Helmets are designed to save you from injuries and even death. You don’t have to spend much on a decent helmet though.
Here are the best road bike helmets under $100 you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Dirt Cycling Helmet
- Best For Night Riding: PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet
- Cool Design: OUWOR Mountain Bike MTB Helmet
- 2-Year Warranty: TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet
- Best For Summer: Bell Avenue MIPS Adult Road Bike Helmet
- Best For Narrow Head: Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet
| 6 Best Road Bike Helmets Under $100 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Dirt Cycling Helmet | |
Best For Night Riding | PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet | |
Cool Design | OUWOR Mountain Bike MTB Helmet | |
2-Year Warranty | TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet | |
Best For Summer | Bell Avenue MIPS Adult Road Bike Helmet | |
Best For Narrow Head | Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet | |
Best Overall: Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Dirt Cycling Helmet
- Trail-inspired design with deep coverage
- Integrated MIPS technology
- Full Hardbody shell & Removable visor
- Extra-plush padding
- Reflectivity for night cycling
- Nothing to complain
Giro Fixture MIPS Helmet is super lightweight, only 0.01 ounce - you would feel no weight on your head. Giro is a globally trusted brand for its protection, so you are assured of the helmet’s quality. The helmet features MIPS technology, which stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System - the system reduces dangerous forces transmitted to your brain.
Giro Fixture MIPS Helmet features a full hardbody shell and a removable visor on the outsides, extra-plush padding inside, and the MIP System in between. This construction absorbs all the energy and eliminates almost all the forces in case of impact.
In terms of design, Giro Fixture MIPS Helmet adopts a trail-inspired design with 18 large vents. It has a universal fit sizing with an easily-adjustable fit system. It is easy to put on and comfortable to wear all day. Moreover, it reflects in dark conditions, perfect for night cycling. At the given price, nothing to complain about this helmet.
| Giro Fixture MIPS Adult Dirt Cycling Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 0.01 Ounce |
No. of Vent Holes | 18 Vents |
Highlight Features | MIPS technology; Full Hardbody shell & Removable visor; Extra-plush padding; Reflectivity |
Giro Fixture MIPS Helmet features a full hardbody shell, a plush pad, and a MIP system.
Best For Night Riding: PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet
- Lightweight & Durable
- Detachable liner, insect net, & visor
- USB rear light & Reflective tape
- Dial regulator & adjustable straps
- 23 large vents
- The inner pad is quite hard
PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet is a great choice for night riding. It features a USB rechargeable rear light and a reflective tape to make you noticeable at night. The helmet provides good protection thanks to an outer polycarbonate shell and a thick EPS foam core, which are joined by in-molding technology. Despite being super protective, the helmet is pretty lightweight - only 9.92 ounces (Medium size) & 10.6 ounces (Large size).
PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet features a dial regulator and an adjustable strap for easy fitting to all head sizes. The liner, insect net, and visor are detachable for cleaning. Moreover, with 23 large vents, the air inside the helmet is also fresh and cool, keeping you comfortable. However, the inner foam pad is pretty hard, which may be a bit uncomfortable.
| PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 9.92 Ounces |
No. of Vent Holes | 23 vents |
Highlight Features | USB rear light & Reflective tape; Detachable liner, insect net, & visor; Dial regulator & adjustable straps |
PHZ. Adult Bike Helmet features a USB rechargeable rear light and a reflective tape.
Cool Design: OUWOR Mountain Bike MTB Helmet
- Camouflage patterns
- Sturdy PC shell & high-quality EPS foam
- Chin strap & rear dial adjustment
- Removable visor & inner pad
- Edge covered by PC & Well-ventilated
- Not so comfortable
OUWOR Mountain Bike MTB Helmet looks cool with trail-inspired design and camouflage patterns. It would be a nice choice for trips to mountains, jungles, or parks. The helmet features a sturdy PC shell and high-quality EPS foam inside to absorb the forces in case of impact.
OUWOR MTB Helmet is easy to fit with an adjustable chin strap and a rear dial regulator. The visor is useful when cycling under the sun; it is removable for riding on cloudy days. The inner pad is detachable for cleaning. Moreover, all the edges are covered by the PC so that you won’t be annoyed by them. The helmet is also well-ventilated with 16 vents, keeping you cooling after long hours of cycling.
However, a big drawback of the OUWOR MTB Helmet is that it is not so comfortable as the chin strap and the inner pad are not perfectly plush and fit.
| OUWOR Mountain Bike MTB Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 14.5 Ounces |
No. of Vent Holes | 16 vents |
Highlight Features | Chin strap & rear dial adjustment; Removable visor & inner pad; Edge covered by PC |
OUWOR MTB Helmet looks cool with trail-inspired design and camouflage patterns.
2-Year Warranty: TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet
- Good impact absorbing ability
- Hardshell, inner foam, in-mold skeleton reinforced
- Detachable visor & Washable pad
- A dial fit & an adjustable chin strap
- 2-year warranty
- Does not have MIPS
TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet features a hard outer shell and an inner foam, which are in-mold skeleton reinforced. This construction is pretty similar to other helmets. However, at the given price, I expect the helmet to have MIPS but it does not. This is considered a big minus for me.
Other features are pretty standard, a detachable visor, a washable pad, a dial fit, and an adjustable chin strap. A big advantage of the TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet is that it is backed up with a 2-year warranty. You can buy this helmet with confidence.
| TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 10 Ounces |
No. of Vent Holes | 22 vents |
Highlight Features | Detachable visor & Washable pad; Dial fit & Adjustable chin strap |
TeamObsidian Airflow Bike Helmet is backed up with a 2-year warranty.
