Over the past decade, gravel riding has diverged into various niches. To some people, it's all about racing events like Unbound in the USA or The Traka in Spain, whereas to others, it's a multi-day bikepacking adventure in the wilderness with friends. It makes sense, then, that there's not one best gravel bike helmet to rule them all.
Choosing the right one for you might be a confusing task, but that's where we come in. This guide has been created over years of research by my Cyclingnews colleagues and me, testing various helmets from across the spectrum. We've looked at the best road bike helmets, a variety of mountain bike helmets, and even our guide to the best budget helmets, all to find which helmet offers the best performance, at the best price, for gravel riding in all its forms.
Best gravel bike helmets: Quick list
Incredible ventilation, a great safety score, and a nice road-style aesthetic. The Prevail 3 is an excellent all-rounder, and in a league of its own when the temperatures soar.
A comfortable, lightweight helmet that's stylish and well ventilated, all at an excellent price.
A modern road aesthetic with good all-around comfort and ventilation, and it boasts the best-ever safety score in Virginia Tech's independent helmet drop test for a road helmet.
The Van Rysel RCR F performed admirably in our first wind tunnel test, despite being a quarter of the price of some competitors.
The Specialized Evade III was the fastest road-style helmet in the Cyclingnews aero wind tunnel test, and also offers great ventilation and all-day comfort.
With the extra coverage around the back of the head, the POC Cularis is ideal for anyone pushing their bike to the limit, riding trail centres and rugged terrain.
Last updated on 4th September 2025
A complete overhaul of the products, following extensive research and testing. We've integrated our wind tunnel data, and a renewed focus on the various types of gravel riding, from bikepacking to commuting, club riding and racing.
Best gravel bike helmets available
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Best gravel bike helmet for ventilation
✅ You want an all-rounder: Aside from super-cold temperatures, the Prevail 3 is great for all types of riding, gravel or road.
✅ You want the very best in hot-weather performance: With an almost entirely open face, the airflow is unmatched.
❌ You want aero over everything: The Evade is more aerodynamic with good ventilation, so if speed is the priority, go there.
❌ You want full coverage around the rear of the head: Off-road riding is dangerous, and although the Prevail's safety score is good, the POC Cularis covers more of your head.
For everyday riding, the best gravel bike helmet in my opinion, is the Specialized S-Works Prevail III.
It's really (really!) well ventilated, with tiny carbon struts that connect an internal carbon shell, which sits inside the EPS foam. This offers much of the structure and protection needed, leading to a safe helmet with very little in the way of foam across the front of the head.
It has a really premium feel to it too, with flashes of brushed aluminium finishing that elevate the style, while the construction and joins are all neat and well designed.
The cradle at the rear is vertically adjustable, and although you can't adjust the straps up or down beneath the ear, you can slide them back and forth to fine-tune the fit. The straps themselves are narrower too, reducing the chance of tan lines, and overall improving the comfort too, although if you get the helmet in white, the matching white straps need regular cleaning to stay looking fresh.
A shoutout must go to the Uvex Surge helmet too, which uses a very similar design and includes a clip-on aero shell to close the vents. They're quite hard to find, but if you can get hold of one of these in your country, you might prefer the versatility and extra coverage when the weather gets colder.
Head to my Specialized S-Works Prevail III review for a detailed look.
Best budget gravel bike helmet
✅ You want an all-rounder: The budget price means it doesn't specialise in aero, venting or weight, and instead does all things reasonably well.
✅ You're after a good gravel helmet on a budget: At a retail price of under £60 / $80, it punches well above its weight.
❌ You want an aero helmet: The Tonic doesn't specialise in aerodynamics, and its bulkier shape with big vents isn't very aerodynamic.
❌ You want a five-star safety score: The Tonic safety score is good at three stars, but there are dozens with a better result.
