The 14 Best Aero Helmets for Road Cycling (Save Precious Watts) [2023]

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This is a selection of the best aero road cycling helmets in all price ranges. Each helmet is certified and tested to meet safety standards in both the US and EU.

Many major brands conduct wind tunnel testing to optimize the aerodynamics of their helmets. Some even calculated the estimated time savings you could achieve with their helmet. I have included these estimates where possible.

The following three helmets are the best:

• The best budget aero helmet is the RockBros road bike helmet. Although its watt savings are unknown, it looks like premium aero helmets for a fraction of their price.
• The best aero helmet overall is the Specialized Evade 3 (also available at jensonusa.com and performancebike.com). Evade is worn by multiple World Tour teams and World Champions and has been extensively tested in a wind tunnel to provide maximum watt savings.
• The best-ventilated aero helmet is the Kask Utopia (also available at competitivecyclist.com). It is by many considered a well-ventilated helmet, which is aero at the same time (it saves 6 watts at 30mph).

Continue reading to learn how many watts an aero helmet can save you, its other benefits and disadvantages, and much more.

NOTES
This roundup does not include time trial helmets.
All helmets are CPSC-certified (learn more about certifications).
All helmets also allow you to adjust the fit using the dial or its alternative.

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What Are the Best Aero Road Bike Helmets?

The best aero road bike helmets are designed to decrease air resistance, making you faster, particularly at speeds over 25mph (40km/h). But even if you ride slower, you will benefit from a lower CdA (aerodynamic drag coefficient).

Remember that aero road bike helmets usually have worse ventilation than standard standard road bike helmets. As a result, your head may get too hot, especially when climbing steep mountains on hot summer days.

On the other hand, the worse ventilation can be beneficial in winter as it can help keep your head warm.

Skip to comparison table…

Specialized S-Works Evade 2 & 3 (Best Overall)

Specialized designed their Evade aero helmet with three features in mind: low weight, good ventilation, and superb aerodynamics.

According to Specialized, Evade II can save 50 seconds over a traditional road bike helmet on a 40 km (25 miles) ride and 6 seconds more than the previous generation of S-Works Evade.

Surprisingly, Specialized doesn’t claim any further aero benefits for Evade 3. The biggest difference between Evade II and Evade 3 is better cooling.

Specialized claims that Evade III should provide 10% better cooling while maintaining the same aero gains.

Unfortunately, further details about this testing are not available, so I can’t verify this claim. However, hobby cyclists probably won’t notice the difference.

Riders who compete in crits, fast races, or sprinters, where small differences can decide the outcome, may take advantage of its aero performance.

Evade helmets come with an ANGi sensor that connects to the Specialized Ride iOS or Android app. Once it detects a crash, your smartphone sends a message to your loved ones.

You can also pair it with the Strava app to track your activities via GPS. Another cool feature of this helmet is the magnetic buckle, making fastening easy with one hand.

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RockBros Aero Road Bike Helmet (Best Budget)

Generally, aero helmets tend to be expensive, but not all are. The RockBros aero helmet is a great example of an affordable option. If you have a limited budget but want to take advantage of the benefits of an aero helmet, it’s worth considering.

This helmet takes inspiration from premium aero helmets and even includes some premium features, such as a magnetic buckle for easy fastening and cleverly designed air vents for better ventilation, so your head won’t overheat in the summer.

The helmet is lightweight, so you’ll forget you wear it during long rides. It also has replaceable inner padding, so you can replace it with a new one once it wears out.

The main downsides are that the chin strap feels cheap and is less comfortable than those on more expensive helmets. Additionally, the helmet is only available in limited colors.

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Kask Utopia (Best Ventilated)

I have a friend who is a bicycle helmet enthusiast. He has tried dozens of helmets, including several aero helmets (Abus Gamechanger, MET Manta, and HJC Furion). He claims Kask Utopia is the best-ventilated aero helmet he has tried, and he’s not alone.

The Kask Utopia is also very lightweight, which is good news for every roadie. However, more than weight, the correct fit is essential, and that’s another area where Utopia excels.

You can adjust the circumference using the dial, and thanks to Kask’s Octo Fit, the dial’s fit position helps the helmet fit better. I have experience with the Kask Mojito helmet, which was the helmet that fit me the best. Kask helmets are well known for their good fit.

According to Kask, with Utopia, you can save up to 6 watts at 30mph (50km/h) compared to the next competitor. You probably won’t be riding at this speed, but it can make a difference in a race. Unfortunately, we don’t know which helmet the Utopia was compared to.

Naturally, even Utopia has its downsides. It is pretty expensive, its design may not be appealing to everybody, and it doesn’t have MIPS. It ‘only’ passed Kask’s internal WG11 rotational impact test.

The INEOS Grenadiers team has used this helmet in the 2020-2023 seasons.

By the way, Kask also offers a Wasabi aero road bike helmet with an adjustable airflow system. However, it’s not as popular as Utopia.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and wiggle.com

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Giro Vanquish MIPS

Vanquish was Giro’s flagship aero helmet (before the introduction of the Giro Eclipse).

It comes with a removable magnetic eye shield with a Zeiss lens that you can use instead of sunglasses, improving aerodynamics and increasing contrast to spot obstacles from a greater distance.

However, the large shield makes the rider look like a time-trialist. Fortunately, thanks to the magnets, you can remove it easily, so it will look like a standard aero road bike helmet.

Another benefit of Vanquish is the MIPS technology that reduces the strain levels during impact, increasing your safety (learn more).

The biggest downsides of the Vanquish are its weight, which exceeds 0.67lb (300g) in the M size without the eye shield, and the ventilation, which is not as good as on the Utopia or Evade 3.

Two WT pro cycling teams used the Giro Vanquish in the 2021 season: Team BikeExchange and Groupama – FDJ.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com and wiggle.com

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Giro Eclipse MIPS

Giro Eclipse is now the flagship aero helmet used by World Tour pros. It replaced the Giro Vanquish.

According to Giro, the Eclipse can save up to 163.5 seconds over 100 miles (161 km), which is more than the Vanquish’s 103.1 seconds. They used their Aether helmet as a baseline.

The Eclipse features MIPS, a common feature in modern Giro helmets that reduces brain strain during a crash.

On their website, Giro makes bold claims about the Eclipse’s cooling efficiency being 89.25%, but they don’t back it up with further data or methodology.

But if you’re looking for the latest and greatest from Giro, the Eclipse is the helmet to get.

Groupama – FDJ used the Eclipse in the 2022 and 2023 cycling seasons.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com, performancebike.com, and wiggle.com

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Abus Gamechanger

The Abus Gamechanger aero helmet is perfect for demanding riders. It can make the difference between winning and losing.

Owners claim that the Gamechanger is very comfortable and, due to its low weight (less than the S-Works Evade 3, for example), you’ll forget you’re even wearing it.

This helmet comes in various colors, making it easy to match your kit. For example, I love the “steel blue” color, but you can also choose from stylish options like chameleon purple, yellow, red, gray, and many others.

However, Gamechanger has a couple of downsides. Storing your sunglasses in the front doesn’t work well, so Abus designed the ‘AirPort’ to securely store them in the rear.

The second downside is ventilation. It works well when you ride fast, but your head may overheat if you climb or ride slowly on a hot day (86°F+ / 30°C+).

Regardless, Abus is an official partner of the Movistar Team, and their riders have been wearing their helmets since the 2017 season. Mathieu van der Poel also wears this helmet in the Alpecin-Deceuninck team.

Also available at performancebike.com

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Lazer Vento KinetiCore

The Lazer Vento helmet is an improved version of the popular Lazer Bullet 2.0 aero helmet. It is 60g lighter, 2.3% more aerodynamic, and provides better cooling.

Lazer has also introduced a new safety feature called KinetiCore, a fully integrated rotational impact protection system similar to MIPS.

The Vento helmet uses a rubber belt called ‘ScrollSys’ to adjust its fit, making it more comfortable and easier to use. However, some people may be skeptical about this feature.

