Bicycle Helmets by Country
Summary: We get inquiries about helmets that are made a specific country, such as the US, or helmets that are "not made in China." While the country of origin may not have much to do with the quality of a helmet, if users are looking for country-specific information we provide what we know here. Since sourcing changes quickly in some cases, it is necessary to check the stickers in the helmet you are buying to be sure where it was made.
China
By default, all of the helmets we list in our Helmets for the Current Season article are made in China if not otherwise indicated. The overwhelming majority of the world's helmets are produced there. Quality ranges from poor to excellent. In addition, some if not most helmets assembled elsewhere have at least some Chinese-made component parts like buckles and straps. Most of the household helmet names in the US market are made in China. US companies sourcing there have to be very careful about quality control, and buy most of their helmets from a few producers known for consistent quality.
USA
There are still millions of bicycle helmets made every year in the US. Most are made by Bell in Rantoul, IL, and are marked "assembled in USA from US and Chinese parts." They are in Bell's low-cost line, found at Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and other big box discount stores. The higher end includes their Impulse, a round, smooth helmet that is molded in the shell. We do not know of any other major manufacturer making bicycle helmets here in the US.
Taiwan
A number of manufacturers make helmets in Taiwan. Most Expanded PolyUrethane (EPU) helmets come from there. Manufacturers include Ascent and Tirreno, the Performance Bicycle house brand.
Germany
At least two manufacturers still make helmets in Germany. Uvex makes their most expensive models there. A few of their less expensive models are made in China. KED Helmsysteme, whose helmets we have not seen, advertises on their Web site that their helmets are "garantiert made in Germany." We have more on both manufacturers in our annual helmets for the current season page. Again there may or may not be Chinese-made components.
France
The French company BiOS has a Made in France line at the bottom of their Web pages. Their helmets are made to a different drummer design, so you might want to read our writeup on them.
Belgium
Lazer used to make their helmets in Belgium. They may still make some models there, but we don't know which ones.
Canada
At least one Louis Garneau's helmet is made in Canada. Some Garneau models come from China, however, and we don't have a list by origin.
Israel
We had reports in the 1990's of a kibbutz-based manufacturer of bike helmets in Israel. We have lost track of them, but they may still be in business.
Japan
Most helmets made in Japan are for the internal market. We don't have info on them.
Italy
Italian manufacturers have been among the last to switch to Asian sourceing for their helmets. Some have mixed Italian and Chinese origin lines like Limar, but at least three say all of their models are still Made in Italy: MET, LAS and Selev.
Sweden
At least one Swedish manufacturer still makes their helmets there. Others may as well, but we don't see them in the US market.
Australia
Tommy Carron has informed us that bicycle helmets are manufactured in Australia by Pacific Brands under the Rosebank brand. Playworks International also manufacture the FLITE 900 in Australia which is a children's helmet (as of 2006). Headstart International also makes a child's helmet- the HEADSTART Skins Flame 325 (as of 2006).
This page was last revised on: February 25, 2009.
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