Best road bike helmets of 2024 - Safe, comfortable, fast, and stylish for men and women alike

The best road bike helmet is something that should always be with you when riding. Nobody ever expects to have an issue but crashes can happen, they're one of those things that you should always be prepared for.

What's amazing about the best road bike helmets in today's world is that they've expanded beyond only offering added safety. Safety is always the backdrop but now there are options focusing on lightweight, breathability, and aero. Some brands even claim better breathability with a helmet than without while aero has become so ubiquitous that we've broken the best aero helmets out into a unique buyers guide with even more details. We've also done that with the best budget bike helmets if you just need something that won't break the bank.  

Whatever your focus might be when considering the best road bike helmet, these are the options I think are the best. I've taken each and every option here for short rides, long rides, and through a range of different ride styles. Some of them I spent time commuting with, some of them I paired with a gravel bike, and some of them I grabbed for road rides both hard and casual. I also checked in with women to make sure my experience matched theirs. After narrowing down over 40 options, these are the best road bike helmets I've tested. 

Quick list

Best road bike helmets available today

Best all-around

Over the last few years, the best road bike helmets have started to split in the same way that wheels or frames have. There are climbers helmets and there are aero helmets. The Giro Aries Spherical Helmet falls into the climber's helmet category meaning it's aimed at being lightweight and highly ventilated. 

When you look at the Giro Aries Spherical, there are almost more vents than helmet and it falls to a set of transparent arches to hold it all together. Instead of putting the MIPS liner inside Giro uses the Spherical design. This allows two parts of the helmet to move against each other with no possibility of interrupting airflow. Then, as a final nod to cooling, there is extensive internal channelling to get the air right where it's needed. Everything combined, Giro claims that compared to the previous Giro Aether MIPS, the Aries ups cooling efficiency by 2.3%. That's on top of 4% less aerodynamic drag plus a Virginia Tech STAR value score of 8.40 making it the #1 ranked helmet tested at the time of writing. 

As mentioned, the Giro Aries uses the MIPS Spherical technology. It creates a ball and socket design with one piece of the helmet inside the other and movement built in. The one problem this creates is that it takes a little extra push if you want to get the helmet higher on your brow. It’s not a big problem but it is noticeable. 

You can read more details in our full Giro Aries Spherical review. 

Most secure road bike helmet

The Kask Elemento is an excellent all around helmet. It's aero optimised but isn't going to compete with the best aero helmets. It's also lightweight and even beats the Giro Aries on that score. On top of that, it's got 3D printed pads and uses a carbon fibre exterior panel to increase airflow and aid in heat management. It doesn't hurt that the style somehow seems to work as well on a road bike as a gravel bike.

When you actually wear the Kask Elemento though, none of that is what stands out. Instead, what you'll notice is how secure it feels. If you hate the feeling of helmets moving around on your head, this is the one to grab. The rear cradle, with a ton of space for a ponytail in it, hugs down and creates a very solid connection. It doesn't matter if you are bombing down a steep gravel descent or dripping sweat as you climb what seems like a never-ending hill. You'll never feel the need to reach up and adjust your helmet. 

That feeling of security, and the all-around nature of the helmet, is so fantastic that the Kask Elemento might have made the pick as the best overall if not for the fact that it leans a little more towards aero than a lot of all-around shoppers are looking for. Given that aero is a focus it also means there’s less ventilation than the Giro Aries and the front pads saturate with sweat in a way that the Aries avoids. If you are shopping for an all-around option then both are worth consideration. Would you prefer secure and aero but less breathable or more breathable with more movement relative to your head? 

You can read more details in my full Kask Elemento review.

Best ventilation

Any company that wants to make a highly ventilated helmet has to figure out how to get the material that keeps you safe out of the way. Giro uses transparent "bridges" in the Aries while Specialized takes a different approach by building an internal frame using woven aramid “cables.” The cables anchor into carbon fibre side panels and the whole system helps "distribute localised forces" in the event of an impact. The side effect is that the incredibly strong cables are thin and stay out of the way of airflow.

Completing the system of safety enhancements is MIPS Air Node. In practice, Air Node is as simple as a very specific padding design that "enables 10-15mm of relative movement between the energy-absorbing layer and the padding." Honestly, it doesn't look like it could possibly do that much but Virginia Tech has the Prevail 3 listed as the third best helmet the brand has tested. 

