How to Buy a Bike Helmet (2025)

After much than a decade of study and design, Mips launched its first product, a proprietary helmet, successful 2007. Soon after, Mips became what’s known arsenic an “ingredient brand,” trading its exertion to megabrands specified arsenic Giro, Smith, and Specialized. Hence, nan now-ubiquitous small yellowish logo.

Are There Other Safety Systems?

While Mips is easy nan astir celebrated rotational effect strategy and arguably nan manufacture standard, it’s not nan only one. Several companies person developed their ain proprietary systems that fundamentally execute nan aforesaid usability arsenic Mips.

For example, the motocross marque 100% outfits astir of its caller helmets pinch its proprietary Smartshock system, wherever a bid of mini elastomers let nan helmets’ soul webbing to move independently of its outer ammunition while absorbing nan forces of impact. According to 100%, Smartshock is effective crossed a wide scope of velocity and effect types.

Giro, 1 of nan astir celebrated helmet brands connected Earth, precocious released its caller Spherical technology, which is simply a ball-and-socket strategy that allows an precocious ammunition to rotate connected apical of a little ammunition successful bid to redirect effect forces distant from nan head. (It's worthy noting here, though, that nan Giro Aries Spherical Helmet ($250) still has a Mips system.)

Trek, different of nan world’s biggest brands, rolled retired its WaveCel system a fewer years ago. Essentially a crumple area built into nan helmet, WaveCel is simply a thick, patient soul furniture that tin flex to trim first impact, crumple to sorb power connected impact, and glide to, for illustration Mips, redirect power from nan head. Finally, akin to Trek’s WaveCel technology, nan Koroyd strategy uses a bid of tubes which crumple instantly and consistently connected impact, absorbing nan maximum unit sustained during a crash. Some helmets, specified arsenic nan Smith Persist ($130), meld some Mips and Koroyd systems beneath a azygous ammunition to connection an added furniture of protection.

Do You Need a New Helmet?

Even if you are a year-round rider and you person a helmet you love, nan wide norm of thumb is that you should discontinue it aft 3 to 5 years. UV exposure, salt-laden sweat, and regular usage each lend to nan degradation of helmets.

Finally, helmets are not meant to beryllium worn aft a crash. Even if nan spill is insignificant and nan helmet looks and feels perfectly fine, trash it and get a caller one. Some brands moreover connection clang replacement options. Even if your helmet is trashed, return comfortableness successful knowing that it's done its occupation and kept you safe. It deserves a peaceful, sweat-free retirement.

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