Helmets

Safety is king when it comes to your bike helmet

Generally, we do not have a law forcing you to wear a helmet while biking in Germany. However, there are absolutely no reasons not to wear one! Instead, safety is one big reason to wear a helmet. Because crashes are very often not your own fault, they can also be caused by others and are oftentimes very difficult to prevent. But there are lots of other countries that prohibit biking without a helmet, as is the case in Austria for children under the age of 12. As of this, helmets are also certified according to various norms.

©Bike helmet by Alpina

What to pay attention to when purchasing and how bike helmets differ

Most importantly, your helmet needs to fit. So simply using your partner’s or sibling’s old helmet is not really a good option, because their heads will likely be different to yours. Also do helmets not have endless life spans. After a hard crash, you should get yourself a new one to guarantee safety.

Bike helmets come in different sizes that depend on the circumference of your head. Most helmets can also be adapted additionally to your head by using different custom fit systems such as BOA. These fine adjustments are important to make the helmet fit your individual head. Because only when the helmet really fits, it will ensure optimal protection. By the way, just like there are different sized heads, from large to small, there are also helmets specialized on women, men or kids. As with bikes, these are built according to the woman’s body.

But it is not only about the fit. Also the intended area of use is relevant. Those who are out and about on their mountain bike will need a helmet that offers additional protection on your temples and back head. When doing enduro or downhill biking, you should probably get yourself a helmet that also protects your chin. These chin protectors can usually be taken off easily, making the helmet comfortable for the ascent as well. This will not be needed when in urban terrain, cruising the roads of your city.

Another factor is the ventilation, without it, you will very quickly feel very uncomfortable when wearing a helmet. The different helmets are equipped with different ventilation systems and holes. These holes are oftentimes covered with anti-insect nets to keep those annoying animals out. Helmets usually also have anti-allergen surfaces on the inside.

Then there are also helmets with an integrated visor or mounting brackets for your camera.

Construction of the bike helmet

Mostly, helmets are built using the so-called in-mold method. Here, inner and outer shell are formed in one step: First, the outer plastic plate and then the inner foam core. These are firmly connected to ensure maximum protection from mechanical influencers. In case of a crash, the energy is thereby distributed evenly. The helmet absorbs the energy, reducing the acceleration forces onto your head and thereby limiting risk of injury. Meaning, the helmet basically serves as a crumple zone.

Some helmets in the higher price segments are also equipped with MIPS: „Multi-Directional Impact Protection System“. It generates protection from rotational forces, which arise when the head does not hit the ground in a 90-degree angle, but rather in a smaller or larger angle. These helmets are a tiny bit heavier, but they really decrease your chances of getting a brain concussion. Talking about weight, another important factor. When doing bicycle racing, you will want the lightest helmet there is. But light weight is also more comfortable on an every-day-use basis. Downhill helmets are heavier, but they also need to give more protection!

©Ski helmet MIPS technology by Smith

Additional safety is offered by reflective design. Also, there are some helmets and helmet cover that guard you from rain. If you are biking in more extreme terrain, you also need to get yourself some more protectors, because it is not only your head that can get injured! Of course, you will also need the rest of your bike equipment, meaning gloves, bike apparel and a backpack, as well as a bell and other gear and accessories.

Read more regarding bike helmets

• Biking helmets and glasses – what is there to know?
• Pro and cons of E-Bikes
• The buyer’s guide on mountain bikes – all you need to know
• Mountain bike shoes and pedal systems: Everything at a glance