Nutcase Street MIPS

The Nutcase Street MIPS targets riders who want to stand out from the sea of grey commuter helmets. With over thirty designs — from matte black to bold graffiti patterns — it's a helmet you actively choose because it matches your style. Under that colourful exterior sits a surprisingly serious safety build: a full MIPS liner, CE EN 1078 and CPSC certification, and a thick EPS foam core. In a country like the Netherlands, where helmet use among regular cyclists sits at around 3%, a standout design can be a surprisingly effective way to get someone to start wearing one at all — especially teenagers and young adults.

On the bike, the fit is round and fairly tall, which suits Northern European head shapes but can look bulbous on some wearers. The Fidlock buckle is one of the standout features: magnetic, self-closing and effortless with winter gloves — something you appreciate every morning during a Dutch winter commute. At 370 g in size M it's a little heavier than the POC Omne Air SPIN but lighter than the Lumos Ultra.

The biggest caveat is ventilation: the closed city shell has very limited vents and gets warm on summer rides or longer climbs. And while the MIPS liner is good, there's no integrated lighting of any kind — you'll still need a separate rear light for the dark winter months. Speed pedelec riders should look elsewhere entirely: this helmet is not NTA 8776 certified and therefore not legal for S-pedelec riders who have been required to wear certified helmets in the Netherlands since 2017.