So you’re shopping for a new bicycle helmet and you’re checking out the competition? We won’t judge. In fact, we encourage you to do your research and read the reviews to reach a thoughtful decision. Choosing a bike helmet is a big decision. It’s a reflection of your personality, needs to fit within your budget and, most importantly, has to properly protect your dome.
We wanted to help take the guesswork out of comparing Thousand bike helmets to Bern bike helmets and put together a quick overview of their most popular styles. One design choice that has become synonymous with Bern helmets is ventilation. Many of their helmets are designed with extra vents, making them ideal for warmer weather but not so ideal for fall and winter — a potential deal breaker for year-round riders. In general, Bern walks the line between a sporty, performance bike helmet style and a skateboard helmet style. The brand chooses function over fashion and makes it affordable to own an MIPS helmet.
The Bern Union Helmet is an interesting cross between a performance-style bike helmet and a skateboard helmet. It has the appeal of both styles if you’re torn between the two, yet was made for the urban rider. The design is available in Standard for $89.99, which comes in at about a dollar more than the Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet. The MIPS version costs $109.99, so slightly less than the Thousand Chapter MIPS Bike Helmet (although ours also comes with a magnetic taillight and multi-use adapter). This style is on the higher end of the Bern cost spectrum. It’s only available in five colors compared to our range of 12.
Bike commuters, this one’s for you. The Bern Hudson Helmet has a similar profile to our Chapter bicycle helmets but still possesses a strong resemblance to your average sporty, performance-style helmet. What we’re saying is, the Hudson isn’t very sleek. What it lacks in style is made up in safety with its MIPS technology and rear rechargeable light. Price-wise, the Hudson is a bit cheaper than our Chapter and comes in at $119.99. Casual bicyclists and skateboarders will appreciate its versatility.
Bern took one of its best bike helmets and gave it an upgrade. The Bern Macon 2.0 Helmet is the brand’s lower-end, more economical option. It costs just $59.99, which is cheaper than both of our lightweight bike helmet designs, and it features MIPS technology. The Macon is fine if you like basic. But, if you’re looking to show your personality, try our Heritage bike helmet in Polished Titanium or Rose Gold.
Imagine a baseball helmet with extra vents and a brain protection safety system. That’s the Bern Watts Helmet in a nutshell. The benefit of the Watts is that you could take this style from the ski slopes to the mountain bike trails on the very same day. Pretty impressive, we’ll give them that. The price point is approachable, too, with the Standard at $59.99 and the MIPS helmet at $79.99. While it’s got versatility, it lacks thoughtful (and helpful) features like our built-in PopLock and one-handed magnetic fastener — two features that would be especially ideal for skiers and snowboarders.
The Bern Allston Helmet gets two stars for style for obvious reasons. But, it could be a good gateway for those who have typically worn performance helmets and are making a move into the urban bike helmet world. The Allston is designed with 16 vents, making it a breezy and cool ride during the fall and winter months. At $79.99, it’s Bern’s middle-of-the-road price point and costs just $10.99 cheaper than our Heritage retro bike helmet. The Allston comes in five colorways and features a soft-flip visor and moisture-control liner. Skateboarders, scooter riders and roller skaters might skip this one in favor of a low-profile option.
We also went head-to-head with a few other brands. Curious how they ranked? Read our Helmet Brands Round-Up for more. Or, if you’re already sold on a Thousand, scroll over to our shop to explore our stylish bike helmets instead.
