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Contents
- Cool Bike Helmets [Top 8]
- Top 8: Cool Commuter Bike Helmets
- Best Stylish Bike Helmets for Adults
- Most Stylish Folding Bike Helmet
- Alternative: Inflatable Bike Helmet
- Urban Cycling Helmet: Guide
- Best Commuter Bike Helmets
- Best Urban Bike Helmets
- Stylish Cycling Helmets
- Smart Bike Helmets
- Foldable Bike Helmets
- Bicycle Helmets with Built-in Lights
- Bike Helmets with Built-in Camera
- Colourful Bike Helmets
- Where to Buy Bike Helmets in the UK
- Coolest Bike Helmets for Adults
- Bike Helmet Size Chart
- What is the Best Commuter Bike Helmet?
- Cycling Helmet Reviews
We all know the importance of wearing a helmet while you cycle, but does that mean you have to look like a noggin like you protect your noggin?
I don’t think so.
That’s why this guide not only looks at secure and safe bike helmets, but also the coolest and most stylish bike helmets for commuting.
So let’s get straight into it. Here are the 8 coolest bike helmets in the world right now.
Cool Bike Helmets [Top 8]
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Stylish Bike Helmets
Unit 1 FARO Smart Helmet
A helmet that provides the best riding experience possible by fusing technology, style, and safety.
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Stylish Folding Bike Helmet
Fend Folding Helmet
A stylish and convenient bike helmet that folds down to one third of its size.
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Minimalist Bike Helmet
Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet
A minimalist style and safe headgear designed for urban commuters and leisure riders.
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Award-Winning Bike Helmet
Lumos Ultra Smart Helmet
A smart cycling helmet with built-in lights, turn signals, and brake detection.
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Breathable Commuter Helmet
ABUS Hyban 2.0 LED Helmet
A stylish and breathable helmet with integrated LED lighting for increased visibility and safety.
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Colourful Cool Bike Helmets
Nutcase Helmets
A colorful, stylish, and safe bicycle helmets that protect your noggin while showing off your personality.
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Stylish Foldable Bike Helmet
Closca Loop Folding Helmet
A stylish, compact, and safe helmet that can be easily folded for convenient storage.
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Simply Cool Cycling Helmet
Giro Caden Urban Helmet
A simple, yet stylish headgear that provides protection for city cyclists.
Why You Can Trust Us
Discerning Cyclist’s expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing cycling products so you don’t have to.
Testing stylish gear since 2012
Hundreds of hands-on product tests
Unfiltered opinions from experienced cyclists
Top 8: Cool Commuter Bike Helmets
- Unit 1 FARO Smart Helmet [REVIEW]
- FEND Folding Helmet [REVIEW]
- Thousand Heritage Helmet [REVIEW]
- Lumos Ultra Helmet [REVIEW]
- ABUS Hyban 2.0 LED Helmet [REVIEW]
- Nutcase Helmets [REVIEW]
- Closca Folding Helmet [REVIEW]
- Giro Caden Urban Helmet [REVIEW]
Best Stylish Bike Helmets for Adults
1. Unit 1 FARO Smart Helmet
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£180
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$210
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€220
Prices are approximate
Weight (Medium Size): 580g
Safety Certificate: CE / CPSC
Front, rear, brake and indicator lights
SOS Function
This helmet is nothing short of stunning aesthetically. But it’s also packed with safety features for cyclists.
It has a bright front and rear lights which come on by pressing a button on the back of the helmet, while there are also indicator lights which can used with the handlebar indicator. There are also brake lights if you wish.
But Unit 1’s safety features dom’t end there. If you’re helmet recognises a significant impact, followed by no movement, a message will be sent to an emergency contact. But don’t worry, this helmet is smart enough to know if you’ve just thrown your helmet in your bag and you can cancel the emergency outreach if needed.
There is also a MIPS add-on for this helmet, although it should be noted that this is NOT a cheap helmet. This is a premium product, but it has justified it’s high price-tag with excellent features and design.
The only thing missing from this helmet compared to others on this list is the option to listen to music and make calls, but this can be easily remedied with an earphone!
