Cycling Helmets – What Do You Get When You Spend More?

Cycling Helmets – What Do You Get When You Spend More?

In association with KASK.
Cycling helmets are an essential bit of kit. What, then, does a more expensive helmet offer over a less expensive version?

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If you spend money on something cycling-related, it’s easy to think that you should prioritise your cycling helmet. We’d certainly agree with this, but, we also want to be clear that more expensive does not = safer. Helmet safety standards are there for a reason, and any helmet that you buy will have met the standards necessary for where you live.

What sort of features does a more expensive helmet offer, then? Things like aerodynamics, increased comfort, lower weight, anti-bacterial treatment and more.

As always, let us know your thoughts down in the comments, hit the thumbs up and SHARE this video too.

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50 Comments

  1. Cloud's Bike Hacks on June 27, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    I recommend Smith helmets.



  2. Gerardo Mejía Arteaga on June 27, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    It it is a better fit then it is safer 🙂



  3. Marvin McKenzie on June 27, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    The most important thing on your video is that there is no difference in safety between the less money vs the more expensive helmets.



  4. Peter Mead on June 27, 2019 at 8:37 pm

    I miss Matt already.



  5. Dimitris Tavernarakis on June 27, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    so what exactly do we pay when we buy Gyro Synth? Quality, materials, aero???? Since its the worse quality for its price (comparison to Kask, CASCO, Balista, etc!



  6. Stephen Fox on June 27, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    Mushroom head all of them u look ridiculous



  7. Richard Pestes on June 27, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    As always a thorough review guys – here’s my look at the BELL Z20 MIPS: https://youtu.be/OPZ-AKeGPFs



  8. Sung Yoon on June 27, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Race matters. Asian fits ($50~$70) I have beat all others I have ever tried that cost more than $200+. Cycling community ignores this.



  9. laurelrunlaurelrun on June 27, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    MIPS?



  10. SeaJayB on June 27, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Just buy a fucking 15 quid helmet that fits at Decathlon.



  11. Green Deane on June 27, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Interesting that noise production was not mentioned.



  12. augsburg on June 27, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    I switched to the Giro Air Attack with Shield last year. Not so much to be aero, but because the face shield provides much improved peripheral vision (vs. my $250 Oakleys!) and better protection to the face – protection from everything from bumblebees to rain. Riding in the rain is a much nicer experience with eh face shield. I also get no fogging of the face shield in cool humid weather like happens with any eyewear. I found The Air Attack has plenty of ventilation for summer riding and I have less rain coming inside during the winter. The aero road helmets are quieter on descents and into headwinds, letting you better hear cars coming from behind. The other point I would add to your discussion, is any cheap helmet with foam padding has two problems. The foam typically delaminates and falls apart after a year or so of use, and in the summer, the foam soaks up sweat like a sponge. Yuck!



  13. Daniel Z on June 27, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    Which is more AERO , no helmet or aero helmet ? #TORQUEBACK



  14. Richard Noorlander on June 27, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    I can’t find a helmet that fits comfotable. My head is 65 Has someone a suggestion for me?



  15. jezztech on June 27, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    Very good! but I have an ALDI helmet £10, it comes with a 3 year warranty and a 10 page manual, it is EU certified to 1078 , GS tested , you name it! it has a rotational adjusting devise at its rear, also it has an LED at the rear with a replaceable battery (one is supplied) . I bought the adult version 54>59 cm, and found it extremely comfortable from the outset, I find the shape of it on my head totally acceptable, (no daft looking wings or fins protruding anywhere) It looks like a "Giro". It has an insect net, high quality strapping infinitely adjustable etc build quality is superb. Its obviously a proper piece of kit!! so I am accepting that other helmets cost more, but enquiring why?  If say, £200 helmet can be proven to be better, then I am all ears,  ( enquiry not a challenge)



  16. RadioSnivins on June 27, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    Would love to know what a phrenologist would make of the protrusion on the back on Dan’s onion.



  17. Gnana Prakash on June 27, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Aren’t you supposed to reveal sponsored products? or did he actually buy all those helmets from the same brand out of his pocket?



  18. Simte on June 27, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    These helmets are quite difficult to find here in Colombia. I use a generic helmet it’s sturdy yet light.



  19. Nillo Pantano on June 27, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    just advertising for kask. gcn really sucks with this kind of videos



  20. wms on June 27, 2019 at 8:54 pm

    How important is MIPS?



  21. Shakil Khan on June 27, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Why Airflow is the Best mountain bike helmet in 2017 review
    https://www.besthelmetreview.com/airflow-best-mountain-bike-helmet-2017/



  22. Christian Sanchez on June 27, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    Does the padding come on the side when you buy any helmet? It looks like your helmets are really padded. Every time I try helmets in the store, they feel like they have the smallest amount of padding. This puts pressure on top of my skull which feels like it’ll hurt a lot more in impact. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?



