Cycling Helmets

(129 products)

Road, MTB and commuter cycling helmets, with MIPS and non-MIPS options. A helmet that meets a recognised safety standard protects you whatever it costs, so spending more buys ventilation, lower weight and a better fit rather than more protection. Try sizes against the brand's chart before you choose.

Read more: how much to spend, MIPS, sizing and replacement

How much should you spend

This is the question we are asked most, and the honest answer is that an entry-level certified helmet will protect you. What more money buys is comfort on long rides: lighter weight, more airflow, and a retention system you can adjust properly.

Entry-level helmets make sensible first helmets and commuter lids. Mid-range helmets are where most regular riders settle, with noticeably better ventilation and fit adjustment. Premium helmets are for riders who want the lightest, best-ventilated or most aerodynamic option for long, hot days and racing.

MIPS and rotational protection

MIPS is a low-friction liner that lets the shell rotate a few millimetres against your head during an angled impact, reducing the rotational force transmitted to the brain. Most real-world crashes are angled rather than straight-on, which is why it matters. It usually adds a modest premium over the same model without it, and we think it is worth it.

Road or mountain bike helmet

Road helmets are lighter, better ventilated and have no peak. MTB helmets add a visor, sit lower at the back of the head and are built for the kind of slower, rougher impacts you get on trails. For commuting and fitness riding in the city, either works, so pick the one matching the riding you do most.

Getting the size right

Measure your head circumference with a tape about a centimetre above your eyebrows and match that figure in centimetres against the brand's chart. Do not size by hat size. A correctly sized helmet sits level, does not rock forward or back when you shake your head, and needs only light tension on the retention dial.

Not sure which size or model suits you? Ask TBA Guide, our chat assistant.

When to replace it

Replace a helmet immediately after any crash where it took an impact, even if it looks fine: the foam is designed to crush once and does not recover. Otherwise, every three to five years. Indian conditions are harder on helmets than most, since heat, sweat and UV degrade foam and straps faster.

Browse

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I spend on a cycling helmet?

A helmet that meets a recognised safety standard protects you at any price. Paying more buys lighter weight, better ventilation and a more adjustable fit, which matter on long rides in Indian heat rather than in a crash. Mid-range helmets are where most regular riders settle, balancing comfort, airflow and value, while premium helmets suit racing and long, hot days.

Is MIPS worth paying extra for?

MIPS adds a low-friction layer inside the helmet that lets the shell rotate slightly against your head, reducing rotational forces in an angled impact. Most real crashes are angled rather than straight-on. A MIPS version usually costs a little more than the same helmet without it, which is a reasonable premium for the added protection.

What size cycling helmet do I need?

Measure the circumference of your head with a tape about a centimetre above your eyebrows, then match that in centimetres to the brand's size chart. Do not size by hat size or by guessing. Sizing differs between brands, so check the chart for the specific helmet you want.

What is the difference between road and mountain bike helmets?

Road helmets prioritise ventilation and low weight, with no peak. MTB helmets add a visor, extend further down the back of the head, and are built for lower-speed impacts on rougher terrain. Either works for commuting, so choose by which riding you do most.

When should I replace my cycling helmet?

Immediately after any crash where the helmet took an impact, even if it looks undamaged, because the foam crushes once and does not recover. Otherwise every three to five years, sooner in Indian conditions where heat, sweat and UV degrade the foam and straps faster than in temperate climates.