⚡Get 15% off at Unit 1 when you use discount code DISCERNINGCYCLIST⚡
Most Stylish Folding Bike Helmet
2. Fend Folding Helmet
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£180
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$210
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€220
Prices are approximate
Weight (Medium Size): 445g
Safety Certificate: CE / CPSC
Folds down to 50% size
Lightweight and breathable
Hi-vis strips available
Another commuter led design, this time from the streets of the Big Apple.
This helmet comes in two sizes, to fit between 54cm and 61cm which should cater for most.
It is the recipient of two homegrown design awards and does a good job of closely resembling the helmets you might be used to.
You will benefit from a dial-fit system, adjustable straps and extra padding and a nice optional touch is additionally purchased 3M Scotchlite Hi-Vis reflective strips which fit along the length of the lid.
We particularly liked the simplicity of the folding mechanism which performed a half revolving-door movement as it bedded into and out of the central unit.
Three essential colours are available and the Bumblebee yellow is a strikingly visible safety feature too. It comes with a cool carry sack in a minimalist design. This looks like a cool brand.
3. Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet
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$69
Prices are approximate
Secret Poplock for securing your helmet to your bike lock
One-handed magnetic fastener
A built-in low-profile visor
If you love classic, no fuss urban style, then this minimalist bike helmet is a commuter’s dream.
Thousand Helmets don’t quite have thousands of designs (yet, at least) but they do have more that a dozen designs available, all of which look, simply great.
Most of their helmets offer complete overhead coverage, with breathable slots at the top (there are seven ventilation slots in total0, and each helmet comes in its own bold colour design. They even have a gold helmet, if you’re that way inclined.
This stylish bike helmet has vegan leather straps and an easy one-handed magnetic fastener. Thousand helmets also have a built-in low-profile visor, which can be useful for keeping the sun out of your eyes if it is low in the sky.
One of the coolest features of all Thousand helmets is the “secret Poplock” which enables you to easily (and very securely) attach your helmet to your bike lock so you don’t have to carry it around all day.
Thousand Helmets are based in the US (and all of their prices are in dollars), but they also offer international shipping (which takes between four and nine days) for just $5 – which is very reasonable.
These helmets come in a range of sizes that are suitable for both men and women.
4. Lumos Ultra Smart Helmet
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£100
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$120
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€110
Prices are approximate
Light Settings:
- Still Mode
- Flashing Mode
- Turn Signals
Front and rear lights
Smartphone connection
Wireless turning via remote
This helmet has won design awards given by companies for whom ergonomics and ease of use always feature highly in their list of requirements.
The helmet comes at two main price points as it is offered with or without the MIPS system.
The first thing that hits you is the simplicity of the structure and the set up.
This Lumos helmet provides both front and rear LED lights. This gives a wide field of visibility from more angles.
A wireless controller which you attach to the handlebars provides a simple left or right button. The turning rear light blinks and emits a buzz.
Smartphone connectivity offers a wealth of customisation. The pattern of the helmet LED can be changed, as can the brightness and rides can be tracked.
If you and your riding friends own the same helmet your turns can be synchronised by the Team Sync feature.
5. ABUS Hyban 2.0 LED Helmet
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£65
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$70
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€70
Prices are approximate
- ABS hard shell
- Built-in rear LED light with 180° visibility
- Excellent ventilation with 5 air inlets and 8 air outlets
The perfect helmet for everyday use
Always fully visible on the bike
Finely balanced ventilation system
Another stylish cycling helmet boasting minimal design (as well as some cool helmet features) is the ABUS Hyban 2.0 LED Bike Helmet. ABUS is a massive name in the cycling world and this particular helmet is available in three sizes and 12 different colours if you want to add a bit more life to your helmet.
It is a versatile helmet which would be great for commuters or cyclists in the city thanks to its large, in-built LED rear light with 180-degree visibility, its adjustable rim and that it is fitted with ABS technology.
Also if you have long hair, the good news is that the unisex Hyban 2.0 Helmet is “ponytail compatible” and has more than 10 colour options available.
6. Nutcase Helmets
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£70
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$70
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€70
Prices are approximate
360° reflective detailing around the helmet
10 internal vents keep the helmet breathable
Comfortable and stylish
This America-based company offer plenty of variety with their helmets, catering for adults, children and even babies with their designs.
