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One of the big challenges that helmet users face is carrying around their helmet when they are not using it. Unless your carrying a very spacious bag (that’s already not full), chances are, you’ll end up lugging around most helmets in your hand.
And that’s exactly why folding bike helmets have exploded in popularity in recent years. You’ve still got your protection when you need it, but when you’re off the bike, you can collapse it down so that it’s easier to store.
In a nutshell, folding bike helmets are the modern-day cyclist’s dream. Not only are they simply more ideal – you can fold them away into your bag straight after cycling – but they also look great, they are just as secure as normal helmets, and they don’t carry too much weight, either.
Folding Bike Helmets [Top 5]
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50% SIZE REDUCTION
FEND One Helmet
A sleek, and portable helmet that can be easily stored and carried while providing excellent protection.
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45% SIZE REDUCTION
Closca Helmet Loop
A helmet that folds up for easy storage and features a magnetic buckle for quick and secure fastening.
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50% SIZE REDUCTION
Hedkayse One Helmet
A durable and comfortable helmet that can be easily folded and stored, making it ideal for commuters.
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66% SIZE REDUCTION
Overade Plixi Helmet
A lightweight and portable helmet that can be easily folded and stored, perfect for city commuters.
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33% SIZE REDUCTION
Lid Foldable Helmet
A compact and lightweight helmet that can be easily folded and stored, making it ideal for urban cycling.
Are Foldable Bike Helmets Safe?
There is no fundamental reason why a foldable bike helmet can’t be safe. However, like all helmets, the protective function can only be assured if the helmet has been certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for regular bike helmets. Helmets that pass testing will have a CPSC sticker inside.
Collapsible Bicycle Helmets Benefits
Sure, they might cost you a fair bit more than your usual helmet, but it’s always better to be than safe than sorry, and you can’t underestimate the importance of comfort and quality when it comes to keeping you well-protected while out on your bike.
Undoubtedly the biggest benefit of a folding helmet is convenience. Having a helmet is great for protecting your head, but it can be a burden to carry around the rest of the day. With a collapsible helmet, you can significantly reduce it’s size so that it can easily slide into a bag.
Here’s Discerning Cyclist’s guide to the best foldable bike helmets These are sure to satisfy your every cycling need, keeping you safe on your commute to work or just while cycling for pleasure, while looking great and not weighing you down at the same time:
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Best Foldable Bike Helmets [Top 5]
1. FEND One Folding Helmet
- $119
Prices are approximate
Folded Size: 11 x 29 x 14cm (50% reduction)
Materials: Outer: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Inner: Expanded Polystyrene
Weight: 445g
Safety Certification: CE EN 1078 and CPSC (valid for Europe, Asia, USA and Canada)
A sleek and stylish foldable bike helmet.
Looks great and can be 50% reduced in size so you can easily pop it in a bag.
Adjustible fitting
Another commuter led design, this time from the streets of the Big Apple.
This helmet comes in two sizes, to fit between 54cm and 61cm which should cater for most.
It is the recipient of two homegrown design awards and does a good job of closely resembling the helmets you might be used to.
You will benefit from a dial-fit system, adjustable straps and extra padding and a nice optional touch is additionally purchased 3M Scotchlite Hi-Vis reflective strips which fit along the length of the lid.
We particularly liked the simplicity of the folding mechanism which performed a half revolving-door movement as it bedded into and out of the central unit.
Three essential colours are available and the Bumblebee yellow is a strikingly visible safety feature too. It comes with a cool carry sack in a minimalist design. This looks like a cool brand.
FEND is based in the US, but do offer (admittedly expensive) international shipping.
Ultra-Portable Bike Helmet
2. Closca Helmet Loop
- £53
- $65
- €55
Prices are approximate
Folded Size: 23.5 x 29.5 x 8.9cm (45% reduction)
Materials: Fibreglass, Expanded Polystyrene and Polycarbonate
Weight: Medium: 340g, Large: 375g
Safety Certification: EN1078 and CPSC certificated (valid for Europe, Asia, USA and Canada)
Protection and resistant to impact
Foldable
Aerodynamic, adjustable and comportable design
This helmet has almost everything you need. First off, it’s extremely safe – it will stay locked on to your head, even in the event of a collision. But it also won’t feel too heavy either; medium-sized helmets weight at just 340g, and large at only 375g.
We’ve reviewed Closca before and they’re now on their third generation helmet – which is getting significantly better every time.
It’s also a particularly adjustable design; when folded, it reduces in volume by 45 per cent, which takes less than a second to do. Its design also comes with an elastic band, so no matter what your head size is, you can make it fit comfortably.
