Giro Aeon: 9.8 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Very light
• Great ventilation
• Good fit system

Disadvantages:

• Expensive

Giro Aeon's light weight, together with the Roc Loc 5 fit system, could very well make it the most comfortable helmet you've ever worn. It also comes in 3 sizes, ranging from 20 to 24.75 inches. That's way better than the universal size, and provides a better fit.

If you want a pro level helmet, then the Aeon is, most likely, the one for you. Get it from Amazon.com or ChainReactionCycles.

Earlier, Giro sold two top of the line helmets, the Ionos and Prolight. The Ionos was considered the best ventilated helmet, and the Prolight - the lightest. Giro Aeon's ventilation is as good as the Ionos, while being a few grams heavier than the Prolight. In other words, Aeon is lighter than the Ionos, and cooler than the Prolight.

The Aeon Helmet comes in several colors, as you can see below:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The Helmet is extremely well ventilated. It has 24 big vents, through which you'll have no problem scratching your head! Giro's Wind Tunnel channeled ventilation helps, so fresh air will keep moving around your head.

Giro Aeon Bike Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 24
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $250
• Thermoformed SL Roll Cage reinforcement
• X-static padding
• Slimline webbing
  
• Channeled Ventilation, Wind Tunnel vents
  
• Roc Loc 5 fit system
• Weight : 7.8oz/222g

As far as safety goes, all certified helmets are equally safe. You could buy a helmet for $30 and feel safe. But buying the Giro Aeon helmet, you'll also feel comfortable, and your head will be cooler than ever. It's also extremely light! It's available at Amazon.com or ChainReactionCycles.

Bell Venture: 8.8 / 10

Advantages:

• Easy to use fit system
• Comfortable
• Removable visor
• Bug net in the front lower 3 vents
• 7 colors to choose from

Disadvantages:

• Not recommended if you live in a hot climate

At the very attractive price of $40, Bell Venture feels like the more expensive helmets. A great fit can be achieved, thanks to Bell's easy to use Ergodial. Like with all new helmets, initially you'll want to take your time adjusting the straps. You'll be glad you did, as the fit will be better, and it'll be comfortable wearing it.

Bell's Venture helmet doesn't feel heavy. Airflow is acceptable, if it doesn't get really hot where you live. There are 23 vents, and they're not exactly huge. If you only get 2 weeks of 90+ degrees (32+ degrees Celsius) a year, then, in my opinion, it's fine.

Thanks to its slick design, Bell Venture looks like it's custom made for your head. This means that it doesn't look nor feel too big. Plus, there are seven colors to choose from. The visor is easily removable, and putting it back on is a snap.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The 3 lower front vents have a bug net in them. Although they won't stop very small insects, these nets will stop bigger bugs from landing on your head. Unless, of course, they get in from the higher, also front, vents! These nets are nice to have, but i don't exactly recommend relying on them.

Bell Venture Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 23
• Sizes : Universal Adult Size (54-61 cm | 21-24 inches)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $40
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• ErgoDial Adjustment System
• Snap-In Visor
• PinchGuard Buckle
• Weight : 312g

Bell Venture's price, cool design and its color variety make it a really obvious and easy choice. So unless it's too hot where you live, you'll love it. It's available at Amazon and ChainReactionCycles.

Giro Prolight: 9.2 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Lighter than light
• Good and simple fit system
• Good airflow, thanks to internal air channeling

Disadvantages:

• Small vents

Giro just released the Prolight, the lightest helmet on the planet. They achieved this by not using their proprietary composite subframe. This made it possible for the Prolight to be lighter. It also made it technically impossible to have bigger vents. It's the perfect helmet to have, if being lightweight is what you're after.

Giro Prolight has smaller vents than other high-end helmets. Does this impact its ability to maintain adequate airflow? Not much. The Prolight has internal ventilation channels which circulate the air right above the rider's head. This offers a far better cooling effect than a helmet with bigger vents and no internal channeling.

Prolight vs Ionos: The similarly priced high-end helmet, Giro Ionos, has bigger vents and internal channels. So the airflow there is better than in Giro's Prolight. But the Ionos is also heavier. So if you don't need the absolute best ventilation, get the Prolight from CRC or Amazon.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Weighing in at 175g for the small size (around 185g and 195g for the medium and large sizes, respectively), the Prolight is definitely the lightest helmet. Its light weight and comfortable fitting system makes it really appealing to riders who want no constraints. You'll barely feel it on your head.