Despite the low-volume design, weight does seem to have added up a bit. The size small Prevail 3 I tested came in at about 10 grams over my copy of the Giro Aries. 10 grams is, admittedly, not much but the Giro is a larger size as well. 

You can read more details in our full Specialized Prevail 3 helmet review. 

Best budget option

It's important to understand that there is no definitive answer about how to make a safe helmet. Different brands have different strategies that aim to do the same thing. Lazer's approach is to build blocks into the part of the EPS foam that sits closests to the cyclist's head. During an impact the blocks break or compress to allow movement and absorb energy. The blocks also help with air movement as a nice bonus. 

The name for this technology is Kineticore and Lazer offers it at a variety of price points. The flagship option is the Lazer Vento Kineticore that offers more Kineticore blocks, aero optimization, and an innovative way of tightening up the rear cradle. It's a great helmet but I've chosen to highlight the Tonic Kineticore because of its incredible price. 

For less than a third of the flagship product price you get a lightweight helmet that is stylish enough to work on a gravel or road ride but still uses Kineticore. You do give up features but that is only a consideration if you miss them. If you don’t care about the latest aero innovations, the Tonic Kineticore offers a lot for the price. One detail that's changed for the worse though is the material used for the straps that's now a lot heavier. 

Be aware, the sizing runs big for Lazer. While many of the helmet brands say I'm a size small, it tends to be a choice between a tight small or a loose medium. With Lazer, if I follow the recommendation and go with size small, it feels perfect. 

You can read more details in my full Lazer Tonic Kineticore review.

Best aero helmet

If you were to dream up what form an aero road helmet would take, you might very well dream up the Trek Ballista MIPS. The big vents make it easy to stash glasses and more importantly, they keep you cool even on the hottest days. The style is reminiscent of a long-tail TT helmet and Trek goes so far as to say that it offers "very competitive performance among TT helmets." Trek even considered visibility as part of the visual signature and angled the front up so it's easier to see when you are down low in the drops. There's more to the helmet than the look though.  

What's actually most striking is just how light the helmet is. Although it has a long profile, a size medium weighs in well below the Trek specs at only 260 grams. The effect is that of disbelief when held in your hand and it comes in partnership with an innovative rear cradle design that likely contributes to the low weight. Instead of using plastic connections to the front, Trek has gone with only thin string. Not only does it help lower the weight but it also means the rear cradle folds flat for ease of storage and travel. 

The one downside to the outrageous looks is that it limits useability. While there's certainly nothing stopping you from using the Trek Ballista MIPS with any bike you've got, it might look out of place in certain situations. If you are looking for a helmet that looks good on both a road and gravel bike, this might not be the one. 

You can read more details in our full Trek Ballista MIPS review.

Best for stashing glasses

Sweet Protection isn't as well known as some brands but the brand has been making high-quality helmets and cycling sunglasses for a number of years. You might also recognize the brand as the helmet partner to Pas Normal. It's the sunglasses connection that ultimately landed this helmet on the list though.

I often get asked which helmet has the most secure hold on a pair of sunglasses when stashed on top. Now I have an answer and it's the Sweet Protection Falconer 2Vi Mips. When designing this helmet, Sweet Protection wasn't working in a vacuum. Instead, the brand actively considered how the helmet interacted with sunglasses. The final result is a helmet that makes it easy to stash glasses but also holds them incredibly secure. As an added bonus, I find the style integrates well with a variety of glasses and Sweet Protection has great quality options if you really want to match.

Although the interaction with glasses is the highlight detail, this is a helmet that does a number of things well. It's notable for narrowly missing the top spot on the Virginia Tech testing list and the rear cradle provides nearly as much stability as the Kask Elemento. On the negative side of things, it is a bit heavy but really the only issue is the design shared with the Aero 2Vi. Because the two are exactly the same minus some magnetic vent covers, the Falconer 2Vi is really more of an aero helmet. That means, this is a great helmet but it could likely benefit even more from a focused design that offered an aero version and a climbers version. 

You can read more details in my full Sweet Protection Falconer 2Vi Mips review.