Best For Summer: Bell Avenue MIPS Adult Road Bike Helmet
- Strong construction
- Integrated MIPS
- Quick-fit system
- Sweat guide pad
- Lightweight and cool
- Does not come with a visor
Bell Avenue MIPS Helmet looks pretty small; however, it does great at absorbing impact and protecting your head in case of accidents. The helmet has a strong construction with a PC outer shell and an EPS foam pad joined by being in-mold reinforced. The integrated MIPS fix your head in place, so preventing forces from transmitting to your brain.
Bell Avenue MIPS Helmet features a quick-fit system with a dial and adjustable strap. The things that make this helmet a great choice for summer is its compact design with 18 air vents and the sweat guide pad. These features keep your head cool and dry all day long. However, it does not come with a visor, which is quite an issue when you want to cycle on sunny days.
| Bell Avenue MIPS Adult Road Bike Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 10.6 Ounces |
No. of Vent Holes | 18 vents |
Highlight Features | Integrated MIPS; Quick-fit system; Sweat guide pad |
Bell Avenue MIPS Helmet protects and keeps your head cool and dry all day long.
Best For Narrow Head: Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet
- Lightweight and Durable
- In-molding technology
- Up and down adjustment
- Tension adjustment
- 24 large vents
- The inner pad is not so durable
Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet with a unique pivot system allows you to adjust the helmet not only in the tension level but also in the up and down direction. This helps you fix the helmet at an exact position you want. This also makes the helmet suitable for narrow heads, which are quite hard to find a helmet that fits.
Like other helmets on this list, Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet uses the in-molding technology to joint the outer shell and the inner EPS foam. Moreover, with 24 large vents, the helmet allows air to circulate effectively, keeping it cool inside. Not much to complain about this helmet; However, if the inner pad was more durable, the helmet is perfect.
| Kask Rapido Road Cycling Helmet Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.8 Ounces (M size) |
No. of Vent Holes | 24 vents |
Highlight Features | In-molding technology; Up and down adjustment; Tension adjustment |
Kask Rapido Helmet with a unique pivot system helps fix the helmet at an exact position.
How To Choose The Best Road Bike Helmet Under $100?
When choosing a road bike helmet under $100, here are some things that worth your consideration:
- Its weight: Some helmets weigh even less than 1 ounce, wearing which you almost feel no weight. However, a helmet does not need to be that lightweight to be comfortable. I would say less than 10 ounces is a reasonable weight for a helmet that is both comfortable and protective.
- Its ventilation: Most road bike helmets adopt a trail-inspired style, which has a lot of large vents for air, heat, and humidity inside to circulate. This design keeps your head dry and cool all day long of cycling.
- Its protection: MIPS technology is the priority when it comes to bike helmets of all prices. Besides, the outer shell should be hard and sturdy enough, and the inner pad should be soft and thick enough.
- Its look: Appearance should also be a factor worth considering. It’s better to wear a cool helmet rather than an ugly-looking helmet.
Which Brands Make The Best Road Bike Helmet Under $100?
Giro
Needless to say anything about Giro. Giro is a worldwide trusted brand when it comes to helmets. They have various helmets for different wearers, from men’s helmets, women’s helmets, kid’s helmets to helmets for mountain cycling, for indoor cycling, and even snow racing. With more than 30 years of making helmets, Giro has a strong reputation for its protective and comfortable helmets. This is one of the brands that successfully integrate the MIPS technology into their under $100 helmets. If you are looking for the best-quality helmets, Giro is the to-go brand.
Bell Helmets
Bell Helmets is another brand that makes me impressed by its quality and reasonable price. They make helmets for kids and adults, helmets for motorbike and bike riders. Like Giro, Bell Helmets is well-known for their MIPS helmets under $100. Besides MIPS, Bell Helmets also successfully integrates other great technologies to their helmets, such as spherical, flex, star, and protint. For high-quality helmets for any purpose, Bell Helmets is a brand that you should check out.
Team Obsidian
Team Obsidian's helmets are my picks when I need an affordable yet decent helmet for road cycling. Besides helmets for bikes, they also make light sets for bike cyclists, bike covers, phone holders for bikes, etc. All are great in terms of quality and for your budget. Moreover, Team Obsidian's helmets are backed up with a 2-year warranty. You can buy them with confidence.
FAQs
Do bike helmets expire?
No, they don’t. However, you should replace your helmets after an impact or when it looks not protective enough (after 5 - 10 years).
What does MIPS mean on a helmet?
MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System - the system reduces dangerous forces transmitted to your brain. It is typically featured between the outer shell and the inner pad. MIPS absorbs all the energy and eliminates almost all the forces in case of impact, so it protects your head and your brain.
How long should you keep a cycle helmet?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission of the US recommends replacing a road bike helmet after 5 to 10 years.
Why should you wear a bike helmet?
While bike accidents are not as serious as motorbike accidents, they are still very dangerous. Every year in the US, about 800 cyclists die from accidents. A bike helmet prevents your head from hitting directly to a hard surface or even to rock. A bike helmet with MIPS is even better - it prevents force from transmitted to your brain, lowering the risk of brain damages. Helmets are designed to save you from injuries and death.
How do you measure your head for a bike helmet?
You can use a flexible tape measure to measure the perimeter around your forehead. Or you can use a string, then measure the string with a normal straight ruler.
Conclusion
Wearing a helmet while cycling is the easiest way to protect you from potential risks. I hope that you will find helmets on the above list worth the price.
Nancy Lang
