The 10 Most Stylish Bike Helmets to Buy (Ideal for Commuting)

Best stylish commuter helmets: Multiple commuter helmets displayed in a row.

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This selection of the most stylish bike helmets is suitable for commuters and men and women who want to look chic. Based on my commuter helmet scoring system, I evaluated features like weight, design, ventilation, and more.

KEY TAKEAWAY

This article only includes certified helmets. The final choice depends mainly on your preference and budget. I like the Thousand Heritage 2.0 the most, as it is available in many colors for men and women. Thanks to MIPS, it’s safer than non-MIPS helmets. Furthermore, it has vegan leather straps, a hidden lock loop, and, most importantly, looks chic.

Below, you will also learn how to choose a helmet that fits, what MIPS stands for, and what to be aware of when buying a bike helmet.

What Are the Most Stylish Bike Helmets?

Grey Mokrifre stylish bike helmet
Mokfire Bike Helmet With a Taillight

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White Thousand Heritage 2.0 stylish bike helmet with red and blue stripes
Thousand Heritage 2.0

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Black LUMOS Kickstart Smart helmet with LED
LUMOS Kickstart Smart Helmet

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Skip to the comparison table…

All helmets in this selection are CPSC-certified and meet the necessary safety standards.

Thousand Heritage 2.0 (The Most Stylish Commuter Helmet)

White Thousand Heritage 2.0 stylish bike helmet with red and blue stripes
Thousand Heritage 2.0

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 2/5 | Weight 1/5 | Design 5/5 | Price 4/5

Main Features

  • Plenty of attractive colors
  • High-quality
  • Vegan leather straps
  • Magnetic buckle
  • Crash replacement
  • In-built PopLock
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Titanium
  • Rose
  • Gold
  • Navy
  • Black
  • Red
  • And many more

Thousand Heritage is a super stylish helmet that features several cool features. Let me explain them one by one.

I also like the magnetic buckle, which is more convenient than a standard, outdated plastic buckle. You have to try it to fully appreciate how easy it can be to fasten your helmet.

It is vegan-friendly because its straps are made of vegan leather. Thousand also cares about the environment and takes emissions seriously.

The in-built PopLock is a unique feature of Heritage. Although it adds some extra weight, you can use it for locking the helmet and preventing theft, for example, when you do groceries.

Additionally, you can adjust the fit using the rear dial. Thousand Heritage is also known for its high-quality price and great built quality.

Choose from plenty of attractive colors suitable for men and women.

Sizes available:

  • S 21-22 inches (54-57cm)
  • M 22-23 inches (57-59cm)
  • L 23-24 inches (59-62cm)

Mokfire Bike Helmet With a Taillight (The Best Budget Commuter Helmet)

Grey Mokrifre stylish bike helmet
Mokfire Bike Helmet

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 5/5

Main Features

  • 9 air vents
  • Detachable taillight
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial
  • Reflective side straps

Available Colors

  • Matt Black
  • Glossy Black
  • Dark Blue
  • Matt Titanium
  • Navy
  • Pearl White
  • White
  • Wood Grain

Mokfire offers a large selection of colors you can choose from. My personal favorite is navy blue. But you can choose from white, black, and other colors.

You can turn on the detachable taillight at night and set it to one of the 3 modes available. The side straps will work passively because they are made of reflective material.

The helmet provides good comfort thanks to inner padding and the possibility of adjusting the size. It is available in 1 size 22-24 inches (57-61 cm) so make sure you measure your head circumference.

LUMOS Kickstart (The “Smartest” Commuter Helmet)

Black LUMOS Kickstart Smart helmet with LED
LUMOS Kickstart

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Weight 2/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 2/5

Main Features

  • Smart front & taillight
  • 360-degree visibility
  • Well-ventilated
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial
  • App compatible
  • MIPS and non-MIPS options (learn more)

Available Colors

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green
  • White

This is the ‘smartest’ helmet in this selection. LUMOS Kickstart has in-build front and rear 500-lumen lights that ensure you will be visible in all conditions.

The front light is turned on at all times so that you will be visible from the front in night traffic. The rear light turns on automatically when you start to break.

