I’m not the fastest rider, and I’ve never been one to do much racing, but I like to experience my bike adventures as fast, or at least as efficiently, as possible. I always wonder if maybe there’s a way to make every pedal stroke count for just a little more. After pouring my heart into deeply researching the best aero helmets the answer, according to aerodynamics, is a resounding yes.
Taking advantage of that aerodynamic advantage is less clear cut. Modern bikes offer aero advantages and wheels have always been the most obvious, but aerodynamics isn’t a zero sum game. You can optimise every detail of your kit and pick up a few watts everywhere. Turns out though, helmets are a big one. Not only do you already need a helmet, meaning it’s not an additional cost, but the potential gains are huge. Picking the right aero helmet can mean as many gains as a good pair of wheels. There are always trade offs though, right?
The reality is that helmets are a functional part of your clothing and safety gear. There’s a lot that goes into making a helmet beyond just how fast it is and the only way to figure out what actually works is to spend time with the options. For weeks I spent every ride in a new helmet and I put out a list that I felt covered options for a variety of people with different viewpoints.
Now that I’ve got a little more breathing room, the 2023 Cyclingnews Awards is providing an opportunity to further tighten that list. With the bulk of the testing behind me, which are the products that I still love to use? I’ve filtered everything down to three simple categories, the best overall, the best value, and an honourable mention. If you like the idea of picking a helmet that is both a joy to wear and makes you faster, keep reading.
Best overall
Long after I stopped the serious testing for the best aero helmets, the Trek Ballista continues to be the helmet I grab when I head out the door. From the beginning what I liked about it is how light it is. That, obviously, hasn’t changed and this is still among the lightest helmets, of any kind, on the market. Limar has something that’s technically lighter but only if you strip…
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