Pledging to ‘make helmets fun again’ and to ‘make helmets for everyone’, Nutcase have worked with three international artists each year since 2014 to ensure they keep offering the freshest designs.
In terms of helmet designs, Nutcase cover a lot of ground. As well as some extremely colourful, quirky and funny helmet patterns, the Nutcase Tracer is also a sleek minimalist urban helmet for the more understated commuter.
7. Closca Loop Folding Helmet
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£53
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$65
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€55
Prices are approximate
It can be reduced down in size by 45% in just one second
Has double safety certification and the helmets stays locked in the even of a collision
Lightweight and breathable
Another company offering multiple designs, Closca’s main USP is that all of his helmets come with a special folding system.
This makes them safer (limits the impact of a collision through micro-movements over the entire surface), while they also take up 55 per cent less space within a second and are far more portable – they can easily be stored in most bags or backpacks.
Most of their helmets will cost around the £60 mark and though are often available in an ever growing number of colours.
8. Giro Caden Urban Helmet
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£65
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$85
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€80
Prices are approximate
12 Wind Tunnel vents with internal channeling
Universal front light attachment point
Available in black, grey, highlight yellow and navy blue
Whether in matte black, grey, ‘highlight yellow’ or ‘midnight blue’, you’ll no doubt look great in this Giro model, one of the best-looking urban cycling helmets around.
Aside from its more striking colours, it’s also an exceptional helmet which, again, is perfect for a commuter.
It comes with advanced head protection technology, a light yet sturdy In-Mold shell which protects it from dents, while its Roc Loc City fit system allows for a smooth, seamless fit. There’s also a lock port for securing the helmet with your bike when you’re on the go, plus it comes with its own visor, too.
Alternative: Inflatable Bike Helmet
Hövding 3 – Airbag “Helmet”
If you don’t like wearing a helmet, technology has provided a solution: inflatable helmets (AKA “airbag helmets”).
The number one airbag helmet for cyclists is the Hövding “helmet”, which sells itself by telling you that ‘the world’s safest bicycle helmet isn’t a helmet’.
Indeed, you might be forgiven for wondering: ‘an airbag for bike use – what’s the point?’ But in actual fact, an airbag for cycling can prove extremely useful, as this model proves.
The Hövding airbag helmet is like an invisible bike helmet in a way; you wrap it round your neck, and then in the event of a crash, the airbag bike helmet activates to protect your head in an impressive, reliable yet unique manner. Definitely one to consider if you fancy something a little different.
Urban Cycling Helmet: Guide
If you do, here are our recommendations for cool bike helmets so you can be well-protected and look the part on your two wheels.
Read More:
Best Commuter Bike Helmets
Bicycle helmets have come a long way in recent years, with the best commuter bike helmets looking much better than they used to. You’ll also find Bluetooth bike helmets equipped with music and lights, as well as folding bike helmets for added convenience in your day-to-day life.
Find stylish urban cycling helmets for everyday life by reading our reviews and style guides below.
Best Urban Bike Helmets
For obvious reasons, it’s important that you always remember to wear a cycle helmet as you ride. The best bike helmets will always keep your head well-protected should you accidentally end up in any sort of collision.
And if your reason for not sporting one is because they are too unfashionable, or too basic, then maybe you’re not looking hard enough. The best bicycle helmet for you could mean so much more: for example, it could mean it looks great, it’s foldable, it’s colourful, or that it’s fitted with Bluetooth, lights or cameras.
In this guide, we’ll look at a wide range of models to help you find the safest bike helmet or the ideal commuter bike helmet for you, including:
Stylish Cycling Helmets
If you’re looking for a fashionable bicycle helmet which is as trendy as it is protective, then check out our five recommended cool bike helmets here.
There’s great variety among these designer helmets, too. For example, if you’re interested in more of a low profile bike helmet, then maybe this urban model from Giro Caden might take your fancy, available from £27.88 in either matte black, grey, yellow or blue.
Best-Looking Bike Helmet
There’s also plenty to choose from in the way of a cool bicycle helmet, such as designs from Sawako, which are as enticing from a fashion point of view as they are from a safety perspective.
Smart Bike Helmets
Don’t be fooled into thinking helmets protect your head and can do absolutely nothing else. Enter the smart bicycle helmet.
