Thousand Heritage 2.0
Thousand · Vintage stadshelm· €99.00
Our verdict
The most stylish helmet in this round-up, and therefore the best pick for riders who otherwise wouldn't wear one at all. Just know you're trading weight, airflow and modern impact tech for that style.
Detailed review
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 is, honestly, a lifestyle object first — and that's exactly why it works. In a country like the Netherlands, where only around 3% of regular cyclists wear a helmet, the biggest safety gain is often simply getting someone to wear anything at all. Thousand's vintage motorcycle aesthetic, premium matte colours and vegan leather chin strap convince people who find a typical sporty bike helmet off-putting to actually put one on for their commute through Amsterdam or Utrecht. The cleverest detail is the 'Secret PopLock': a hidden hatch that lets you run a normal bike lock through the helmet and secure it to your frame — brilliant when you're bar-hopping across town and don't want to carry a helmet under your arm all night.
On the safety side, the Heritage 2.0 is less advanced than the competition. It meets CE EN 1078 and CPSC standards, but there's no MIPS and no SPIN — just a standard EPS liner. For low-speed city riding that's usually sufficient, but on an e-bike or trekking route you take on more risk from oblique impacts where those technologies would help. The helmet is also not NTA 8776 certified and therefore not legal for speed pedelec riders in the Netherlands.
Comfort-wise, 410 g in size M is noticeably heavy — about 40% more than the POC Omne Air SPIN — and the closed retro shell has minimal ventilation, so you'll sweat hard on warm days. The Fidlock buckle is a real plus, though: one-handed, gloves-friendly operation. If you want a helmet stylish enough to wear every day, the Heritage 2.0 is unique — as long as you accept that you're trading some protection for style.
Who is this for?
- Style-conscious city riders who otherwise wouldn't wear a helmet at all
- Cafe hoppers who love the PopLock for securing the helmet to the bike
- Cyclists who value aesthetics over MIPS or airflow
- Short-distance commuters riding at low speeds
What to watch out for
- No MIPS or SPIN — weaker rotational protection than rivals
- Not NTA 8776 certified — not legal for speed pedelecs
- Heavy at 410 g with poor ventilation — gets warm in summer
Specifications
Protection
| Certification | CE EN 1078, CPSC |
Fit
| Sizes | S (55-57), M (57-59), L (59-62) cm |
| Weight | 410 g (M) |
| Closure | Fidlock magnetisch |
All rules for speed pedelecs in the Netherlands: NTA 8776 helmet, AM licence, number plate, third-party insurance and where you are and are not allowed to ride.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Secret PopLock lets you lock the helmet to your bike frame
- Stylish vintage design in premium matte colours
- Vegan leather chin strap with magnetic Fidlock closure
- Meets both European and American safety standards
Cons
- Limited ventilation due to the closed retro shell — runs warm
- No MIPS or SPIN — relies on traditional EPS protection only
Use case fit
How well does this product fit different bike types?
| City Bikes | 90 |
| Folding Bikes | 78 |
| Electric Bikes | 72 |