Many cyclists who do not wear helmets have what they think of as a good reason not to. Some do not like how uncomfortable it is; others do not like how their hair gets squished by the helmet; others feel that helmets make them look dorky, to mention a few. But the truth is whether you are riding on a busy street or rural back roads, a helmet is crucial safety gear.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States, 51 percent of the 835 cyclists killed in the United States in 2016 were not wearing helmets. But with the massive number of helmets flooding the market each year, it’s quite challenging to find one that is comfortable, convenient, and stylish. Not to worry because we put together a detailed review of one of the renowned helmets in the market today; the Nutcase Bike Helmet. But first things first, here is a fascinating fact about helmets. Did you know that only nine countries in the world have mandatory bicycle helmet laws that apply to all ages? Well, now, you know.
Table of Contents
History of the Nutcase Helmets
Apart from producing quality helmets, Nutcase is best known for making helmets that are vibrant and fun. The company aims to turn a helmet into a piece of art that would make the user smile each time they put it on. But just what is the story behind this helmet’s existence?
The first two Nutcase helmets were invented by Michael Morrow, the founder of Nutcase, and former Nike creative director. Having grown up in Corvallis, Oregon State, Michael was a passionate football fan and supported the Beavers team.
On the eve of a much-anticipated game between the Beavers and its rival team, the University of Oregon’s Ducks, Mr. Morrow cooked up two helmets, both festooned with the teams’ mascots.
He then wore them to the game, and the reactions to the helmets were amazing. This made him realize how dull the helmets in the market were. They either had licensed cartoon graphics or plain solid colors. With the responses he got, Michael believed that people would like helmets that were more visually fun than the regular helmets available in the market.
In 2005, Mr. Morrow launched the Nutcase company, with its headquarters in Portland, Oregon. In 2014, Nutcase launched an open design competition and has since been selecting three international artists every year, and working with them to design more amazing helmets.
Read More: Bike Helmet Safety
What you get from Nutcase Helmets
1. Stylish Design
It’s hard not to notice the Nutcase bike helmets’ eye-catching design, just by looking at their packaging. The boxes are adorned with impressive graphics and colors that will definitely make you eager to open yours.
The helmets themselves spell out what art and fun are all about. They have beautiful graphics and amazing catchphrases like “Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy,” “I love my brain” to mention a few, that make them look adorable and fashionable at the same time. What’s more, Nutcase has a wide range of styles like Nutcase watermelon, Nutcase Hula, Nutcase Mellow Swirl, Atlantic Blue, to name a few, so you do not have to worry about not finding a helmet that suits your style.
Read More: Cute Bike Helmets
2. Fidlock magnetic buckle
Another feature, which according to many nutcase helmet reviews, makes this helmet unique is the fidlock no-pinch magnetic buckle. Judging by its name, this is not your typical helmet buckle. This is a combination of a magnetic fastener and a mechanical closing function. Apart from enabling you to buckle and unbuckle easily without pinching your neck skin or finger, once the magnets snap together, the mechanical closing function securely locks it. This prevents the buckle from opening, even in intense situations like accidents.
3. Removable spin dial system
Nutcase helmet manufacturers know too well that every head is different. That is why they included a removable spin dial fit system to help you achieve the perfect fit because the better your helmet fits your head, the safer your brain is. All you have to do is to spin clockwise to tighten the helmet, and anticlockwise to loosen it. What’s more, the spin dial’s head is removable, so you can pop it out and pop it back in whenever you want to. The spin dial’s heads in some Nutcase helmets are rubberized, for easier gripping.
4. Injection-molded ABS shell with protective EPS foam
This company aims to make artistic and stylish helmets that are durable and can guarantee you safety for a long time. Almost all the helmets are made of ABS plastic material that is best known for its toughness. ABS is an acronym for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. This material is a perfect combination of durable styrene polymers and acrylonitrile and tough polybutadiene rubber.
The shells also have an EPS foam lining. EPS is an acronym for Expanded-polystyrene that is best known for absorbing shock that is released when your head and the helmet take an impact in the event of an accident. It’s important to keep in mind that there are some nutcase helmets that are not made out ABS material, but the normal polycarbonate material. But that doesn’t mean they are not just as durable.
5. Detachable visor
The helmets also feature stylish detachable visors that protect your eyes and face from the sun, rain, and dust.
6. Ventilation
Nutcase bike helmets provide pretty good ventilation. They have a decent number of ventilation holes, and the padding inside perfectly absorbs sweat. The filling is removable so you can wash them whenever you want to. What’s more, the EPS foam lining also has channels that allow maximum airflow. However, some nutcase helmet reviews have pointed out that the helmets have poor ventilation since users have complained that they cause their heads to sweat.
