As bike riding has become a more and more common method of commuting to work for both men and women, women have begun to face unique problems relating to bike helmets, because few are designed for the varied styles of women’s hair that are popular today – from buns and ponytails to long hair and particularly ethnic styles like braids, dreadlocks, and afros.
This is a particular issue for women in municipalities or states where a helmet is legally required – either all the time or when riding through a central business district.
Even in jurisdictions where helmets aren’t required by law or ordinance, many women prefer to wear a helmet because it is one of the most important safety precautions a bicycler can take – especially when commuting on busy streets in a central business district.
Determining the best bike helmet for women’s hair involves a number of factors, and some women may find that one helmet works for them when they have one hairstyle, but if they change styles, they may need to find another helmet.
In this article, we will explore some of the best bike helmets for women’s hair on the market today, and help you choose the best one for your hairstyle and other needs.
Top 5 Model Comparison Table
| Image | Helmet | Work for Ponytail/Bun/Long Hair? | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1. Bell Women’s Citi
Editors Choice |
Yes | Adjustable |
 |
2. Mokfire Adult Helmet | Yes | Adjustable |
 |
3. Nutcase Patterned | No | Multiple |
 |
4. Retrospec CM-1 | No | Multiple |
 |
5. Exlusky Ultralight Urban | Yes | Multiple |
Best Bike Helmet for Women’s Hair Reviews
1. Bell Women’s Citi Bike Helmet, Iceberg Woven
This helmet will fit most head sizes, from 54-58 centimeters in circumference. It is designed especially for women. It even has a special ponytail compatible fit system.
Too, given that women typically have more hair than men, it has 13 vents with removable cloth visors to allow for greater breathability, because no one wants to show up at work with sweaty, mussed-up hair with product running own your face.
This helmet is compliant with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest standards for bike helmet safety. This helmet also offers just enough breathability and spacing for more curly hairstyles, as well as accommodating longer hairstyles with its ponytail fit. It also houses women who wear their hair in a bun.
- Ponytail compatible
- Compliant with the newest safety standards
- Fits medium-to-large head sizes
- Only one size
2. MOKFIRE Adult
MOKFIRE has manufactured a great helmet in multiple colors that is one of the best helmets for women’s hair on the market today. It includes internal recessed channels that help airflow into the helmet, which works great for thick hair.
It pulls in the cool air and forces out the hot air with its sleek, aerodynamic design that is among the leaders in the industry. Because this helmet fits heads from 57-61 centimeters, it is best for women with larger heads.
This helmet also has molded construction and an excellent quality liner to ensure safety in an accident. It has an included plug-in rear LED light for commuting at night.
In addition, this is one of the few of the best helmets for women’s hair on the market that comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee that offers a free replacement if you are involved in a crash within the first year that you own the helmet.
Few brands and manufacturers offer such a guarantee. This helmet also has an adjustment feature that allows you to fit it directly to your head size. This is among the most lightweight helmets on the market that are among the best helmets for women’s hair.
- Lightweight
- Fits larger heads
- Adjustable
- Not good for ponytails or buns
- Not listed as compliant with CPSC standards
3. Nutcase Patterned
From Nutcase comes a good quality helmet that is among the best helmet for women’s hair. It is designed to feature a multi-directional impact protection system, meaning you are protected almost no matter where your head strikes another object or the pavement.
The snap-and-go design makes putting it on and off easily. Its 11 vents mean your hair won’t end up sweaty and messy when you get to wherever you are commuting. Although it offers a lot of fun patterns and colors, it isn’t necessarily the best for women with thick hair, a lot of hair, or longer hairstyles.
The back comes down fairly far on the neck, meaning that it would be uncomfortable for a person with long hair. The tight fit also won’t accommodate a bun or ponytail as well as others. Polystyrene foam is an industry-standard for safety, but it isn’t among the newest foam technologies for the safest helmets.
This helmet meets both the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards for safety helmets and the ASTM safety standards.
