The Bike Helmet, Explained

Bike helmets come in a variety of shapes and styles. You’ll find specialized cycling helmets for road cycling (lightweight, well-ventilated), mountain biking (more coverage, visor), triathlon (aerodynamic), and freestyle/BMX (maximum coverage, minimal ventilation). All these lids share four — sometimes five — common traits: a hardshell outer cover; a thick inner shell; an inner liner or comfort pads against your skin; a chin strap; and, in some cases, an adjustable retention system. All these components work together to protect your skull in a crash yet stay comfortable enough that you’ll want to wear the helmet every time you ride. So let’s dive in and find out what each bike helmet part does.

Bike Helmet Shell

The shell is just what it sounds like; it’s the thin hard plastic or polycarbonate cover that protects the softer foam underneath from nicks, scratches, dings, and other insults. To minimize wind resistance, it's more aerodynamic than the foam underneath, plus its hardness helps the helmet keep its shape to a degree.

Bike Helmet Foam Liner

The thick expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liner is the actual material that protects your head in a crash, making it the most important element in any bike helmet. Upon impact, it disburses the force throughout the rest of the foam liner instead of letting your head absorb the shock directly. In many helmets, the EPS foam is integrated with the exterior hard shell for durability. Rudy Project goes one further and uses a polycarbonate exoskeleton in some of its helmets to boost the EPS foam’s durability and protective qualities while allowing larger ventilation slots to keep you cool.

Advanced helmets use MIPS Brain Protection construction that inserts another slick and thin layer of material between the shell and the EPS liner. This separation allows the helmet to rotate upon an angled or side impact, further dissipating the force smashing your head. At Rudy Project, rotational impact performance is a big deal. So much so that we adopted the WG11 testing protocol to make sure every helmet we design adheres to the standards advocated by CEN, the European Committee for Standardization.

Bike Helmet Comfort Pads or Inner Lining

Comfort pads line the inside of the helmet. They feature a small amount of padding and a soft fabric facing that rests against your hair and skin. They attach via Velcro, which allows you to adjust them for a customized and comfortable fit. This versatility also lets you remove them for washing, which you’ll want to do, as the most prominent comfort pad will sit on your forehead and double as a sweat sponge to keep perspiration from dripping into your eyes. Even better, a smart design, such as Rudy Project’s Integrated Airframe pad, maximizes airflow to reduce sweat in the first place.

Bike Helmet Chin Strap

As you’d expect, the chin strap keeps the helmet on your head in a crash. Without one, or with one that’s not properly fitted to your head, your helmet is essentially useless, no matter how well-designed the EPS foam shell is. An ideal fit is tight enough that you can feel the strap under your chin if you open your mouth wide but not loose enough that it can slide off your chin with your mouth closed.

Bike Helmet Retention System

While a chin strap keeps your helmet secure vertically, a bicycling helmet’s retention system secures the helmet horizontally (side-to-side, front-to-back) by cinching a strap system tight across the back of your head. The strap connects to the sides and front of the helmet and further allows you to “dial” in a customized fit if the helmet is slightly larger than your head. The RSR 10 Retention System used by Rudy Project does one better: It also adjusts vertically so riders with smaller or bigger heads can further perfect the fit. This snug fit helps ensure that your helmet stays on your head in a fall or accident.

Rydon Slim Endurance Perfect!

Great fit for my narrow face and able to customize the distance from my cheeks with the adjustable nosepad. Photochromic lenses are fantastic, as my long distance runs start before the break of dawn and last thru the morning sunrise. More comfortable and higher quality than my OLD Oakleys and highly recommended!

Excellent for recreational riding, training and racing!

The Rudy Project Nytron helmet is an excellent choice in all conditions and types of riding. The combination of optimal airflow, aerodynamics, and lightweight comfort are definitely winning feature for cyclists, especially those who spend long hours on the road. The added focus on safety is a huge plus, particularly for those riding in traffic-heavy environments or encountering unwanted road hazards. It is designed with both performance and comfort in mind, which is key for recreational riders, or those training and racing.

A Perfect Blend of Style, Comfort, and Performance

I recently used the Rudy Project - Wing Helmet during the Ironman 70.3 in Goa, and it truly impressed me. Right from the start, the helmet’s sleek design caught my attention, giving off a professional, aerodynamic look. It’s lightweight and fit comfortably, which was important for a long event like this. Despite wearing it for hours, I didn’t feel any discomfort, which speaks to its well-thought-out design and quality materials.

In terms of performance, this helmet delivered on its promise. The shape is crafted to reduce wind resistance, helping me maintain speed with less effort. Even though it’s built for aerodynamics, I was pleasantly surprised by the ventilation. It kept me cool enough despite Goa’s heat and humidity, though it can feel a bit warm on extremely hot days.

The helmet also comes with a clear visor that provides great visibility and shields your eyes from harsh sunlight. It’s easy to adjust or remove, making it versatile depending on personal preference. Overall, the Rudy Project - Wing Helmet is an investment, but for anyone serious about cycling or triathlons, it’s a fantastic choice that combines style, comfort, and performance.