Best aero for hot days

One of the basic tenets of an aero optimised helmet is that it's hot. At least that's what everyone believes. The reality is that modern aero helmets make use of exhaust ports to speed up the flow of air through a helmet by carefully managing the flow. Keep moving and a good aero helmet should never feel hot. Things change a bit when you stop moving though. As you, for example, climb a hill at slow speeds, there's not enough air flow to evacuate heat. It's in these situations that Swedish brand POC feels different. 

The POC Ventral MIPS has big open vents in the front of the helmet. It's almost more reminiscent of a climber's helmet until you compare it. You do lose some of the ability to evacuate heat through the central part of the helmet but it feels like a reasonable compromise. You also get a choice of a ton of colours and special pads to manage your glasses during the hottest climbs. 

Given all the positives, it's a shame that there is no Virginia Tech score to report. POC is well known for being innovative when it comes to visibility and safety but as mentioned elsewhere, anytime the score is missing, it leaves a question. This is also a fairly heavy helmet so if that’s an issue for you, you’ll want to check one of the lighter options on the list.

For more details about this helmet, take a look at our POC Ventral SPIN review. The two helmets share everything except for a change to a version of MIPS that is incredibly close to the previous SPIN technology. 

Best lightweight road bike helmet

My personal preference is generally an aero helmet as there's very little downside and plenty of gain. Not everyone feels the same way though, lots of people love the airy feeling of a highly vented helmet. Unfortunately that airy feeling often comes with a slight weight penalty as manufacturers have to add structure to support big vents. Then there's the Lazer Z1 Kineticore. This is a helmet that claims to actually offer 3% better "ventilation cooling" than no helmet at all while also being 27 grams lighter than my previous pick for this category. 

To get that kind of performance, Lazer uses a rotational impact tech called Kineticore. Kineticore uses blocks of foam that deform and break during a crash. The side effect of Kineticore is lots of airspace for cooling, like you'll find behind the floating brow pad, as well as less foam for a lighter overall weight. 

The only thing that would make it better would be a bit of light aero optimisation. Unfortunately, that's not there but Lazer does have an answer to that. In the same way that a tight fitting jersey covers most of the aero gains possible, the Z1 has an excellent system for the straps that eliminate any extra flapping material. Those same straps are also lightweight, partially recycled, and anti-bacterial. Other highlights include a decent light you can add to the back and an Aeroshell that both helps with short race situations and does essentially the same things as the POC Ventral Tempus MIPS. 

Along with all the good, you will also want to keep in mind that the Z1 uses a unique adjustment system. Instead of a dial at the rear of the helmet, there is a dial at the top that pulls against a ring around the inner edge of the helmet. It's meant to keep your head from pushing forward as you tighten the rear while also making room for long hair. Unfortunately it's hard to notice in use. It's just an extra thing to remember and there's still not a ton of room for long hair. It works well enough but if I had a magic wand I'd get rid of it.  

You can read more details in my full Lazer Z1 Kineticore review. 

Best for gravel

Any helmet on our list will work with any kind of bike you want to use. That said, most riders prefer to match the gear they have with the type of riding they are doing. Some of that is about specific features but it's okay that some of it is just about style. POC is obviously not ashamed to embrace that style element, and the POC Omne Ultra MIPS is unabashedly styled for gravel cycling.  

The Omne Air MIPS is the starting point for the Omne Ultra MIPS. That means you start with a reasonable, though not quite budget, price. You also get the unobtrusive MIPS Integra rotational impact tech and a style that does a great job of being adaptable for whatever bike you match it with. The POC Omne Ultra MIPS then adds a strip of Velcro in the back with a buckle and strap with attachment points. There's also a POC patch attached with Velcro on one side and a bungee cord on the opposite side. If we are all honest, it's unlikely that any of it will get used much but it doesn't hurt and looks great matched with cargo bib shorts and tech tee.

Unfortunately, POC doesn't seem to have submitted the latest version of the Omne Air, now with MIPS instead of SPIN, to Virginia Tech for testing. It also seems like the Omne Ultra MIPS would be the perfect helmet to have extra high-friction pads to keep sunglasses in place when stowed on the helmet. 

You can read more details in our POC Omne Ultra MIPS review.