This LIVALL smart helmet (read our full review here) boasts two fantastic main functions: firstly, it is a Bluetooth helmet, so music or other audio can be played through the bike helmet (with speaker attached) as you cycle. That it is a Bluetooth bike helmet also serves one other great purpose – it controls the indicator lights on the rear of the model, so it keeps you even safer, too.
This is not just one of the best smart bike helmets available currently; with in-built lights, bike-to-bike communication and great comfort offered to you, it may well be the best Bluetooth bicycle helmet, well worth the £149.
A slick Bluetooth bike helmet with indicator lights and built-in speakers.
Also features LIVALL's SOS function which contacts your emergency contact if you have an accident.
Foldable Bike Helmets
Perhaps you’d prefer a collapsible bike helmet that you can fold away easily and smoothly into your bag after completing your commute. If that is the case, then be sure to read about the three variations of folding cycle helmet that we’d recommend here.
This includes the Closca Helmet Loop, a more stylish folding helmet for about £60, the extremely comfortable Park & Diamond foldable helmet available to pre-order here, or the Overade folding bike helmet, which offers great value as well as safety in a well-designed collapsible helmet.
You can also have a look at our review of the Closca Fuga foldable cycle helmet here; this is another sturdy, stylish folding bicycle helmet from Closca which looks the part and offers a brilliant alternative if you’re tired or carrying your helmet around with you everywhere when not on your commute.
- ✅ PROTECTION AND RESISTANCE TO IMPACT: The Closca Helmet Loop unisex helmet covers the most sensitive part of the head, and protects it against any impact produced by an accident. In the event of a...
- ✅ FOLDABLE: This bike helmet for women and men has a Closca patented folding system that reduces its volume by 45% in less than a second. This allows you to put the bike and electric scooter helmet...
- ✅ AERODYNAMIC, ADJUSTABLE AND COMFORTABLE DESIGN: Its innovative Air Flow air intake system offers constant ventilation during the bike or scooter ride, which makes it suitable for any time of the...
Bicycle Helmets with Built-in Lights
As we mentioned earlier, the LIVALL Bluetooth helmet is a definite recommendation if you’re looking for helmets with indicators, or cycle helmets with built-in lights.
But also worth mentioning is the Lumos bike helmet; in particular, the Matrix,. This helmet light actively tries to prevent collisions by lighting you up on your head with a new red-green-blue dot matrix design to help you stand out even more on the road.
Its lights add up to a cumulative brightness of about 1000 lumens, making it more than twice as bright as the previous Lumos cycle helmet light, and depending on which settings you wish to use, it has an impressive battery life for a bike helmet light of up to ten hours.
The more traditional Lumos LED helmet will also do a good enough job. It’s certainly no ordinary LED bike helmet, either, with ten bright white lights on the front, 38 red lights on the rear and 11 ambers for each indicator signal. You’ll be sure to be visible with this, too.
- Fall on the road: with 10 white LEDs at the front, 16 red LEDs at the back and 11 LEDs in orange for each turn signal – you will be seen better by motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists.
- Tap to blink: When you turn on, simply tap the appropriate button on the remote control on the handlebar.
- FULL Braking: When the function to display a full brake (currently beta) is turned on, 16 LEDs on the back light as a brake light in bright red.
Bike Helmets with Built-in Camera
If you’re keen on a more state-of-the-art helmet with built-in camera for good measure, then have a look at the Cyclevision EDGE.
This piece of cycling kit, which not only looks as great as it feels, is the world’s first smart bike helmet that beautifully integrates two high definition cameras, and combines front and rear-facing simultaneous video and audio recording with WiFi streaming in a single helmet. If your budget can stretch to it, it’s a genius product.
Colourful Bike Helmets
A black bike helmet is all well and good, but if you feel like adding a bit more colour to cycling headgear, there’s plenty to pick from in that regard, too.
Perhaps the most popular ‘other’ colour among cyclists is the orange cycling helmet – check out Wiggle‘s extensive list of orange models if this appeals to you. If not, then don’t rule out the individual helmets entirely, as most are also available to buy in a wide range of other colours, such as pink, white, red, yellow, blue, green, purple and more.
