Helmets

Cycling helmets: certification, fit and ventilation

A helmet only works if it is certified for use here, sits correctly on your head and stays there in a crash. Everything else, including weight, aerodynamics and vent count, sits below those three.

The Australian standard

Wearing an approved bicycle helmet is mandatory in every Australian state and territory. The standard that applies is AS/NZS 2063, and a compliant helmet carries a sticker or moulded mark inside the shell. Helmets sold overseas may be certified to European or American standards alone, so check the marking on anything bought from an offshore retailer. Every helmet on this page is stocked for the Australian market.

MIPS and rotational protection

Most crashes involve an angled impact, which sends a twisting force through the head as well as a straight one. MIPS and similar systems place a low friction layer between the liner and your head so the shell can move a few millimetres against that rotation. It adds cost and a small amount of weight, and the case for it is strongest for riders in traffic and on technical terrain.

Fit is what you are actually buying

Measure the circumference of your head about a centimetre above your eyebrows and match it to the brand chart on each product page. The helmet should sit level with two finger widths above your eyebrows, the side straps should form a V just under your ear, and the chin strap should be tight enough that opening your mouth wide pulls the helmet down. If a helmet only feels secure once the cradle is cranked tight, the shell is the wrong size or the wrong shape for your head. Head shapes vary as much as sizes do, which is the main reason to try before you buy.

Ventilation and aero

Vent count is a poor guide on its own, since what matters is whether air moves through the channels and out the back. For Australian summer riding, prioritise airflow over aerodynamic claims unless you race. Aero road helmets close off vents to smooth the shell, and the time saving is real and small.

When to replace one

Replace a helmet after any impact, even if the shell looks intact, because the liner is designed to crush once. Most manufacturers advise replacement every three to five years of regular use.

We stock Kask, MET, POC, Abus, Lazer and Fox, across road and mountain fits. A shipping surcharge applies to helmets. Our Adelaide showroom carries most of this range if you want to check the shape against your head.