When you change directions, you can control the turn signals using a remote attached to the handlebar. This way, you let other road users know where you go – just as you do in a car.

The Lumos Companion app allows you to customize the lights, check how much battery is left, and more. Pairing the helmet with an Apple Watch will turn the turn signals based on your gestures.

LUMOS Kickstart is a well-ventilated helmet that is comfortable even in summer. Of course, you can adjust its size using the rear dial.

Kickstart’s main downsides are the battery life, lasting up to 10 hrs. This is much lower than the battery life of the Smart4u helmet and a higher weight of 0.84lb (380g) than other commuter helmets.

Sizes available:

  • M/L 21.26-24.02 inches (54-61 cm).

Nutcase Vio Bike Helmet

Pink Nutcase Vio stylish helmet with MIPS, LED, and a sun visor
Nutcase Vio Bike Helmet

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 5/5 | Weight 1/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 2/5

Main Features

  • MIPS (learn more)
  • 3 extra-large air vents
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial
  • LED lights
  • Removable visor

Nutcase and their Vio helmet product line belong among the most stylish helmets on the market. These helmets are equipped with several cool features.

The first important feature is the MIPS system. It will provide your head and especially your brain with maximum protection.

The inner padding provides Comfort and great ventilation with 3 huge air vents. Thanks to them, your head will stay cool even on hot days.

Nutcase Vio differs from other helmets by an LED strip. It significantly improves your visibility at night, which will increase your safety. It can light in 3 modes, and the battery lasts up to 3 hours. You can charge it with a USB cable.

The last cool feature is the removable visor, ensuring the sun will not shine directly on your eyes.

This helmet offers dial-fit for improving fit as well as adjustable side straps. Together with its high built quality, it is one of the best stylish helmets you can buy.

Sizes available:

  • S/M 21.65-23.23 inches (55-59 cm),
  • L/XL 23.23-24.41 inches (59-62 cm).

Base Camp Bike Helmet

White Base Camp stylish helmet
Base Camp Bike Helmet

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 4/5

Main Features

  • 9 air vents
  • Detachable taillight
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Matte Black
  • Matte White

I like the design of this helmet because it reminds me of a cap. It has an integrated sunlight visor, a rounded shape, and enough air vents to provide good airflow.

The most exciting feature is the detachable taillight you can use at night. A CR2032 battery powers it, and the light has a flash mode too.

The Base Camp logo is made of reflective material so that it will increase your visibility as well. The logo is not too big, so don’t expect it will be enough, and invest in bike wheel lights, for example.

This Base Camp helmet is available in M size (21.65-23.6 inches, 55-60 cm) only. Luckily, this size fits most adults. But if you have a big head, I recommend you look for a different helmet.

The helmet weighs 0.62 lb (280 g ). It is a standard weight, not too heavy, and not lightweight. You should not experience any neck pain. For example, pro road cycling helmets weigh around 0.44 lb (200 g).

Giro Cormick MIPS Bike Helmet

Black Giro Cormick MIPS stylish helmet with a sun visor
Giro Cormick MIPS

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 4/5

Main Features

  • MIPS (learn more)
  • 18 air vents
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Matte Black
  • Matte Grey
  • Matte Yellow/Fluo

The Giro Cormick helmet is the only stylish helmet in this selection with MIPS. This means this is one of the safest chic helmets in this selection.

This helmet is perfect for summer when it’s hot, thanks to 18 air vents allowing enough airflow to ventilate your head.

Compared to the previous helmet, it does not have a taillight. But you can buy it in the Yellow/Fluo color that is better visible even if it is darker outside.

Cormick is available in 2 sizes: Adult (21.3-24.0 inches, 54-61 cm) and XL (22.8-25.6 inches, 58-65 cm), so it will fit most of the adult population.

Its inner padding and design will provide you with enough comfort. You will forget that you have a helmet on your head. The only downside is its weight of 0.77 lb (350 g).

TIP: Improve your safety even more. Get one of the Best Bike Bells.

