Womens Road Helmet

Ruthy

I've been using a cheap, hot, heavy, bulbous helmet since I started cycling a couple of years ago. I now deserve better. I've got a small head so I've been looking for a women specific helmet with little success. There's not much choice in local bike shops. Does anyone have any recommendations?

cougie

Didnt realise women needed specific helmets ?

Giro do small helmets - but you need to get out to the shops and try for comfort and size. Whats good for one may not suit another.

donnie murdo

Specialized do a range of woman specific helmets to fit those larger brains.

turbo_hamster

You probably just need a helmet that comes in a small size, but as you have been advised, you need to try on a few.

I bought a Specialized Propero, which does the job nicely. I also tried on a Giro Atmos, and was surprised how uncomfortable it was for such a high-priced helmet. Glad I didn't buy an Atmos online!

LittleB0b

cougie wrote:

Didnt realise women needed specific helmets ? .

It's more about size - the circumference of my head is less than the range of most 'one size' helmets.

Although I believe some helmets for women do take into account pony tails (shaped to accommodate them).

Ruthy

Yep, I've only got a little head.

I'm using a basic Giro (size small) at the moment. It spends most of it's time at a jaunty angle. There must be someone else out there with a small head that has found a smaller helmet and can point me in the right trying on direction...

daniel_b

What type of Giro?

My gf uses a Monza in medium, we ordered her a medium Atmos, and it was notably smaller, too small, we then tried a large, but that was too large :?
We gave up on that idea.

In which case if you are using a small other Giro, then perhaps a small Atmos, or even an Ionos would suit you?

Best to just go into a bike shop and try some on though I would imagine.

Dan

Ruthy

Dan, you are brilliant. Thank you.

mrushton

According to Specialized there is no difference between men and womens helmets apart from the colours

GyatsoLa

I think that when it comes to helmets, there is no alternative to going to your LBS and trying on all they have, then buying the comfiest one.

knedlicky

mrushton wrote:

According to Specialized there is no difference between men and womens helmets apart from the colours

Abus, Giro, Uvex and Bell also do helmets for women but, like Specialized, Abus helmets (and I suspect the other three too) are only designated women’s helmets because of their colours.

In this respect, the helmets are no different from several road bikes which are advertised as women’s models but which have the exact same geometry as men’s bikes (or only a very minor difference). They are basically only different from men's bikes in their colours and possibly their saddles.

The clothing company Ked are considering developing a women’s helmet but more orientated for the woman going to the office than for the recreational cycling woman.
The prototype is constructed of several elements, which, on arrival at work, can be taken apart and stuffed neatly in a handbag, then on the way home quickly reassembled. It also has spacers which place the helmet farther away from the head than a typical helmet, thus not totally destroying the carefully groomed hairstyle. The top/centre of the head is exposed (so not flattening the hair thereabouts) but still protected because of the fairly high protective cushions at the front and rear (the top of the head is effectively in a recess).