If you don’t want to end up looking like a mushroom, say no to the traditional helmets and opt for a low-profile helmet.
With summers approaching, bike helmets might be uncomfortable & hot and would definitely mess up your hair. But these low-profile bike helmets reduce the risk of a structural brain injury by 85% by protecting your head. That sounds like a fair deal to me!
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
To ease you, we have prepared a list of the best low-profile bike helmets considering safety standards, weight, padding, ventilation, and size.
Best Bike Helmets According to Cycling Experts
1. Bell Formula LED MIPS Adult Road
Key features:
- Size: Large (58-62 cm)
- Color: Ghost Matte Black Reflective (2019)
- Weight: 285 g
Recent studies suggest that MIPS helmets are the safest option for a cyclist. MIPS is short for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. This system reduces the strain level that might affect the brain portion of the head at the time of impact.
The Bell Formula LED bike helmet offers this MIPS technology that is independent of the impact direction. It can prove quite beneficial for head protection against both rotational and vertical impacts.
However, its rear LED light might not live up to your expectations. The customer reviews suggest that the rechargeable LED light doesn’t quite live up to the expectations. In short, biking in low light during the late evenings or early mornings may prove to be a challenge. This is one of the best low-profile bike helmets to buy today.
Pros
- Features MIPS technology
- Light in weight
- Dual Adjusting inner fit
- Rear light
Cons
- Quality of the rear light is questionable
- Not a budget efficient choice
2. Sena R1 Smart Communications Helmet
Key features:
- Size: Small
- Color: Electric Tangerine
- Weight: 14.1 Ounces
Recent technological advancements have added some smart features to the helmets to make cycling much more fun. If you’d ask me, cycling and listening to music are complimentary. Fortunately, Sena R1 offers built-in speakers.
Much like all the low-profile helmets, Sena R1 is much smaller in size and lighter in weight than a traditional old-school bike helmet. On top of the built-in speaker feature, it offers a built-in mic as well.
The only drawback that I see is that the unstable connectivity of your mobile device with the helmet can be a bit annoying. It is not a very budget-friendly option either but the comfort and protection it offers justify the price tag.
Pros
- Built in speakers
- Built in mic
- Mobile device connectivity
- Group chat (up to 3)
- Light weight
- Adjustable fitting
Cons
- Unstable Connectivity
- Costly
3. MOON Bike Helmets for Adults
Key features:
- Size: Medium
- Color: Black
- Weight: 15 Ounces (Approx)
Next up, we have the 25 vents construction low profile MOON Bike Helmets for Adults. The designers and manufacturers of this helmet have shown key attention to detail as far as safety is concerned.
It may not have an appealing look but it comes with a removable visor for eye protection against branches etc. If you are fond of cycling during the low light hours, this helmet offers a rear LED light to warn the ones coming from behind.
It offers a dial system under the rear LED light, to assist the fitting. This helmet was designed exclusively for racing athletes. To free the extra pressure on the head and necks muscles, it weighs only 275 grams. This lightweight was only possible because of its sublimely designed ventilation holes.
Pros
- Satisfied customer reviews
- Light weight
- Ventilation system
- Visor for protection
Cons
- Lacks extra built-in features
- Not durable
4. GROTTICO Adult-Men-Women
Key features:
- Size: Medium
- Color: Matte Black
- Weight: 0.5 Pounds (Approx)
Even with the recent downfall in popularity of GROTTICO made sports protective equipment, this helmet makes it to our list of top 10. It is an extremely lightweight helmet, at 300g/ 0.66lb. If you’d carry 5 eggs in one hand, you’d realize that the eggs are heavier than this helmet.
It comes with 2 quick-dry inner paddings, a user guide, removable visors of 2 different colors, and a package bag. Most importantly, it offers a rechargeable integrated LED safety light.
The safety light offers 3 lighting modes and a flash for low light riding. It doesn’t make any compromises on the ventilation with 23 vents and can be adjusted to the desired size.
Pros
- USB rear LED light
- Lightweight
- 23 vents to keep your head cool while riding.
- CPSC certified
- Adjustable inner fit
Cons
- The rear light quality is not quite up to the standards.
5. Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Dirt
Key features:
- Size: Universal Adult
- Color: Matte Black
- Weight: 0.01 Ounces
The GIRO Fixture series is a collection of helmet styles tailored specially to fit the needs of a female rider. There is no major difference between the structure of a female and male rider’s head. The only difference is the skull diameter measurement.
GIRO claims to offer a universal easily-adjustable fit system, but the reviews suggest that these helmets may not be “Universal”. So one must ask for an exact-sized low-profile bike helmet.
The ventilation system of this helmet is not as efficient as that of the other GIRO series. But it still offers 18 vents for cooling. But with the integrated MIPS technology, this has all the ingredients for a reasonable choice.
