Thousand first introduced their Heritage helmet back in 2015 as a retro styled helmet designed to make people want to wear a helmet. After nearly 8 years of being on the market, Thousand has released the updated Heritage 2.0. The helmet retains the affordable $99 retail price and unique color schemes that help it stand out in the crowded urban cycling helmet field. With this updated version the helmet boasts six vents for improved cooling as well as a more inclusive fit. Thousand has redesigned the fit system to accommodate both round and oval shaped heads. As with the original helmet, the Heritage 2.0 features the proprietary PopLock feature which is a removable magnetic cover that can be used to slide a lock through to secure the helmet to the bike. Thousand is so sure about this system that they offer a free helmet replacement if it’s stolen while using the PopLock slot and they even offer free crash replacements. The other notable improvement is an optional magnetic taillight which securely attaches to the rear of the helmet.
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 takes their iconic urban helmet and adds additional ventilation, improved fit and a magnetic taillight attachment.
| Rating | 8.5 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $99 |
| Measured weight (in g) | 482 (size M) |
| Likes | + Creative color schemes + Larger vents improve airflow through helmet + Magnetic PopLock feature and taillight attachment |
| Dislikes | – Relatively heavy for a simple urban helmet – Taillight has to be purchased separately |
| Where to Buy (US) | Thousand |
UNBOXING
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 comes in a standard cardboard helmet box with branding printed directly on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Thousand Heritage 2.0 helmet
- Fabric carrying bag
- Safety pamphlet
We were surprised to find the branded fabric carrying bag which is a feature usually limited to more expensive helmets. The sleek white bag and black Thousand branding are a perfect way to transport or store the helmet.
FIT & FINISH
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 takes everything people loved about the Heritage but improves the fit, ventilation and visibility with small tweaks. Visually, the Heritage keeps the same distinctive retro design and attractive color and graphic schemes that make the Thousand helmet stand out from the crowd. Thousand currently offers the helmet in eight options including matte, metallic and graphic options that have white accents along the rim of the helmet. As with their other helmets, these are all creative and unique designs that let riders express their personality. The helmet has a hard shell design, similar to the Lazer CityZen, instead of a lighter in-mold design which utilizes a thick and durable outer shell and foam on the inside for impact absorption. We have the Speedway Creme color variation for this review which has an attractive off-white color with stripes down the center. It’s similar to the Race Stripe color scheme on the original Heritage helmet and offers a sporty design that stands out.
One of the big improvements with the Thousand Heritage 2.0 has improved the ventilation with six ventilation slots. The vent placement is quite similar to the Thousand Chapter MIPS helmet with vertical slots near the top. It’s a big improvement over the nearly ventless original Heritage helmet and means you can ride in warmer weather or do longer rides comfortably. The other big improvements with the helmet is the re-engineered shape, internal padding and fit system. This is designed to minimize pressure points and be compatible with both oval and round shaped heads. There are strategically placed pads and an easy to use rear dial to loosen or tighten the cradle. With most of the color schemes you also get these attractive tan vegan leather straps which give the helmet a premium look. While the straps don’t have adjustable side splitters, the helmet retains a magnetic buckle which is normally reserved for more expensive helmets.
Unique to Thousand helmets is their PopLock design which is a magnetic cover on the side of the helmet. This provides a secure spot to run a lock through and secure the helmet to the bike when parked. Thousand is so confident about this setup that they’ll even replace your helmet for free if it is stolen with the PopLock feature used. We’ve seen some helmets like the Bern Hudson mimic this feature with larger side vents, but the magnetic cover of Thousand’s PopLock design is sleeker. Thousand has also used magnets for the optional rear taillight. At the time of this review, the taillight was not available but it’s supposed to retail for $25 and offer USB-C charging and improved visibility. As we show in the video review, you can mock the Chapter’s magnetic taillight to get an idea of the appearance but it’s not compatible and won’t stay attached to the helmet.
ON THE ROAD
With its sleek retro styling and creative color schemes, the Thousand Heritage 2.0 is a helmet that’s fun to be seen in. We enjoyed riding it for errands and even casual rides as the helmet is comfortable and attractive. The improved venting is a big upgrade from the original Heritage and means it can be worn on long rides or even as the temperature increases. While the 482g weight is on the heavy side, especially compared to ~250g road cycling helmets like the Lazer Tonic KinetiCore, it’s still comfortable even on long rides. We can’t make any big claims about the more inclusive fit, however, as we found the original Heritage and Heritage 2.0 helmets to be equally comfortable. The rear dial is easy to adjust while the magnetic buckle is quick to put on which makes putting the helmet on or off quick and easy.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Thousand Heritage 2.0 to be an attractive and sleek urban cycling helmet. With this updated design Thousand has improved the ventilation, fit and visibility with subtle but effective changes. Externally, the helmet’s larger vents are the most obvious changes and make the helmet more comfortable to wear on long rides and in warmer climates. Inside the helmet’s more inclusive fit system is a comfortable and easy to adjustable rear cradle. As with the original Heritage, the Heritage 2.0 has a wide variety of attractive and unique color schemes including the Speedway Creme shown in this review. The main negatives of the helmet is that it is on the heavy side and that the magnetic taillight has to be purchased separately. That said, if you’re looking for a sleek urban cycling helmet then the Heritage 2.0 is a great option.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Thousand. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.