In this article I’m going to cover the most comfortable road bike helmets. Ranging from affordable to premium you’ll find it here.
To a certain extent comfort is a subjective matter, because not everybody has the same size and/or shaped head. That being said, you can do a lot with the correct size helmet, the padding, and the fit system, with premium ones having both vertical and horizontal adjustment.
All well-known helmet manufacturers will stick with a certain helmet shape for years, and only minimally add or swap features. This is the most cost-effective process to cumulatively innovate on something which has a proven track record.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive helmets is mostly the crash technology involved, with more expensive helmets having more of it without the addition of weight.
In terms of comfort, various liners, thicker liners, liners made from more expensive antimicrobial material all increase in price. But it’s perfectly normal to have the same experience of (dis)comfort between helmets that differ significantly in price.
Helmet manufacturers always give their fit systems spicey names for sales purposes. It is what it is, yet in general they basically all work the same. So if they put the same type of system in a 150 USD helmet as their top-of-the-line one, and the liner is the same as well, there’s no reason to think the comfort level differs.
A last thing I often see and with which I disagree is that weight is a large factor in comfort. If you take a good look at the weight range of helmets you can clearly see there’s not much difference. And I would lay a wager that when doing a blind test the average individual will be unable to say with absolute certainty which helmet weighs more.
You can find an overview of all the helmets at the end of the article with information next to each other so you can easily compare them and better decide which one is worth your hard-earned cash, if any. Now, without further ado, here’s my list of the most comfortable road bike helmets.
Bell Falcon XR MIPS
The Bell Falcon XR MIPS offers excellent value for money, and is one of the more affordable helmets featuring the latest MIPS evolved crash technology.
For half the price of its more premium siblings, you get both this technology, as well as the similar Float Fit system with Fidlock buckle.
There are multiple colors to choose from, easy eyewear storage, and a quick-drying Ionic+ antimicrobial, washable liner. The same liner used in their most expensive helmets.
A nice touch that’s not included is the optional rear light, which neatly fits in a rear exhaust vent.
- Excellent value-for-money in a mid-tier road bike helmet with MIPS technology
- None
Bell XR Spherical
The MIPS Spherical technology is one of the best ways to improve upon the safety of a helmet, and the Bell XR Spherical is the single helmet of the American brand featuring this outstanding technology.
All helmets featuring the MIPS Spherical ball-in-socket crash technology are very expensive, and unfortunately this helmet is no exception to that rule. The Spherical technology split a helmet into two halves that can minimally move independently from each other. Upon impact this slight movement absorbs a significant amount of energy which would otherwise be transferred onto the rider’s head, with all negative consequences associated with it.
Another feature of this helmet is the multi-density EPS layer which progressively absorbs energy as well.
The Float Fit system with Fidlock buckle and Ionic+ liner with antimicrobial silver has proven to be an excellent way to achieve a secure and comfortable fit.
- Top-of-the-line helmet from Bell with all crash technology currently available in a road bike helmet.
- Pricey
Bell Z20 MIPS
The Bell Z20 MIPS is a helmet that offers excellent crash protection with a great fit.
At 310 grams it’s not exactly a lightweight. On the other hand, they’ve included the latest MIPS Evolve crash technology with multi-density EPS liner.
The Float Fit Race fit system allows for multiple ways to get to the ultimate fit for your head, cleverly integrating it with the MIPS technology. Both the vertical height, circumference, and even padding width is adjustable.
Furthermore the EPS liner has a multi-density structure, which allows for progressively stronger impact absorption.
A great helmet, with a great overall value.
- Great overall package, comfortable, and one of the best in terms of crash protection.
- Heaviest of all premium models listed
Smith Persist
The Smith Persist is a good-looking and affordable road bike helmet with MIPS technology.
The in-mold shell neatly wraps around the edges of the helmet, giving it a premium look-and-feel.
I’m not sure whether or not I’m willing to pay the more premium price, because it shares all other features with the Signal, which is significantly less expensive.
The helmet does offer MIPS technology, and even though it cannot be vertically adjusted, the VaporFit dial system in combination with a plush liner does the job of providing you with a nice fit.
The Smith Persist does everything really well, yet doesn’t excel in anything when compared to true premium offerings. Which, I guess, is the hallmark of a solid mid-tier contender.
- Great looks for an affordable price.
- The Smith Signal offers almost everything this helmet does for a much smaller price.
Smith Signal
The Smith Signal is a nice-looking and affordable helmet. Smith describes this helmet as a commuter helmet. I have no idea why, since it features almost the same shape, same liner, and same fit system as the Persist.
It could simply be the price, which doesn’t break the bank. The reason is that this is not an in-molded helmet where the EPS liner and polycarbonate shell are fused together in the same mold. In terms of safety this doesn’t matter. In terms of ventilation and cost it does.
The helmet does feature an exposed EPS liner sticking underneath the shell. Besides the fact that this doesn’t look great, the delicate EPS might nick more easily. I never had to throw away a helmet because of it though.
It’s one of the most affordable road bike helmets (or commuter) that feature MIPS. And because it has the same weight, VaporFit dial system, AirEvac 21 vents, and eyewear port as the Persist, it’s one of the best choices for budget-minded cyclists.
- Fantastic choice for those who don't want to spend an arm and a leg
- None for its price-level
Giro Aether Spherical
The Giro Aether Spherical is arguably a better value-for-money proposition than the far more expensive Aries Spherical.
