The Helmet Update
Volume 44 – #1 – June 18, 2026
Three More ASTM Standards Revised to Lower Peak g to 275
ASTM has improved three more bike helmet standards
ASTM has published final revisions of three bike helmet standards to lower the maximum permissible g level in testing from 300g to 275g. The same change has already been made in the bike/skate standard, F1447. Although this is a minimal change, it will force some manufacturers to improve their helmets. In fact, it is easy to produce helmets that keep the test g’s below 150 with current and inexpensive technology. Reputable manufacturers do not sell helmets that approach the maximum permissible level.
The three standards are:
F1898-26 – Helmets Used by Infants and Toddlers
F1952-26 -Helmets Used for Downhill Mountain Bicycle Racing
F2032-26 – Helmets Used for BMX Cycling
Manufacturers certifying to those standards can continue to use the older version for one year. Only the permissible g level was changed.
We have updated our list that merges the top Consumer Reports picks with the top Virginia Tech star system helmets.
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