NUTCASE Helmet Review

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It’s a family Nutcase Helmet thing….

“Teach your children well”, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young sing. Therefore, I preach, teach and expose them to all sorts of experiences, as well as many adventures especially when they are young. I get that most kids gravitate to biking at an early age, as it does teach plenty of fine motor skills. We are a very active family of bikers, hikers, skiers, campers, ice skaters, runners, triathletes, and the list goes on and on.  Keeping those little (and big) noggin’s safe is priority number one. Therefore, my crew will be sporting the Nutcase Helmet line in all its glory.

Nutcase Helmets Review: A Family Affair

Nutcase has a nice assortment of helmets with several appealing lines. All are at an affordable price point for the budget minded consumer. These Nutcase Helmets really do lend themselves rather well to the ever growing popularity of the daily commuter. That does appear to be their target market, since the helmets are more practical. The Nutcase helmets are not full of space age and highly technical weight saving features that the road cyclist might desire. That said, the advancements of the shell, padding, and closure system have been well thought out to perform and stand the test of time. From Toddler age helmets to aging adult brain buckets, the Nutcase Helmets have a wonderful assortment of sizes, styles, and designs. In addition, the vents provide adequate airflow to keep the head at a regular temperature.

The Closure And Tightening System On The Nutcase Helmets

Nutcase takes a slightly different approach to the prevalent snap buckle that grace most helmets these days. Their design incorporates a magnetic locking mechanism that slides in at a slightly different angle than what I was used to.

I think the no-pinch magnetic buckle in concept is ingenious. At times, I fumble with the pinch snap systems that most helmets have. There’s nothing really wrong with those, except for when the hands are cold. Hence, I was excited for this system. Now, it does take a bit of getting used to knowing which way the no-pinch magnetic buckle slides together. Numerous times, I have still caught myself trying to snap it shut from both ends. However, with time it will become second nature. What’s nice is that once the system is aligned, the magnet kind of takes over and pulls it together for a secure fit. It has not come undone or loose on me, so we are good to go.

Sizing

I want to highlight the sizing of my helmet. I get that everyone’s head circumference will vary. At first, I was disappointed that the helmet seemed a bit too big for my head. This was an “oh-no” moment, and should I see about getting a Medium. I traded out the foam pads for the biggest one they’d included (the helmet comes out of the box with the medium thickness pads). It is nice that they provide us with options for three different thickness pads. That said, even with the thickest ones, there’s the slightest space left over. I can certainly wear it, but I want to point out that in the case of my helmet, the Throwback is slightly Large. Definitely try one on if you can.

On The Roads And Trails With The Nutcase Helmet

The Wife Angle

My wife has turned into a big bicycle commuter lately, and she absolutely loves her Nutcase Metroride. 4-5 days out of the week, she rides 10 plus miles round trip mainly on city streets. Denver is a rather progressive bike city, so proper bike lanes are the norm for many major bike thoroughfare streets. We have a long way to go, but she feels safe enough and is also much more aware of her surroundings. No time to text on the bike like many do in the cars. Don’t get me started!!! The “Metroride” has the MIPS feature which provides that one extra layer of safety if something were to happen. She has been raving about the magnetic no clip buckle system especially during the winter. Either her hands are cold or she’s wearing gloves, but in any case, the helmet snaps on and off without any issues.

The kid perspective on Nutcase Helmet

My girls get dragged along on our runs all the time, and they will cruise their bike for 4-6 miles. As a result, this is good family time and great exercise for all of us. The Nutcase Helmets are certainly a nice addition for them. They’d been riding with cheap (as in quality) hand-me-down helmets, and I feel safer knowing that they’re little heads are protected. The Nutcase Helmets are constructed of durable ABS which will certainly stand up to their abuse. No major falls yet, but my little one is pretty fearless and my oldest has her dad’s clumsy gene. With time, we will surely record some tumbles. They loved the fact that they got to pick their own style. Without hesitation, one picked the “Modern Melon”, and the other selected the “Cool Kid”.

The Dad’s Multi-use Helmet Approach

My job is very mobile in that I may have to head out across town in a moment’s notice (in my car). That said, I can commute by bike one or two times per week, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time doing so. I don’t have a direct or necessarily safe route, so I cruise secondary city roads which have the opportunity for lots of hurdles and obstacles. Dozens of stop signs, trashcans, car doors opening, potholes, along with distracted drivers are par for the course. I ride hard, yet with a great sense of awareness. Having my Nutcase “Street” helmet does provide a sense of safety, and I am very happy with the helmet.

As an athlete, I am dealing with some nagging running injuries. I do have a speed skating background, so I have been hitting my local parks and trails on my inline roller blades. Again, my Nutcase “Street” helmet has been a welcome addition. It doesn’t take much for the smallest of obstacles to cause a tumble or wipe-out. With my Nutcase Helmet, I have that extra layer of safety.

I love my Throwback Street Helmet. Being a child of the 70’s, I can certainly appreciate the simple design and color scheme.

Little Nutty Cool Kid Street Helmet

• Size: XS (48-52cm)
• Designs: Buggy, Stay Positive, Cool Kid, Berry Sweet, Owl Party, Modern Melon
• Dual-certified for both bike and skate
• 360° reflectivity
• Spin dial fit system allows for a comfy, snug fit
• Removable visor
• Three sets of pads for optimal fit

STREET

• Sizes: S (52-56cm), M (56-60cm), and L (60-64cm)
• Designs: Passion Purple, Throwback, Surplus, Visitor, Stay Geared, Pebbles, Feathered Friends, Beach Bound, Coral
• Dual-certified for both bike and skate
• 360° reflectivity
• Removable spin-dial fit system
• Removable visor
• Three sets of pads for optimal fit

METRORIDE

• Available in S/M (55-59cm) and L/XL (59-62cm).
• Designs: Waterscape Matte
• Lightweight in-mold shell with protective EPS foam
• Six large vents and deep internal channeling for maximum airflow
• Durable snap-in visor
• No-pinch magnetic buckle for one-handed operation
• Dual-position spin-dial fit system
• 3M reflective straps
• Three sets of moisture wicking pads for optimal fit

Final Thoughts on the Nutcase Helmet Line

The Nutcase Helmets are a pretty cool way to add some flair and safety to any ride. My wife and I commute to work by bike a lot, and these helmets are proving to be an invaluable partner when it comes to our safety. The kids don’t really care about the safety aspect, but they love their designs. We feel good that they are in the habit of putting on their brain bucket, and that they are protected from head injuries. Most noteworthy, the Nutcase helmets are a very good option for the safety and budget minded consumer. And if you bring your kids into the folds, they have many cool options for them as well. Prices and detailed specs are listed above. For more information and details, please visit NUTCASE.