Giro Prolight helmet features the tri-position Roc Loc SL adjustment system. It consists of 3 positions on each side of the helmet. This is a one-time adjustment, which means that you won't need to adjust it each time you put your Prolight on.

Giro Prolight Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 25, with Internal Channeling
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $200
• In-Mold Construction
• Roc Loc SL Adjustment System
• Tri-Position Roc Loc SL Fore + Aft simple one-time adjustment
  
• Super Fit Sizing
• Weight : 175g

Giro Prolight is light, has a very good fit system, and is comfortable. It's very well ventilated. Less so than other high-end helmets, but still, the airflow in the Prolight is better than most lower priced ones. So if you decide that you want the lightest helmet, you can buy it here or here.

Bell Triton: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great
• Very good ventilation
• Great price

Disadvantages:

• None

Note: Bell Triton isn't available anymore. Bell XLV took its place.

My mother-in-law decided to buy me something a couple of weeks ago. She knew I wanted some light shorts for the summer, so she got me those. And a hat... If you have a 25" head like me, then you already know what I thought. So I reminded her about my head's size. She replied: "Don't worry, I got you the largest size available!"

You should have seen the look on her face when I put that hat on.

Finding the right sized hat might be difficult. But here's the good news. It's a lot easier to find a bike helmet for your large head. Bell Triton for the rescue! It's nice to see that helmet manufacturers thought about people like us.

Except for the larger size, Bell Triton has the characteristics of other quality helmets. It's safe, comfortable and fits great. It has 17 vents, which provide a really good airflow. A snug fit can easily be achieved thanks to Bell's ErgoDial system. You can adjust the Triton's fit while riding your bike, because a thumb and a finger are all you need.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Bell Triton's visor is removable. So if you don't like visors on your helmet, it isn't going to be a problem for you. It's easy to remove and reattach. There are four holes in the front of the helmet where the visor is mounted. But they're tiny and unnoticeable from a few feet away.

Bell Triton is a large helmet. But don't worry, it will look only natural on your large head. It's all about proportions.

Bell Triton Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 17
• Size : Universal Large 22.8-25.6 in | 58-65 cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $40
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• PinchGuard Buckle
  
• ErgoDial Fit System
• Snap-In Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.2oz/330g
  

I've had my Triton helmet for 4 months now, and I love it! The ventilation is very good. In the sun, your head will definitely feel cooler with the helmet than without it. This is especially true if you have dark hair.

Companies tend to ask high prices when targeting a specific market. But Bell doesn't do that with the Triton. You can get it at Amazon for around $35. Also, you might want to take a look at the user reviews.

Note: Bell Triton isn't available anymore. Bell XLV took its place.

Giro Me2: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great and easily, thanks to Giro's Acu Dial
• Grows with your baby
• Wonderful design, kids love it!

Disadvantages:

• Chin strap not completely pinch-free. Nothing too serious, though

It's great to see so many people searching for helmets that would fit toddlers! Parents are usually concerned about the safety of their children riding their first bike. You might think that a helmet is not necessary in the backyard, but want your toddler to get used to wearing a helmet when riding a bike. If your kid's head measures between 18.75 - 20.5 inches (48-52 cm), then Giro Me2 is the best helmet you could buy them.

If your child's between 1-3 years of age, Giro Me2 should fit perfectly. But just to be on the safe side, be sure to measure your child's head circumference before you it. Giro Me2 might last even longer if your kid has a smaller than average head. Girls have smaller heads than boys, so it can be an advantage if you have a baby girl. I don't recommend buying this or any other helmet for infants under one year of age. They shouldn't ride a bike (alone or with you) at this age anyway, as their body is not ready for it yet.

The main advantage the Giro Me2 helmet has over other infant helmets is the fit adjustment system. You know how dressing a toddler can be a real challenge? Imagine you not only have to put the helmet on their little impatient head, but adjust the chin strap so that the helmet fits. With Giro Me2, you'll only have to fasten the chin strap, and Giro's Acu Dial system will help you get the perfect fit. This dial is located on the back of the helmet. I'm not saying this will be super easy, especially if you have an active toddler with a lot of energy to spare. I'm just stating that the Giro Me2 helmet will be easier to adjust.

