How to choose your bike helmet

Not mandatory, but necessary for safety, a bicycle helmet is essential for cyclists, whether you're a bike commuter, cycle tourist, or athlete. Nevertheless, when safety is involved, choosing a helmet can be a real headache! Between helmet sizes, adjustments, and types of helmets, it's easy to get lost and end up with a helmet that doesn't offer adequate protection. But don't worry, the Neoca team will tell you everything you need to know about the topic – it's all here! 👇

helmet is a bit like choosing an article of clothing, except here, the choice is a little more delicate since it must allow you to ride protected. Thus, everyone will have their own criteria when buying a helmet, but generally, these remain paramount:

• Helmet size
• Adjustment
• Certification
• Comfort
• Usage
• Design

Note that your helmet's certification is very important. You should be able to see the CE mark attesting to the product's good quality, as well as the EN 1078 standard, which ensures good safety when cycling, rollerblading, scootering, or skateboarding.

Helmet size

Each person is different, and so are heads! Thus, helmets are differentiated by size, so the first thing to do is to know your head circumference. If you don't know how, it's simple. Take a flexible tape measure and measure the circumference of your head across your forehead, just above your eyebrows.

How to adjust your helmet?

Different systems exist for adjusting your helmet: occipital adjustment with a dial, cord adjustment, or pre-adjusted systems where the helmet adapts to your head size.

Nevertheless, no matter which adjustment you choose, your helmet must be straight on your head, neither too far forward nor too far back, and well-adjusted under the chin. Your helmet is well-adjusted when it no longer moves.

What types of helmets?

The right helmet will be the one best suited to your use. If you are an athlete, an aerated and aerodynamic helmet will be more suitable. Indeed, the vents will allow you to eliminate perspiration and humidity and lighten your helmet. For urban users, it will be more appropriate to opt for more covering helmets that will protect you from bad weather. For this, helmets with visors or caps exist and can be interesting. Nobody likes to arrive at work with a soaked head 🥶.

It will therefore be up to you to define your needs and thus the performance you expect from your helmet.

🚩Warning, be sure to change your helmet as soon as it has suffered a shock🚩