPS foam, the commuter bike helmet is designed to disperse energy on impact. A dial fit system enables a custom fit and makes for easily taking the helmet on and off. An additional three custom pads help you to customize the fit even further. A magnetic helmet strap closure is easy to connect with one hand, while the under chin strap is covered with soft padding so as not to irritate your skin. Two large vents keep your head cool and the internal foam pads are moisture wicking to get rid of any sweat build up. Available in a variety of patterns and colors (we like the classic stripes), the Metroride Helmet comes with a snap-in visor and reflective straps for enhanced visibility.
14.Critical Cycles CM-1
This classic skate design helmet comes in three different sizes with two sets of interchangeable pads so you can achieve a fit tailor made to your head. Ten strategically placed vents keep you cool on hot commutes. An ABS plastic outer shell covers a thick layer of EPS foam to ensure your safety on impact — the CM-1 passed all the rigorous US CPSC Safety Standard tests without a problem. The interior padding not only feels comfortable against your head, but actively works to wick away sweat and cut down on the bacteria buildup that causes a helmet to smell bad after lots of wear. The result is that you stay dry and your skin irritation-free. The commuter bike helmet comes in a variety of matte colors to match your bike or personality.
15.Lumos Helmet
When you are riding in and out of traffic on busy streets, every little step towards letting drivers know your intentions goes a long way. The Lumos Helmet features integrated LED lights that indicate when you plan to turn right or left, as well as when you are stopping — 10 white LEDs on the front of the helmet with 38 red LEDs and 11 orange LEDs at the back helmet for turn signal and stopping indication. As you slow down, the red lights glow a solid red to make it clear you are getting ready to stop.
Via a wireless remote control on your handlebars, tap the corresponding turn button to activate the appropriate LEDs on the back, front and side of the helmet. The rechargeable battery lasts around six hours on flashing mode and three on solid mode. This high tech bike helmet fits most head sizes 54 to 61cm comfortably.
16.Bern Parker MIPS (for women)
Low profile and lightweight thanks to a liquid foam construction, the Parker MIPS delivers safety and style in a single package. Bern’s signature flip visor is removable for either style or weather reasons. The Parker MIPS uses a Boa 360 dial-adjustment system to deliver a custom fit and ensure the helmet stays in place on your head without ever slipping. It also extends to cover the back of your head, providing greater coverage and greater protection than traditional cycling helmets. And additional Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is designed to protect against injury to the brain caused by rotational impacts.
17.POC Corpora Commuter
OK, fine. You want a certain vibe, we support that. A vibe that says: skateboarder in an abandoned pool somewhere in southern California circa 1989. “Commuter” helmets are oftentimes heavy, ventless mushroom caps that make for a sweaty ride. But POC’s Corpora Commuter comes with enough ventilation to make summer commutes comfortable. It’s far lighter than similar models and the padding inside is lush and cool against the head (or skin, for us bald dudes).
18.Abus Hyban Urban Helmet With Integrated LED Taillight
Compared with some of the other helmets on this list, the Hyban is “a bit shorter on style”, it makes up for in durability and utility in spades — plenty of vents, integrated LED rear light, and it’s superlight.” The removable visor lets you modify the helmet based on weather conditions, and the taillight improves visibility.
In conclusion
Bike helmet is not only stylish and functional, with a built-in hard visor and coverage that extends to the rear of your head, but is also highly breathable and comfortable. The helmet includes a padded chin strap and has nine air vents that allow air to move relatively freely through the helmet. Despite its size, the helmet is relatively lightweight so it won’t lead to neck pain over time.
However, the helmet includes multiple interior pads that can be used to adjust the fit, and the rear band is easy to adjust with a control dial.
With all of these reviews above about 18 best bike helmets for commuters in 2020, we hope that you can choose a best suitable helmet for your head as well as protect you when you ride your bike.
