Finding the Perfect Fit for your Cycling Helmet

How to choose your bike helmet

Finding the Perfect Fit for your Cycling Helmet

Our number one priority is the safety of our cycling community. No matter your riding style, budget and taste, we’re sure to have a helmet that will fit you perfectly! 

Finding a well-fitting helmet is vital when it comes to protecting your head. If your helmet is too loose or too tight, it won’t offer sufficient protection in the event of a crash. This is especially important to consider if you’re searching for a children’s helmet. To ensure a proper fit, choose a helmet that fits your kid at the size they are now, rather than one they’ll grow into 

Helmets need to be replaced after any impact (or even after a hard drop). Luckily, all our Bontrager-brand helmets come with a free one-year replacement program, in the event that your helmet is involved in an accident within the first year of purchase. Otherwise, it is necessary to replace your helmet every five years – or as needed, for growing kids.  

For the highest level of protection, we suggest helmets with rotational force-reducing technology, such as WaveCel (a collapsible cellular structure that lines the inside of the helmet, reducing the risk of concussion up to 48 times when compared a traditional foam helmet) or MIPS (a low-friction layer between the head and the helmet, developed to add protection by reducing the rotational violence to the brain on angled impacts).  

The easiest way to find a helmet that fits securely and comfortably is to try on a variety of models in-store, where our experienced sales advisors can guide you through the different styles of helmets we carry. However, ordering your helmet online is also a great option, especially since all of our Bontrager-brand helmets come with an unconditional 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can test them out at home and on the road. We’re sure you’ll be happy with your purchase, but if not, you can return the helmet (even if it’s gotten a bit sweaty on a challenging ride) with no questions asked. Think of it as a 30-day test ride! 

 To self-fit a helmet at home, start off by measuring the circumference of your head (in centimeters) with a soft tape measure. Wrap it around your brow ridge, keeping the tape measure level just above your eyebrows. Check the description of the helmet to find the range of head sizes it best suits. 

Once you’ve received your helmet, try it on for size! A well-fitting helmet should feel snug, but not uncomfortable. The front of helmet should sit 2-finger-widths above the eyebrows. Fine-tune the fit by adjusting the padding and chin strap. It should be snug enough that when you open your mouth, the helmet gently presses down on the top of your head. 

Your helmet won't be able to protect you if you’ve left it at homeIt’s crucial to make sure you'll actually wear it on all your rides, so make sure to choose one that you (or your kids) love! We have tons of fun colors and patterns to choose from. Some of our junior helmets even come with free sticker packs, so you kids can decorate them however they like!