EmailBest Reviewed
Bicycle Helmets
- Best bike helmet overall Giro Indicator *Est. $40
- Bike helmet for women Bell Vela *Est. $30
- Bicycle helmet for commuters Bell Citi *Est. $50
- Performance helmet for serious cyclists Specialized Propero *Est. $110
- Bike helmet for toddlers Bell Boomerang *Est. $30
- Youth bike helmet Bell Trigger *Est. $30
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Bike helmet for women
- Accommodates smaller head sizes
- Lightweight
- Good value
- Exposed padding in the back
Women with small heads may have trouble getting a precise fit with most one-size bike helmets. The Bell Vela, however, gets good reviews and is designed specifically for women. This bicycle helmet accommodates head sizes between 19.7 inches and 22.45 inches, and it's lighter than both the top-rated Giro Indicator (*Est. $40) and Bell Citi (*Est. $50) helmets. Like the Bell Citi, the Bell Vela helmet has a one-handed fit adjustment system and a snap-on visor for sun and wind protection. Reviewers think this bike helmet is a great value, and multiple women say they can achieve a snug fit. Very few downsides emerge in reviews, but BikeRadar.com notes that the helmet design does leave some foam padding exposed in the back of the helmet, which is "vulnerable to scrapes" in the event of a collision. The sporty design (with five color options) also gets high marks. Since the Bell Vela only accommodates heads up to 22.45 inches in circumference, women with larger heads may want to stick with the Giro Indicator, which fits heads up to 24 inches.
We found the best reviews of the Bell Vela on BikeRadar.com, where the helmet gets a detailed review and is scored 4.5 out of five stars. The female author, Jen Hopkins, tests the helmet for fit, comfort and ventilation. The Bell Vela is also mentioned briefly in reviews written by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute and Good Housekeeping. Both mentions are brief and focus on just a few of the helmet's features.
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Our Sources
Jenn Hopkins at BikeRadar.com gives the Bell Vela helmet 4.5 stars out of five, calling it a "good-looking gem of a lid at a superb bargain price." Hopkins finds the fit easy to adjust, and she praises the ample ventilation.
Review: Bell Vela Women's Helmet, Jenn Hopkins
2. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
The Bell Vela bike helmet earns a Good Housekeeping Pick designation. Testers for the magazine love the sporty design and find it fits well without being too tight.
Review: A Bike You'll Like, Editors of Good Housekeeping
3. Amazon.com
Only a handful of owners review the Bell Vela on Amazon.com, and it receives average ratings. Several women say they love the fit and design, and one owner credits it with saving her skull during a bike accident. However, one woman with a large head finds it too small and another finds the straps uncomfortable.
Review: Bell Vela Bike Helmet, Contributors to Amazon.com
4. Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
The Bell Vela gets only a brief mention from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, but editors say this series of helmets is "probably one of the better values in the Bell lineup."
Review: Bicycle Helmets for the 2009 Season, Editors of Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, June 27, 2009
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