Bike helmets

Why wear a bike helmet?

A helmet is essential to protect your head in case you crash. Thanks to modern technologies, today’s helmets offer outstanding impact protection, enhanced comfort, optimal ventilation, and impressively light weights.

In Canada, helmets are mandatory for all cyclists in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. They are also required for e-bike riders in certain provinces, including Quebec and Ontario. Other provinces, such as Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador, require helmets for minors. 

How to Choose a Bike Helmet?

At first glance, the sheer variety of helmets on the market, with their many shapes and price points, can make choosing one feel overwhelming. However, the right choice mainly comes down to where and how you ride.

Road Bike Helmets

Road bikers set off on long explorations of paved roads. They prioritize a light weight, ventilation, and comfort to maximize performance and stay cool on epic rides. Road helmets have an aerodynamic design, an oval and streamlined shape, and many vents that promote airflow.  

Helmets for Urban Cycling

Urban biking (often on hybrid bikes) is a practical, eco-friendly, fun way to get around town and stay active in everyday life. These cyclists ride to run errands, commute to work, or get in a cardio session at the local linear park. Since performance isn’t their main concern, they tend to choose helmets that are sturdy and comfortable. Ventilation and weight are less of a priority. They focus more on added head coverage and practical details, such as reflective elements and lights.  

Gravel Bike Helmets

Gravel riding takes you onto rough country roads, forest paths, and sometimes easy singletrack. There are a few schools of thought when it comes to choosing a helmet for this discipline. Most gravel cyclists go with a road helmet for the lighter weight and superior ventilation. Others, especially those venturing onto trails, prefer a mountain bike helmet, since the type of falls—and therefore the level of protection needed—are similar to mountain biking.  

Mountain Bike Helmets

Mountain bikers ride trails through forests in mountainous terrain. The sport includes several disciplines, each with its own specific protection requirements.

In cross-country (XC), a discipline focused on endurance with long climbs and rolling trails, riders want helmets that are lightweight and highly ventilated. These helmets can look like road models but typically offer more coverage at the back of the head. They also sometimes include a small visor for protection from sunlight and debris. 

Helmets designed for trail and enduro riding, which focus more on technical descents, offer extended coverage, especially at the back and sides of the head. They still provide excellent ventilation, since climbing is still important for that type of riding. They feature a larger visor that protects against branches, splashes, sun, and rain. Some have an adjustable visor allowing riders to change its position as needed.  

Riders who push their limits—especially in downhill or on demanding enduro or trail rides—often choose full-face helmets that provide complete facial protection. More and more, those looking for maximum coverage on descents while keeping things relatively light on climbs are turning to convertible helmets with a removable chin guard. Even for recreational cross-country riding, some cyclists feel safer and more confident wearing a helmet with extra head coverage or a chin guard. 

BMX Helmets

BMX helmets, sometimes called skate-style helmets, are recognizable by their rounded shape. They have fewer vents than mountain or road bike helmets because this type of riding typically requires only bursts of effort. These helmets feature a durable construction, often with a hard shell, that provides broad coverage at the back and sides of the head. Their clean lines and ruggedness also appeal to many urban cyclists and urban bike park riders looking for both safety and a minimalist aesthetic.  

Child Bike Helmets

A helmet that fits properly is critical for young cyclists’ safety. It should cover the forehead and back of the head and stay securely in place when the child moves. The straps should form a Y shape just below the ears. Never choose a helmet that’s a size up in the hope that it will last longer: a helmet that’s too big won’t provide adequate protection. 

When to replace a bike helmet?

Although it may seem sturdy and tough, a bike helmet won’t last forever. Even without an impact, it will wear out over time. Most manufacturers and experts recommend replacing it every 3 to 5 years. Daily handling, material aging, UV rays, and heat can all shorten a helmet’s lifespan. To extend your helmet’s lifespan, store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.  

After a fall or significant impact, you should replace your helmet, even if no damage is visible. The inner foam may have lost its ability to absorb shocks, and the adjustment systems or straps could also be weakened.  

It’s a good idea to check your helmet regularly for signs of wear and tear. Here are a few signs that it may be time to replace it:

• Cracks or other damage to the shell
• Compressed, cracked, or otherwise damaged inner foam
• Worn or fraying straps
• Cracked or broken adjustment dial
• Fit system no longer securely attached to the shell
• For helmets with MIPS technology, the internal system is loose or detached

Finally, keep in mind that newer models often offer improvements in comfort, ventilation, and safety technologies. That’s another great reason to keep your gear up to date!

What size bike helmet to choose?

Choosing the right helmet size is essential: a helmet that doesn’t fit won’t protect you as well. It also needs to be comfortable enough to wear on long rides.

The first step is to measure your head circumference, which determines the required helmet size. Use a flexible measuring tape and wrap it around the widest part of your head, about 2 cm above your eyebrows. If you don’t have one, wrap a string around your head and then measure it with a metre stick.

Note: sizing and shape can vary from one brand to another, so you can’t rely solely on your current helmet’s size. 

How to put on a bike helmet?

Once you’ve chosen a helmet, make sure it’s properly centred on your head, covering both your forehead and the back of your skull. The straps should form a Y shape just below your earlobes. Tighten the helmet using the adjustment system at the back, then fasten the buckle under your chin. The helmet should fit snugly, with no gaps between your head and the inner shell. You should be able to slip one finger between your chin and the strap. Finally, move your head in all directions; the helmet should stay securely in place without any uncomfortable pressure points.    

Certifications

All helmets sold in Canada must meet strict standards to ensure a minimum level of protection. The main certifications are CSA, CPSC, Snell, and ASTM. Regardless of price, all certified helmets meet these safety standards. That means even an entry-level helmet provides reliable basic protection. That said, higher-end models stand out for additional features, such as lighter materials, better ventilation, improved fit, and advanced safety technologies like MIPS.

What is Mips technology?

In addition to safety certifications, some helmets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance protection. Mips® (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is designed to reduce rotational forces on the head during certain impacts. Easily recognized by its distinctive yellow logo, Mips is now widely used by many brands. Other manufacturers, like POC with its SPIN technology, offer similar solutions to help reduce the risk of brain injuries.  

For more information about bike helmets, check out our article “How to Choose a Bike Helmet?”