The Lazer Tonic Kineticore isn't the most aerodynamic, the best ventilated, or even the safest on this list, but it does offer a good performance across the board for an exceptionally good price. For under £60 / $80, you get Lazer's clever moulded Kineticore blocks on the inside, which are designed to break and shear in the event of an impact.
This design means no added extra material, keeping the weight down to an impressive 260g (size L). There are also dozens of colours to choose from, so you can match your kit or go for the fashion-friendly white.
Check out our Lazer Tonic Kineticore review to find out what it's like to live with.
Best road-style gravel helmet if safety is paramount
✅ You want best-in-class safety: The Cytal has the highest score of any road helmet in independent impact tests.
❌ You're on a budget: The Cytal, and its premium sibling the Cytal Carbon, are some of the most expensive helmets here.
The POC Cytal is available in two guises: the standard one seen above, and the lighter, pricier Cytal Carbon.
We'd recommend going for the standard Cytal, though; not only is it cheaper, it also returned a safer score in the Virginia Tech drop test, as well as a faster result in our wind tunnel test. It's only 20g heavier, too.
In fact, the Cytal is the best scoring road helmet in all of Virginia Tech's testing, only beaten by two mountain biking helmets, including the POC Cularis below.
In real use, the helmet's minimal padding doesn't harm its comfort, and the retention system is easily among the best here. It extends from temple to temple around the back of the head for a comfortable, fuss-free fit. The Y-junctions can be slid back and forth to accommodate different head shapes too, and they sit low enough that they're well out of the way of your ears.
Check out our POC Cytal Carbon review for more real-life experience.
Best budget gravel bike helmet with aerodynamics in mind
✅ You want a fast helmet on a budget: The only thing lower than the helmet's price is its CdA - it performed well against competitors 4x its price in our wind tunnel tests.
❌ You want the reassurance of an independent safety test score: The RCR F hasn't been tested by any third parties, so while it will have passed ISO standards, there's nothing to corroborate how it compares to the best gravel bike helmets from a safety standpoint.
The Van Rysel RCR-F - previously known as the FCR - is a great option for budget-conscious racers who care about aerodynamics.
We've put it through the wind tunnel twice, and in both cases it has punched above its price point, saving over six watts compared to our baseline model, and finishing just two watts down on the winner.
Both Tom and I have since tested it, and we were both suitably impressed by the comfort and the style, although the finishing quality left a little to be desired.
Van Rysel has added a MIPS liner to the helmet since we reviewed it, though, and given that the MIPS-equipped model is still half the price of some competitors here, we'd suggest it's a worthy upgrade. Sadly, there's no Virginia Tech test to back up the safety performance, though.
Check out Tom's full review of the Van Rysel RCR-F (before it had its name changed).
Best gravel helmet for extra head coverage and all-round safety
✅ You're at risk of crashes: Riding trail centres, slippery natural singletrack or rugged rocky terrain pushes gravel bikes to their limit, so the best gravel bike helmet is one that'll offer extra protection.
✅ You want the best in safety: As a mountain bike helmet, the Cularis offers extra protection around the back of the head. While all impacts are different, and there are no guarantees, independent tests that quantify rotational impact protection place the POC Cularis as the best bicycle helmet ever tested.
❌ You want lightweight or aero performance: The mountain bike style makes the Cularis heavier and bulkier than the Evade, which is noticeable in the wind.
❌ You want slow-speed ventilation: The extra coverage comes at the price of running hotter, so when I'm climbing slow trails in the summer heat, I prefer to wear the Previal.
The POC Cularis is the only mountain bike helmet in this test, and it has been included as the best for safety. Firstly, as an MTB helmet, it has the extra coverage around the back of the head that most road helmets forego. Secondly, and perhaps most pertinently, it currently occupies the top spot in the Virginia Tech testing results.
In everyday use, it's comfortable, thanks in part to POC's superb retention system. It has a breakaway peak, meaning it'll snap away instead of digging in during a crash. There are slots to store your sunglasses, but they lack any rubber grippers, so they're not the most secure, but you'll probably be wearing them when rattling down a descent anyway.
