Do you know that equipping yourself with the best mountain bike helmet can decrease 48% to 85% of injuries relating to your head?
Mountain bike helmets are basically broken down into two major categories – the full-face and the half-face. Although they’re all made to protect your head, each type will only offer the best performance on some certain riding styles.
Let’s dive into it to learn more!
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Top 8 Best Mountain Bike Helmets Reviews In 2020
Giro Fixture Mountain Bike Helmets
If you’re an aggressive trail or endure rider, this men’s cycling helmet is one of the best options under 100.
It is from Giro, a reputable 1985-founded helmet brand that outfits its designs with practical, non-superfluous components and skips the stuff you don’t need.
It is one of the lightest models here with an emphasis on MIPS technology and EPS foam padding – the two features that have started proving themselves as a new standard for helmet comfort and safety over the last few years.
In addition, its Roc Loc Sport system with a quick twist of its rear-mounted dial helps to size adjustment inside the helmet more easily to ensure the fitting is right to your head.
And the dissipate rotational forces give you lots of peace in mind when opening it up when rolling over steep rocks, darting between trees along the trail, or on high-speed descents.
With this, no matter it’s a scorching-hot ride, long climb, or rugged alpine trail, your head will always feel breathable and comfortable with optimal safety.
Pros
- Easy to adjust to the right fitting of your head for comfort and safety
- Highlight MIPS technology and EPS foam padding for ultimate protection to your head
- The added visor protects your eyes from the sun, mud, and rain
Cons
- The adjustment knob on the back is a bit hard to reach
Product specs:
Troy Lee Designs Mountain Bike Helmets
For serious MTB riders who are ready to spend around $100 for a helmet, I highly recommend the Troy Lee A1 as one of the best MTB helmets under 150 dollars.
While still using EPS foam padding, its shell material is leveraged to reinforced polycarbonate material to hence give you a more reliable rock-solid feeling, with no extra weight added.
The ventilation is also awesome. It features 8 rear vacuum vortex outlets and 8 pressurized intake passages to keep my head cool when riding in Chicago’s summer months, and they look sporty. During my first ride with this, it stayed glued to my head and the total weight of 13.6 ounces makes me hardly aware it was there, which truly is perfect.
For some technical information, it meets AS/NZS 2063, CE EN 107B, and CPSC 1203 certification.
And with the addition of MIPS rotational brain protection, I believe you’re protected in all riding conditions, no matter on grinding out miles, riding dirt jumps, or charging single trail.
Pros
- Meet many international safety standards -> ensure the ultimate protection and safety given to your head
- Excellent ventilation -> ideal to use in hot weather
- Provide a more rock-solid feeling with reliability and safety
Cons
- No visor
Product specs:
Bell Super 3R MIPS MTB Bike Helmets
I’m pleasantly surprised by how perfect this full-face MTB helmet is. It’s got everything needed for a generally good full-face while overcoming almost weaknesses, such as the bulky shape, weight, and more.
Compared to other full-face helmets that I’ve tried, this literally does not add a lot of size to my head and is very lightweight (yet strong).
It has plenty of ventilation to survive during hot weather and the best thing is removable adjustable cheek foam padding, which means you can easily hygiene it or adjust to some degrees to fit your face better.
My most favorite thing is its removable face guard uncovers the ears, therefore, to let you hear clearer in the traffic. Perfect!
Pros
- Much lightweight and neat than the standard full-face MTB helmets, ideal for minimalists
- Feature removable adjustable cheek padding for easier hygiene and fitting
- Have removable face guard uncovers the ears to help you hear better in the traffic
Cons
- Straps come down from the outside of the helmet so it wobbles a little side to side
Product specs:
Giro Hex MTB Helmets
Next is the Giro Hex MTB Helmet.
Making it outstanding is the new Roc Loc 5 fitting system, which took over 10 years’ refinement to excel all features for an unparalleled level of weight savings, adjustability, stability, and comfort.
Fun fact: Roc Loc 5 is 40% lighter than its older sibling – Roc Loc 4 – and yet, it gives you higher strength, better adjustment, ease to use, and fine-tune fit.
Adjusting vertical positions has never been such easy. You can tighten it for a ride on tough terrains or loosen it for a warm climb or the flats. The convenient thing is all can be done by just one hand.
As prices are varied depending on the size and color you choose, it’s possible to get a good MTB helmet under 50 if you’re lucky.
You’ll also amazing for how durable it is. The Roc Loc 5 was tested to perform consistently after 3 years’ riding with 3 round trips/day, equivalent to 6600 cycles. So for the price, it is highly valuable.
Pros
- Feature 40% lighter than the Roc Loc 4 but being stronger and easier to use and adjust
- You can adjust it by one hand
- Superior durable – can last 6600 cycles
Cons
- Padding is a bit thin
Product specs:
Giro Chronicle MIPS MTB Helmets
Packed with the Roc Loc 5-foot system, MIPS technology, Coolmax padding, and visor adaptability, the Giro Chronicle is specialized for trail riders at a reasonable price point.