Best in the rain

Just like you don't need a gravel-specific helmet like the Omne Ultra, you don't really need a special rain helmet. You could add a helmet cover to whatever helmet you like and it would work. For those who ride in the rain regularly though, the POC Ventral Tempus MIPS is going to be your new favourite option. 

As with many of the POC helmets, the brand has taken a base helmet that's great and built variations for specific uses. In this case, the base helmet is the Ventral Air MIPS which is the lightweight climber's helmet in the POC lineup. Then, because of a somewhat obscure UCI rule, POC added a non-removable cover. The cover is super lightweight and barely there but it helps keep you a bit warmer and drier if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the rain. POC also changes the available colour options to enhance visibility and you will find an extra strip of reflective paint across the front and rear of the helmet. 

Because the Ventral Air is the base helmet, the two designs are very similar. One of the things that means is that there still is no Virginia Tech testing to report. There is at least one new challenge that comes up with the Tempus version though and that is versatility. This is a very specialised helmet and it costs a lot. If you need it, you'll be thankful, but there is a price to pay. 

For more details about this helmet, take a look at our POC Ventral Tempus SPIN review. The two helmets share everything except for a change to a version of MIPS that is incredibly close to the previous SPIN technology. 

Best value

There is a difference between budget and value. The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel is not the least expensive helmet out there and it's not even the least expensive helmet on this list. This helmet offers a different kind of value though. If you just need one helmet that doesn’t cost much the Lazer Tonic Kineticore will fill that role. On the other hand, if you have a little more money to spend but want something that fills both recreational and commuting roles, that’s where the Bontrager shines.

The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel starts with a very capable all-around option. The weight isn't the best but it's reasonable. Wavecel technology is yet another way to handle energy dissipation and rotational impact, and it scores well with Virginia Tech. When things wear out, both the cradle and all the pads are replaceable. Those are all good features, but with the Circuit you also get magnetic mounts for lights. It might not be the cheapest, but you can use the Circuit Wavecel for gravel, road, and commuting duties. Just add or remove the lights as needed. 

The only thing you'll want to keep in mind is that Wavecel does limit access through the helmet. It's a little less breezy, and you can't scratch your head without removing the helmet.

Read more details in our Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Helmet review.

Best commuter helmet

If you are looking for a helmet to handle commuting duties, there are a ton of options out there and we have a whole guide rounding up the best commuter helmets. Integrated lighting tends to be a big feature as well as extended coverage and a style that looks good without being too over the top for a mellow commute to work. Many of the choices that fit in this category are expensive with a lot of features. The Giro Escape MIPS keeps it all very simple. 

At the rear of the helmet is a charging port and on either side there is a power button for the integrated front and rear lights. The battery lasts a long time and you can decide if you'd prefer flashing or solid lighting. Beyond that, it's just a good helmet. It feels incredibly comfortable, even though it's definitely on the heavy side, and there is lots of coverage. That means it comes down farther but also that the peak at the front is a solid part of the crash structure and not just for show. 

The other thing you get is an understated style that perfectly captures a smart commuter look. Pair it with something from our list of the best commuter bikes and you will feel right at home. What you don't get, unfortunately, is a score from Virginia Tech, and you will have to dig out one of your old micro USB cords if you need something longer than what comes in the box.

Read more details in our Giro Escape MIPS commuter helmet review.

How to choose the best road bike helmet

There are two parts to consider when it comes to a helmet. The first is the technical side. Said simply, you need a helmet that is safe. This might sound obvious but it's worth consideration because there is a lot of confusion surrounding what that might mean. You'll find lots of claims but remember, every single helmet on the market will have gone through testing as mandated by the location you are buying it in. 

To give you an idea of what that means, we can take a look at the US CPSC (consumer product safety commission) certification. The CPSC mandates a series of tests covering peripheral vision, positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system, and impact attenuation. Every helmet sold in the US will have had to pass those tests covering the ability of a helmet to stay on your head and protect it when you hit the ground. Consider that your backstop, with equivalent certifications in place in different regions of the world.  

From there, helmet companies look for other ways to differentiate and the sky's the limit. Aerodynamics, weight, sunglasses retention, the list goes on. Every kind of feature you might want is a potential advantage for a particular helmet. Think about what you might want in a helmet and there is likely some brand out there thinking the same thing as you and offering a product to fill that need.