Our only bugbear is that the Cularis runs a little warm. It's been heatwave weather here in the UK lately, and we've found this a little sweatier than the others.
Best helmet for gravel racing
✅ You want to go fast without overheating: The POC Procen Air helmet, not listed here, was faster in our wind tunnel test, but the Evade 3 came a close 2nd while being much better vented. I have personally raced in it multiple times and really rate it.
❌ You are on a budget: The Evade is occasionally discounted, but it's a high price for a helmet that's only a couple of watts faster than the Van Rysel RCR-F. It does come with MIPS Air Node and a Virginia Tech safety rating though, which might be enough to swing your decision.
The S-Works Evade III isn't the fastest helmet we've tested in either of our tests, but it was within a watt of the winner in both cases, and whenever we speak to industry experts who have run their own tests, they all say the Evade did well. It seemingly isn't reliant on the perfect conditions, and instead is fast for everyone, no matter the ride position, head angle or wind speed.
Over and above all that, though, is that the Evade strikes a really good balance between everything else that's important for a helmet. It's comfortable, well-ventilated, easily adjustable, looks good, holds sunglasses well, and returned a four-star safety score.
It's the helmet I reach for in important races such - I've worn it at the British national champs in 2024 and the 2025 Gralloch - despite having the Trek Ballista, POC Procen and other crazy-aero helmets at my disposal.
Check out my Specialized S-Works Evade III review for more.
Most versatile gravel bike helmet
✅ You want a helmet that can handle commuter duty alongside weekend gravel rides: The optional Blendr mounts let you attach lights and other accessories.
❌ You live in a hot climate, or ride up hills often: The WaveCel tech reduces airflow and makes the helmet run warm, which is great in winter but stuffy in the heat or when airflow is already lacking.
❌ You race: It's not the most aero helmet, and the heat buildup will slow you down when trying to press on.
The Trek Circuit WaveCel is the one for the commuters or anyone who values versatility, thanks to the included, integrated mounts, which can hold lights or a camera. A few competitors' road helmets come with a clip-on rear light, but no others integrate removable front and rear lights quite as neatly. There's also a clip-in rain peak at the front.
The Circuit WaveCel's key point of difference, however, is the integrated zig-zag cell structure, which acts as a series of crumple zones that protect the head in the event of a crash. It has received a four-star score in the Virginia Tech test, which isn't the best ever, but a respectable result nonetheless.
With that in mind, though, it isn't the helmet for hard efforts in hot weather. The WaveCel structure is open, but airflow is reduced, and by all accounts, it runs quite hot. The other frustration is that you can't scratch your head through the vents.
I do find the fit nice and comfortable though, and those with long hair will be pleased to see a ponytail port.
Check out our review of the Trek Circuit WaveCel helmet for more.
Also consider
The seven helmets above constitute our picks of the best gravel bike helmets around right now, in our collective opinion. However, there are hundreds of helmets on the market, and many of them offer a reasonable balance of performance across the various metrics such as weight, aerodynamics, safety, comfort and general ease of use.
For the various use cases we think exist in gravel, the helmets above cover all bases well, but there are plenty of others which we rate highly.
For example, if your riding style is a mixture of road and gravel, and you tend to ride casually, then any of the helmets in our guide to the best road bike helmets are worthy of consideration. If you race, then our guide to the best aero helmets is borne out of wind tunnel testing. If you're more interested in riding your gravel bike on what most people would call mountain bike terrain, then mountain bike helmets might be a preference, since the extra coverage will protect the back of your skull in the event of an accidental lie down.
Some specific helmets I want to call out as worthy of consideration are listed below:
The Giro Aries, for example, was rated very highly in our review as a good all-rounder. It has a clever Spherical rotational impact technology and scores highly in third-party drop tests. It's a good option that competes with the Prevail 3, but the Prevail's ventilation is better in my opinion.