The majority of the parents who bought Giro Me2 stated that after the initial adjustment, putting the helmet on their kids' head was a snap. And even though some children aren't glad at first, they eventually forget about it. This tells us that Giro Me2 is comfortable. It's also light at 8.5 oz . The ventilation is good. There are 6 vents with bug nettings.

The design of this helmet is good, too. It sort of has a built in visor to protect the eyes from the sun. Your kid won't only look cute, but will also get attached to the animal graphics on Giro Me2. This will get them excited about putting the helmet on before riding the bike. Well, my daughter never gets tired of telling us, every single night before she goes to sleep, that the cats on her bed sheets are happy she's with them.

Giro Me2 is available in several colors. Usually older colors are phased out, and newer ones take their place. So check on Amazon or ChainReactionCycles to see what's currently available.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Giro Me2 Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 6
• Size : Universal Fit Infant : 18.75-20.5in | 48-52cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $29.99
• Acu Dial adjustment system
• Weight: 8.5oz/240g

Giro Me2 is safe, comfortable and easy to adjust. You can order it for your little one from Amazon or ChainReactionCycles.

Bell Influx: 9.4 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Very good fit
• Well ventilated
• Affordable
• Impressive features for such a price!

Disadvantages:

• N/A

Looking for a new helmet? I hope yours is just too old, or you want another one for your cycling wardrobe. No one likes it when a helmet cracks, especially when it's on your head at the time! Whatever your reason, Bell Influx is a great choice. This helmet is really affordable at $64 MSRP. It's better than most helmets in its price range, and you might even like it more than some $150+ helmets.

Maybe the first thing you'll notice when you open the package is the size of the Influx's 18 vents. They're bigger than the average vents found in other helmets. In the Bell Influx, this is achievable thanks to Bell's Internal Reinforcement technology. Helmets featuring this technology have reinforced skeletons. Internal Reinforcement is usually reserved to the high end Bell helmets. But fortunately, the Bell Influx has it, which is really good! This way we get to have bigger vents and a lighter weight for $64 only.

Bell Influx is available in 6 colors, but you might be able to find even more colors at Amazon. Be sure to pick the right size (S, M or L) before ordering!

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Bell Influx's visor is removable. When it's removed, you can use the provided logo plugs to cover the holes where the visor attaches. As for Bell Influx's fit, Bell's Geared Positioning System (GPS) is very easy to use. You just slide the dial with one hand to get the most comfortable fit. The fit of the Influx helmet is incredible. Of course, it might not fit every head out of the box, but the adjustment system really helps.

Bell Influx weighs 10.5oz/309g, and feels light. The good airflow also adds to the comfort of this helmet. Featuring 18 large vents and the Channeled Ventilation system, the Influx will keep your head cool in the hot summer days.

Bell Influx Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 18
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $64
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Internal Reinforcement
• Registered Graphics
  
• Channeled Ventilation
• GPS Fit System
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.5oz/309g

There's a reason a lot of people love the Bell Influx. It's not just because of the features, the comfort and the fit. It's because of the relatively low price you pay to get them. You can get it for $64 or maybe less. Chances are you'll love it, too. And you'll want to get another Influx in a few years, when it's time for a new helmet!

Bell Slant: 9.1 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light, and feels even lighter
• Very nice fit
• Cool design
• Very good airflow

Disadvantages:

• None

I'll tell you right away: Bell Slant is awesome! Why? Because it's comfortable, looks cool, and the price is right. It's not light at 12 oz/340 g, but it'll feel like the lightest helmet you've ever worn, because of the excellent weight distribution.

Bell Slant's 21 vents provide enough airflow to cool your head on those hot summer days. But it's enough to freeze it in the winter, too. Slant's visor is detachable, so you can easily remove it if you don't like it. Bell included logo plugs that you can plug the holes with when the visor is removed.

The Bell Slant helmet is available in the following colors, among others. Manufacturers phase out old colors and introduce new ones every year, so bear that in mind. Check Amazon and CRC to see what's currently available.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The following are higher resolution images of Bell Slant:

Bell Slant Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes : Universal Adult
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $54
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Channeled Ventilation
• ErgoDial
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 12 oz/340g

Bell Slant is a very comfortable bike helmet. In fact, it's possible you'll forget you're wearing it. The ErgoDial fit system guarantees a snug fit, and it's very easy to adjust it to your liking. If you're looking for a good all-around helmet, chances are that you'll love Bell Slant. And its affordability makes it even better. You can buy it from Amazon or CRC.

