The best bike helmets
Light, airy and a snug fit: five helmets compared, from a retro town helmet and a one-size commuter to a trail helmet with a visor.
Fit comes first. A helmet should sit level, about two fingers above the eyebrows, and stay put once the dial at the back is tightened, so measure round the head at that height and check the sizes row. Three of the five come in three overlapping sizes; Lazer’s Tempo (54 to 61cm) and the Ckorison (56 to 61cm) are one size.
Then the extras. Three of the five add a system aimed at the rotational forces of angled impacts, as their makers describe it: Mips on the Giro and the Endura, and Lazer’s own KinetiCore. A peak or visor helps on trails and in low sun, and Lazer’s takes a clip-on rear light for dark commutes.
What matters
- Fit: measure round the head just above the eyebrows and check the size range.
- Rotational impact systems: Mips, or Lazer’s KinetiCore, as each maker describes them.
- A peak or visor for trails and low sun, and a sporty or retro shape.
- Weight and vents: lighter and airier for long, warm rides.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Lazer Tempo KinetiCore
£39.99 RRP
KinetiCore is Lazer’s own rotational impact protection, built into the foam as blocks designed to crumple and absorb energy, so there’s no separate liner and the whole helmet weighs 260g. Belgian firm Lazer traces its history back to 1919 and has been part of Shimano since 2016.
What owners say: Owners call it very comfortable and light, and find it easy to adjust to the shape of the head.
Heads up: It’s one size only (54–61cm), so measure round the head just above the eyebrows before ordering.
A closer look: Set the fit before the first ride: move the TurnSys cradle up or down until it cups the back of the head, then turn the dial until the helmet stays put with a shake of the head. The side straps should meet in a V just below each ear, with room for one finger under the chin strap.
- KinetiCore rotational impact protection
- One size, 54–61cm
- 260g
- TurnSys dial fit
- Takes Lazer’s Universal LED (sold separately)
Best for: Everyday rides for less
- Head sizes
- 54–61cm, one size
- Rotational impact system
- KinetiCore
- Peak or visor
- No
- Weight
- 260g
#2 of 5
Best premium
Giro Agilis MIPS
£99.99 RRP
A road helmet for long, warm rides: 32 vents pull air over the head, Mips is built into the shell, and the Roc Loc dial tunes both the tension and the angle of the helmet with one hand.
What owners say: Owners like the quality and the fit, and one finds it suits a narrow head particularly well.
A closer look: It comes in three sizes, and Giro’s medium covers 55.5 to 59cm, so a quick measure round the head just above the eyebrows settles which. The lower edge is wrapped in polycarbonate fused to the liner, which Giro adds for durability: handy for a helmet that gets hung on handlebars and put down on café tables.
- Integrated Mips
- 32 Wind Tunnel vents
- Roc Loc 5 Mips fit system
- 280g (size M)
- Certified to EN 1078
Best for: Long road rides
- Head sizes
- 52–62.5cm, in 3 sizes
- Rotational impact system
- Mips
- Peak or visor
- No
- Weight
- 280g (M)
#3 of 5
Runner-up
ABUS Macator
£49.99 RRP
A dependable all-rounder for commuting and touring, with insect mesh behind the front vents and a clip-on peak for gravel paths and low sun. The opening in the adjuster leaves room for a ponytail.
What owners say: Owners find it well made and a great fit, like how light it is and the choice of colours, and one singles out the insect mesh.
A closer look: Because the peak fixes on with pins, it can stay off for road rides and go back on for muddy lanes or a winter sun sitting low in the sky. The colour range is unusually wide, from velvet black and grey to signal yellow and shiny rose, and a brighter shell is easier for drivers to pick out.
- Removable clip-on peak
- Bug Mesh in the front vents
- Dial fit with a ponytail opening
- In-mould shell
- Certified to EN 1078
Best for: Commuting and touring
- Head sizes
- 51–62cm, in 3 sizes
- Rotational impact system
- No
- Peak or visor
- Clip-on peak
- Weight
- 300g (M)
#4 of 5
Best for trails
Endura Hummvee Plus MIPS
£84.99 RRP
Made for mountain bike trails: Mips inside, large vents, and a visor that moves through a wide range and comes off altogether. The fit system anchors at several points, so it settles well on different head shapes.
What owners say: Owners rate the quality highly, find it comfortable enough for long rides, and like the reassurance of Mips.
A closer look: Tilt the visor up out of the eyeline on climbs, lower it against sun and low branches, or take it off for the road. Endura’s sizes overlap, from 51 to 56cm for S–M up to 58 to 63cm for L–XL, so a head on the border can choose by how snug it likes the fit.
- Mips
- Adjustable, removable visor
- One-handed micro-adjust fit
- Large vents
- Certified to EN 1078 and CPSC
Best for: Mountain bike trails
- Head sizes
- 51–63cm, in 3 sizes
- Rotational impact system
- Mips
- Peak or visor
- Adjustable, removable
- Weight
- 410g (guide)
#5 of 5
Best budget
Ckorison CK717 Retro Bike Helmet
£20–£30 Price range
A retro, skate-style helmet for town riding, with a built-in peak against glare, a dial at the back and side straps for the fit, and a choice of colours. Ckorison states that it meets the EN 1078 and CPSC standards.
What owners say: Owners like the fit and the retro look, find it light, and say it makes them feel safer out on the road; the colours go down well too.
A closer look: Measure round the head just above the eyebrows before ordering: it’s one size, 56 to 61cm, with an inside that Ckorison gives as about 21cm long and 17cm wide. The same helmet does for bike, e-scooter and skateboard rides, and the peak is fixed, so there’s nothing to lose.
- Built-in peak
- Dial fit, 56–61cm
- 14 vents
- ABS shell with EPS foam
- EN 1078 and CPSC, as Ckorison states
Best for: Town rides and scooters
- Head sizes
- 56–61cm, one size
- Rotational impact system
- No
- Peak or visor
- Built-in peak
- Weight
- –
How they compare
| Feature | #1Lazer Tempo KinetiCore | #2Giro Agilis MIPS | #3ABUS Macator | #4Endura Hummvee Plus | #5Ckorison CK717 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Runner-up | Best for trails | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Price | £39.99 RRP | £99.99 RRP | £49.99 RRP | £84.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range |
| Head sizes | 54–61cm, one size | 52–62.5cm, in 3 sizes | 51–62cm, in 3 sizes | 51–63cm, in 3 sizes | 56–61cm, one size |
| Rotational impact system | KinetiCore | Mips | No | Mips | No |
| Peak or visor | No | No | Clip-on peak | Adjustable, removable | Built-in peak |
| Weight | 260g | 280g (M) | 300g (M) | 410g (guide) | – |
| Best for | Everyday rides for less | Long road rides | Commuting and touring | Mountain bike trails | Town rides and scooters |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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