Retrospec Bike Helmet

Matte melon Retrospec stylish helmet with a sun visor.
Retrospec Bike Helmet | Source: retrospec.com

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Weight n/a | Design 3/5 | Price 5/5

Main Features

  • 15 air vents
  • Removable visor
  • Adjustable side straps
  • Adjustable rear dial
  • LED light and reflective elements

Available Colors

  • Orange
  • White
  • Black
  • Grey
  • Sand

I like a few things about this Retrospec helmet. The first is its modern design, making it suitable for commuting to and from work or in a city.

The second big benefit is the range of colors available. You can choose a helmet that will match your clothes and your bike.

Your head will be properly ventilated thanks to 15 air vents, even during the hot summer. So you won’t sweat as much and won’t have to shower once you arrive at work.

Another cool feature is the inbuilt LED light with 3 modes that increase your visibility and safety at night.

This bike helmet is available in one size but features an adjustable rear dial to fit most adults. Size available:

  • 21.25-24 inches (54-61 cm)

PHZ Bike Helmet

PHZ Bike Helmet

Comfort 5/5 | Ventilation 4/5 | Weight 5/5 | Design 3/5 | Price 5/5

Main Features

  • Taillight
  • 8 air vents
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Black
  • White

The main feature of this helmet is, without a doubt, its detachable taillight. It offers 2 modes (steady, slow, and fast flashing), and when fully charged, it lasts up to 2 hours.

The light is useful, especially in heavy traffic or if you ride at night after a long work shift. It increases your visibility and, thus, your safety on roads and bike paths.

This helmet provides good ventilation, so it is no problem to wear it even in hot summer. I would recommend it for casual bike commuters and urban riders.

You can choose from the following sizes:

  • M 21.65-22.83 inches (55-58 cm),
  • L 22.83-24.01 inches(58-61 cm).

Smart4u Bike Helmet

White Smart4u stylish bike helmet with LED on the rear
Smart4u Bike Helmet

Comfort 4/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Weight 3/5 | Design 4/5 | Price 4/5

Main Features

  • Smart taillight
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • White

The Smart4u helmet is also a smart helmet. Thanks to the smart LED light, it can detect changes in your speed. So when you start to slow down, it turns on. This way, people behind you will be more aware of your intentions.

The light lasts 26-36 hours on one charge, and its charging takes 3 hours. So, if you ride occasionally, it will last even a few months.

The only downside of this helmet may be the ventilation system. The helmet has one big air vent in the front, but it does not provide enough airflow.

Sizes available:

  • M 21.26-22.83 inches (54-58 cm),
  • L: 22.44-24.02 inches (57-61 cm).

OutdoorMaster Skateboard Style Helmet

Me wearing the OutdoorMaster Helmet (left view)
OutdoorMaster skateboard-style helmet

Comfort 3/5 | Ventilation 3/5 | Weight 2/5 | Design 2/5 | Price 5/5

Main Features

  • Excellent price-value ratio
  • Adjustable side straps and rear dial

Available Colors

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • White
  • Red
  • Grey
  • Green
  • Orange
  • And many more

OutdoorMaster skateboard style helmet is versatile for all kinds of activities, including cycling and commuting.

It is iconic for its clean design and wide color selection. It is well built, and thanks to adjustable side straps and rear dial, you can adjust its size to ensure a perfect fit.

The helmet comes with spare padding, so you can replace the stock once it wears off.

You can find out more details about this helmet in my in-depth OutdoorMaster Skateboard style helmet review if you want.

However, the fact I included it on this list speaks for itself.

Sizes available:

  • S 18.1-20 inches (46-51cm),
  • M 20-22.8 inches (51-58cm),
  • L 21.3-23.6 inches (54-60cm).