Cool Cycle Helmet
And remember, a more striking colour may not only look more stylish, but could help make you more visible, which could come in handy when commuting in dark early mornings or late nights.
Where to Buy Bike Helmets in the UK
There are plenty of places online to find good bike helmets, too. As mentioned in the previous segment, Wiggle is a great place to find an adult cycle helmet for you, as well as, of course, Amazon, and the obvious big brands for adult bike helmets like Evans Cycles and Decathlon.
In the following few sections, we’ll look at the best of different types of push bike helmets, which will hopefully help you decide on which adult bicycle helmet would be right for you.
Best Cycling Helmet Brands
There are also lots of great brands to choose from when finding your perfect helmet, all of them offering a wide array of choice in this department.
For example, Arai helmets are constantly evolving into bigger and better products and are renowned for their extreme comfort, while Bell cycle helmets offer affordable headgear in many different colours and sizes. Not only that, but plenty of Bell bike helmets are suitable for both men and women.
Elsewhere, Giro bike helmets are as handy for more adventurous cycling, for instance mountain biking, as they are for urban commuters, and also worth mentioning are Lazer bike helmets, which offer a great deal of striking designs also great for both adults and children.
Cheap Bike Helmets
If you’re after bargain bike helmets, Amazon again should be your first port of call. They offer an enormous amount in the way of cheap bike cycle helmets, and what’s more, they make it even easier to find the perfect bike for you thanks to the ability to refine your searches on their site.
Indeed, with Amazon, you can pick from own preferred brand, from average customer review, from how new the product is, from how cheap or expensive it is, among others. It couldn’t be easier to tailor your search precisely according to what you are looking for.
Coolest Bike Helmets for Adults
Men’s Bike Helmets
Although most are unisex these days, there are still some fantastic models specific for each gender; starting with men’s cycle helmets, the Giro Men’s Synthe design, available in either matte black, or matte white and silver is worth recommending. Available for £167.90, this men’s bike helmet boasts a whole host of impressive features, including a wind tunnel-aided design for aero efficiency on the road, eyewear docking ports, and featherweight webbing with a slimline buckle.
Or, if you can’t justify spending that much on men’s bicycle helmets, the Sport Direct 18 Vent Men’s Bicycle Helmet offers a much cheaper alternative at a mere £14.99, and comes with an adjustable headlock system, a padded chin strap buckle protector to ensure a more comfortable fit, and a mesh liner over the front ventilation holes to prevent wasp and bee stings.
Women’s Bike Helmets
As for ladies’ bicycle helmets, let’s start with this Bern Brighton Eps Satin women’s bike helmet. Available in extra-small, small or large for prices between £36.68 and £37.42, this small bike helmet is strong yet lightweight, and also covers the back of the head, providing greater protection than ‘normal’ helmets. A great recommendation for women’s cycle helmets, it also includes a premium moisture control liner, keeping you cool and minimising sweat.
Ladies’ Bicycle Helmet
A cheaper option for female bike helmets is the Kingston Boho model, costing just £19.99 and available in cream, teal, pink. Not only does its design make it one of the more cute bike helmets on the market, it’s also highly resistant to knocks and bumps, and extremely flexible and comfortable, thanks mainly to its adjustable strap and adjustable fitting system with inner pads.
Bike Helmet Size Chart
Though many bike helmets come with adjustable straps, it’s obviously always best to try and buy one that you think will fit you perfectly in the first place. If you’re in the dark as to what size helmet you would need, here’s a guide taken from Amazon to help you:
Adult Bike Helmet Sizes
Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
Inches | 19-20 | 20-21.75 | 21.75-23.25 | 23.25-24.75 | 24+ |
Centimetres | 49-51 | 51-55 | 55-59 | 59-63 | 62+ |
Children Bike Helmet Sizes
Size | Toddler | S/M | M/L | One Size Fits All |
Inches | 18.5-20.5 | 20.5-22.5 | 22.5-23.75 | 19.5-22.5 |
Centimetres | 47-52 | 52-57 | 57-60 | 50-57 |
What is the Best Commuter Bike Helmet?
Cycling Helmet Reviews
Here’s a list of all of the reviews we’ve done at Discerning Cyclist of cycling helmets for you to get your teeth into: