The 11 Best Aero Helmets for Road Cycling: Save Those Precious Watts!

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These are the best aero road bike helmets from all price ranges. I selected them based on reviews and multiple parameters that I evaluated using my bike helmet scoring system.

When talking to engineers and brand representatives at Eurobike, I learned that one helmet can be faster at a certain angle/tilt but slower than the competition at another. Unfortunately, no objective testing has yet been undertaken. So, we can only guess which helmet is the fastest.

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

What Are the Best Aero Road Bike Helmets?

Best Budget

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Best Overall

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Also available at jensonusa.com and performancebike.com

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Best Ventilated

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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 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.

Specialized S-Works Evade 2 & 3 (Best Aero Road Bike Helmet Overall)

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 5/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 2/5 | Design 5/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

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.

RockBros Aero Road Bike Helmet (Best Budget Aero Road Bike)

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Aerodynamics 4/5 | Weight 4/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

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 that 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.

Trek Ballista (Best Ventilated Aero Road Bike Helmet)

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 5/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5

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.

Kask Utopia

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 4/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.9/5

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 a well-ventilated aero helmet.

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 tredz.co.uk

Giro Eclipse MIPS

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 5/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.9/5

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 tredz.co.uk

Abus Gamechanger

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 5/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.9/5

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

MET Manta MIPS

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 5/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

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 tredz.co.uk

HJC Furion 2.0

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.9/5

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.

Smith Optics Ignite MIPS

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 2/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.6/5

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 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

Lazer Vento KinetiCore

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Aerodynamics 5/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.5/5

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.

Rudy Project Nytron

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 5/5 | Aerodynamics 4/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 2/5 | Price 1/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.4/5

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.

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, Trek Ballista is the best-ventilated aero road bike helmet. It’s also lightweight, weighing only 275g in M size, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. It’s one of the latest aero helmets introduced to the market, so I assume it will also be well-aero-optimized.

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 Spin, 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 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.

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.

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

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 between TT 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.

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.

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.

Bike Helmets FAQ

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.

Preview picture: Sirotti (edited)