By Matt Baird

Published: Friday, 15 October 2021 at 12:00 am

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Our most recent helmet buyer’s guides have involved the pick of the aero road helmet crop being put through their paces in the wind tunnel (check out the results here), but this year it’s the turn of the sub-£100 road lids.

That’s not to say drag-reduction wasn’t considered when testing, but the focus on the following pages is more on comfort, ventilation and added features over watts and painstaking yaw-angle analysis.

While EPS (expanded polystyrene) still dominates the build of road helmets (Hexr’s plant-based Polyamide-11 construction helmet is three-times this test’s budget cap), the helmets here still take noticeably different approaches to comfort, ventilation, aerodynamics and safety.

Comfort is key and, while trying before you buy is the ideal, the range of internal height adjustments, retention systems, strap adjustability and sizing variations will likely ensure these helmets fit most head shapes.

As opposed to aero road helmets or especially cone-shaped TT lids, the more traditional helmets here offer increased ventilation due to the larger number of air channels; great for hilly rides in the summer, but you’ll want a skull cap underneath in the depths of winter.

Finally, and most importantly, comes safety. The helmets here pass the relevant safety tests for European retail, but some come with added protection measures, including crash replacement options, reinforced EPS foam and MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact System).

The latter aims to help with rotational impacts by allowing the EPS shell to move up to 15mm over an inner liner, hopefully reducing the energy transfer that can cause concussion or more serious brain injuries. MIPS does add weight, costs more and the benefits still aren’t 100% conclusive, but recent tests by both Virginia Tech and the Road Safety Trust both highlight the benefits of MIPS, so the signs are good.

 

Best road bike helmets in 2021 

 

Endura FS260-PRO

 

• £89.99

At 227g, the FS260-PRO’s weight is the leanest here, and it shows. The internal netting prevents detritus venturing into the front of the helmet (our pick for gravel riding) and didn’t seem to have a negative impact on ventilation, as the airflow felt top class via the 14 sizeable channels.

The internal and antibacterial padding is thick where you need it and minimal when you don’t. Despite Endura’s aerodynamic heritage, they make no claims of drag reduction on the FS260 and there’s no sign of aero trickery on the rear.

MIPS is absent but the FS260-PRO is covered by Endura’s crash replacement policy and product guarantee, while the retention system is effective, durable and easily adjusted with one hand.

Verdict: Versatile and durable, comfy and light. A corker! 89%

 

Van Rysel Racer

• £39.99

From Decathlon’s in-house brand Van Rysel, the Racer offers fine ventilation via the 16 mostly vast vents and, as our Silverstone wind-tunnel testing in 2019 proved, superior aerodynamics in wide crosswinds (it was less impressive into direct headwinds).

The weight of 260g is impressive and among the lightest here. We also like the dual colour scheme for added on-road visibility and the polycarbonate shell that covers the exposed polystyrene.

Sadly, it loses marks due to the firm front padding, a tricky-to-adjust retention system and straps that tend to loosen the longer you ride. If you want to spend even less, Van Rysel’s £30 RoadR 500 also comes highly recommended.

Verdict: Well vented, affordable, and sometimes aero, 86%

 

Rudy Project Rush

• £70.99

As the name aptly suggests, every ride in this lean (242g) and aero sculpted lid felt swift, with trickledown tech from Rudy’s high-end offerings clearly at play. But it’s not just aerodynamics on a budget where the Rush seems to excel, with a chin pad, effective retention system and a choice of internal padding thicknesses.

Ventilation is also impressive via the 21 channels while the straps, after a little fiddle, largely stayed flat. Sadly, Rudy nearly blows all that good work with a precarious height adjustment system that gave us serious sweats over snapping the fitting nodules.

Doing it wrong would’ve rendered the helmet useless in one movement, an experience we wouldn’t be in a rush to do again.

Verdict: Feels aero and ventilated, but tricky adjustment, 85%

 

Giro Agilis Mips

• £89.99

The Agilis MIPS truly shines as a do-it-all helmet. We’d happily – and did – race, train, commute and ride off-road in this versatile and stylish lid. The intergrated MIPS liner does mean this tips the scales at 292g, but it wasn’t too noticeable unlike the Specialized.

There are a mighty 32 ventilation channels for breathability, with Giro being one of the few brands here to cite wind-tunnel testing in its design. As with half of the lids here, the polycarbonate shell neatly wraps around the EPS foam for a smarter finish and increased durability.

The padding is plush, and the Roc Loc 5.5 retention system is effortless to adjust and locate your precise fit. Overall, a winner for a multitude of uses.

Verdict: Quality construction, safety features and style, 92%

 

Bell Forumla Mips

• £89.99

Bell labels the Formula as a ‘classy all-rounder’ and that feels about right. Best suited to wider heads, it’s relatively light (275g), offers MIPS appeal and a hint of aerodynamics at the helmet’s tail.

Like many here, the Formula bonds the outer shell to the EPS foam to produce a sturdier, slicker and more durable finish. The 19 ventilation channels and internal padding are effective enough, as are the functional retention system and straps, which stayed twist-free throughout (though had to be cut down).

The MIPS is neatly integrated into the retention system, keeping the weight and profile down. We’d choose their eye-catching yellow and black option for added visibility and excitement, though. 

