For city-dwellers, biking is usually the quickest (and most enjoyable and eco-friendly!) option to commute. However lugging round a heavy, cumbersome helmet doesn’t make sense for many commuters, main many to bike sans helmet—greater than half of all U.S. adults say they by no means put on a helmet whereas driving a motorcycle, in accordance with the Nationwide Security Council. (And mind accidents make up the majority of all bike accidents annually.)
It’s a threat that simply isn’t price it, particularly contemplating how straightforward it’s to seek out collapsible bike helmets: Most are light-weight and fold up right into a compact, tote-bag pleasant measurement (one even deflates!)—and all make your journey far safer.
What to search for in a collapsible bike helmet
Whereas almost all collapsible helmets might be lighter and smaller than a standard helmet, they do fluctuate in weight and quantity. Relying on the way you anticipate utilizing a helmet—will it stay in your purse for an on a regular basis commute, or strap onto your backpack for an occasional journey?—this can be kind of necessary to you.
For those who’re going to be biking to work—or anyplace else the place you wish to you’ll want to arrive wanting presentable—air flow could also be an element to contemplate, too. Some designs permit for airflow, which reduces your possibilities of ending up with sweaty hair. Others might be simply as scorching as a daily helmet.
Associated Tales
Whereas aesthetics could appear much less related, you desire a helmet you’ll truly put on—so hunt down one which doesn’t make you’re feeling dorky. Most significantly, make certain any helmet you purchase has been examined for security: Search for ones which have been licensed by the Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC). Discovering a helmet that matches you effectively and is snug can also be key, so search for choices that supply a number of sizes or have a straightforward return course of ought to it not give you the results you want.
4 collapsible bike helmets to buy now
FEND One Foldable Bike Helmet — $119.00
It is sensible that Fend is beloved by reviewers: Its modern design folds as much as half its unique measurement, simply becoming in a backpack or tote bag, and its adjustable dial makes for a comfortable, snug match, irrespective of your head measurement. Folding and unfolding the helmet is simple and intuitive, and the design permits for many air flow, so I discovered my head getting much less sweaty than with different helmets. The form of the helmet appears fairly conventional when on (whereas some others on this listing have a barely clunkier look).
The helmet additionally comes with reflective stickers for higher visibility.
- Light-weight and folds up small
- Easy folding mechanism
- Glossy design
- Snug, customizable match
- Is available in a number of colours
- Two measurement choices
- Meets US CPSC and European EN1078 security requirements
- Doesn’t lock into place when folded
- Padding gave me small brow indentation
Airnoggin — $99.00
As somebody who has all the time struggled to explode balloons, I discovered inflating the Airnoggin to be a little bit of a activity (you must inflate it by mouth), and wasn’t ever fairly certain if I had inflated it sufficient. However for these in a position inflate it shortly, the helmet may have enchantment for its snug match and distinctive security ranking (it’s the solely collapsible helmet to be rated by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, which gave it 5 stars, and claims its gentle pad design higher protects for rotational impression than a standard laborious helmet). I felt a bit of foolish carrying it, and will foresee it getting sweaty on a protracted, heat journey, however it’s definitely a conversation-starter.
- Light-weight and reduces in measurement by 60 %
- Exceeds CPSC and EN1078 security requirements, and obtained a 5-star ranking from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, higher than many hard-shell helmets
- Smooth, snug design
- Will be time-consuming to explode should you don’t have a number of scorching air
- Takes minute or two to deflate and fold
- I’d hesitate to throw in a backpack or purse for worry of it getting punctured
- Seems to be a bit of foolish on
- No air flow
Closca Loop Aurora — $79.90
One other helmet with a modern design and a seamless folding/unfolding mechanism, the Closca Loop Aurora has main worth for the comparatively low value. Merely push on the highest or backside of the helmet to fold or unfold it, collapsing its peak (its circumference gained’t change, so it could not slot in smaller luggage). The lightest helmet on the listing, it’s snug and is available in some genuinely beautiful colours impressed by the Aurora Borealis.
- Extraordinarily light-weight
- Straightforward and fast to fold and unfold
- Is available in 4 enjoyable colours
- Some air flow
- Snug match
- Two measurement choices
- Meets CPSC and EN1078 requirements
- Folds flat (circumference doesn’t change), so might not slot in smaller luggage
- Gave me a brow line
- Futuristic look will not be for everybody
- Some reviewers report points with the clasp and/or strap over time
Overade Plixi Match — $131.00
For a helmet with an extra-small footprint in your bag, there’s Overade’s Plixi Match, which folds up in a number of instructions (albeit in a barely advanced means) right into a compact form a 3rd of its measurement when unfolded. Aesthetically it’s nothing to take a look at, however it’s pretty snug and can get the job (security! stopping mind accidents!) performed.
- Light-weight and folds up very small
- Some air flow
- Snug match
- Meets CPSC and EN1078 security requirements
- Barely sophisticated to fold and unfold
- Doesn’t lock into place when folded
- Fundamental conventional helmet look
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