7. Head coverage
Another thing that we love about nutcase helmets is that they provide full head coverage. As we all know, the more your head is covered by your helmet, the better because it will be well protected in case of an accident. The only downside about it is sweating, especially during hot days.
8. Multisports use
We were not wrong when we mentioned that nutcase helmets are not your typical helmets. This is because these helmets are suitable for several kinds of sports apart from cycling. They are suitable for skateboarding, scootering, and rollerblading. So, if you engage in more than one of the above sports, a nutcase bike helmet should be your go-to helmet.
Nutcase Helmet Sizing
| Sizing | Street/Bike (Centimeter) | Street/Bike (Inches) |
| Small | 52 – 56 cm | 2 1/2 – 22 |
| Medium | 57 – 60 cm | 22 3/8 -23 1/2 |
| Large | 61 – 64 cm | 23 7/8 – 25 |
Like most helmet brands, Nutcase is very keen on making sure that customers get the right helmet size. They have a detailed size chart that you can refer to, to determine your correct size. The helmets come with three interchangeable foam pads that you can place inside to achieve the perfect fit. The EPS foam lining also adjusts to your head’s shape so that the helmet can fit you perfectly.
The company recommends that you first measure your head or your child’s head before ordering one. If you are buying the helmet from a store, it will not hurt to try it first. Nutcase also recommends that if your head is in between two sizes, you should go for the larger size.
Downside: Are nutcase helmets safe?
The issue of whether nutcase helmets are safe is still a controversial one. While the company claims that its helmets are made, tried, and tested to meet the safety standards in the United States and abroad, some reviews tend to disagree. According to some reviews, some nutcase helmets have been reported not to have met some safety standards, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Nutcase Helmets Review 2021 – Recommended
Having looked at the features in detail, take a look at two helmets from Nutcase that we absolutely loved.
1. The Nutcase Solid Street Bike Helmet For Adults
Like all the other helmets from Nutcase, the solid street helmet is either adorned with amazing graphics or has a sleek, robust color design that is guaranteed to suit your fashion taste. The helmet shell is made of durable ABS plastic material for durability and extra safety. It is also filled with EPS foam that absorbs big-time energy released when your head and the helmet take an impact in case of an accident.
The solid street helmet also features a fidlock magnetic strap buckle that is secure and enables you to easily buckle and unbuckle the straps without pinching your neck skin or finger. It also features a soft chin pad for extra comfort. The helmet also comes with a stylish visor that will shield your face and eyes from the sun, dirt, and light rain. What’s more, it also features a removable spin dial fit system and extra foam pads that you can put inside the helmet for a perfect fit.
It also has 11 ventilation holes for maximum airflow inside the helmet. Looking for a helmet that you could wear at night? Look no further because this helmet has 360° reflectivity, so you can be seen by other cyclists and drivers, especially when cycling at night.
Finally, this helmet has been carefully crafted to meet the US CPSC and ASTM F1492 safety standards.
Pros
- It has an eye-catching design, and it is very lightweight.
- It features 360° reflectivity.
- It has 11 ventilation holes for maximum airflow.
- It is made of durable ABS material for durability and extra safety.
- It has EPS foam lining that absorbs shock in case of an accident.
Cons
- Some customers have complained that the helmet sizes are too big.
2. Nutcase Metroride Bike Helmet For Adults
If you use your bicycle to travel to and from work, this should be your go-to helmet. The metroride helmet has a sophisticated but fun design that can easily blend in with your daily style. It has up to ten different graphical models like American Dream, Black Jack, Browndana, to mention a few, so you cannot miss one that suits your style. The helmet is very lightweight and is made of durable polycarbonate material for durability and extra safety. The helmet has an EPS foam lining that absorbs the shock directed to your head in the event of an accident.
It also features a fidlock magnetic strap buckle that allows you to easily buckle and unbuckle your straps without pinching your neck skin or finger. The helmet also has a removable spin dial fit system and extra foam pads that will help you achieve the perfect fit. What’s more, it also comes with a detachable visor that protects you from the sun, dust, and rain.
Pros
- It has a stylish design, and it is very lightweight.
- It is made of polycarbonate material for extra durability and safety.
- It comes with a removable spin dial fit system for a customized fit.
Cons
- Some customers are disappointed that this one does not feature the MIPS technology.
Read More: Thousand Helmet Review
Final thoughts on Nutcase Helmet
Nutcase has successfully managed to revolutionize the bike helmet industry by seamlessly merging safety, art, convenience, and comfort in their helmets. They create products with beautiful graphics, fashion-forward styling, and extra features that provide additional protection and comfort. There is no doubt that a nutcase helmet is guaranteed to fit your head as well as your soul.