- Many patterns, colors, styles
- CSPC and ASTM rated for safety
- Well-ventilated
- Will not work well with buns, ponytails, or long hair
4. Retrospec CM-1 Classic Commuter
Retrospec CM-1 Classic Commuter Bike/Skate/Multi-Sport Helmet with 10 Vents. This versatile helmet from Retrospec comes in an array of colors and is rated by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for use.
However, it isn’t for long hair, ponytails, or buns. It is too tight-fitting. It also doesn’t have nearly as much ventilation as other helmets do, in part because it isn’t specifically designed for biking. It also works for skiing and skating.
Depending on head size, you can insert or remove pads to make the helmet fit.
- Multiple colors
- Adjusts for multiple sizes
- CSPC rated
- Won’t work for ponytails, buns, long hair
- Poorly ventilated
5. Exclusky Urban Commuter
This helmet from Exclusky is designed specifically for the urban commuter. Well-ventilated, it will work for women with thick hair or curly hairstyles.
This helmet complies with US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and Canadian safety standards. It works for heads 56-61 centimeters, meaning it is the most versatile helmet size on this list.
It is designed to securely protect the occipital bone while remaining lightweight. This helmet does have, in several places, internal plastic netting, so women with long hairstyles or free flowing hairstyles should take care that this helmet may get caught in your hair more than others when being removed.
- Well-priced
- CPSC Rated
- Works for ponytails, buns, long hair
- May tangle long hair
- Few colors, styles
>> Check out: Best Bike Helmet Cameras in 2024
Women’s Bike Helmet for Hair Buying Considerations
#Size
The main thing you will want to consider when purchasing a bike helmet for women’s hair is the circumference of your head, which all manufacturers measure in centimeters. Make sure to measure starting just above the eyebrows and to measure over, not under, your hair in the back for an optimal fit.
#Hair Style
The second thing you will want to consider is your hairstyle. Several of these helmets simply will not work for women with ponytails, long hair, or curly, thick hair, because they are too close-fitting with only one adjustment option (chin strap) and extend too far down in the back.
They will pull on long hair and simply won’t accommodate the thickest heads of hair or buns or ponytails in any way.
#Warranty
A few of the best bike helmets for women’s hair come with warranties. Consider carefully before making a purchase if, due to the cost of the helmet, a warranty will actually be a deciding factor for you in making your purchase.
Put safety, not warranty, first, and fit for your hair second.
#Safety
Finally, you should check to determine if the helmet is rated as safe for bicycling by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
If the helmet isn’t, or the manufacturer doesn’t specify, you are literally taking your life into your own hands if you have an accident.
Only helmets that are designed to be compliant with the standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (an agency of the federal government) are going to protect you from serious brain injury or death.
Conclusion
Whether you have long hair, a bun, a ponytail, curly hair, or short buzzed hair, one of the helmets on this list of the best bike helmets for women’s hair is bound to work for you.
And, if you change your hairstyle often, you may find that you need two different types of helmets. Because all of these are economically priced, you can have as many helmets in your gear bag as you do shoes in your closet.
Just remember to read this list and put safety first when making your choice of the best bike helmet for women’s hair.
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Also, check out other available women helmets:
- Strong Protection Bicycle Helmet: VICTGOAL adult bike helmet is made of EPS foam material and PC shells which is in high-quality and lightweight. The high-density PC...
- Ventilation and Comfort Bicycle Helmet: The 28 breathable vents on the cycle helmet are perfectly mechanics and aesthetics designed. The vents can move airflow over the...
- Detachable Magnetic Goggles Visor: This bicycle helmet with detachable magnetic goggles with 3 strong magnets, not only protect your face against wind and sand, but also...
- Bright Helmet Rear Light: Our bike helmet with lights in the back, 3 flashing modes LED rear light - steady, slow flashing and fast flashing modes - keep you safe and...
- Lightweight & Comfortable: Super light-weighted bike helmet won’t makes you feel too heavy when you wear it. The inner pads is super soft and comfortable, which can be...
