Bike helmets: you know you have to wear one to stay safe while riding your bike. When it comes to getting a bike helmet – or perhaps helmets for you and your family – it's better late than never. In some states, helmets are the law, and you could be fined without one. Which type of helmet should you get? How do you choose the best safety features with the coolest design? Well, we have the answers. Read on and you'll find the best five bike helmets on the market today. Thousand Adult Anti-Theft Bike Helmet A Thousand Times BetterWith more cranial surface protection, an anti-theft device, and a built-in Dial Fit system, Thousand takes our top honor.Best OverallFind on Amazon The Thousand Anti-Theft bike helmet has so many cool yet functional features, we had to choose it. The design borrows from the classic Polo helmet, with just a touch of WWI infantry helmet. The result is a helmet that provides optimal cover over the forehead, ears, side, and back of the head. With an integrated Dial Fit system, you can loosen or tighten the helmet with every ride to get the perfect fit. Better still, the helmet is built with a secret “pop lock” behind the logo that you can slip through with a U-Lock or chain, securing your helmet to your locked bicycle. The system is so secure, Thousand guarantees it against theft. Pros: Magnetic buckle Vegan leather straps Premium matte rubberized finish Cons: Helmet depth doesn’t increase even when you size up Not easy to attach Go Pro or camera Triple Eight Dual Certified Bike and Skateboard Bikers, Boarders & Bladers, Oh My!Triple Eight delivers a sleek and durable helmet that’s safety certified for both skateboarding and bike riding.Best Multipurpose HelmetFind on Amazon If you’re a skateboarder who also enjoys biking, scooters, or BMX, this is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. The Triple Eight complies with ASTM F-1492 Skate Safety Standards as well as United States CPSC Standards for Bicycle Helmets for persons aged five and older. It’s easy to see why with the ABS shell and EPS foam liner that absorbs impacts and collisions. With six different sizes available, and a moisture-absorbing sweat-saver fit pad to help customize the fit, the Triple Eight has a strong but comfortable grip, no matter what tricks you have up your sleeve. Pros: Available in six colors Adjustable chin strap with side-release buckle Includes both thin and thick liners for fitting Cons: Low-profile front Sizes run small Bell Z20 MIPS When You Don’t Want Your Bell to be RungFrom the first name in professional bike helmets, the Bell Z20 MIPS provides safety for racers and hardcore street cyclists.Best Racing HelmetFind on Amazon Long-distance riders, professional cyclists, and bike racers alike have come to trust the Bell brand for safety, reliability, and high-tech innovation. One look at the Z20 MIPS and it’s easy to see why. The Multi-Directional Impact Protection System protects riders from the rotational forces that result from certain kinds of impacts, while the progressive layer construction and fusion in-mold polycarbonate shell – a design created by the Bell Company – is designed to transfer impact energy away from the skull. In addition, Bell adds a sweat guide pad to pull away sweat and moisture from the brow and your eyewear. And that’s just the beginning of the list of high-tech features in this amazing helmet. Pros: Available in 24 different styles and colors Features no-twist tri-glides Sunglass guides in the straps Cons: Can pinch hair No rubber ring on chin strap to secure excess Retrospec CM-1 If You CM-1, You've Seen Them AllProviding protection, ventilation, comfort and an affordable price, the Retrospec CM-1 is great for budget-conscious riders.Best ValueFind on Amazon Urban bike riders and Sunday beach cruisers want a simple, everyday helmet that won’t break the bank. The Retrospec CM-1 checks all the boxes, while providing CPSC and FTM safety standards. Modeled after the classic skateboard helmet design, the CM-1 features two sets of interchangeable pads that provide a customized fit for all sizes. Eight vents strategically placed around the helmet provide optimal comfort and ventilation, while the chin straps adjust easily and provide additional comfort and stability. Pros: Choose from seven matte colors Safety tested for snowboarding Great for larger sizes Cons: Heavier than other models Low forehead not suitable for some eyewear LERUJIFL Kids Helmet Odd Name, Great HelmetWith an adjustable harness and wheel ratchet made specifically for kids, the LERUJIFL provides the best protection for children.Best Kids HelmetFind on Amazon Sure, it’s cute to have your kids in a My Little Pony helmet, or one of those mohawk things that make them look like a Junior Bike Club Member, but are those really providing the protection your child needs? That’s why we recommend the LERUJIFL. With ultra-soft straps that adjust securely to your child’s chin and a patented interior dial-adjustment system, the helmet won’t slip around. And with a heavy-duty shell that’s not made from cheap polycarbonate like other kiddie helmets, you can breathe a little easier as you teach your kids to ride a bike. Pros: Available in eight colors 100% money-back guarantee Washable interior sponge lining Cons: For ages 3 through 8 only Certified safety standards apply to age 5+ Frequently Asked Questions I’ve had this bike helmet for the past ten years and it still looks great. How long should I keep it before I replace it? There are two rules of thumb when it comes to replacing your bike helmet. First, always replace your helmet following a crash. Even if you didn’t go down head-first or if your helmet looks fine following the crash, you should replace it anyway. Second, replace your helmet after five years, crash or not. Weathering, ultraviolet light, and pollution may corrode or damage the materials in your helmet over time, so replace it every five years whether it looks like you need to or not. I just got into mountain biking. Can I just wear my street biking helmet when I’m mountain biking? In short, no. Bad idea. Most brands of recreational bike helmets are designed to be lightweight, have good ventilation, and provide enough impact protection for the casual rider. Mountain bike helmets are entirely different. They are designed to provide extra protection for the rear of the head, mountain bikers are more likely to fall backward than other riders. In addition, mountain bike helmets often provide a face screen to protect your eyes from dust, gravel, and rocks kicked up from the dirt path. How do I know if a bike helmet fits? A proper-fitting bike helmet is critical to your safety. Without the proper fit, your helmet will not be as effective in the event of a crash. Also, you have to ride for miles with this thing on, and those miles will be much nicer if your helmet fits. The most effective way to find the proper size is to take a piece of string and wrap it around the largest section of your head, then measure the length of the string. Here’s a guide to help you find your size: Extra small: below 20″ (51cm) Small: 20″–21.75″ (51cm–55cm) Medium: 21.75″–23.25″ (55cm–59cm) Large: 23.25″–24.75″ (59cm–63cm) Extra-large: above 24.75″ (63cm)