  23. Chris on June 27, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    cycling is the new golf, expensive products for fat middle aged corporates. snore



  24. David Chan on June 27, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    Those are some super light weight helmets.



  25. Gillenz Fluff on June 27, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    I want a free codpiece with a helmet to protect my other helmet!



  26. Capitão Explosão on June 27, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    Just gonna stick with the 10 dollar helmet I currently own. I mean, it fits perfectly, so… nothing to complain about



  27. Bill M McKelvie on June 27, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    The question is this the scope of the EU standard is only to 15 mph! As a lot of UK riders are now clocking a minimum average of 18mph/24kph + Surely it is time for the riders who do want helmet protection (a touchy subject at the best of times) for helmets to be tested and more effective when they crash at higher speeds without looking like a motor cyclist? Surely Kask and other pro-team suppliers can get together (Which is how British Standards used to be created) and re-look at this issue look. Then offer a dual-certified, that it meets CEN requirements as minimum and the ‘Snell B90A / B95A’ that it meets that as a miximum requirement.



  28. Mobb on June 27, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    My helmet fits but it looks so huge on my head and it’s annoying. My helmet is like really wide smh



  29. lateralexrex on June 27, 2019 at 9:05 pm

    No mention of MIPS? Zzzz



  30. Martin Alexander on June 27, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    My favourite commute helmet was bought from ikea. Looks good. Peak keeps rain and sun off my specs. Keeps head warm in winter and cool in summer. And 20 quid. Wear wot you feel comfy in.



  31. Nomadski on June 27, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    Just received my Giro Synthe helmet today, love it already.



  32. Tracy Krznar on June 27, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    Why is there no mention of MIPS? This is fast becoming a standard for all helmets including motorcycle



  33. Zach Willis on June 27, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    I’ve heard various opinions about when to replace a bike helmet. Obviously after a crash involving head impact. But some places think you should replace your bike helmet every 3-5 years, others say they last indefinitely with regular wear and tear. Any advice from GCN? #TorqueBack



  34. Diggnuts on June 27, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    Well, you look either like a cheap ass fool or a normal one… Just make sure your fucking bike is up to scratch and don’t pretend you are "special" in traffic…



  35. Bobby Hempel on June 27, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    I have a $30 helmet that ways 280 grams and looks great with lots a ventilation



  36. Craig Heslop on June 27, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    How much is a flight to America these days?



  37. Ethan Wong on June 27, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    Should there be an accident whilst riding, could any priced helmet be used again after the accident, would it be still useful in protecting the head?



  38. Jdrummer on June 27, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    Nice hair



  39. Kevin Reid on June 27, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Good brief review of the main points helping in the selection of a helmet -should add in Road helmets to the title. Might be worth adding some manufacturers offer discounts on new helmets if you have an accident or old for new (at a price point) and the supply of spare parts -sweat pads/straps/bags, etc. For me the main cost of more expensive helmets is the cost prototyping improvements and implementing them. This would result in most of the points you described above regarding comfort fit for long rides, adjustment, advantages in weather conditions, materials used (colour loss in sunlight, reusability, etc.) and any cost savings in racing, not forgetting safety of course.



  40. Craig Coates on June 27, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Great helpful video, with no time wasting fillers, excellent thank you very much



  41. Gary on June 27, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    I brought a cheap Chinese helmet after a ride I always had a red line across my forehead. I scrapped that and brought a European designed helmet no more red line so much more comfortable. I think European heads are a different shape to Asian heads.



  42. renato mu on June 27, 2019 at 9:26 pm

    KASK HELMENT GIVEAWAY ALERT !!!!!



  43. Phil Cam on June 27, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    As soon as the next model year products are announced, last year’s products go on sale. Got a Specialized Evade helmet 2oz lighter than my 2011 Giro helmet, more comfortable and quieter. Cheers!



  44. TheInferno550 on June 27, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    All price more then 99,99$ for cycling helmet is robbery.



  45. Adela Covarrubias A. on June 27, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    what about helmets with MIPS ?



  46. Shaun The Penguin on June 27, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    I bought that vented-flap aero helmet last year (on black friday funnily enough). It has been used on countless winter commutes and has been up Alpe d’Huez in the summer. Having the flap really does make an enormous difference, I think it’s well worth the investment.



  47. Splashi on June 27, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    and i went to tescos and bought and 15 quid one



  48. NW Herbalist on June 27, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    I just got a matte black protone. My mojito was looking pretty dated and duck-ish in comparison.



  49. Gordon Parton on June 27, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    why have you put it in dollars?