THE BEST Helmets

(Flashing Images) Donut Media presents a fast-paced look at how racing helmets have gone from rudimentary cloth hats which kept dirt off, to today’s lifesaving high tech helmets which are engineered with the same precision as the race cars themselves.

Guard the streets with ThinkGeek’s officially-licensed Master Chief motorcycle helmet. It meets DOT standards and has a anti-UV light coated ABS shell, a reflective visor with UV protection and removable and washable center and cheek pads.

Last year, PlayStation held a giveaway for custom-made life-size replicas of the magmatrooper and rebel commando helmets. Super Gamer Builds documented the helmets’ production and presentation to the lucky winner. Skip to 6:19 for the reveal.

Man at Arms: Reforged made a battle-ready replica of Super Shredder’s helmet as well as the blades sticking out of his shoulders, arms and knuckles. They used old techniques and a design closer to the traditional kabuto, which was the inspiration for the costume.

The Zero1 minimizes the force of head impacts. Its soft outer layer and 1.5″ tall struts deform upon being hit, cushioning blows from any angle. It will be tested by college and NFL players this spring. Skip to 3:03. More here, here and here.

Instead of a chin strap, the RS 1 motorcycle helmet has an adjustable chin cup and splits into two so you can easily put it on or take it off. Its snug fit means it won’t be jostled around by strong winds or thrown off your head in case of a collision.

Dustin McLean of DIY Prop Shop shows us how we can make our own Star Wars’ Rebel pilot’s helmet without having to spend an arm and a leg. Sure, you could buy one that’s already made up, but where’s the fun in that?

Bell’s carbon composite off-road helmet doesn’t just look awesome. It’s engineered for safety with multiple protective layers to absorb shock and energy at low, medium or high speeds. The segmented interior ensures a snug fit for a wide variety of head sizes and shapes.

Lumos is a bicycle helmet with over 60 LEDs on its front, side and back. It automatically flashes its brake lights when you’re slowing down, while its turn signal lights are triggered via a handlebar-mounted remote control.

Beautiful, comfortable and durable motorcycle helmets. They’re made of carbon fiber or carbon fiber composite, have anti-bacterial cushion padding and come in a variety of designs. Hedon also makes visors and leather masks.

While we’re not sure of the practical uses for a metal bike helmet, we’re still mesmerized by this Mazak Variaxis 5-axis milling machine as it replicates a Rudy Project Windmax helmet from a block of aluminum using PowerMILL software.

Bell Helmets goes back to the future with this motorcycle helmet that draws inspiration from the original Bell Star, but made from today’s materials, offering up-to-date safety features, and full face protection.

A brake and turn signal light that sticks on the back of motorcycle helmets. It will come with a wireless transmitter that you’ll attach to your bike, allowing it to turn on or off in sync with the bike’s own lights.

Giro helmets educates us on the finer points of what happens to your brain in a crash, and how a seemingly small change to helmet design could protects us by moving just enough to reduce some of the most deadly and traumatic forces.

Formerly known as the P-1, Skully’s DOT/ECE-certified augmented reality motorcycle helmet has a rear view display that can also display maps and phone or SMS notifications. It also lets you control your phone’s music player.

Believe it or not, you’re looking at a bicycle helmet. The Bandbox has a protective and comfortable shell that you can discreetly top off with a variety of interchangeable hat covers (sold separately). Skip to 2:05.

A heads-up display and camera that attaches to existing motorcycle helmets. It works with a mobile device via Bluetooth to display maps, notifications and other data. It uses a small controller that you attach on your bike.

Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin’s concept for an “invisible” bicycle helmet is now available for sale. The Hövding collar has an airbag that is deployed only when its sensors detect that the rider is about to fall or fly off their bike.

Like the LiveMap, the Skully P-1 is a motorcycle helmet with a heads up display and a built-in GPS. It displays directions, has a rear-view camera and gives you voice control over your smartphone’s basic functions via Bluetooth.

A motorcycle helmet with a built-in navigation system. Activated via simple voice commands, it projects directions, overhead maps and more in the center of your field of view so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

Carrera’s cycling helmets have a foldable frame to provide increased ventilation, save extra space in your bag and adjust to the shape of a wearer’s head better. The Premium design features leather details and a matte finish.

Want to turn heads while you’re on your motorcycle but can’t afford a fancy bike? Get a Wolf Helmet. Available in two equally insane, DOT-certified designs, they are at once outrageous and sensible.

We’ve seen a Newton’s cradle made out of light bulbs. This one’s made of people. Shark Helmets set it up to demonstrate the shock-absorbing capability of its motorcycle helmets. Don’t try this at home.

Look like a badass from a dystopian science fiction movie wearing this imposing helmet which combines a half-helmet for your skull with an adjustable and removable muzzle to protect others from your bite.

If you liked Patrick Jouffret and Philippe Arrouart’s concept for a foldable bike helmet, now’s your chance to support it and be one of the first to own one by pledging on its fundraiser.

If you’re a sci-fi fan, you know the isolation of a space helmet can result in both awesome and terrifying moments. Here, Keith Melton supercuts classic helmet scenes to an appropriate soundtrack.