Pros
- Suits female riders as well
- Easily-adjustable fit system
- Budget efficient
- Reasonable ventilation
Cons
- The removable visor offers poor shade
- Doesn’t fit a male rider that well
6. PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet
Key features:
- Size: Medium
- Color: Black
- Weight: 0.62 Pounds
CPSC Certified, the PHZ adult Bike helmet is extremely lightweight. It comes with 23 air vents for adequate ventilation. PHZ helmets are known for a durable 3-way regulator to adjust the height & inner fit of the helmet.
This helmet features side straps and a removable visor for your comfort. What’s more? It offers a rechargeable LED rear light. The following three flash modes of the safety light offer great assistance to the rider during bad weather or low light cycling.
Pros
- Constant light mode
- Flashing mode
- LED rear light for safety ⦁ Budget-friendly
- Fits large head riders as well
Cons
- Bad customer reviews of the rear safety light
7. Giro Agilis MIPS Adult Road
Key features:
- Size: Small
- Color: Highlight yellow
- Weight: 0.01 Ounces (Approx)
Another GIRO helmet, designed exclusively for longer cycling ventures. GIRO agilis MIPS Adult road cycling helmet is 8 inches high and 10 inches wide. Much like all GIRO products, this helmet to supports MIPS technology.
Sadly, this helmet does not offer a Visor, which is a big setback. GIRO tried to make up for the absent Visor by offering the best ventilation system in this helmet with 32 air vents.
The most exciting part about this helmet is that it comes in 11 colors. Choosing your bike helmet in contrast with your bike is not an issue anymore.
Pros
- MIPS Technology
- Best ventilation system in GIRO series
- Available in 11 colors
- Affordable
Cons
- Visor is absent
8. POC Omne Air Spin Commuters
Key features:
- Size: Small
- Color: Antimony Blue
- Weight: 0.25 Kg
If you are planning a long bike ride, a POC Omne Air Spin Commuters Bike helmet is what you need! This helmet offers a 360-degree size adjustment system. Besides, it features a couple of adjustable straps on the side for a precise fit.
The home offers adequate ventilation and doesn’t compromise on safety either. Available in 9 different colors, this helmet offers crash protection EPS liner & a SPIN (shearing pad inside).
Pros
- SPIN and EPS liner system
- Adequate ventilation
- Lightweight
- 360-degree adjustment system
Cons
- Costly
Things to consider before buying
A good helmet is supposed to provide a balance between protection and comfort for the biker. You don’t want a tough helmet to ruin your biking experience, because it may not be comfortable enough. We have designed a buying guide to provide you with all the necessary information to simplify your purchasing process.
Safety standards
From construction to chin strap quality to shock absorption a helmet must meet all the safety standards. No matter how tough a helmet do you choose, it is highly recommended that you replace your helmet after every major collision or blow. The EPS core won’t regain its original strength after being compromised once.
Weight
A heavy helmet is no guarantee of it being safer than the lightweight helmets. Instead, it will create unnecessary discomfort by adding pressure to your head and neck muscles. Ideally, a helmet should weigh around 1300 grams. So, weight is an important factor as you don’t want a heavier helmet to slow you down.
Padding
Helmet padding is probably the most underrated feature to look for in a bike helmet. They add comfort and safety to the helmet. But try looking for a helmet that comes with a spare set of padding. Nowadays, a few helmets are offering removable pads, one can remove them and clean them separately.
Ventilation
Bike helmets are designed explicitly with large vents to cool the temperate inside the helmet. Also, helmets that feature more vents are lightweight. However, these air vents make a compromise on the protection side.
Size
A helmet can only protect your head properly if it fits your head comfortably. A too big or a too-small helmet is of no use. Fortunately, the helmet manufacturers have solved this problem by offering an adjustable inner fit inside the helmet. Although, it should only be used to do minor adjustments in size.
FAQs
What is the safest bike helmet?
The Bell Formula LED bike helmet offers MIPS technology and proves quite beneficial for head protection against both rotational and vertical impacts. So, if you are only concerned about safety, this is the best helmet one could ask for.
How long should a bike helmet last?
CPSC suggests that even a good quality bike helmet after every 5 to 10 years. However, if the helmet is exposed to some serious fall or impact, it should be replaced immediately.
Do I need an expensive bike helmet?
Yes, and no, if you are looking for a helmet for short rides, then no. However, if you are a cycling enthusiast and enjoy long rides, you should go for an expensive helmet. Because expensive helmets are generally lighter, safer, and more comfortable.
What is the purpose of the holes in a bike helmet?
Bicycle helmets usually offer plenty of ventilation holes to make sure your head stays cool. Having said that, the holes make the helmet structurally weak but even this design is sufficient to resist one major blow.
Are MIPS helmets bigger?
Yes, the MIPS helmets are generally bigger in size and heavier in weight. But you should make the compromise on size because it’s worth it.
Conclusion
Bike Helmets are a big deal for passionate cyclists. Basically, helmets offer an additional layer over the head of the rider. The aim of wearing a helmet is to avoid any serious injury to the head/brain by minimizing the impact of any head collision.
A good bike helmet must have an attractive look and should be lightweight. It should have an adequate ventilation system for summers in particular. But the most important feature to look for in a bike helmet is safety.
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Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API