The best lightweight road cycling helmets — invest in a bike lid that balances protection, comfort, and ventilation

The HJC Furion 2.0 Semi-Aero Helmet is, as the name suggests, a 'semi-aero' road helmet that has a degree of ventilation. Weighing in at 218g on the road.cc scales of truth, it's very light for an aero helmet, but if it's great ventilation you're after though, reviewer Ed says, "Unfortunately on the hottest days it's really only semi-ventilated too, but for more usual UK weather this a good, light and very comfy option". 

The Furion 2.0 features a Selfit securing mechanism which is an automatic self-adjusting fitting system so that once the helmet fit is set, it doesn't require further adjustment, even when your head is moving during a ride. Ed referred to this technology as "genius" saying that "it keeps the helmet constantly sat on your head correctly without any loose wobble, but also you don't feel like it is trying to tear your scalp off." 

Kask's Sintesi helmet is an excellent lid at a great price. It's light, comfortable, looks good, and is suitable for all styles of riding, from urban commuting and road cycling to gravel. At just 237g this helmet is in the weight territory of performance road helmets rather than the often beefier commuter lids.

As well as meeting the usual standards, the Sintesi has also passed Kask's own WG11 Rotational Impact test, its alternative to Mips, and it includes a number of useful features. It has 13 generous vents which effectively channel air and the interior padding has an antibacterial treatment, which should enhance its lifespan, but a replacement pad kit is also available.

It also comes in 11 different colours ensuring there's one to suit your preference. 

The Lazer Z1 KinetiCore Helmet is an excellent lid that takes the best bits from the previous model and adds to it -  it's comfortable, well vented and comes with excellent safety credentials, though this does come at a cost. 

This helmet is designed for normal road use, so weight and ventilation are the most important design elements. It has 29 vents, which is actually one fewer than the previous version. The missing one is at the back and instead, Lazer has housed the adjustment mechanism in that space so it looks cleaner and protects the mechanism better. 

The main safety element of the helmet is KinetiCore, which is Lazer's alternative to Mips. Rather than having a cage that sits over your head, KinetiCore uses EPS foam blocks built into the helmet that are designed to buckle on impact, redirecting energy away from your brain and reducing the chances of concussion.

Rudy's Project Egos helmet is a comfortable, well-vented helmet that shows lots of attention to detail with features such as the under-ear straps, magnetic chin clasp and bug mesh - and the price isn't stupid either. 

Inside the helmet is what Rudy Project calls a dual-density inner shell.  The lighter grey section is softer than the main EPS – expanded polystyrene – part of the shell, and according to Rudy, this softer material provides greater absorption of energy in the event of a crash. With 23 vents it's an airy helmet, but in addition to having a large number of vents, the vents are also well positioned.

Regarding safety, the EGOS passes the European CE/EN 1078 and the US CPSC 12.03 standards. The helmet doesn't feature Mips or similar technology, but Rudy says it does its own in-house rotational impact test, which has a pass or fail criteria. The EGOS is available in three sizes, which is fairly typical of most helmet brands. And you get a choice of four colours: blue, black, white and cosmic blue.

The Abus StormChaser is an exceptionally comfortable helmet with great ventilation. It's light, offers lots of adjustment, and all pads and straps can be stripped out for washing. 

The name is somewhat confusing as StormChaser suggests some form of wintry protection, but this helmet is really well vented and actually best suited to summer warmth. The 23 vents (7 in, 16 out) have a noticeable effect, and the cooling is very welcome on warm days. The ventilation seems at least on a par with the more expensive AirBreaker model. 

Its lack of rotational impact protection may put some off, but as a 'traditional' helmet the StormChaser is both impressive and effective.

Lazer's Genesis has evolved from a mid-range helmet into a lightweight, breathable lid that performs well on hot days and during races. The ventilation is among the best that we've tried and it works brilliantly when climbing at threshold. The fit is very comfortable and the Rollsys retention system works well to spread pressure. 

Lazer's latest version of the Genesis cycling helmet sees it go on a diet, losing 65g and quite a bit of material too. Vents have increased in size and number, from 19 up to 22, but the Rollsys retention system is unchanged and still works very well. If you hate a heavy lid and want to feel as small a load on your head and neck as possible, this is the helmet to go for.

To be clear: this is a new Lazer Genesis that's lighter than both the original Genesis of a few years ago and Lazer's previous top-end helmet, the Z1. We weighed our size medium at 210g (Lazer claims the small is 195g) and you can get the MIPs version - that our reviewer said he'd upgrade to - for a 10g weight penalty. 

The Abus AirBreaker is an excellent cycling helmet that provides loads of ventilation in a lightweight and low profile package. The AirBreaker's venting is its best feature. It's an in-mould design (meaning that the outer shell is permanently connected to the expanded polystyrene inner) with what Abus calls ActiCage structural reinforcement – essentially a plastic framework within the EPS, the idea being that you can have big vents without the helmet's safety being compromised. Many other brands do something similar.

The AirBreaker's overall shape is the same as that of Abus's GameChanger aero lid. Aero helmets tend to be heavier than most others and ventilation is usually compromised, hence the introduction of the AirBreaker. Our medium sized test model hit the scales at just 214g and it has a similar level of ventilation to the Abus Aventor.