Best Winter Bike Helmets To Keep Your Head Warm

It is estimated that 10% of our body heat is lost through the head, so it is a good idea to cover your head when venturing out into colder conditions.

Winter riding requires additional requirements for bike helmets. In case of a rider falling on hard-icy surfaces and hitting their rear, the helmet must provide adequate rear coverage. A helmet with greater coverage will protect your head from severe injury if you are struck in the back.

MIPS, or another anti-rotational device is another component we recommend. This will lower the energy of angular crashes, which can reduce the chance of brain injury or concussions.

We have compiled a list of the top helmets to keep you warm in cold weather and protect your head!

The Best Winter Helmets to Wear When It is Cold

We are likely to see temperatures between 0-10 Celsius and 32-50 Fahrenheit in New Zealand if we go by the definition of “very cold”. But that’s not really that cold. You are likely looking for something that will retain some warmth, but not too intense.

These helmets are a bit warmer than typical trail lids, so that you don’t lose too much heat when out on the bike.

These helmets are not specifically designed for winter riding, but we recommend them for colder months and offer superior protection.

Troy Lee Designs A1 MIPS Helmet review

Pros

• Very Comfortable
• Amazing Looks
• Good Head Coverage

Cons

• Not compatible with Goggle

Troy Lee Designs A1 MIPS helmet is one I’ve ridden for many years and it’s the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. The helmet provides excellent coverage for the head and has soft, durable padding. This ensures that your head is well protected while riding.

In-mold construction means that the outer shell is molded to an inner EPS foam layer. This creates a lighter and more durable helmet. It wraps around the helmet’s outside, adding durability.

MIPS is a feature of the A1, which is essential when riding in adverse conditions. MIPS can prevent you from getting injured if you crash on an icy or hard surface.

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Giro Chronicle MIPS Helmet Review

Pros

• Very Comfortable
• Good Head Coverage

Cons

• Not as durable

The Giro Chronicle remains one of my favorite helmets. This professional helmet is very affordable. It has very deep rear coverage, and MIPS. These are both essential protection when winter biking. Rear coverage protects your skull from being damaged by hard hits at the back, while MIPS slip-plane decreases energy transfer to your head during an angular collision.

The Chronicle is extremely comfortable. The plush cushioning will hug your head from the moment you put the helmet on. The Roc Loc fitting system guarantees a perfect fit and prevents the helmet from moving around on your head. Because the A1 has limited ventilation, it’s ideal for keeping your head warm and retaining heat.

The Chronicle’s outer layer doesn’t wrap completely around the EPS foam layer, unlike the Troy Lee Designs A1. The helmet’s base is left exposed to the elements. This reduces its durability.

You will also find the Chronicle to be a bit cheaper than the A1.

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Smith Forefront 2 Review

Pros

• Koroyd Aerocore
• Lightweight
• Deep Coverage
• Goggle compatible
• Visor Adjustable
• Excellent Fitting System

Cons

• Reasonable price

The Smith Forefront 2 helmet is well-designed. Smith’s top-of the-line halfshell offers many great features. It’s compatible with goggle, has an adjustable visor, and an excellent fitting system.

Koroyd technology is used to reduce energy transfer from linear and angled collisions to the head. The helmet looks like hundreds upon hundreds of small green straws. The tiny straws are twisted by angular impacts and crumple upon impact. It is a simple, but clever design that does its job well and is extremely lightweight.

The helmet’s vents are actually covered by Koroyd technology. The helmet retains a lot heat. The helmet is very low and wraps around your head. This provides good coverage in the event of a crash.

The helmet’s comfort was not something I liked. The helmet was not comfortable on my head and had very little padding. If you have very little hair on your head, this helmet might not be the best for you.

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Giro Tyrant MIPS Review

Pros

• MIPS
• Coverage for the ears

Cons

• A slightly odd look
• Heavy

Although the Giro Tyrant might look a bit different than your regular trail helmet, it is because of the extra protection that the over-ear coverage provides. You will be warmer due to the extra coverage.

