Every cycling road trip requires proper equipment. One such item is the bike helmet. Prior to anything else, cyclists need to only opt for helmets that adhere to the mandatory Australian standard  called AS/NZS 2063:2008. The purpose of this standard is to specify exactly what features a helmet should have in order to provide proper protection.

Generally speaking, a bike helmet consists of two parts, a hard outer shell and a soft inner liner which purpose is to protect your head and reduce head injuries. What’s more, different cycling disciplines require different types of helmets. This means that for maximum protection, you need to be wearing a bike helmet designed for the exact type of activity you are planning.

Road Cycling Helmets

What makes road cycling helmets differ from the other types are the air vents. These are simple, sleek and compact types of helmets that have more air vents when compared to others, especially to mountain helmets. Their purpose is to improve airflow when cycling. Also, the more the air vents, the pricier the helmet. This is because these types of helmets have a more specific detailed that is more difficult to achieve, but they still have to meet the required safety standards in order to provide utmost protection in case of an accident.

Mountain Cycling Helmets

Mountain bike helmets have a similar design like the road ones only with a few differences. For instance, the mountain bike helmets have fewer air vents and provide more head coverage. They are designed that way because the chances that you might fall on uneven terrain are huge. Stones, fallen branches and tree roots are just some of the many things you can fall on, so having a helmet with the needed protection for this use could be lifesaving. Also, a great number of these helmets have a built-in visor the purpose of which is to keep the sun out of one’s eyes.

Full-face Cycling Helmet

Just as the name implies, these helmets offer full-face protection and are designed for extreme off-road cycling. Usually, they are compared to the motorbike helmets, except they are lighter. Generally speaking, a great number of them have a full over visors to keep away mud, muck, rain or flying insects/debris from one’s eyes.

Triathlon & Time-trial Helmets

These bike helmets are rounder and have a smoother design so the air can flow more efficiently over the helmet when riding really fast. The main purpose of these helmets is for cyclists to wear them on time-trial bikes and when cycling in an aerodynamic position on TT bars. A feature to look for is easier transition which can be made possible by a magnetic buckle on strap since it makes for an easy one-handed operation.

Commuter Urban Cycling Helmets

The commuter urban helmets are great for wearing in dark conditions as they offer better visibility. They have round design and cover the entire head, even the back part. They also have air vents (the number differs from one model to another) to promote proper airflow. There are lots of different designs to choose from, with different features: fixed or removable visor with the help of magnets, longer or shorter strap, detachable rear light etc. The key is to select the one that can meet your needs and budget as well.