In the world of bicycle helmets, with so many alternatives, so much diverse innovation, and so many varied opinions, deciding which helmet to buy may be a challenging undertaking. This guide will cut through the hype and lead you to choose the best bike helmet.
For many cyclists, picking the right helmet is as crucial as choosing the right bicycle. When riding, you need to protect your head from collisions and crashes, but which helmet is suitable for you? The options appear limitless: full face, Mountain bike, street, and urban. When selecting a helmet, there are several variables to consider.
Common Types of Construction:
Helmet design and implementation have come a long way, with innovations like In-mold and MIPS technology leading the way in protecting our skulls.
In-mold Helmet Technology:
For individuals engaging in casual cycling, In-mold helmets are ideal. These helmets are excellent for providing high levels of protection at a reasonable price. The polycarbonate shell is meant to break on impact, dispersing the energy burst across the entire surface. The force is transferred to the foam, which collapses and absorbs more of the impact. While helmets with only In-mold don’t have all of the features of more expensive helmets like better ventilation or lighter weight, they still provide the necessary protection.
Multi-Impact Protection System Technology:
MIPS (Multi-Impact Protection System) was initially introduced in 2008 and has since swept the industry. According to many survey findings, most crashes that result in a head injury are caused by an angled collision. MIPS is designed to help lessen rotational force on the neck when a person falls at an angled impact. It’s best if your brain isn’t nudged around too much. An MIPS helmet may be the right choice for you if you want to take your bike to the high-speed competition level. MIPS is now much cheaper than ever before for something that used to be quite expensive.
What Characteristics Distinguish An Excellent MTB Helmet?
There are helmets for every level of expertise when it comes to mountain riding. Even if you’re just getting started, helmets with MIPS should be considered. These will provide you with additional protection and the assurance that your skull is in the finest quality lid in the event of an accident. Second, how comfy is the helmet? Nothing is more frustrating than heading out to the local trails for a whole day of mountain biking and discovering that your helmet is tight. Since everyone’s heads are of various sizes and shapes, it is recommended to go to your local store and try on the helmets. A snug helmet for one person may not be suitable for another.
What Characteristics Distinguish An Excellent Road Helmet?
So, you are searching for a road helmet. What should you be on the lookout for and consider when buying? There are factors to be considered, such as how much airflow it provides. Is there a lot of padding? Is it simple to adjust the helmet? Is it aerodynamic enough to effortlessly sail past an opponent? These are all crucial considerations that designers, thankfully, take into account when developing road helmets.
Summing Up:
If you’re in a bicycle accident, wearing a bike helmet can reduce your chances of sustaining a brain injury by 52% and a critical head injury by 66%. Cyclists are vulnerable to other faster road users. Hence, investing in a good helmet is of paramount importance.
