Smith Counter

Types of Bike Helmets 

• Recreational bike helmets: An economical choice with impact protection for casual riding 

• Mountain bike helmets: Extra rear head coverage for off-road and rugged trails with ventilation options 

• Road bike helmets: Lightweight, aerodynamic and highly ventilated 

Fit Tips 

• Measure your head’s circumference by wrapping a flexible measuring tape around the largest portion of your head (or use a piece of string, then measure its length). 

• Check each brand’s helmet sizing charts for your head circumference. 

• Aim for a snug fit but not too tight. If between sizes, go with the smaller size. 

Added Protection 

When shopping for a bike helment, look for technologies that reduce rotational forces during a crash, like Mips, WaveCel or KinetiCore. 

Features 

• Vents: More vents improve airflow and reduce weight  

• Visor/brim: Keeps the sun out of your eyes; common on mountain bike helmets. 

• Chin bars: Extra protection for downhill mountain biking or racing. 

Understand lens shapes

• Cylindrical lenses curve horizontally but are flat vertically. They're more affordable but may cause more glare and slightly limit peripheral vision.
• Spherical lenses curve both horizontally and vertically, offering better peripheral vision, less distortion and less glare. They cost more than cylindrical lenses.
• Toric lenses also curve in both directions, but with a subtler vertical curve. They offer improved optical clarity and reduced distortion—at a higher price point.

Lens tint and visible light transmission (VLT)

VLT refers to the percentage of light that passes through the lens and reaches your eyes.

• Bright sunny conditions: Look for a low light transmission (less than 25%).
• Partly cloudy conditions: Aim for light transmission between 25%-50%.
• Overcast, stormy or low-light conditions: Look for 50% or higher light transmission.
• Night riding: Use clear goggles or lenses with 80%-100% light transmission

Other features to consider:

• Many higher-end goggles come with two lenses—one for low light and one for bright conditions
• Interchangeable lenses let you swap lenses easily.
• Photochromic lenses automatically lighten or darken depending changing light though there is a lag time.