Every year tons of new helmets get their debut at Eurobike, so we rounded up about ten new lids to give you an idea of some of the latest & greatest trends coming for next season’s riding. Gravel bikes are a hit everywhere, and head protection is no different, with any off-road helmets for that matter. Integration of new electronics is always big too. But the biggest trend is probably affordability, with a number of helmets bringing advanced tech & protection down to prices most cyclists can actually afford…
Kask Caipi affordable mountain bike helmet
The Caipi at 140€ combines the tech from Kask’s more advanced road & trail helmets into a more affordable, lightweight (250g for an M) package.
The new mountain bike helmet gets a virtually indestructible soft visor, 22 exterior vents, two sizes (52-58cm M or 58-62cm L), and six color options (orange not show.)
Leatt DBX 1.0 affordable mountain bike helmet
The new Leatt DBX 1.0 is an affordable & well-ventilated trail bike helmet that won’t break the bank.
For 100€ you get the same 360° Turbine anti-rotation protection of more premium models, an adjustable dial closure, and a simple clip buckle.
Limar Alpe ultralight full-face MTB helmet
Limar has added a new ultralight full-face helmet to their trail bike line-up, specifically developed to give more protection to younger gravity & dirt jump riders. At just 540g claimed for the universal size, the new Alpe is definitely lightweight. And with a wide size range of 54-60cm (with two sets of pads to dial in fit) this isn’t going to be just a youth helmet.
Instead, it looks like an excellent, well-ventilated option for any rider looking for additional face protection for enduro or aggressive trail riding. The new Alpe full-face appears to have a removable ABS chin bar, bolted onto a conventional in-mold EPS+ABS shell. It also looks to work well with Limar’s ROC goggles.
We saw the new Delta enduro half-shell helmet plus ROC glasses combo back in the spring, but now you can get the 310g (M) helmet which even gets e-bike safety certification
MET Allroad gravel helmet, Vinci road, Grancorso commuter & more
The 75€ new Allroad gravel bike helmet is something of a cross-over in the MET helmet family (not to be confused with their actual Crossover). Designed for all types of dropbar riders, it gets classic MET angular road looks, plus a flexible removable visor that just snaps in & out of the front vents for those days when gravel rides need some micro-sun shading?
The affordable Allroad does not get a MIPS option, but does incorporate a 3-LED blinkie light into the rear dial closure which is actually a nice touch. The new 245g (S) Allroad gravel helmet comes in subtle black, white, or gray options or in hi-vis yellow.
For actually sticking to the road, the new 100€ MET Vinci offers more protection in a similarly shaped and ventilated helmet, minus that snap-on visor or blinkie light. With a MIPS protection liner built-in, the 265g (M) Vinci bring the performance & safety of MET’s top road Trenta down to an affordable pricepoint and three sizes.
MET also have an optional magnetic lens/shield that pops onto the front of their Grancorso urban bike helmet. And really who can argue with something that flashy looking? Actually as a year-round bike commuter, I’ve found a full-coverage shield like this is the best way to stop eye-piercing frozen winds on those winter rides to the office!
We’ve also already covered MET’s latest Parachute convertible full-face MTB helmet, but it’s always cool to play with the easy to use release mechanisms to make the switch.
POC NFC helmets & more affordable Axion SPIN
Back at the start of August, POC debuted some new technology inside their helmets with NFC chips built into their top road & MTB helmets, plus some more affordable SPIN protection too. The Near Field Communication chips are embedded into the top MTB Tectal and road Ventral helmets.
POC sees the embedded chips which can be accessed with any NFC reader as a first step to opening up more data to emergency providers (the data doesn’t require a specific app or reader, and the amount of personal data stored is entirely up to the helmet user). They can be accessed by tapping a NFC-capable mobile device (like your smartphone) onto the little +emitter signal icon to get personal medical info in the case the wearer is unresponsive.
POC recognizes that almost no first responder is going to pull out their phone & load an app when they find an unconscious cyclist. But just like the RECCO reflector tech that makes it easier to scan from a helicopter for someone lost, POC have partnered with search & rescue professionals to trial this new tech, with the hopes that as more companies adopt, it can become part of standard operating procedures, making all riders safer.
The 160€ POC Axion SPIN is meant to bring much of the safety of their premium Tectal down to a more affordable price, using POC’s own SPIN rotational impact-combating silicone pads inside. On top a breakaway visor/peak keeps the sun out of your eyes, while standard in-mold EPS construction damps impacts. The Axion SPIN comes in three sizes at a weight of 305g for a M/L, offering trail-ready, well-vented protection.