Lazer offers a rechargeable LED taillight that can improve your visibility, but its position may not be optimal depending on your head angle.

The Jumbo-Visma team, including Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič, used the Vento helmet in the 2022 and 2023 cycling seasons.

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Rudy Project Nytron

The Rudy Project Nytron is the latest aero helmet with a modern design and excellent ventilation, making it stand out.

It passed the WG11 rotational impact test, providing maximum protection like the Kask Utopia.

Rudy Project collaborated with Swiss Side aerodynamics experts to design a helmet that saves valuable seconds. Moreover, the strap management system ensures that the straps don’t flap around.

The main drawback of the Nytron helmet is its sizing, which may not be suitable for people with small head circumferences.

The Nytron helmet was used by Team Bahrain Victorious during the 2022 and 2023 cycling seasons.

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MET Manta MIPS

The Manta is a lightweight aero helmet perfect for riders who suffer from neck pain due to heavy helmets or poor bike fit.

According to MET, Manta can save you 10 watts at 30mph (50km/h), making it one of the most efficient helmets on the market. This is even more than the Kask Utopia, which saves 6 watts at the same speed.

Owners rave about its comfort, thanks to the Safe-T Orbital Fit System that allows for high levels of adjustment and effortless fastening using the Fidlock magnetic buckle.

The Manta comes in various colors, including black, white, blue, and red, making it easy to match with your kit.

While the Manta was initially available with or without MIPS, the non-MIPS option has been phased out. If the Manta is still too expensive, you can opt for the more affordable MET Rivale.

The UAE-Team Emirates World Tour pro cycling team swears by the MET Manta as their go-to aero helmet.

Also available at amazon.com and wiggle.com

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Bell Z20 Aero

The Bell Z20 Aero may look like it has poor ventilation, but it’s the opposite. It’s highly popular due to its excellent ventilation.

In addition to ventilation, it also features MIPS technology to reduce strain during impact.

The Bell Z20 Aero is also very comfortable, thanks to the inner padding and shape that fits most head types. The fitting system works well, considering the price range.

However, its main downside is the chin strap, which could be made of better and more comfortable material. This one can feel unpleasant when tightened too much.

Choose from multiple color combinations and three sizes.

Also available at performancebike.com and wiggle.com

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HJC Furion

HJC used their MotoGP experience to design the Furion helmet, making it the lightest aero helmet in this selection. HJC boldly claims it will save you 7% energy compared to other helmets.

Owners appreciate its appearance and high comfort level thanks to the SELFIT automatic fitting system. This helmet does not feature a standard adjustable dial, but instead, the system automatically adjusts the helmet size during your ride to provide a consistent fit.

However, it is worth noting that this automatic system may not fit everyone, and some users report feeling too much pressure on their napes.

There are two versions of the Furion helmet, Furion and Furion 2.0. The second generation is slightly lighter and more aerodynamically optimized than the previous version but is also more expensive.

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Smith Optics Ignite MIPS

Smith Optics may not be as well-known as other brands in the pro peloton due to their lack of team sponsorship, but their helmets are well-built and affordable, offering a great price-value ratio compared to high-end aero helmets.

The Ignite helmet has a simple and modern design, featuring a skeletal structure that may remind you of the WaveCel in Bontrager helmets rather than the old-school mesh against insects.

According to Smith Optics, this helmet also features Zonal Koroyd technology, which is better at absorbing impacts. When combined with MIPS, it provides excellent protection.

While the ventilation is decent, it’s not as good as the Kask Utopia or S-Works Prevail 3.

Therefore, I recommend choosing a different helmet if you live in a hot area with long climbs. Another minor drawback of this helmet is that it weighs over 0.66lb (300g).

Also available at competitivecyclist.com

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POC Ventral Spin

POC Ventral Spin is perhaps the most traditional-looking helmet in this selection. Despite not looking as aero as other helmets in this roundup, it has been included because, according to POC, it sets the benchmark for aerodynamic performance.

It may sound like a bold claim, but owners say this helmet makes them feel fast, comfortable, and safe.

The helmet’s design was optimized for better airflow using Computational Fluid Dynamics software, resulting in excellent aero and ventilation properties.

Thanks to POC’s SPIN technology, this helmet offers safety on a similar level as helmets with MIPS while keeping its weight low.

While some people may not like the design of POC helmets, they are unique, and this helmet has earned its place on this list.

It’s worth noting that the POC Ventral Spin is an aero helmet used by the EF Education-EasyPost WT team.

Also available at competitivecyclist.com, jensonusa.com, and performancebike.com

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Trek Ballista

The Trek Ballista aero helmet is the successor to the Bontrager Ballista helmet. Despite its use of MIPS technology, it is surprisingly lightweight. It has been given a five-star safety rating by Virginia Tech.

The helmet’s large air vents provide good ventilation, even on hot summer days, allowing for excellent airflow and helping prevent overheating. The vents also provide a convenient storage spot for cycling sunglasses.

Trek also offers a crash replacement guarantee for this helmet, which means you can get a free replacement if you are involved in a crash within the first year of ownership. The BOA rear dial makes it easy to adjust the helmet’s fit.

The Trek-Segafredo team used this helmet during the 2023 cycling season.

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My Verdict

RockBros road bike helmet is the best budget aero helmet. It’s affordable, good quality, and perfect for beginners and casual riders on a tight budget. It also features a convenient magnetic fastening, which is a cool bonus.

Specialized Evade 3 (also available at jensonusa.com and performancebike.com) is the best aero road cycling helmet. It’s as fast as previous models but has better ventilation to keep your head cool in hot weather. Plus, it’s equipped with MIPS to reduce the strain of impacts.

And finally, Kask Utopia (also available at competitivecyclist.com) is the best-ventilated aero road bike helmet. It’s also lightweight, weighing only 0.57lb (260g) in M size, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. Thanks to Kask’s Octo Fit technology, it provides a perfect fit. While it may not be the most aero helmet on the market, it’s likely the most versatile.

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How to Choose an Aero Helmet?

Size, Fit & Adjustability

The right helmet size is important for safety, fit, and appearance. Poorly fitted helmets may cause more harm than good.

How to choose the right size of bike helmet?

1. Measure your helmet circumference using a tape measure.
2. Compare your head circumference with the manufacturer’s helmet size chart.
3. If you are between sizes:
   • Get the smaller one if you don’t plan to ride in winter with a hat.
   • Get the larger one if you plan to ride in winter with a hat or have a large afro.
     This is obviously very individual, and I recommend trying the helmet in person.

How do you know the helmet fits?

Modern bike helmets have adjustable side straps, chin straps, and dial fit (or modern-self-adjusting alternatives).

Design & Aerodynamics

Unfortunately, these claims are difficult for the average cyclist to verify because wind tunnel testing is expensive.

Instead, I recommend choosing a helmet you like based on personal preference and considering aerodynamics as a secondary factor.

The differences between aero helmets in this selection are minimal. While races can be decided by inches, and an aero helmet can make a difference, it’s unlikely that you will be able to measure the difference between two high-end aero helmets.

Ventilation

Ventilation is an essential feature that greatly contributes to your riding comfort. Unfortunately, aero helmets are known for having worse ventilation than standard road cycling helmets.

However, manufacturers are pushing design limits every year, and some aero helmets, like the Kask Utopia, are well-ventilated and aero.

If you can’t try a helmet and do a test ride, you have to rely on reviews from other customers to determine whether a helmet is well-ventilated.

Weight

An average aero road bike helmet weighs around 280g (0.62lb). The HJC Furion 2.0 is the lightest aero helmet available.

Weight is a relatively important factor, as a lightweight helmet is more comfortable and does not cause neck pain on longer rides.

Helmets with MIPS technology are usually 0.88-1.59 ounces (25-45 g) heavier than helmets without this technology.

Certifications

Every bike helmet sold in the USA must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) quality standards to be authorized for sale. In Europe, there is the so-called EN 1079 standard, in Australia and New Zealand AS/NZS 2063, etc.

The purpose of these certifications is to verify that the helmet meets certain safety and protection requirements.

Extra Safety Features

As explained in the certifications section, bike helmets must meet certain criteria to be legally allowed for certain markets. Some manufacturers push safety even further.

The less-known alternatives, like Kali, Leatt, 6D, and KinetiCore, are also worth mentioning.

So, what are they good for?

The main difference between standard helmets and helmets with these technologies is that these technologies are developed to reduce strain levels that occur during impact and may lead to brain injury.

Let’s now talk more in-depth about the three most widespread.

TIP: Learn when to replace your bicycle helmet.

MIPS

MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. This system was developed and researched for more than 20 years. It reduces the forces that arise during an impact and are then transmitted to the brain.

These rotational forces can cause brain damage. Helmets with MIPS (or MIPS alternatives like POC’s SPIN) reduce the risk of brain injuries.

How does MIPS work?
MIPS allows the head to move 10-15 mm inside the helmet. This reduces harmful rotational motion that would otherwise be transferred to your brain and cause injuries.

The movement is possible thanks to the inside construction. If you want to know more details, I recommend watching the following video.

What is the MIPS downside?
Helmets with MIPS are heavier by about 0.88-1.59oz. (25-45g) than standard, non-MIPS helmets. But the improved safety is worth it, isn’t it?

You might also be interested in these MIPS vs. Wavecel differences.

SPIN

SPIN was developed by POC and is very similar to MIPS. In fact, MIPS even took POC to court due to intellectual property infringement.

The principle and goal are the same, but the technology differs. Unlike MIPS, SPIN uses SPIN pads that reduce rotational and linear forces. Watch the following video that shows the animation of how SPIN works.

WaveCel

WaveCel, most known for its use in Bontrager helmets, is a cellular structure inside of a helmet that reduces impacts and rotational forces.

How does WaveCel work?

What is the WaveCel downside?
Similar to MIPS, WaveCel also adds around 1.76oz. (50g) to the helmet’s weight. Furthermore, WaveCel technology is used on Bontrager’s helmets only. Its use by other manufacturers has not been allowed yet. WaveCel helmets are also more expensive than helmets with MIPS or SPIN.

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TIP: Learn more about bike helmets in my how to choose a bike helmet article.

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Pros and Cons of Aero Road Bike Helmets

Aero road bike helmets are designed to be faster, thanks to their aero profile. But by how much?

In an interview with Cycling Weekly, Michael Hutchinson stated that a time trial helmet can make you up to one minute faster than a standard helmet during a 24.85 mile (40km) time trial.

Aero road cycling helmets fall somewhere between TT helmets and standard road cycling helmets.

For example, Specialized claims that their Evade helmet can save you up to 50 seconds over 25 miles (40 km) compared to a traditional road bike helmet.

If you’re a racer or live in a flat area without long climbs, an aero helmet may be a good option because it reduces drag.

However, remember that aero helmets are not as well-ventilated as standard road cycling helmets and can lead to overheating during hot weather or long climbs. They also tend to be slightly heavier than traditional helmets.

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Why Should You Wear a Helmet?

Wearing a bicycle helmet is crucial for safety. Did you know that wearing a helmet can reduce overall head injuries by up to 60%?

Unfortunately, according to this study, only 29% of adults and 42% of children wore helmets while riding bikes in the US in 2012.

As for me, I always wear a helmet when riding a bike, no matter how short the trip is. It’s essential to lead by example.

It’s alarming to note that 61% of bicyclists killed in the US in 2018 were not wearing helmets, and helmet use was unknown for 24%. (Source)

Check out the chart below to see the number of bicyclist fatalities by helmet use between 2010 and 2018.

Based on trend lines, you can see that all categories grow. This is not a good sign.

KEY TAKE AWAY: A bike helmet is important, and it can save your life.

Federal vs. State Law in the USA

So, what are the bike helmets laws in the USA? Check the following map.

DISCLAIMER: Updated on the 26th of October, 2020.

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Bike Helmets FAQ

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Aero Helmets Used by World Tour Teams in 2021 & 2022

Here is a list of World Tour pro cycling teams and their aero helmets for flat and hilly stages.

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This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.