On this page, I explain how I score bike helmets so you get a better idea of the details. Each category’s results contribute to my overall verdict on the bike helmet’s quality, which looks as follows:
Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 5/5 | Aerodynamics or Protection1 4/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5
Scores 1–2.5 are RED, 2.6–3.9 are ORANGE, and 4–5 are GREEN.
I score the following criteria on a scale mainly based on my experience with helmets. The scores are weighted, meaning each feature has a different importance. For example, the ease of clip-in is more important than the adjustability.
I approach each bike helmet as objectively as possible. However, like everyone, I am subject to biases and expectations.
Scoring Criteria for Bike Helmet Features
Below is the list of the features of bicycle helmets with an explanation of the scoring.
Comfort
Comfort includes the helmet’s shape, padding, quality and adjustability of the retention system, straps, etc. It’s subjective, as each of us may be comfortable with a different helmet shape. However, some manufacturers go for comfort by, for example, allowing their retention systems to be more precisely adjusted or positioned.
I don’t consider weight in this criterion as it has a separate criterion. If I haven’t tried the helmet, I base the scoring on reviews and opinions of others.
- 1 – E.g., uncomfortable helmet
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 – E.g., a very comfortable helmet
Ventilation
Helmet ventilation is especially important in the summer months. Some helmets are better ventilated than others. The number of air vents doesn’t play that much of a role. More important is their design and how they conduct wind around your head.
Aerodynamic road helmets are usually less ventilated than standard ones due to better aerodynamics. Cheaper helmets, on the other hand, have many air vents, but they are not well designed, so their ventilation is not ideal.
- 1 – Very poor ventilation
- 2 – Poor ventilation
- 3 – Moderate ventilation
- 4 – Good ventilation
- 5 – Excellent ventilation
Aerodynamics (Road Bike Helmets Only)
Some helmets have better aerodynamics than others. This is especially true for road helmets, where you are riding at higher speeds and aerodynamics are important. Because of the different types of riders, aerodynamics weigh as much as ventilation.
I generally rate aerodynamic helmets with a 5 and don’t make distinctions between them, although they do exist. This is because I have no way of verifying aerodynamics. At the same time, the differences between helmets are very small, and the average cyclist cannot tell.
- 1 – Full-face helmets
- 2 – Not aero-optimized helmets
- 3 – Standard helmets
- 4 – Semi-aero helmets
- 5 – Aero specific helmets
Protection (Mountain Bike Helmets Only)
Within the protection of mountain helmets, I distinguish only 3 categories, which are graded 3–5. Grades 1–2 would be given if the helmet does not meet the safety standard. I do not recommend such helmets.
These categories include full-face helmets that also protect the chin in the event of a fall. Visor helmets protect the face against branches, and standard helmets (similar to road helmets) provide no additional protection beyond the basic one.
- 1
- 2
- 3 – Standard helmets
- 4 – Helmets with visor
- 5 – Full-face helmets
NOTE: Evaluation of stylish/commuter helmets omits aerodynamics and protection.
Weight
Even though the weight of the helmet has an impact on comfort, I decided to rate it as a separate category. It is important for many people, especially in road cycling. Heavy helmets put more strain on the neck muscles, which is uncomfortable on rides of several hours.
Due to the different nature of road and mountain helmets, I’ve broken the evaluation down into specific types.
Road Bike Helmets:
- 1 – Above 325g
- 2 – [300–325g)
- 3 – [275–300g)
- 4 – [250–275g)
- 5 – Below 250g
Mountain and Stylish Bike Helmets:
- 1 – Above 400g
- 2 – [375–400g)
- 3 – [350–375g)
- 4 – [325–350g)
- 5 – Below 325g
Design
The helmet design is purely subjective, so it has a low weight in the overall scoring. I’m mainly evaluating the shape, the range of colors available, and how the helmet looks when worn. Some helmets are too large and look like a mushroom.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Price
Helmet prices vary substantially without providing greater safety (all helmets marketed in a particular market must meet the safety requirements there). So for a higher price, you’re usually buying better comfort, ventilation, aerodynamics, and branding.
The price rating may seem harsh, but considering what customers get for the final product, I think the following scoring is adequate.
- 1 – Above $200
- 2 – Between $150 and $199
- 3 – Between $100 and $149
- 4 – Between $50 and $99
- 5 – Below $50
NOTE: You may have noticed that safety is missing from the evaluation. It is not in my power to test it at home. Therefore, I rely on tests by Virginia Tech, who test helmets professionally, and the assumption that the helmets meet the minimum safety standard for the country or community of countries.
Conclusion
I hope you now have a better idea of how I review helmets. I aim to communicate my experience to potential buyers and help you make educated buying decisions.
Please remember that I am still tweaking and improving this process to provide you with the most valuable information possible.
I am open to feedback on how to improve this system. Feel free to contact me with suggestions.
Recent Updates
- Jan 29, 2024: V1.0 testing procedure introduced.
- Depending on whether it is a road or mountain helmet. ↩︎