KEY FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A BIKE HELMET

There are many factors to consider when choosing a helmet, starting with the daunting standards and certifications (CPSC, ASTM, MIPS, etc.), which we will demystify here. You’ll want to pay attention to bike helmet fit and comfort, good ventilation and breathability, maximum protection, and a sun-shielding visor.

SAFETY STANDARDS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND TECHNOLOGIES

The acronyms CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) represent the entities responsible for certifying that bicycle helmets meet satisfactory safety requirements.

In Canada, the standard in place is CSA (Canadian Standards Association). While all bike helmets sold in the U.S. must be certified, Canadian legislation does not require manufacturers to comply with CSA requirements.

You’ll therefore want to make sure that the helmet you choose is approved by the American CPSC, which has become the reference for bicycle helmet certification in Canada, as well.

The most talked about designation in recent years is MIPS technology, which stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. Its main function is to reduce the rotational forces and rotational energy caused by certain impacts to the helmet shell.

This sophisticated impact protection system was developed by brain surgeons and scientists, and has proven to be effective in reducing brain damage caused by blunt-force impacts to the head—forces strongly correlated with the risk of a concussion.

A new bike helmet without this technology is still safe, but wearing a helmet with MIPS technology will have a drastic and positive effect on safety performance. And it’s no longer just reserved for high-end helmets; MIPS is now a standard part of most bike helmet construction, making it accessible to every type of rider.

FIT AND COMFORT

When it comes to choosing a bike helmet, your top priority is that it fits properly. Beyond the comfort and safety aspects, the way a helmet fits will help you choose the right size bike helmet. Luckily, bike helmet fit systems have come a long way. Here are a few tips to sizing up.

• Step 1 – First, there are the removable pads inside the helmet. These removable pads are used to customize the fit of the helmet and provide ample protection against impacts. They are usually VELCRO, allowing you to adjust them to your needs or swap them out for thicker or thinner varieties.
• Step 2 – Now it’s on to the helmet chin strap. Make sure it’s not twisted, and that it fits in the right place in the internal structure of the helmet, as indicated by the manufacturer. A chin strap buckled should feel snug but not tight.
• Step 3 – Time to adjust the helmet’s head size, using the adjustment wheel knob on the rear of the headband. The adjustment wheel is also sometimes found on top of the helmet at the back. The headband should be tight enough that the helmet does not fall off the head when you lean forward with the straps untied. 
• Step 4 – We are now ready to adjust the straps of the bike helmet. These are adjusted under the ears, so that they sit as flat as possible along the face. Then, adjust under the chin. The straps don’t have to be very tight, as the helmet should be held in place by the headband. As a test, insert two fingers easily between your chin and the straps. 
• Step 5 – Finally, it’s important to make sure that the bike helmet sits straight on the head: not too far forward, not too far back, and not leaning to one side or the other. In addition to a visual check in a mirror, you should also verify that there’s only a finger’s width of space between the eyebrows and the tip of the bike helmet.

VENTILATION AND BREATHABILITY

A helmet design with more openings allows for better airflow and breathability on your head. While this ensures optimal comfort, it comes at the cost of aerodynamics.

The best designed bike helmets will offer a balance between these two factors. Keep in mind, however, that the sacrifice in performance is minimal and will not affect the vast majority of cyclists, who are better off with a more ventilated and comfortable helmet. Therefore, for the casual rider, a good bike helmet features ventilation over aerodynamics.

BIKE HELMET VISORS

A visor protects your face and eyes from both the sun’s rays and from pouring rain. Visors are almost always found on a mountain bike helmet, as they protect your face from branches, leaves, and other debris that may be on the trail.

Keep in mind that not all visors are interchangeable or removable.