Best Winter Bike Helmets – Our Top 10 Picks

About 10% of our body heat is lost through our heads, so it makes sense to cover our heads when heading out into icy cold conditions.  

But there are additional requirements for bike helmets when riding during winter. The helmet must have decent rear coverage in case the rider comes off on a hard-icy surface and hits the rear of their head. Having deeper coverage will prevent severe injury from a knock to the back of the head.

Another component we highly recommend is MIPS or an alternative anti-rotational system. This will reduce the energy from angular crashes, reducing the chances of brain injury and concussions.  

In this article, we have found some of the best helmets for keeping you warm and well protected in cold conditions!

Best Winter Helmets for when it is Slightly Cold 

If we are going by our definition of ‘very cold’ over here in New Zealand, we are probably looking at 0-10 degrees Celsius (32-50 degrees Fahrenheit), but that’s not actually all that cold! So, you are probably looking at something that will keep a bit of warmth in, but nothing particularly intense. 

Here we have some of the helmets that run a little warmer than a typical trail lid, so you are not losing too much heat while out on your ride.  

Note that these helmets aren’t specifically made for winter biking but are helmets we recommend for cooler months, and they have superior protection.  

Troy Lee Designs A1 MIPS Helmet Review

The Troy Lee Designs A1 MIPS is a helmet I have ridden with for a few years now and can honestly say it is one of the most comfortable helmets I have ever worn. It has very good coverage around the head, and soft, durable padding, so your head certainly feels very cushioned and well-protected while out riding.  

It is constructed in-mold, which effectively means the outer shell is molded to the inner EPS foam layer, creating a lighter, more durable helmet. The outer polycarbonate shell wraps right around the outside of the helmet too, really adding to the durability.  

The A1 also has MIPS, which is so so important while riding out in less than favorable conditions. If you come off on a hard, icy surface, MIPS will work to prevent brain injury from an angled crash.  

Giro Chronicle MIPS Helmet Review

The Giro Chronicle is still one of the best value helmets I have come across. For its very reasonable price, you get a professional helmet, designed with very deep rear coverage and MIPS. Both of which are essential protection for winter biking. The rear coverage prevents hard hits to the back of the head from harming your skull, while the MIPS slip-plane reduces energy transferred to your head in an angular crash.  

The Chronicle is also incredibly comfortable. From the moment you place the bike helmet on your head, you can feel the plush cushioning cradle your head. Additionally, the Roc Loc fitting system ensures a perfect fit and prevents any movement of the helmet on your head. The ventilation of the A1 is a little limited, so it is ideal for retaining a little extra heat while riding, keeping your head just that bit warmer.  

Unlike the Troy Lee Designs A1, the outer layer of the Chronicle doesn’t fully wrap around the EPS foam layer. This leaves the base of the helmet that isn’t covered exposed to the elements, decreasing the durability of the helmet.

Additionally, you will find that the Chronicle is generally a little less expensive than the A1.  

Smith Forefront 2 Review

The Smith Forefront 2 is a well-designed helmet. As Smith’s top-of-the-line half-shell, you get plenty of very good features. It is goggle compatible, with an adjustable visor and an excellent fitting system.

It features Koroyd technology, which works by reducing the energy transferred from linear and angled crashes to the head. You can see the Koroyd technology in the helmet- it looks like hundreds of tiny green straws, which isn’t actually far from the truth. The little straws crumple on impact and twist with angular impacts. A very simple but clever design, as it is effective at doing its job as well as being exceptionally lightweight.   

The Koroyd technology actually covers the vents of the helmet. This results in a lot of the heat being retained within the helmet. The helmet sits quite low on the head and wraps around the rear of the head too, which gives good coverage if you were to crash.  

Personally, I did not rate the comfort of the helmet very highly. I found there was very minimal padding and did not sit comfortably on the head. I would suggest that if you don’t have much hair on your head, you might not find this the most comfortable of helmets!

Giro Tyrant MIPS Review

The Giro Tyrant may look a little different from your standard trail helmet, but that is due to the extra protection you receive from the over-ear coverage. That extra coverage will likely keep you a fair bit warmer too! 

The Tyrant features MIPS technology to protect your head against angular impacts, and the additional coverage around the helmet helps the rider feel secure and significantly more protected while riding. The bike helmet is constructed in-mold. This forms the outer polycarbonate hardbody to the inner EPS foam for increased safety and durability.  

The only issue with the Tyrant is the added weight you get with the additional coverage. Weighing in at around 620g, it is almost twice the weight of the Smith Forefront 2! But this extra weight will keep you toasty!

In all, the Giro Tyrant is a really good helmet, made for the trail rider who wants just a little more protection while out riding, particularly in the wilder winter conditions!

Best Winter Helmets for when it is VERY Cold 

If you are looking for something for when it is properly cold weather, you will want something that has a bit of padding and a fair bit more coverage. 

If you enjoy pushing the limits, try one the best helmets designed for winter cycling! 

Giro Timberwolf Review 

The Giro Timberwolf is specifically made for cold weather riding. The design is taken from a ski helmet with a similar shape and comfort. There is no need for a beanie underneath the helmet, as the fleece liner will keep you nice and toasty. 

The vents, which you can open and close as you need, mean you have more control over your ventilation, but it also stops rain from entering on those drizzly days. The earpads are also removable, just in case you start to warm up or decide they are a bit unnecessary.  

The in-mold construction, where the outer polycarbonate shell is bonded to the inner EPS foam layer, means you get a more durable, lighter helmet. It is very comfortable, is made for being worn on long rides. 

There is an attachment on the rear of the helmet for lights in case you are riding in the dark or conditions of poor visibility. The only issue we have with the Timberwolf is the lack of MIPS or any other anti-rotational technology. The technology is essential in winter due to the conditions making surfaces slipperier and trails requiring a little more attention.  

It is a well-designed helmet, if you are looking for a snug-fitting bike helmet that is sure to keep you warm during the ride. Additionally, the ventilation is great, making this one of the leading winter bike helmets.  

Bern Winter Watts MIPS Review

The Bern Winter Watts has a number of very cool features which makes it a worthwhile option to consider for your next winter purchase.

Firstly, it has a MIPS, which, as mentioned earlier, reduces the possibility of brain injury following a collision. 

Secondly, you can purchase a rechargeable bike light that is made to fit on the rear of the helmet. It attaches very easily and could easily save your life while out riding in dim light conditions or while commuting on the roads.

Additionally, the Winter Watts has a premium fitting system, drop-in audio ready ear pads, and 11 vents in the front and rear.

What really makes the helmet is its versatility. If you purchase the Winter helmet, you get with it the padding and everything you need for the cold months, but you can get the summer liner separately if you wish.

The helmet meets the standard for bike helmet safety as well as ski/snowboard safety, which is incredibly cool! 

The only concern we have with the helmet is the lack of a visor, which could be important depending on the type of terrain you are riding on in winter. The low sun may mean a visor could prevent sun-strike or falling snow or rain could be prevented from getting in the rider’s eyes by using a visor, but not by the small peak that is found on the Watts.  

Nevertheless, this is certainly a great helmet, will keep riders warm and safe for any terrain! 

Bern Winter Macon 2.0 Review 

The Macon 2.0, brought out in 2020, is a sleek, comfortable, light helmet designed to keep you warm and safe while riding out in the winter months.  

It comes with MIPS and has the option of purchasing the rechargeable light, which fits easily onto the rear of the helmet. It is slightly cheaper than the Watts helmet due to the lack of over-ear audio, lack of a peak, and it does not have a boa sizing retention system but rather an elastic fitting system.   

Similar to the Bern Winter Watts, the helmet can be transformed into a summer helmet if the additional liner is purchased.  

The Macon is another viable option if you are wanting something simple and will ensure you are warm and safe while out riding.  

Best Winter Helmets for Commuting 

Thousand Chapter Helmet Review 

The Thousand brand is named after the company goal of saving a thousand lives by providing helmets people actually want to wear, reducing the number of deaths from people not wearing a helmet. And they are doing a good job of encouraging people to wear the helmet.

The Heritage helmet is stylish, comfortable, and designed with safety in mind, featuring MIPS technology.  

The Heritage actually has many features a good mountain bike helmet would have, such as a great size retention system, a magnetic buckle, and a strap stay which pulls the straps away from your ears, so they sit flat and comfortably. 

One of the coolest features is the ‘secret trap door’ through the helmet. This allows you to put a U-Lock or chain through the helmet, ensuring your helmet cannot be stolen while locked to your bike. 

And if the helmet is stolen, Thousand has claimed it will replace the helmet for you! 

As it is not overly ventilated, it will keep your head warm in winter but also won’t lead to a build-up of sweat in the warmth. 

Giro Camden MIPS Review

If you are wanting a helmet with all the features, the Giro Camden is the way to go. You get comfort, style, and warmth all in one helmet, with no hindrance to the safety of the helmet.  

The helmet was designed with safety first and foremost. The MIPS technology is integrated to prevent brain injury of the rider following an awkwardly angled crash on the pavement. It also has very good rear coverage. This not only increases the warmth of the helmet but also protects the back of the skull in a crash.  

The features on the helmet are also exceptional. With an integrated rear light so ou can be seen on the roads, and a Roc Loc fitting system (very good at ensuring you get the perfect fit every time). As well as padding in all of the important contact areas between the head and the helmet. 

Safety is paramount, and for the small price you pay for a helmet keeping you safe, paying that bit extra may just save your life!  

Bern Hudson MIPS Review

The Bern Hudson is an ideal commuter helmet for the colder winter months. It has sufficient ventilation to prevent sweat build-up but also has much less airflow than many other helmets. Hence your head is kept warm and comfortable.  

The Hudson comes with a small visor, which is helpful in preventing rain or snow from stinging the eyes. It has a decent fitting system that allows the rider to get a close and comfortable fit every time. 

The Hudson also has a MIPS liner, which is incredibly important for riding on slippery wet roads where angular crashes may be likely.  

The helmet looks stylish, comes in bright colors, and has an integrated LED light on the rear to ensure you are seen on the road. The Hudson is a great helmet designed for keeping a commuter comfortable and safe during winter rides.  

Can I wear a hat under my helmet instead? 

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute does not recommend wearing a hat or visor underneath the helmet. This is because the hat forces the helmet to sit higher on your head than what it is designed for.

Additionally, a visor (one on your hat, not your helmet) can get in the way in a crash, causing your head to bend awkwardly. Whereas the visor on a helmet is designed to break off when it comes under pressure. This way your neck or head is not affected.  

I used to wear a thin beanie (similar to a skull cap) under my helmet (before I learned it was not recommended) when it was cold out on the trails. Given I have a fair bit of hair on my head, I don’t see the beanie affecting the performance of my helmet more than what my hair would do. 

In all, the advice from the Bicycle Helmet Safety institute should be followed, given they have put significant amounts of research and time into this topic! A warmer helmet for winter months is likely a better option, given it will be much warmer than a thin beanie can provide, and it doesn’t compromise your safety in any way! 

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

Not typically. However, some helmets, such as the Bern Winter Watts, have been designed and certified to be used for both biking and snow sports. If you use the helmet for a purpose it is not intended for, you are putting yourself at unnecessary risk.

You will be far better off, safety and comfort-wise, using the right helmet for the right purposes. Look at the manufacturer’s website if you cannot find anything on the box. The website will mention the safety certifications the helmet will have.

See here for what standards to look for in different helmets.

Final Thoughts

The sole purpose of a helmet is to keep you safe. There is little point in wearing a helmet that is not going to serve its purpose, so you need to ensure the helmet you decide on is suitable for your style of riding.

If you are riding on trails or anywhere you may have a reasonable chance of coming off, we highly recommend you have anti-rotational technology. If you crash, this technology will prevent brain damage.

A helmet is only a small cost relative to your bike and other gear, but it is easily the most important in terms of your safety. Make sure you invest in your safety and purchase a helmet that is fit for purpose!

If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below. Or, if you need more gear for winter riding, check out these articles!

• What to wear mountain biking in winter
• Winter MTB Gloves
• How to choose a MTB Helmet