Can I use a road helmet for gravel riding?

While you can physically wear a road helmet for gravel riding, it's not ideal. Road helmets provide less rear and temple coverage than gravel-specific or MTB helmets, which matters more in off-road crash scenarios. They also lack a visor for sun and debris protection on loose surfaces. If you ride both road and gravel, consider a gravel helmet with extended rear coverage and a removable visor, or use an MTB helmet for gravel rides. If you only occasionally ride gravel, your road helmet is acceptable but not optimal.