Why Are Bicycle Helmets So Expensive?

More than any other item that you can add to your cycling kit, a cycle helmet is one of the most important things you can invest in. It could potentially save you from cracking your skull in the event of an impact, so this is something that you DON’T want to ride without.

So you’ve bought yourself an awesome bike…

The next thing on the list is a bicycle helmet…

Simple purchase right? You’d think so…

But cycle helmets can cost anything from $20 to $250 upwards, and it can be hard to figure out what you are actually paying for.

Surely there’s only so much you can charge for a bowl shaped bit of foamy stuff right?

What makes them so expensive…

There are a few different things that can affect the cost of a bicycle helmet…

The quality of the materials used
Design and adjustment features
Research and development
Additional testing

As a rough guide, spending up to $40 will give you a basic cycle helmet, and spending up to $100 will give you additional benefits that are discussed below.

Once you go beyond the $100 mark, what you are really paying for is how good you look. And that is important to some of us cycling folk who like to look the part, but if you are wondering how much you should spend on your cycle helmet, there are a few things to consider.

Let’s discuss some of the differences between cheaper helmets and pricier ones, and what you really get for your money once you spend more than that $40 mark.

Things you need to consider when thinking about how much to spend on a cycle helmet…

Safety
Fit and Comfort
Weight
Ventilation
Quality

Let’s delve a little further into each one…

Safety

You want to be safe, but you don’t want to spend more than you need to right?

The truth is that ALL cycle helmets have to pass the same safety standards, regardless of the cost of the helmet. So buying a helmet for $100 won’t necessarily mean you are any safer than wearing a $20 one.

The good news is, as long as you’re buying your helmet from a reputable place, you don’t need to worry that your helmet is not safe, but the answer is not necessarily that simple.

A cycle helmet is at it’s safest when it fits you snugly and securely on your head. It shouldn’t move around, or feel loose at all. And as we all have heads of different shapes and sizes, that can only happen for most of us if the helmet comes with enough adjustment features. In comes the expense…

The pricier helmets will have various ways to adjust different parts of your helmet, making it a better fit. And the better the helmet fits you, the safer it will be.

Fit and Comfort

A cycle helmet is no good if it doesn’t fit right, no matter how much or how little you pay for it. It should fit you snugly around your head so that there is not a lot of room for it to move around, without it feeling tight from anywhere.

Most helmets will have adjustable straps that come around your ears and clip in just under your chin, but pricier ones will also have an adjustable wheel at the back so that the helmet can safely stay in place in the event of a fall, and may even be height adjustable, which can give you a perfect fit.

A better fitting helmet will be far more comfortable during your cycle ride. This is pretty important when you are out for longer rides.

Try on the cycle helmet before you buy, or if you are purchasing online, make sure to measure around your head to get the right sized helmet. You may find that different brands will fit you differently.

Weight

The lighter the cycle helmet, the more comfortable it will be as it is less of a strain on your head and shoulders. And you guessed it, the more expensive helmets tend to weigh less.

If you are going on longer journeys, the weight of the helmet WILL make a difference, so bear this in mind when considering your choice of helmet. The best kind of helmet is one that is so light, you can’t even feel that it is on your head!

Ventilation

If your cycling ride is any form of a workout for you, then you need to make sure there is enough ventilation for your head.

The pricier helmets will pay attention to this, and have areas of ventilation that stop your head getting all hot and sweaty while you ride.

Cheaper helmets still have ventilation, but they are unlikely to be designed through testing with comfort in mind, and will generally not use materials that are moisture-wicking.

Quality

The cheaper helmets will use cheaper materials, so you may find that you need to purchase one more often because the straps and inner padding will wear down or break much more quickly.

The more expensive ones will last longer, and have moisture-wicking properties in the padding on the inside, to keep you more comfortable during your ride.

They’ll also have added extras such as a visor to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Here’s a Closer Look at the Difference…

Take a look at these two cycle helmets….

The helmet on the left of the pictures is a cheap bicycle helmet:

It has a very small visor that will not really keep the sun out of your eyes
Has minimal padding so will be less comfortable
Doesn’t have additional adjustment features so will only fit comfortably if your head is of that particular shape

The helmet on the right however:

Has an adjustment wheel at the back for additional custom snug fit
A longer visor to keep the sun out of your eyes
More aerodynamic shape
Better ventilation areas

Is it worth spending more on a bicycle helmet and how much should I be looking to spend?

At the end of the day, wearing any cycle helmet is better than not wearing one, cheap or not, as long as it fits on your head.

If you are going on an occasional cycle ride, or travel regularly but only on short journeys, there is really no need to spend huge amounts of money on a bicycle helmet, especially given that research has shown cheaper helmets to be just as safe as expensive ones. Try a few on that are at the lower price range and choose the one that fits you best and feels comfortable.

Take a look at this example:

It’s very reasonably priced considering that it has additional adjustment features and a well shaped visor, which is not usual for this kind of price range.

This kind of helmet is good enough for someone looking to be safe but not spend too much.

If you are going to be cycling often or for longer, it is probably worth spending money buying a helmet that is going to fit you better, and is not as heavy on your head. The extra comfort will make a big difference to your cycling journey, and will also last you longer.

Here is an example of one that will last you a long time, and is fitted with MIPS. An additional safety feature that protects you against rotational forces.

This one may cost you more, but it is made from solid materials that will not wear away for quite a while.

With all the additional safety and fitting features, it is definitely worth investing in a helmet like this if you are going to be cycling more frequently or for longer journeys.