Think you have to sacrifice style for safety when choosing a road bike helmet? Think again! These six helmets not only make you safe and legal on the road, but they will also make you more stylish. So whether you’re looking for a new helmet or just some fashion tips, check out this article.
1. Sweet Protection Falconer
Sweet Protection Falconer is the trendiest bike helmet among fashionable cyclists. It also helps that the Falconer is also the helmet of choice of the popular bike fashion company Pas Normal Studios. This helmet looks good with just about any outfit and is sure to turn heads when you’re out on a ride.
The Falconer is available at three different price levels. Without MIPS, with MIPS, and with MIPS plus aero cover. The aero cover is a removable extra that should make the helmet more aero while sacrificing some airflow through your head.
Despite the style points, the Sweet Protection Falconer helmet isn’t actually that impressive in terms of comfort and weight. The helmet runs small and is only available up to 60 cm head circumference, and because of its oval shape, people with round heads might not fit nicely into any of its size choices.
If style beats everything else, this helmet is probably for you.
2. Kask Utopia
Kask Utopia is another stylish helmet that’s popular among road cyclists. It’s not quite as trendy as the Sweet Protection Falconer, but it’s a close second.
Because of Sweet Protection’s weird sizing, the Kask Utopia is a better fit for most people. It’s a comfortable helmet, available in sizes small through large, and should fit most head shapes and sizes.
The biggest downside of Kask Utopia (and other Kask helmets) is the lack of MIPS and any other similar rotational impact protection system.
3. Kask Protone & Protone Icon
If you have a hot head and an aero road helmet isn’t for you, then Kask Protone might be the better choice. The ample amount of venting means that the Protone is cooler than the Utopia.
Protone Icon is the newer version of Kask Protone, but the difference in look is subtle that without the “icon” text on the helmet people probably won’t notice the difference.
Just like the Utopia, the lack of rotational impact protection built into the Protone might turn some people off. Especially considering helmets with MIPS consistently performs better in independent tests than those without.
4. Specialized S-Works Evade
Specialized S-Works Evade is the most popular helmet in the pro peloton simply because Specialized sponsored more pro teams than any other bike company. Consequently, you’ll see the Evade helmet more often in grand tours than any other helmet.
The Evade is a helmet that looks sleek and fast, and might actually be fast considering the Specialized’s obsession with aerodynamics. I prefer the look of the Evade 2 compared to the more recent Evade 3, but that’s entirely subjective.
Because of its popularity in the pro peloton, many regular people choose this helmet despite not riding a Specialized bike.
Just like any other product made by Specialized, the biggest downside of this helmet is the exorbitant price.
5. POC Ventral Air
POC Ventral helmet is the most polarizing bike helmet out there. Some people love the mushroom shape, and some people hate it with passion. It does look like a solid helmet in terms of safety, though, just by looking at its size.
I think when a person has a face and head shape that fit this helmet, it’ll look super stylish on them. Usually, that’s a person with a long and oval face type. If you’re interested in this helmet, you should give it a try at a local bike shop first, and probably don’t buy it online without trying.
6. MET Trenta
MET Trenta is Tadej Pogačar’s helmet of choice. Unlike other helmets on this list, MET Trenta might look a bit too normal—from the front, it looks like one of those vintage leather bike helmets from the old era of cycling. It’s a decent choice if you prefer a more standard-looking bike helmet. Also, the “Tadej tufts” is too iconic by now that it earns the Trenta a place in cycling fashion.
That said, MET Trenta is the most comfortable road bike helmet I’ve ever tried. The insides don’t pinch and prick your scalp, it has plenty of ventilation, and the shape looks decently aero (not that I can test it).
More Tips for a Stylish Bike Helmet
Color – there’s an unwritten law in cycling that white is the most stylish color for a helmet. White helmet is the easiest color to match with any jersey, shoe, and bike color. Black is too, but white is bright and easier to spot on the road. Of course, orange or yellow is better for visibility, but white is more versatile.
Comfort – a helmet is not stylish if you’re constantly adjusting it or fidgeting with it. A comfortable helmet will stay in place and won’t give you headaches. So, always try a helmet before buying.
Strap – always try to adjust your helmet strap as tight as you are comfortable with. Tuck the loose ends of the strap. A neat and tidy helmet is more stylish than one with loose straps that fly everywhere when you’re riding.
Sunglasses – bring your sunglasses when you try a helmet. Your sunglasses might not look good with the helmet you’re interested in. If you don’t have sunglasses just yet, you might want to buy them together.
Size – if you fit in between two sizes, go with the smaller one but make sure you can still fit a winter cap in it. Bigger helmets don’t look as good (unless it’s designed to be big, like POC Ventral or MTB helmets) and will make your face look tiny in comparison. Smaller helmets are also safer during accidents because it has less wiggle room on your head.
Safety rating – if you’re concerned with safety the most, check out the bike helmet test by Virginia Tech. They have tested many popular bike helmets, and some of the helmets from this list like Specialized Evade and MET Trenta have received the highest 5-star rating so they are as safe as they are stylish.
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