Verdict: Ticks nearly every box, but we’d go for the yellow, 88%

 

Smith Optics Persist

• £94.99

At £95 and 297g, the Persist sits high in the weight-andwallet stakes compared to the rest on test. It offers more backof-the-head coverage than others on test (it’d be one of our offroad choices here) and a durable outer shell that neatly covers the external area of the lid.

There’s the reassuring presence of MIPS, even if it isn’t as smartly integrated as the Bell or Giro, and the orange colour adds further safety appeal. The padding is plump, but the straps can become entwined with the rear retention system.

The ratchet dial is easy to adjust on the move, as are the straps, but the latter don’t sit as flush as some around the ears. Ventilation, however, is impressive via the 21 channels.

Verdict: Solid lid, but pricier and heavier than most here, 78%

 

Abus Viantor

• £84.99

The Viantor from Abus sits lower on the head than many here, which is good for added forehead protection, but there was a slight incursion into field of vision, especially when on the aerobars.

More an irritation than a full-blown obstruction, but it’s a theme that continues with the slight padding that oddly doesn’t cover each of the internal ridges. Multiple colour options are available and they all look stylish, while our partner likes the ponytail-friendly design.

Safety is enhanced with the shell covering the bare EPS foam and Abus’s ActiCage reinforcement tech that’s integrated into the EPS. The adjustment system, 269g weight and ventilation via the 18 channels are all adequate.

Verdict: Functional and stylish enough, if a little pricey, 76%

 

Limar Air Star

• £89.99

The sleek 270g Air Star reminded us of Michael Knight’s car in Knight Rider, but it’s night riding where Limar’s latest seeks an edge over the competition, with the rear retention ratchet turning into a three-mode rear light at the touch of a button.

It’s a simple but effective aid, even if it isn’t USB-rechargeable (it’s easily removeable if you want to shave 10g). The Air Speed, which sits above the Air Star in Limar’s Revolution range, has scored very highly in our own wind-tunnel tests and the latter would be one of our picks for sub-£100 aerodynamics.

There are more ventilated helmets here, but we’re a sucker for a chin pad and the outer red shell covering the EPS foam is slickly done.

 Verdict: Smart, light and aero benefits, but could be more vented, 87%

 

HJC Atara

• £75 

All of HJC’s helmets have been developed using the Korean brand’s own wind-tunnel facility, an impressive feature for a helmet with a price tag of just £75.

It shows in the sweeping extended tail and relatively minimal (14) number of ventilation channels, although the latter didn’t negatively affect cooling. Comfort is adequate enough and we like that the outer shell covers much of the EPS foam, though would’ve appreciated more padding.

Worth noting is that the sizing seemed to run large, the larger design feeling more evident in crosswinds, yet weight is still a lithe 241g, partially due to a lack of an internal rotational safety feature adding extra weight.

Verdict: Aero on a budget, but beware of the large sizing, 80%

 

DHB R2.0 Road

• £50

DHB is one of our instant picks when recommending affordable yet functional kit and, on the (polycarbonate) surface, the R2.0 ticks those boxes. There’s a low-profile design with an aerodynamic finish at the rear, the chin strap is a welcome touch, and the 273g weight is impressive despite the slender price tag.

The polycarbonate shell is fused to the EPS foam, but it’s a little untidy at the front and we’d prefer to see the foam fully covered like others on test.

The ratchet dial feels flimsy and that extends to the slender forehead pad, which feels too thin to prevent the Velcro and helmet ridges behind it pushing into our forehead; they’re also slow to dry during moderately sweaty sets.

Verdict: Nice shell, but it’s a shame about the pads and finishing, 66%

 

Specialized Echelon II Mips

• £80

Aided by having their own wind tunnel, Specialized’s Evade helmet is a regular winner of our aero road helmets test.

The Echelon II is a third of the Evade’s price and it shows, namely in the 338g weight, clearly heavier than all of the lids on test. Some 25-45g of that will come from the additional MIPS liner, but the added weight was especially noticeable late in the day after much wheel turning.

The Echelon does everything else superbly well, though. Ventilation is aided by 31 sizeable air channels, comfort comes from decent pads, multiple adjustment positions and solid straps. It’s also compatible with Spesh’s ANGi crash detector navigation system. Plus, we love the striking colour choice.

Verdict: Comfy, stylish and safe. But about 50g too heavy, 76%

 

Overall verdict

Road bike helmets have evolved massively in recent years, and we can now pick helmets that tick the box in terms of safety, style, ventilation, comfort, and aerodynamics.

If the top-end battle here was close, the ‘Best Value’ gong had a clear winner in the lean, well-vented and £40 Van Rysel Racer. For those seeking aerodynamics on a sub-£100 budget, we’d suggest the HJC, Limar or Rudy Project, with Limar just edging Rudy for our ‘Cutting Edge’ verdict.

For everyday use on multiple riding surfaces, versatility, comfort, style and safety, however, three helmets shone brightest above the competition. We love the Endura’s lean weight and bug net, while Bell’s Formula is very hard to fault. But it’s the Giro that ticks every box and more, a worthy winner with endless appeal.

 

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