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When I was younger, I used to refuse to wear my helmet when riding to school on the grounds that it didn’t look great. My Grandma wasn’t too pleased about this, so whenever I visited her, I would wear my helmet until I got to the end of her road and then take it off for the rest of my journey home (sorry Mum!).
In hindsight this was very silly from a safety perspective, but helmets can be a big barrier for girls and women who cycle. Helmets get an unfairly bad reputation, despite them serving an incredibly important purpose. Thankfully we’re here to share the best looking helmets out there and turn them from cringe to cool.
Stylish Women’s Bike Helmets
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Thousand Chapter MIPS Helmet
A high-quality, stylish helmet designed for urban cyclists with a Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
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Unit 1 Faro MIPS
A versatile, performance-driven cycling helmet with a Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
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Nutcase Vio Sky Matte w/MIPS Light
A fashionable helmet with integrated MIPS technology and a built-in light.
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Giro Trella MIPS Urban Helmet
A comfortable and stylish helmet designed for urban cycling with Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
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Bern Watts 2.0 MIPS
A sleek and versatile helmet with advanced MIPS technology for enhanced impact protection.
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Cyclechic Deco Ladies Helmet
A stylish and elegant helmet designed for women, perfect for urban cycling.
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Specialized Mode
A minimalist helmet designed for urban cycling with a lightweight and breathable design for optimal comfort.
What to Look for in a Bike Commuter Helmet
The primary function of a helmet is to protect your head, and more specifically your brain. Unfortunately if you fall off your bike, or are sadly involved in an accident, you are very vulnerable. This can happen for many reasons. Maybe there is an unexpected pothole on your commute, or sadly you have a run in with a driver. Whatever happens, you want your helmet to keep you safe.
The best way to guarantee this is to choose a helmet that has MIPS. This stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. Essentially this provides extra protection for your brain. Research has shown that an ‘angular impact’, such as that experienced if you were to fall of your bike, can cause more severe injury.
As we covered in detail in this post, “a MIPS helmet contains a leading slip-plane technology, usually between the comfort padding and the EPS (a high-quality foam which reduces energy). MIPS has been created by leading brain surgeons and scientists with the aim of reducing the rotational forces on the brain for certain impacts.
The MIPS layer is designed to rotate inside the helmet to slow down or reduce the amount of energy transferred to or from the head. This, in turn, alleviates the risk and severity of brain damage.”
In addition to MIPS, helmets can also help to protect you by having built in lights or can even assist you to signal when you’re riding via indicators. If your commute tends to be in low light or darker times of the day, especially in winter, then this could be an invaluable feature to look for to increase your visibility.
While safety is the priority, style is also important as you want to look good on your commute. Whether you’re after a more aerodynamic shape, or a design that offers ventilation, it is ultimately down to your personal preference. You’ll hopefully have your helmet for a while (although they should be replaced every 3-5 years or after a crash) so it is worth choosing a helmet that suits your style and needs.
Men vs Women Bicycle Helmets
There isn’t a significant difference between men’s and women’s helmets as the main distinction is sizing. Although they may be divided by gender on websites and in shops, they are essentially unisex depending on the size and shape of your head.
The only other factor to consider is hair. If you have thicker hair, or longer hair that is tied up in a ponytail, making sure the system at the back of the helmet is compatible with how you style your hair when cycling will mean it is a more comfortable riding experience. Thankfully we’ve put together this informative post on cycling with long hair, different styles and the best helmets for ponytails.
Bike Helmets Don’t Have to Be Ugly
Thankfully the days of me being embarrassed by my helmet are in the past as now there are so many stylish, affordable and high quality options. We’ve put together our top 7 choices below, and if you’re looking for an even more comprehensive guide we’ve also compiled the best stylish bike helmets for urban commuters.
Most Stylish Bike Helmets for Women [Top 7]
1. Thousand Chapter MIPS Helmet
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£186 -
$226 -
€216
Prices are approximate
Weight: 370g (medium size)
Safety Certificate(s): CE & CPSC
Available in 5 different colours
Has integrated MIPS protection
Includes multi-use magnetic light
Thousand’s Chapter collection prides itself on offering a practical, stylish and durable helmet.
Despite it being very light weight, it is packed full of clever features ranging from active ventilation thanks to inner channelling and 8 vents, to a secret ‘Poplock’ to thread your U-lock or chain lock through.
The above is backed by their Anti-Theft guarantee, and they also offer free accident replacement for the helmet.
Pros
- Features visor for improved vision
- One-handed magnetic fastener and straps
- Secret Poplock for securing the helmet
Cons
- Upper price tag
- Not available for delivery everywhere
- Shape may not suit everyone
2. Unit 1 Faro MIPS
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£180
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$210
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€220
Prices are approximate
Weight: 580g (medium size)
Safety Certificate(s): CE/CPSC
Available in four neutral colours
Opportunity to upgrade for indicators
Designed to use with an app
Their sleek and user friendly website already hints at a similar approach for their helmets, and the 1 Faro MIPS looks spectacular. However, this helmet also has plenty of high tech and spec safety features.
