Helmets

Anyone traveling at high speeds on rough surfaces must be prepared for possible falls. Full-face helmets are therefore essential for downhill, freeride or similar disciplines! Manufacturers like 100% or Fox have particularly high requirements here: the helmets must offer optimal safety even in the event of high-speed falls. At the same time, all-round protection must not impair field of vision and concentration.

You can adjust a good full-face helmet so that it sits securely and firmly in place even if you fall. At the same time, it can be adjusted wider or looser with one hand while on the go.

Of course, the less weight the helmet has, the more comfortable it is to wear. The difference here ranges from just under 300 to over 1000 grams. Ultra-light carbon constructions offer the most comfort, although they are also at the upper end of the price range.

Good ventilation is also important so that it doesn't get too warm under the helmet. The luxury of removable protective pads should also not be underestimated. A run in the washing machine is good for them from time to time. Last but not least, helmets with holders for protective goggles are extremely practical in daily training.

Just as with bicycles themselves, the term “MTB” is also used very liberally in the helmet sector. At this point we are referring to all-mountain helmets and enduro helmets. They are designed primarily for off-road travel, on bumpy or even extremely rough terrain. Compared to normal touring helmets, these extend lower down the neck and thus offer more protection. In order to always guarantee a cool head, even during very sporty biking, the MTB helmets are riddled with ventilation channels. To prevent insects from getting caught in the helmet through the ventilation slots, they are usually protected by fine grilles. Since modern all-mountain helmets are light and comfortable to wear despite their protective function, they are now also popular with sporty drivers on the road. Well-known manufacturers of MTB helmets are Giro, Bell, IXS and O'Neal.

The iconic hard-shell helmets with the typical semicircular shape are increasingly conquering the streets of city centers. They are actually intended for dirty pump tracks and daring hip jumps. The robust outer shell with its shape pulled down deep into the neck offers maximum protection in the event of a fall. The shock-absorbing padding is ideally light and can be removed for cleaning. To ensure optimal safety, dirt helmets are often heavier and less well ventilated than normal street helmets. Nevertheless, the “dirt marbles” with their trendy look are becoming increasingly popular in everyday life, especially among young drivers

Anyone who travels at a slower pace can choose a model that is a full-face and MTB helmet in one (simply enter “removable chin bar” in the search field to select). The manufacturers GIRO and BELL in particular have an extensive range of products on the market in this area. The chin bars can usually be attached or removed in just a few steps. During relaxed training rides you can enjoy the lower weight and the freedom of going “bottomless”; In tough competition you will be completely safe again with the same helmet

The helmet can also prevent life-threatening injuries when driving to work or shopping. If children still mostly wear head protection, the willingness of adult everyday cyclists drops noticeably. Paradox: 91 percent of all cell phone owners buy a suitable case for their smartphone. However, not even every fifth biker's own head is worth appropriate protection.

Thanks to the huge variety of shapes and colors, manufacturers such as Alpina and Cube now offer a suitable model for everyone. Whether sporty or discreet, whether cheerful and colorful or in neutral black - the look of bicycle helmets has adapted to the needs of buyers. Thanks to lightweight materials and well-thought-out ventilation concepts, a city helmet is extremely comfortable to wear.

By the way, the same rules apply to Pedelecs with an acceleration of up to 25 kilometers per hour as to other bicycles: A helmet is not mandatory, but it makes sense.

When you're fighting for seconds or even hundredths, every extra gram you have to carry counts. Modern racing helmets weigh just two to three hundred grams. The carbon constructions also have numerous ventilation openings so that the heat can escape evenly. Nevertheless, the helmets are built in such a way that, in the event of an accident, they absorb the force on the head as much as possible

In addition to its main task, the helmet now increasingly functions as a carrier system: manufacturers such as GoPro offer various fastening systems for every type of head protection for their universally applicable mini cameras. For example, a mount that can be mounted on the side or on the forehead is compatible with a full face or BMX helmet. Webbing straps that can be pulled through the ventilation slots are suitable for pretty much every helmet, allowing it to be mounted on the top. The mounts are so variable that you can adjust the shooting angle according to your wishes.

If you're less interested in action and more interested in additional safety, you can use the appropriate accessories to attach an LED lamp to your helmet and thus ensure better visibility in traffic.

In addition, large manufacturers such as Cube offer lots of replacement and supplementary elements. Brand new helmet pads, chin guards, fasteners and adjustment aids are included, as are visors in different colors.

From the passenger in the child's bicycle seat to primary school students and teenagers - the selection of models for young children is now just as large as for adults. In order for the helmet to be comfortable to wear, a good fit, sufficient ventilation and, last but not least, a child-friendly look are crucial. For the very little ones, the models are flattened at the back so that they can also be easily carried in a child seat or in a bicycle trailer. The slightly larger beginners benefit from reflectors on the shell and particularly easy-to-use closure systems. For juniors, what counts is a trendy shape and an individual look. What is particularly important for parents is that the children's helmets also meet the EN 1078 safety standard.

The latest development in head protection comes from Sweden and is called the Multidirectional Impact Protection System, or MIPS for short. The researchers based their work on the natural protective mechanisms of the human skull. The sensitive brain is surrounded by fluid. Due to its mobility, it absorbs a large part of the force that acts on the skull bone in the event of a blow or impact. MIPS helmets therefore consist of 2 layers. Inside the helmet shell there is another thin plastic shell that is movably mounted on the outer wall. During a fall, the inner shell can move along the wall, transferring the impact energy away from the head. This is particularly advantageous in the case of so-called rotational forces, i.e. when the head does not impact straight on a flat surface, but rather, for example, at an angle on a stone or curb.

The system is currently being intensively tested in collaboration with top drivers. The new system is particularly interesting for sporty bikers with an increased risk of falling. Manufacturers such as O'Neal, Giro and Bell already offer a large range of helmets with MIPS technology for women, men and children. This includes city and trekking models as well as MTB, full-face, dirt and racing helmets. If you want to get an overview, simply enter “MIPS” into our search function above.