Not only this, but the Closca also has its own ventilation system, proving you with a constant air flow. You can also choose up to 15 combinations of colours to personalise your helmet before ordering.
What more could you want from your bike helmet?
Very Compact Bike Helmet
3. Hedkayse One Foldable Helmet
- £150
- €195
Prices are approximate
Folded Size: 11 x 36 x 14cm (50% reduction)
Materials: Enkayse™ – a proprietary expanded polyurethane (EPU) formulated to deal with impacts and retain integrity
Weight: ~495g
Safety Certification: CE EN1078 – certified subject to English and European law for use in the UK and Europe (awaiting US approval)
The safest and Toughest cycle helmet
Multi-impact ‘Enkayse’ material recovers
One size – Multi-fit technology allows for head sizes 49cm – 58.5cm
Headkayse are a UK firm started by two guys working in London who were feeling a bit sheepish about turning up in cycling helmets for meetings with big clients in big offices wearing cycle helmets. Coming from a baseline of regular commuting gave them insight into daily knocks and bumps which, along with the bulk of traditional helmets stimulated their design process.
The helmet folds down simply and has a storage bag plus a velcro fastener to secure when carrying. It should easily fit into a rucksack and is designed to absorb any small daily knocks and bumps as you move through your day. The flexibility makes it useful for someone in a bikeshare scheme or a rider who has more than one stop on their commute.
It’s a one-size-fits-all set up (from 49cm to 58.5cm head sizes) using multi-fit technology. The weight is on the heavier side plus the ventilation and closure method may take some getting used to.
NOTE: Currently only available in UK and Europe while awaiting safety approval in USA.
Budget Collapsible Bike Helmet
4. Overade Plixi Folding Bike Helmet
- £95
- $110
- €109
Prices are approximate
Folded Size: 21 x 11 x 16cm (66% reduction)
Materials: ABS outer, Expanded Polystyrene inner
Weight: Small/Medium: 440g, Large/XL: 490g
Safety Certification: EN1078 and CPSC certificated (valid for Europe, Asia, USA and Canada)
Certified robust and safe
More practical than a classic helmet
Design for urban cyclist but not only
Whether you’re a commuting cyclist, a mountain biker or just a casual cyclist, no matter what type of cycling you are interested in, this folding bike helmet will have you sorted.
It folds to size 21 x 11 x 16 cm in seconds (a 66% reduction in total volume size) and so should comfortably into your bag, and its adjustable straps again mean you can fix it to accommodate your head size, as well as coming with chin protection.
Weighing 440g for the small to medium helmets and 490g for the large to extra-large, it also comes with a fabric pouch enabling you to transport it easily while keeping it safe and secure.
Cheap Folding Helmet for Bike
5. Lid Foldable Helmet
- £39
Prices are approximate
Folded Size: 18.4 x 31.6 x 18.2cm (33% reduction)
Materials: Recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS)
Weight: 410g
Safety Certification: CE EN 1078 and CPSC (valid for Europe, Asia, USA and Canada)
Rigorously tested on all sides.
Safety with Convenience
Rechargeable rear clip-on light included
Headkayse are a UK firm started by two guys working in London who were feeling a bit sheepish about turning up in cycling helmets for meetings with big clients in big offices wearing cycle helmets. Coming from a baseline of regular commuting gave them insight into daily knocks and bumps which, along with the bulk of traditional helmets stimulated their design process.
The helmet folds down simply and has a storage bag plus a velcro fastener to secure when carrying. It should easily fit into a rucksack and is designed to absorb any small daily knocks and bumps as you move through your day. The flexibility makes it useful for someone in a bikeshare scheme or a rider who has more than one stop on their commute.
It’s a one-size-fits-all set up (from 49cm to 58.5cm head sizes) using multi-fit technology. The weight is on the heavier side plus the ventilation and closure method may take some getting used to.
NOTE: Currently only available in UK and Europe while awaiting safety approval in USA.
What Happened to Morpher Helmets?
Another popular foldable bike helmet in recent years was Morpher.
Unfortunately, Morpher foldable helmets had to be recalled in 2020 after America’s CPSC safety regulators said “bicycle helmets do not comply with the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets, posing a risk of head injury.”
Morpher’s folding helmets have therefore been recalled with users advised to not use and even dispose of the helmet.
Alternative Idea: Airbag Bike Helmet
If you’re not a fan of wearing a bike helmet, there is one smart alternative that can still protect your head if you have a crash.
The Hövding 3 is an inflatable “bike helmet”. I mean, it’s not really a helmet. You clip it around your neck like a neck warmer and if you’re inforunate enough to be in an accident, the airbag will instantly pop around your head to protect your most vital organ.
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