Best cycling helmets 2024 — choose a bike lid that's right for your riding

The Liv Relay Mips helmet is undoubtedly a good buy for the money for both road riders and commuters as it goes well with technical and casual clothing. It fits well and features an easy-to-use dial that lets you micro-adjust the 360-degree, full-surround basket. The basket depth is fixed, but it has a raised profile at the rear to accommodate a ponytail.

As the name suggests, it incorporates Mips technology and a deeper-than-average rear profile, for additional protection at the back of the head.

It's available in three colours and two sizes and there is also a docking point for a (Liv-specific) light, though you'll need to buy it separately if you want one.

Many helmets in the sub-£100 category often compromise weight for affordability. However, the Kask Sintesi helmet stands out as an excellent choice as it combines a lightweight design with comfort at an affordable price. It also looks good and is suitable for all styles of riding, from urban commuting and road cycling to gravel. 

The Sintesi has passed Kask's WG11 Rotational Impact test which is their alternative to Mips and if you're not familiar with them, our Kask WG11 vs Mips feature looks at how the two technologies compare.

This helmet comes in two sizes, medium (52-58cm) and large (50-62cm) and the shape is neither narrow nor round. Lara said, "I found it exceptionally comfortable, with the internal cradle cupping my occipital bone beautifully. This led to the helmet not only feeling comfortable but also supremely confidence-inspiring in terms of stability". 

The Abus Hud-Y Helmet is well-styled for urban use and comes with commuter-friendly features including a bright USB-rechargeable rear LED that attaches to the helmet with a sturdy magnet. Packing a claimed 9 lumens on max, it is pretty bright and makes for a genuinely useful extra safety element on urban roads.

The LED lasts for around 2.5 hours on its brightest setting and the helmet also features plenty of reflective accents for a reassuringly visible design.

Reviewer Lara said: "Overall, considering the combination of the secure fit, sturdy construction, and extra visibility of the LED rear light and reflectives, I found the Hud-Y very reassuring to wear and a genuinely competent urban-focused cycling helmet". 

The Rudy Project Egos helmet was worn by Team Bahrain Victorious riders this year and Stu found it to be a comfortable, well-vented helmet that shows lots of attention to detail, without being stupidly expensive. 

Rather than a typical buckle for securing the helmet, Rudy has gone for the magnetic FidLock system to do the strap up which snaps shut and is quick and easy to open with gloved hands. The under-ear straps are also cleverly designed - rather than having the side and rear straps joining in a V-section, curved Ergo Dividers carry the straps around and below your ears.

The helmet doesn't feature Mips or similar technology, but Rudy says it does its own in-house rotational impact test and the Egos passes the European CE/EN 1078 and the US CPSC 12.03 standards.

The Met Manta Mips helmet impresses with a good blend of aero performance and ventilation, weight and comfort while integrating Mips protection nicely. It costs a fair amount of money, but in exchange you get a very accomplished helmet well-attuned to fast riding and racing.

Tester Leon writes: “Out on the road I've found the new Manta Mips to be fast (well, fast-feeling) compared to my usual airy and lightweight climber's helmet – a Kask Valegro at the moment – and surprisingly airy too. The front six channels in combination with the seventh top vent provide just enough ventilation to regulate the temperature around your head on a warm British summer's day. It's only overwhelmed by a particularly humid warmth or when temperatures on the road start edging towards the high 20s". 

A click-wheel cranial fit system ensures a secure fit and Met has also fitted its 'Fidlock' clasp under the chin. Benefits include a magnetic clasp that snaps together strong and it reduces the risk of skin pinching too.

The Poc Ventral Air Mips can be seen on the heads of EF Education Easy Post in the pro peloton and while it's designed to be aerodynamic, it incorporates much better ventilation than a straight aero road lid making it a great choice for cycling in warm weather. 

The fit is optimised through the cradle and dial system at the rear and at 260g the Ventral Air Mips is slightly lighter than some of its rivals. 

Tester Ben concluded that "the Poc Ventral Air Mips is a bit on the pricey side, but it's an excellent helmet, ideal for warm days when its great airflow keeps you cool. It's comfortable, quick and easy to adjust, and worked well with different pairs of sunglasses. It looks great, too". 

The Kask Wasabi is a quirky model reckoned to be the helmet for all seasons and to some extent, all riders – road and gravel being two key audiences. Unlike a traditional helmet, the Wasabi employs panels that are configured for optimal aerodynamic efficiency and they can be opened or closed depending on how much airflow you want. 

The standard of finish is excellent, and the specification is reassuringly high. Tester Shaun says: "Overall, I've been impressed with the Kask Wasabi's blend of comfort and performance, and its easy-to-operate venting panels are really useful. It could even be argued you are getting two helmets in one – which might help justify the price". 

The Trenta 3K Carbon is Met's top-of-the-range helmet and it's this particular model that was worn by Team UAE Emirates and Tadej Pogacar at this year's Tour de France. This highlights perfectly the aim of the helmet as it was worn on all but the time trial stages, balancing aerodynamics for the flat stages and ventilation on the hilly stages during the French heatwave.

With an RRP of £290, the Met Trenta 3K Carbon Mips helmet isn't cheap but it's an excellent lid that's light, cool and comfortable.

It also features Mips technology which can make helmets a little bit heavier, but at 223g the Trenta 3K is just 3g more than the non-Mips version.