Also available at outdoormaster.com (use the “cyclistshub15” code to get 15% off your purchase and free shipping)


HelmetsMIPSWeight [g]Sizes AvailableBuyComfortVentilationWeightDesignPriceWeighted Score
Thousand Heritage 2.0Yes479S 54 - 57cm
M 57 - 59cm
L 59 - 62cm
Check Price521543.6
Mokfire Bike Helmet With A TaillightNo28057 - 61 cmCheck Price535454.4
LUMOS Kickstart Smart HelmetYes380M/L 54 - 61 cmCheck Price542323.3
Nutcase Vio Bike HelmetYes425S/M 55 - 59 cm
L/XL 59 - 62 cm
Check Price551423.6
Base Camp Bike Helmet
No280M 55 - 60 cmCheck Price535343.9
Giro Cormick MIPS Bike Helmet Yes290Universal Adult 54 - 61 cm
Universal XL 58 - 65 cm
Check Price545344.1
Retrospec Bike HelmetNon/aS 51 - 55 cm
M 55 - 59 cm
L 59 - 63cm
Check Price54353.6
PHZ Bike HelmetNo300M 55 - 58 cm
L 58 - 61 cm
Check Price545354.3
Smart4u Bike HelmetNo370M 54 - 58 cm
L 57 - 61 cm
Check Price433443.7
OutdoorMaster Skateboard Style HelmetNo397S 46 - 51cm
M 51 - 58cm
L 54 - 60cm
Check Price332253.0
List of the best stylish bike helmets for men & women with info about the MIPS availability, and available sizes. The helmets are scored based on this bike helmets scoring.

My Verdict

Each of us prefers a different style, so choosing the most stylish helmets was not easy. But I believe you will choose from the selection above.

The most stylish bike helmet overall is the Thousand Heritage 2.0.

It is available in several attractive colors for both men and women. Its stylish brown straps are made of vegan leather, and the whole helmet is vegan-friendly.

The adjustable dial fit ensures the helmet will fit you well and will be comfortable. The magnetic buckle makes fastening effortless, and the in-build lock will allow you to secure your helmet against thieves.

Additionally, the helmet passed all necessary certifications and features MIPS technology for improving your safety.

Why Should You Wear a Helmet?

Bike helmets increase safety. This research found that head injuries dropped by about 60% when using a bike helmet. That is a lot!

I wear a helmet every time I sit on my bike. It doesn’t matter if I ride 60-mile trip or to a local grocery store. You never know what will happen, so it is better to be protected.

TIP: You may also like Bicycle Safety Tips for the 21st Century.

You may have seen a video from Amsterdam or any other Dutch city. An average Dutch owns 1.3 bikes. Yes, bikes are very popular in the Netherlands. In the USA, the average is much lower (0.3 bikes per person).

I don’t understand why so few people wear bike helmets in the Netherlands. You can see in the following video that almost nobody wears it.

Unbelievably busy bicycle crossing in Amsterdam

Let’s put a few numbers in context. The following table shows a few countries and the number of cyclists killed in accidents.

CountryPopulationCyclists killed
Netherlands17.18 mil.228
The UK66.27 mil.99
The USA327.2 mil.857
Number of cyclists killed in traffic in 2018 | Sources: Eurostat, Statista (Netherlands), Statista (UK), Nhtsa.gov, ONS

I guess you’re beginning to understand where I’m going. I’m not saying that not wearing a helmet affects the number of deaths of cyclists. The number may be higher because people in the Netherlands use bikes more often than in the USA.* But I believe every cyclist should wear it.

*26% of trips were done on bicycles in the Netherlands in 2008 compared to 1% in the USA in 2009. (Source)

Most US states require wearing a helmet if under 18, but this varies based on state and city. Visit helmets.org for more info.

Generally speaking, if you are an adult, it is completely up to you whether you want to wear a helmet or not. I assume you don’t mind wearing it if you read this article. Thumbs up!

A study from 2012 found that 29% of adults and 42% of children in the USA wore a helmet when riding a bike, so there is room for improvement.

How to Choose a Bike Helmet?

Before you purchase a new bike helmet, make sure you take into consideration the following factors. The guide below is a shortened version of my in-depth bike helmets guide.

Certification

Every bike helmet sold in the USA should have the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certification. Unfortunately, you may find helmets that don’t have this certification.

NOTE: In Europe, there is the so-called EN 1079 standard. In Australia and New Zealand AS/NZS 2063, etc.

Especially when shopping online, I recommend shopping from verified online stores and sellers. During my research, I came across helmets without certification. But don’t worry. The selection above includes CPSC-certified helmets only.