MIPS technology protects your head from angular impacts. The Tyrant’s additional coverage around helmet makes riding safer and more comfortable. In-mold construction is used for the bike helmet. This creates the outer polycarbonate body and inner EPS foam, increasing safety and durability.

The Tyrant’s only problem is its extra weight due to the additional coverage. It weighs in at approximately 620g and is nearly twice as heavy as the Smith Forefront 2. This extra weight will keep your body warm!

Overall, the Giro Tyrant helmet is a great choice for trail riders who need a bit more protection, especially in winter.

The Best Winter Helmets to Wear When It is VERY Cold

You will need something with a little padding and more coverage if you plan to wear it in the cold.

Try one of the top winter helmets if you like pushing the limits!

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Giro Timberwolf Review

Pros

• Removable Earpads
• Ventilation Adjustable
• Fleece Liners
• Compatible with lights

Cons

• Anti-rotational systems are not available

The Giro Timberwolf was designed for cold-weather riding. This design was inspired by a ski helmet of similar comfort and shape. The fleece liner will keep your head warm and dry so you don’t need a beanie.

Vents that you can open or close as needed give you more control over ventilation. It also prevents rain from entering on rainy days. You can also remove the earpads if you feel they are too warm or uncomfortable.

In-mold construction is where the outer shell of polycarbonate is bonded to an inner layer of EPS foam. This makes the helmet more durable and lighter. This helmet is comfortable and can be worn for long distances.

The helmet has a rear attachment for lights in case of low visibility or darkness. We have one issue with the Timberwolf: it does not include MIPS or other anti-rotational technology. Winter conditions can make trails slippery and require more attention, so MIPS is an essential technology.

This helmet is well-designed and will keep you warm on the bike. This helmet is also well ventilated, making it one of the most popular winter bike helmets.

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Bern Winter Watts MIPS Review

Pros

• Safety standards for snow and bikes met
• Over-ear audio pads
• MIPS technology
• Additional features include a rechargeable light

Cons

• Do not wear a visor

The Bern Winter Watts is a great option for winter purchases. It has a MIPS which reduces the risk of brain injury after a collision.

A rechargeable bike light can be purchased that fits on the back of your helmet. It is very easy to attach and can save your life when riding in low light conditions or while driving on the roads.

The Winter Watts also features a premium fitting system and drop-in audio ready headphones. There are 11 vents at the front and back.

The helmet’s versatility is what makes it so special. The Winter helmet comes with the padding and all the necessary winter gear. However, the summer liner can be purchased separately.

This helmet is both compliant with the standards for ski/snowboard helmet safety and bike helmet safety.

We are not concerned about the helmet’s lack of a visor. This could be an issue depending on what type of winter terrain you ride on. A visor may be necessary to prevent the sun from shining on the helmet.

This helmet is great and will keep riders safe on any terrain.

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Bern Winter Macon 2.0 Review

Pros

• MIPS Technology
• Comfortable
• Warm
• Rechargeable light available

Cons

• No visor
• No sizing system

The Macon 2.0 was introduced in 2020. It is a lightweight, stylish, and comfortable helmet that will keep you safe and warm while out riding in winter.

The helmet comes with MIPS, and you can also purchase the rechargeable light that fits on the back of the helmet. The Watts helmet is slightly more expensive than this one due to its lack of over-ear sound, lack of peak and the fact that it doesn’t have a boa retention system. Instead, it has an elastic fitting system.

The helmet can be converted to a summer helmet by purchasing an additional liner, similar to the Bern Winter Watts.

If you’re looking for something more simple, the Macon is another option. It will keep you safe and warm while you ride.

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The Best Winter Helmets For Commuting-Thousand Chapter Helmet Review

Pros

• Compatible with U-Lock and chain locks
• Magnetic buckle
• Fitting system that works
• Many colors

Cons

• Anti-rotational systems are not available
• Very small visor

The Thousand brand was named after the goal of the company to save a thousand lives and provide helmets that people want to wear. This will reduce the number of people who don’t have helmets. They are encouraging helmet-wearing people.