The POC Procen Air is another helmet we rate highly. It certainly looks silly, and it runs quite warm, but it was the fastest in our original wind tunnel test, and top 10 in our second test. If you're all about racing, it's definitely one to consider. I also like that I can wear my standard glasses beneath the visor, rather than needing to wear contact lenses with traditional cycling sunglasses.
On the subject of aerodynamics, it's also worth calling out the Trek Ballista and Oakley Velo Mach, both of which tested extremely quickly in our second wind tunnel test. The Velo Mach is currently quite hard to find, but the Ballista was a close second, with the added benefit of MIPS and a Boa-branded rear dial.
We also really like the POC Ventral Tempus, which, although it tested quite poorly in our wind tunnel test, it's a comfortable, warm helmet that's designed for - and great in - the rain.
How to choose the best gravel bike helmet
When choosing a gravel bike helmet, you can rest assured knowing that all helmets sold by reputable brands have met a minimum safety standard in the country they're being sold in (such as ISO, BS EN, CPSC and NZS/AS).
Each of the helmets listed above in this guide meets those requirements. Most have also been tested by a third party, resulting in a good score, which further backs up that promise of protection.
From there, your decision-making process will see you trying to balance price, ventilation, style, aerodynamics, weight, adjustability and more.
We can't tell you how heavily to weigh those factors, but you'll probably have a good idea already, and the usual common sense approach applies: if you're a keen racer or care about your average speed, aerodynamics will probably be high on your priority list. If you regularly ride in hot weather or up hills (where airflow is slower), then ventilation will be important.
The helmets listed above are categorised as 'best-for' to help you find one that closely matches your needs. We've also listed each helmet's weight, and we've tested most of them in a wind tunnel to quantify their aerodynamic performance.
With all that said, a helmet's ability to keep you safe should always be your first concern when shopping for one, and how well a helmet fits your head is paramount for safety, so you should always take time to measure your head with a fabric tape measure and ensure you get the right size before buying.
Tip! If you don't have a fabric tape measure, use a piece of string or a long charging cable to wrap around your head where a helmet would sit, then mark the point where the cable meets itself, and then unravel the cable and measure the distance with a ruler or metal tape measure.
Everything you need to know
What is added rotational impact tech?
When you crash, you're much more likely to hit the road at a shallow angle than you are to hit it straight down at 90°. Therefore, when your helmet hits the ground, it won't just bounce up, it will rotate. This rotation, assuming it also rotates your head inside the helmet, is a significant part of what causes concussions.
Rotational impact technology is a way to describe the various designs that brands come up with to prevent that rotational force from making its way to your head. It usually involves allowing the helmet to rotate independently from the head by a few degrees, softening the severity of the impact.
The main player is MIPS, which I've explained below.
What is MIPS, and do I need it?
MIPS is a brand name that has become synonymous with rotational impact protection. It stands for "Multi-directional Impact Protection System", and, like other systems of its kind, enables a small amount of movement inside the helmet shell that allows it to slide relative to the helmet and your head on impact.
It's a technology that's trickling down through helmet ranges and is rapidly becoming ubiquitous, even in the best budget cycling helmets.
Of the helmets you see here, all but two have MIPS Air Node; the brand's most seamlessly integrated iteration. The Van Rysel helmet is available with a slightly cheaper version of MIPS, while the Lazer Tonic comes with Lazer's own KinetiCore technology, which is made from EPS foam blocks that break on impact, similar to a car's crumple zone.
What is a Y junction, and why should I care?
The Y junction is found on a helmet's straps, and is where the helmet's four connecting straps join beneath the ears to form the single strap that travels beneath the chin.
Most of them are fixed, and since most of us have similar-shaped heads, they're fairly universal in their size without any issues. However, on some helmets, the strap sits quite high and can dig into the ears of anyone whose ears sit quite low. Some brands offer helmet straps that are adjustable, allowing you to move the position of the Y junction up and down, as well as back and forward.