Giro Hex: 9.3 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Good fit
• Nice design
• Plenty of vents, great airflow

Disadvantages:

• None

A couple of years ago, Giro Hex helmet didn't come in bright colors. Fortunately, Giro has fixed that now. New colors are released every year, but the helmet's design stays the same, overall.

Giro Hex has a removable POV visor. Just like Giro Xen's visor, it can be adjusted on the fly. There are a lot of similarities between these two models. In case you're interested, here are the main differences between the Giro Hex and Xen:

• Giro Hex has 21 vents instead of 17
• Giro Hex doesn't have Giro's Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• The two helmets look different
• Giro Hex is $45 cheaper (MSRP)

These are the main differences between the Giro Hex and the Xen. I should point out something though. The number of vents and the technology used make the two helmets almost identical in terms of ventilation. In other words, the number of vents makes up for the lack of the technology. In terms of safety these helmets are identical. They're certified, so theoretically they're all equally safe.

The following Giro Hex colors are available, among others. Newer colors become available yearly, though. So check the availability on CRC or Amazon.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

You might want to take a look at the next, high resolution, image of the Giro Hex (the Matte Olive 45 Camo color). It's always nice to have a really good look at the stuff you're buying!

Giro Hex MTB Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $85
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• POV Visor
  
• Weight : 310g

Giro Hex is a very comfortable helmet. It keeps your head cool, and the fit is excellent. You can buy it on Amazon, and also on ChainReactionCycles.

Giro Xen: 9.3 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Very good fit
• Removable POV visor
• Good ventilation

Disadvantages:

• No bright, high visibility colors

As you can see, I really like the Giro Xen. The lack of bright colors is strange, but shouldn't be a deciding factor if you otherwise like this helmet. You can add to a helmet's visibility anyway. And you should, whether it is brightly colored or not. Use some reflective tape, reflective stickers or stick a blinking LED on your helmet.

The removable visor of the Giro Xen is practical, and can be adjusted on the fly. It's very similar to the Bell Sweep in this regard. The Giro Xen helmet has 17 vents. They provide enough ventilation to keep your head cool in the summer. The helmet comes in three sizes, so be sure to pick the right size when you order it. Different sizes, combined with Giro's easy to use adjustment system, almost ensure a perfect fit.

Giro Xen helmet is available in the following six colors:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

And these are 2 high resolution images of Giro Xen:

Giro Xen Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 17
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $130
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC 4 Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• POV Visor
  
• Weight : 310g

You can buy Giro Xen on Amazon or ChainReactionCycles. The older 2007 and 2008 models are still available at the time of writing. They are cheaper, but you won't find all the colors and sizes. If you like how the Giro Xen looks, go ahead and buy it. I'm sure you won't regret it. It's so comfortable that you might forget that you're wearing a helmet.

Bell Sweep: 9.7 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Fairly light
• Easy dial adjustment (see last image below)
• Snug fit
• Removable VPV visor
• Good airflow
• Cheaper than other top-of-the-line helmets (Giro Atmos, Giro Ionos)

Disadvantages:

• Sorry, nothing bad here

Okay, I want it to be clear from the beginning. Here are all the differences between the Bell Sweep R and Sweep XC helmets. The XC has a removable visor. That's it.

Bell decided to discontinue the Sweep R and Sweep XC models back in 2009. Now there is just the one Bell Sweep model, which is the equivalent of the XC.

Bell Sweep comes with the Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system. This is a fancy name for a handy system that lets you, as Bell states it, "dial in the exact fit as well as adjust the mechanism’s horizontal position on the back of the head". In short, it allows for a better fit.

The picture of the Bell Sweep helmet in the beginning of this article shows it with the visor attached. It makes it look a little bit elongated. When the visor is removed, it looks as if it's a whole other helmet. Bell Sweep is available in several colors, including:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

And two high resolution images of Bell Sweep (might take a while to load on a slow connection):

Let's take a look at the specs to see what you will get when you buy the Bell Sweep helmet.

Bell Sweep Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 20
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $140
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Clear Geared Positioning Fit System (GPS)
• Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system
• Channeled Ventilation
• Weight : 280g

Bell Sweep is one of the best and most comfortable helmets currently on the market. It's comparable to the more expensive Giro Atmos. I highly recommend it. It's available on Amazon. ChainReactionCycles has it, too.