That’s because it boasts the exact same crash technology in a slightly different package. MIPS Spherical crash technology to reduce rotational impact forces, a multi-density EPS liner, and a reinforced polycarbonate shell. All are the same.
The Roc Loc 5 Air fit system is also featured, ensuring a great fit of the helmet with multiple ways to adjust the padding, vertical height and circumference. To keep you cool, air is ingeniously guided along your head.
There are many colors to choose from to fit the rest of your outfit or your bike. All in all a no-brainer if you value safety and are willing to spend the money on a premium helmet such as this one.
- One of the best value-for-money helmets in the premium segment.
- Still pretty expensive
Giro Aries Spherical
The Giro Aries Spherical is one of the safest if not the safest helmet within its category. It also has the highest suggested retail price at 300 USD. On its product page Giro boasts the helmet having the lowest Virginia Tech helmet rating (lower is better), and you have to if you charge this price.
So what exactly do you get for the money? This is one of a couple of helmets offering the MIPS Spherical technology, which reduces rotational damage with a ball-in-socket helmet setup. Furthermore the polycarbonate shell is reinforced with twin bridges on each side, alongside a roll-cage-like reinforced band. It all makes for an incredibly strong helmet that doesn’t weigh more than your average similar helmet.
It has silicon beads so sweat doesn’t drip into your eyes, or runs down your glasses, which is a feature far more useful than you might think.
The helmet is tightened on your head with the Roc Loc 5 Air fit system, something featured in all of their premium models. And something that does a great job of keeping the lightweight lid in place.
- Virginia Tech's best-rated helmet in terms of safety
- The most expensive helmet within its category
Giro Eclipse Spherical
The Giro Eclipse Spherical is a helmet meant for aero-fanatics.
Offering the same crash-protection technology as the Giro Aries Spherical. That means this one also has the MIPS Spherical ball-in-socket helmet setup, with the multi-density EPS liner, and the Aura II polycarbonate reinforcement.
The weight difference is negligible, you get the same Roc Loc 5 Air fit system, this time without the DryCore silicone pads that wick sweat away from your brow and to the sides of your helmet.
Giro claims the helmet is best-in-class in the aero department and offers some data to back this up. Whether or not that’s true I don’t know. The helmet certainly looks the part.
- If you value aerodynamics besides crash protection.
- Very expensive
POC Octal MIPS
I will not hide the fact that I’m a fan of the Swedish brand, and with the POC Octal MIPS they’ve created another fantastic-looking product to their already impressive lineup.
Always striving to cram their products with the best technology the Octal MIPS features the Integra version of this crash technology, which means the slip plane is customized to the specifics of this helmet. The helmet has a unibody build for enhanced structural integrity in case of a crash.
It’s touted as being extremely lightweight, with a stripped down EPS liner and fit system, but it isn’t really. 270 grams sits just below the average for a premium bike helmet such as this one, and if you really want the lightest helmet you have to look somewhere else.
Personally, I feel again that this helmet is the best-looking of the whole bunch, but am acutely aware of the subjectivity of that statement. And I have read a number of comments from people being less favorable about its above-average width. Nonetheless is the craftsmanship of this helmet undeniable, and it has a safety rating to match.
- Distinctive design, excellent fit.
- None
POC Ventral Air MIPS
The POC Ventral Air MIPS is a premium road bike helmet from the Swedish brand.
POC offers cleanly designed products crammed with the best technology within its specific product category. In the case of the Ventral AIR, it offers the MIPS Integra technology within a unibody shell. It’s a custom fit slip plane for a helmet with excellent structural integrity.
In terms of comfort they offer their rather finicky adjustable 360-degree fit system. However, once set up it proves a solid fit, no hot spots, and great ventilation.
The helmet has been wind-tunnel tested. I don’t have any comparison data between helmets, but it speaks volumes about POC’s approach towards road bike helmet design.
The helmet is known for its ability to keep your head cool during the hottest summer rides.
- Superb ventilation in a unique looking road bike helmet.
- Very expensive
Specifications most comfortable road bike helmets
Name | Price | Technology | Shell | Liner | Visor | Fit | weight (gr) | eyewear port | rating | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bell Falcon XR MIPS | 120 USD | MIPS Evolve | polycarbonate | EPS | none | Float Fit w. Fidlock buckle | 310 | yes | ||
Bell XR Spherical | 225 USD | MIPS Spherical | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Float Fit w. Fidlock buckle | 285 | yes | ||
Bell Z20 MIPS | 200 USD | MIPS Evolve | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Float Fit Race | 310 | 11.23 | ||
Smith Persist | 120 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | EPS | none | VaporFit | 300 | yes | ||
Smith Signal | 85 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | EPS | none | VaporFit | 300 | yes | 15.49 | |
Giro Aether Spherical | 225 USD | MIPS Air/Spherical/Aura II | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Roc Loc 5 Air | 280 | yes | 12.51 | |
Giro Aries Spherical | 300 USD | MIPS Air/Spherical/Aura II | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Roc Loc 5 Air | 275 | yes | 8.4 | |
Giro Eclipse Spherical | 250 USD | MIPS Air/Spherical/Aura II | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Roc Loc 5 Air | 270 | 11.2 | ||
POC Octal MIPS | 200 EUR | MIPS Integra/Unibody | polycarbonate | EPS | none | lightweight system | 270 | yes | 10.59 | |
POC Ventral Air MIPS | 260 EUR | MIPS Integra/Unibody | polycarbonate | EPS | none | adjustable 360-degree fit | 295 |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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