00:00If you're thinking about buying a cycling helmet but you're not sure which one to go for or what
00:04to look for, then this is the video for you. I'm going to run you through my top tips and
00:08recommendations so that you're left feeling safe, secure and protected.
00:17There are many styles of helmet available but generally they tend to boil down to road,
00:22commuter and leisure models. Now, road helmets tend to be lighter and have a lot of ventilation
00:27and they're made for people that want to go as fast as possible on the road while staying as cool as
00:32possible. Aero road bike helmets, on the other hand, they tend to be more covered up because
00:37they're for people that really want to go as fast as possible at the cost of some ventilation.
00:42The vents on road bike helmets tend to be designed so that you can slide sunglasses into the top of
00:46them and it gives you another place to hold them if you don't need to wear them on your face.
00:51Commuter helmets will be heavier and more sturdy just so they can deal with that daily bump and
00:55grind of commuting to work. They may also have reflective strips and lights built into them
01:00for extra visibility which personally I think is a really nice touch if you can find one with them
01:05on. Leisure models tend to be more affordable than their road counterparts and that's due to a
01:10simpler design. Now, they make a great option for those who don't ride day in and day out and aren't
01:16of a performance-orientated mindset.
01:24Nearly every helmet will have some sort of retention system and this is to help you dial in the fit and
01:28their size. Now, in many cases, this is going to be in the form of a cradle that sits on the inside
01:33and is adjustable with this little wheel. Now, on higher-end models, you can actually move the cradle
01:38up and down depending on how big your head is.
01:46Finding the right size helmet can be tricky especially if you're shopping online as a medium
01:50from one brand might be different to a medium from another. Helmets also vary in their size and shape
01:56with some being more round and some being more oval. This all means you might have to go to a shop to
02:00experiment with a few different models to see what fits you best. In terms of how a helmet should fit,
02:05it shouldn't be rattling around but at the same time it shouldn't be so tight that it's digging into
02:10your skin. Now, do remember you do have that retention system so that you can make those fine
02:14adjustments to the sizing. The strap needs to be snug but not too tight. The general rule of thumb is
02:21making sure that you can fit two fingers in between the strap and the bottom of your chin. You should be
02:25able to open your mouth and move your chin around without it feeling too restrictive. Finally, look for two
02:30fingers width between the top of your eyebrow line and the bottom of your helmet to ensure that the depth is
02:35correct. Again, it's always worth testing a few brands to find out what's right for you because
02:40at the end of the day all of our heads are different shapes and sizes.
02:49If you're buying a helmet from a reputable shop then all of those helmets will be meeting a minimum
02:54safety standard so you can be confident that whatever you're buying will protect you. However,
02:59higher end models may include some extra safety features. A prime example of this is MIPS, otherwise
03:04known as multi-directional impact protection system. This thin cradle on the inside of the helmet is
03:10designed to reduce rotational forces by moving a little on impact. As I've already mentioned, some
03:15road and commuter models may feature built-in reflective strips and LED lighting which will increase your
03:21visibility to other road users. When it comes to pricing, you can find a safe cycling helmet anywhere
03:32from the region of £25 up all the way to £200 plus. Now, while expensive cycling helmets may not be any
03:39safer, they will include more of those premium features we've already discussed in this video.
03:43For example, a top spec helmet might be lighter, have a more refined retention system, have comfier
03:48straps, have MIPS or potentially built-in lights. So, hopefully you've got all of the knowledge you
03:53need now to go out and buy your next cycling helmet. If you've got any questions, just drop them down in
03:58the comments. If you enjoyed the video, drop it a like, subscribe to the channel for more content and
04:02I'll see you again very soon.
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