What is Virginia Tech
The university in Virginia has developed a helmet drop test facility that puts helmets through an angled test to quantify how well they absorb impacts. The greater the impact it can absorb, the less force that makes it to the rider's head, and therefore the safer it is. It's not a completely foolproof science, because all impacts are different, but it's a good resource to use when choosing the best gravel helmet for you.
Its full results list can be found here, alongside its testing procedure.
Do I need a peak?
Peaks on helmets are something familiar to the mountain bike crowd, but alien to roadies, so depending on your riding style, this will help inform your decision.
Mostly road or fast gravel? Then you probably don't need one. Gnarly trails and steep inclines, with very little smooth riding? Maybe a peak is the thing for you.
The peak will provide an element of protection from the sun, rain, and mud spray, as well as rogue tree branches in woodland settings, but in a racy position, it'll likely obscure your vision.
The POC Cularis is the only example of a peaked helmet here, but they typically draw from mountain biking designs, and so will probably have better protection around the rear of the head, too.
What about aero gravel helmets?
If you're like me and you enjoy gravel racing, you're probably best looking at any of the best aero helmets for your gravel riding.
However, speeds off-road are generally slower than those on smooth tarmac, and aero helmets that can struggle with ventilation are going to be even more sweaty at slower speeds on a hot day. That's why in this guide, we've chosen the S-Works Evade as the best for racing.
Our wind tunnel helmet test crowned the Oakley Velo Mach as the fastest road helmet, with the Van Rysel XCR TT helmet winning overall. Given the performance of helmets can be relatively individual, we've not taken the result as gospel and instead recommend the S-Works Evade III, which has performed well in every helmet aero test we've seen, while also striking a good balance of weight, safety, style and comfort too.
When should I replace my helmet?
After a crash that's resulted in a bumped head, or any impact to the helmet (don't drop them!), you should replace it immediately. It's annoying and an expensive addition of insult to injury, but not doing so could risk worse the next time you end up rubber-side up.
General wear and tear and UV exposure also degrade helmets over time. Manufacturer recommendations differ, but usually suggest a replacement after around five years.
How we test
Choosing the best gravel bike helmet takes a combination of real-world experience with as many helmets as possible, and empirical data to back up the performance.
Here at Cyclingnews, my colleagues and I have reviewed hundreds of helmets in recent years, from budget-friendly options to pro-level, high-end helmets that you'll see on the heads of world-famous athletes.
We use the wind tunnel at the renowned Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub to test each helmet's aerodynamic performance. Reducing your aerodynamic drag is a great way to go faster for the same effort, and if you're buying a new helmet anyway, choosing an aero helmet is an easy choice.
For safety, we reference the independent testing performed by Virginia Tech University. Not all helmets have been tested by the renowned university, but a good score in those tests is a great indicator of increased protection, and so we weigh their scores heavily when making our decisions.
We also weigh each helmet for completeness, and although a few grams either way won't make much difference, it's good to know each helmet we've recommended isn't going to be neck-achingly heavy.
We take those empirical tests and balance them with real-world experience such as how comfortable we find them, how well ventilated they are, and how easy they are to live with, and weigh each metric accordingly to decide which are the best gravel helmets around.
Testing is the backbone of the tech department at Cyclingnews and how we test is taken seriously, so read on to find out more.
Meet the testers
This guide, and a lot of the testing and research for it, was compiled by me, Josh. I've been riding gravel bikes for around 10 years now (albeit the original Specialized Diverge Smartweld I owned in 2015 didn't see much real gravel). I currently call myself an age-group gravel racer, even if I'm not very fast.
I lead our wind tunnel tests, including our two helmet tests, during which we've tested approximately 60 different helmets to find out which was most aerodynamic. I have also used countless helmets in my training, riding and racing.
Of course, my opinion is just one person's, so I sought out the opinions of my colleagues Will, Tom and Graham, as well as our wider pool of expert testers to confirm our list of recommendations above.