The Heritage helmet features MIPS technology and is fashionable, comfortable, and safe.

The Heritage has all the features you would expect from a mountain bike helmet, including a large retention system, magnetic buckle and a strap stay that pulls the straps out of your ears so they lie flat.

The’secret trapdoor’ that runs through the helmet is one of the most unique features. You can attach a U-Lock to the helmet or chain to it, so your helmet is secure and cannot be taken while your bike is locked.

Thousand claims that if you steal the helmet, Thousand will replace it for you!

It is not very ventilated so it won’t keep you warm in winter and it won’t cause sweat to build up in the warmth.

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Giro Camden MIPS Review

Pros

• MIPS technology
• Excellent coverage around the head
• Roc Loc fitting system
• Integrated rear light

Cons

• A bit pricey

The Giro Camden helmet has all the features you need. The Giro Camden offers comfort, style, warmth, and safety without any restrictions.

Safety was the main focus of the helmet’s design. MIPS technology has been integrated to protect the rider’s brain from injury in the event of a crash on the pavement. It has excellent rear coverage. This protects the skull’s back in a crash and increases its warmth.

It also has some amazing features. The helmet features an integrated rear light that can be seen from the road, as well as a Roc Loc fit system. This ensures you have the perfect fit everytime. You will also find padding between your helmet and your head.

Safety is essential. A helmet that keeps you safe may save your life.

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Bern Hudson MIPS Review

Pros

• Comfortable
• MIPS system
• Rechargeable integrated light
• Fitting retention system

Cons

• Very small visor

The Bern Hudson is a great commuter helmet that can be used in winter. The helmet has adequate ventilation to keep sweat from building up, but it also has less airflow than other helmets. Your head will be kept comfortable and warm.

The Hudson has a small visor that helps prevent rain and snow from stinging your eyes. The fit is good, allowing the rider to have a comfortable and close fit every time.

A MIPS liner is also available on the Hudson, which is extremely important when riding on slippery roads or where there are likely to be angular collisions.

This helmet is stylish and available in bright colors. It also has an integrated LED light at the rear that allows you to be seen on the roads. The Hudson helmet is great for winter commutes.

Is it possible to wear a hat underneath my helmet?

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute doesn’t recommend that you wear a visor or hat underneath your helmet. The helmet will sit higher than it was designed to because of the hat.

A visor, which is the visor on your helmet, can also get in the way of a crash and cause your head to bend in awkward places. The helmet’s visor is designed to snap off under pressure. This ensures that your neck and head are not damaged.

Before I was told it was not recommended, I used to wear a thin beanie (similar to a skullcap) underneath my helmet when it was cold on the trails. Because I have quite a bit of hair, I don’t think the beanie will affect the helmet’s performance more than my hair.

All in all, it is worth following the advice of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, as they have spent a lot of time and research into this subject! It is possible to use a warmer helmet in winter, as it will provide warmth that a thick beanie cannot. This won’t compromise safety.

Can I wear my ski helmet for biking? Or vice versa?

It is not often. Some helmets, like the Bern Winter Watts have been certified for use in both snow and biking. You are taking unnecessary risks by using the helmet for something other than it was intended.

Safety and comfort will be much better if you use the right helmet for the job. If you can’t find the information on the box, check out the manufacturer’s website. You will find information on the safety certifications that the helmet will be issued.

Conclusion

A helmet’s sole purpose is to protect you. It is useless to wear a helmet that doesn’t serve its purpose. Therefore, you should ensure that the helmet you choose is appropriate for your riding style.

Anti-rotational technology is highly recommended for riders who ride on trails and other areas where there is a chance of you getting hurt. This technology will protect your brain from injury if you do crash.

While a helmet may be more expensive than other gear and bikes, it is the most important thing for your safety. You should make sure that you are safe and get a helmet that’s fit for the job.