Road bike helmet Black Friday: MIPS discounts, aero

Which road helmet to aim for during Black Friday?

This selection includes road helmets from Met, Rudy Project, Lazer, Limar, POC, Giro or Kask, from versatile models to time trial helmets. Think about your riding style: a well-ventilated helmet for long climbs and heat, an aero helmet that closes some of its vents for fast riding on flat roads, or an intermediate model for all-round use. Standards and adjustments are detailed all year round with road bike helmets; here, the challenge is to quickly recognise the right deal.

Reading a helmet's name: MIPS, Spherical, KC, WG11

• MIPS: a low-friction layer allows the shell to slide slightly around the head during an oblique impact. This is noted in the name, Rivale MIPS or Ventral Air MIPS for example.
• Spherical: at Giro, two nested foam shells rotate against each other, a solution developed with MIPS and used on the Aries or the Helios.
• KC: at Lazer, these two letters stand for KinetiCore, deformable foam blocks integrated into the shell, as seen on the Z1 KC or Tonic KC.
• WG11: Kask adds to its models the name of its own rotational testing protocol.

A helmet can exist with or without this protection, such as the Trenta from Met or the Air Stratos from Limar: check the exact version of the offer.

Size and fit: the point that can't be compromised

Measure with a flexible tape just above the eyebrows, then check the chart specific to the model you want, not just the brand's. Size ranges often overlap by a few centimetres and the rear adjustment dial can compensate for a slight discrepancy, but a helmet that moves when you shake your head won’t protect you properly. If you wear cycling glasses, make sure they don't hit against the front edge.

Spotting a genuine discount on a helmet

A crossed-out price is judged against an identical helmet: same generation, AirBreaker or AirBreaker 2.0 from Abus, same version, with or without rotational protection, same size and same colour. Limited editions take the series model and dress it up with their own design: their discount is compared to that of the helmet they bear the name of. For other uses, check out the MTB helmets, urban helmets or BMX helmets from the Black Friday, and complete your outfit with road shoes. Outside of sales, clearance offers replaced colours.

The road helmet brands in the selection

Met offers everything from the Idolo, its entry-level helmet, to the Trenta 3K Carbon, passing through the Manta MIPS, designed for aerodynamics, and the Rivale MIPS.

Rudy Project designs the Spectrum for a low and aggressive riding position; the Strym Z, more versatile, and the Egos complete the range.

Lazer denotes helmets equipped with KinetiCore by the letters KC: Z1, Tonic, Sphere, Blade or Vento.

Giro has made the Aries Spherical the successor to the Aether, lighter according to the brand, and also offers the Aerohead MIPS for time trials.

Kask places the Elemento between the Protone Icon, which balances ventilation and aerodynamics, and the Utopia Y, which is more focused on aerodynamics.

Frequently asked questions

Is an older generation helmet less safe?

Any helmet sold in the European Union meets the EN 1078 standard. A new generation mainly gains in weight, ventilation or aerodynamics, sometimes in protection against rotation: just make sure that the proposed version includes what matters to you.

Can you gift a helmet without knowing the head size?

It's risky, as a poorly fitting helmet loses part of its effectiveness. Measure the person's current helmet discreetly, or choose a gift without a size.

Do limited editions offer the same protection as the series model?

They retain the helmet whose name they carry, with their own design. Just check that the version, with or without MIPS, and the size match what you are looking for.

Does an aero helmet keep you warmer?

It closes some of its vents: the difference is felt in slow climbs and under high heat, much less at high speed. For mixed use, an intermediate model is a good compromise.

Should you wait for Black Friday to replace your helmet?

No if yours has taken a hit: crushed foam no longer protects and the helmet should be replaced immediately. For a simple renewal, the Friday after Thanksgiving remains the key time, and discounts on road helmets last throughout November: a chance to compare several models of the same size.