To pass the certification, the helmets go through a series of tests. Watch the following video to see a few examples of these tests.

IIHS CRASH TEST Bike HELMETS - Best Rating and Review - HOW IT'S MADE

Size & Fit

One of the most important things you should consider when buying a new helmet is its size. A helmet that is too big won’t protect your head. A small helmet may not fit your head at all.

How to choose the right size of bike helmet?

Every bike helmet manufacturer has slightly different sizing. This means that Bell’s S-size helmet may have different dimensions than the S-size helmet by Giro. So make sure you double-check it.

The size of the helmet is determined by the circumference of the head in inches or cm. To measure it, I recommend using a soft tailor tape measure.

How to measure your head for a bicycle helmet from Bike Pretty

Once you know the size of your head circumference, it is pretty easy to choose the helmet. It is always better to try it in person, so choosing the right size is twice as important if you can’t do that.

How do I know the helmet fits?

First of all, you have to feel it. If something is wrong, the helmet probably does not fit you.

If you feel that the helmet fits, make sure you also double-check the following:

  • Two finger-width should be between your eyebrow and the helmet.
  • The side straps should form a “V” shape under and slightly in front of your ears.
  • The buckle should be centered under your chin, and it should be tight enough so you don’t snug 1 or 2 fingers underneath it.

These are the official recommendations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Modern bike helmets have adjustable side straps, chin strap, and dial fit. You will adjust them all so the helmet won’t be too loose or too tight.

How to wear a bike helmet: Petr Minarik wearing a bike helmet view from the front left, front, and rear
How to wear a bike helmet?

Weight

The weight of the helmet is another important factor to consider. The weight of an average helmet varies between 0.55 to 0.77 lb (250 to 350 g).

I remember buying a 50g lighter helmet than the one I had. I immediately noticed the difference and regretted not buying a lighter helmet sooner.

So, the lighter the helmet, the better for your comfort and neck muscles. You won’t experience neck pain during longer rides.

Design

And finally, the design. After all, you are here because of the chic bike helmets, right?

The main design differences between bike helmets include:

  • Color
  • Shape
  • Number of air vents

I believe the color is pretty clear. But I would like to talk more about the shape and air vents.

The Best Stylish Bike Helmets
Many commuter helmets have integrated lights to improve your visibility

Stylish bike helmets are often similar to skateboard helmets. They are more rounded compared to road bike or mountain bike helmets, for example.

Helmets for commuters are often also equipped with a sun visor. Thanks to it, these helmets resemble standard caps and, of course, block the sunlight.

The selection of helmets above includes mostly rounded helmets. You won’t see too many professional cyclists wearing them. They are not designed for maximum performance but rather for looking chic.

Bike helmet parts (shell, vents, buckle, etc.) explained in detail
Bike helmet parts | Product picture credit: Rockbros

Your new helmet should also provide enough air vents so your head will be ventilated, thanks to the airflow that goes through these holes.

The manufacturers know that, so you won’t find too many helmets without air vents. Yet, some helmets provide better ventilation than others.

The vents ‘ size on the front is a good way to estimate whether the helmet will be well-ventilated. If the helmet does not have enough holes at the front side, it will not ventilate very well, and your head will sweat more in the summer.

NOTE: Your head will sweat in all bike helmets (the helmet does not stop this natural process). The important thing is that the helmets allow ventilation and, thus, simultaneous drying.

Standard vs. MIPS Helmets

The last important thing to consider is whether the helmet offers MIPS. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. Let me explain.

MIPS is a system developed and researched for over 20 years. Helmets with MIPS reduce the forces that arise during an impact and are transmitted to the brain.

Reducing the rotational forces means the risk of brain injuries is minimized.

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. (Source)

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

How does MIPS work?

What is the difference between standard and MIPS helmets?
The main difference is that the standard helmets without the MIPS do not have an inside ‘cage’ that can move during an impact. This means you may experience a higher brain strain level than the MIPS helmet. And as I said before, higher strain levels may lead to brain injury.

Learn more about bicycle helmet safety technologies.

Stylish 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.

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