For example, for a small amount you can upgrade your helmet to add a navigation remote so you can use a brake light and indicate via signals.
Their app means the helmet can detect a hard fall and if you become unresponsive it will send out a distress SMS to a predetermined emergency contact.
Get 15% off at Unit 1 when you use discount code DISCERNINGCYCLIST
Pros
- Very subtle and sleek design
- High-tech safety features
- Customisable options
Cons
- Premium price tag
- Potentially too high tech
- Need to use app
3. Nutcase Vio Sky Matte w/MIPS Light
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£123
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$150
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€143
Prices are approximate
Weight: 500g (medium size)
Safety Certificate(s): CPSC
It has 360 degree LED lighting
Available in 2 sizes
Features a removable visor
If you’re looking to be well lit, this is the helmet for you. On top of the extensive and long lasting LED lighting (200 lumen front/65 lumen side & rear), it also has useful features such as a magnetic buckle and anti-microbial pads.
It also incorporates their exclusive and patented Exo-skeleton technology to provide the best protection. A denser outer layer of foam shields against initial impacts, and a softer inner layer cushions the brain after initial impact.
Pros
- Ground-breaking panoramic visibility
- Lightest LED helmet worldwide
- Two layers for ultimate protection
Cons
- High price tag
- Very focused on lights
- Large vents
4. Giro Trella MIPS Urban Helmet
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£75
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$91
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€87
Prices are approximate
Weight: 260g (medium size)
Safety Certificate(s): CE/CPSC
More affordable price tag
Subtle visor
Quick dry internal padding
With a whopping 18 vents, well known helmet brand Giro have made the list with their Trella MIPS helmet.
Suitable for city streets, it has deep coverage and the open ventilation means it’ll keep your head at a pleasant temperature on your commute.
It’s also designed for ease and comfort, plus it is very light, so you’ll barely notice it.
It is still doing a lot of work though thanks to the MIPS, particularly their acclaimed Roc Loc Sport MIPS fit system which means it will fit well and keep you safe.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Reflectivity for visibility
- Comfortable and lightweight
Cons
- Only available in two colours
- Unisex – one size only
- No integrated lights
5. Bern Watts 2.0 MIPS
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£100
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$122
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€116
Prices are approximate
Weight: 510g (medium size)
Safety Certificate(s): CPSC
Incorporates MIPS into classic design
11 air vents for cooling
Compass fit dial at back
This is a new version of the classic Bern Watts helmet that is great for urban cycling.
It doesn’t just look good as it will also keep you safe and stylish en route to work thanks to MIPS and it passing multiple safety standards.
It will also keep you cool via the 11 thoughtfully placed air vents and streamlined EPS foam inside for a light feel.
Comfort is also key and it can be easily adjusted to make sure you get the right fit for you.
Pros
- Stylish and flattering design
- Features MIPS technology
- Designed to keep you cool
Cons
- Fairly expensive given limited features
- No integrated lights
- No removable visor
6. Cyclechic Deco Ladies Helmet
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£40
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$49
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€46
Prices are approximate
Safety Certificate(s): EN1078
Affordable but still stylish
Designed by women led brand
Nice colour options
Cyclechic started back in 2008 through selling stylish helmets and now they have their own ‘Cyclechic’ branded women’s bike helmet.
Named ‘The Deco’, they describe it as “a contemporary bike helmet with a hint of vintage glamour, a nod to the past and a look to the future.”
This is reflected in the three different available colours which are classic but stylish, as well as the matching gold straps.
It is very much a 21st century helmet though with a high impact ABS shell, 11 vents expanded polystyrene lining and plastic free packaging.
Pros
- Very affordable price tag
- Looks stylish and sleek
- Designed for comfort
Cons
- Limited features
- No MIPS
- No visor
7. Specialized Mode
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£100
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$122
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€116
Prices are approximate
Safety Certificate(s): CPSC
Clean and elegant design
Available in different sizes and headforms
In built reflective elements for visibility
The Mode is a very modern looking helmet and the same also applies to the technology behind it. In fact, it is so impressive it has been awarded highest 5-Star Virginia Tech® Helmet Rating™!
Unlike some of the other helmets on this list, it has integrated hidden vents for increased airflow to keep you looking and feeling cool.
It is also available in two headforms – Classic and Round Fit to accommodate different head sizing.
The features don’t stop there as it has a seamlessly integrated fit adjustment system, reflective decals and compatibility with Stix Lights.
Pros
- Subtle and sleek design
- Specialised design features
- Different headform sizes available
Cons
- No integrated lights
- Upper end of price range
- Choice of colours are quite similar
