Category: Guides

Four helmet technologies, four different jobs. We break down what MIPS, WaveCel, KinetiCore and Koroyd actually do about rotational and linear impact, and whether the badge is worth paying for.

The Virginia Tech STAR system independently scores helmets on linear and rotational impact. Here is how to read it, how it differs from certification, and why the 2025 reset moved so many helmets.

Full-face, modular, open-face, half, dual-sport, and off-road. Our research desk breaks down coverage, pros, cons, and which certification to demand.

Helmet shells and EPS foam cannot be safely stretched. Proper break-in (15-20 hrs) and thinner cheek pads are the real fix. Pressure-spot table included.

A motorcycle helmet fits correctly when snug all around with even pressure, cheeks gently compressed, and no movement when you shake your head.

How to clean a motorcycle helmet properly, inside and out. Step-by-step guide covering the liner, shell, visor and vents without damaging coatings or foam.

When to replace a motorcycle helmet: immediately after any crash, or about every 5 years from the manufacture date. Here is how to check, the signs, and the nuance.

Installing an LED light on your motorcycle helmet is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost visibility upgrades a rider can make, and most riders skip it entirely. The job takes under 15 minutes: clean the mounting surface with isopropyl alcohol, let it dry, apply the light to the rear and lower sides of the helmet, route wiring clear of the visor mechanism and vent openings, and test before your first ride. Our research desk covers the four main types of helmet light (adhesive strips, rechargeable rear units, clip-on beacons, and forward mounts), the color rules every rider needs to know before choosing (white and amber forward, red to the rear, no blue), and a full step-by-step installation guide with a comparison table to match light type to riding style.

Full-face helmets are safer because they cover the chin and face, the areas crash research shows absorb a substantial share of impacts. We explain why the chin bar matters, how modulars compare, and the honest trade-offs of going full-face.

MIPS is a low-friction slip layer inside a bike helmet that lets the shell rotate slightly relative to your head in an angled impact, reducing rotational forces linked to concussion. Here is how it works, what the Virginia Tech data say, and how it compares to WaveCel, KinetiCore and other alternatives.

Most visor scratch fixes make things worse. The toothpaste trick wrecks coated visors. Learn which scratches can be polished and when to replace.