It’s really comfortable, cool, and decent in protection.
Whether in a challenging climb or technical descent, it is always full of coverage to keep up your confidence. It helps you easily dial-in both fit tension and adjust vertical position with a single hand.
The goggle compatibility is another big addition. You can lift the visor to add this to the front of your helmet, protecting your eyes better against mud, insects, wind, sun, and rain.
One last bonus the size options. With this, you’ve got four choices – small, medium, large, and extra-large – to choose from. It gives a nice fitting to head sizes ranging between 51cm to 65cm, meaning that this is ideal for all riders.
Pros
- Feature goggle compatibility for better protection to your eyes
- Give multiple size options for higher customization
Cons
- The padding holds the sweat, which is risky to drip in your eyes
Product specs:
DEMON UNITED Podium Mountain Bike Helmets
The Demon Podium is a nice option for aggressive MTB riding in long periods.
Fitting is excellent and it’s lightweight. The vents deliver excellent air circulation when riding but are warm enough even in cold weather.
The tough polycarbonate shell makes this helmet ultra-safe to use and also helps it meet CPSC standards.
Going inside, you’ll find that its padding is all made of EPS foam to make sure the fitting is always top-notch, alongside with decent comfort. One good thing is this liner is removable for easier hygiene.
And did I tell you that it provides up to 9 different color options?
Pros
- Removable EPS foam padding for easier cleaning and fitting
- Meet CPSC certification, meaning that it ensures the quality
- Offer 9 color options
Cons
- Visors are smaller and thinner than other counterparts
- The size is slightly smaller than the standards
Product specs:
TeamObsidian Mountain Bike Helmets
TeamObsidian Premium Quality Airflow Bike Helmet has everything that any MTB rider could ask for.
Out of the box, it highlights 22 massive air vents, superb shock absorption technology, and innovative, low-profile construction.
In addition to some add-ons, like washable removable pads, detachable visor, and cushioned chin strap, this is protective and convenient enough for both teens and adults. Also, it’s one of the lightest helmets out there with merely 0.6 pounds.
Adjustment is a big plus of this model thanks to the dial fit and quick release chin strap so even if you’re a lady with a ponytail, rest the heart that it will give the best fitting.
Pros
- Highlight a creative, low-profile construction with full protection and ventilation
- Equipped with many add-ons, like washable removable pads, detachable visor, and cushioned chin strap
- Can fit ladies with the ponytail
- Give you a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Not ideal to ride in cold weather
Product specs:
Fox Metah Solids Mountain Helmets
More than just an all-mountain riding helmet, the Fox Metah is versatile enough that you can wear everywhere. From MTB riding, adrenaline-filled trail rides to long-day dirt jumping or leisurely park riding.
It is specifically designed to keep you light and fast with no eye-closed in the outlook.
As you can see, the Metah features a sleek and catchy silhouette that is stylish enough for you to wear all over town. I particularly like its fixed anchor Y-Strap system which is not only user-friendly but the fitting is also improved significantly.
Of course, safety is a top priority and I appreciate its lower-profile construction. It helps cover more of the back and sides of your head than other half-face models to hence offer superior impact absorption levels.
Pros
- Sleek, fashionable design for multiple uses -> a versatile helmet for both road and mountain biking
- User-friendly Y-strap for better fitting
- Give you more coverage on the back and sides of the head with great shock absorption ability
Cons
- A bit tighter than other models
Product specs:
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Mountain Bike Helmets In 2020
Types
There are two basic types of mountain bike helmets – the half-shell and the full-face.
While the names imply all the differences, this table will point out more detail the pros and cons of each type to give you a better idea of which to choose:
Fitting
Fitting is synonymous with safety and it’s up to you to identify the right helmet fit. Here are some basic rules of thumb to find one:
Choose a helmet that doesn’t slide over your scalp or moves no further than one inch after adjustment. Make sure no voids between head and helmet.
If you go for a one-size-fits-many helmet, pick a moderately tensioned ring system that won’t let your scalp move inside the helmet
The inside of the helmet should sit just above your brows to not interfere with the vision and it must come in contact with your entire head
About the straps, they should meet at a Y, below your ears and be tight enough to not let the helmet move more than one inch from level. Give the buckle a quick tug when fastened to check its strength.
If you’re about to choose a full-face helmet, make sure it gives you a too snug feeling, don’t fret, the foam padding will pack out soon and make it more comfortable. The point here is to ensure your scalp move with the helmet.
Besides, cheek pads should be firm enough against your cheeks.
Ventilation
Not all ventilation systems are created equal, which means there are several models give your head cooler feeling than others.
A fun fact is that the number of vents on a helmet isn’t related directly to its ventilation ability.
If you’re living and riding in a hot area, I highly recommend choosing one with incorporate air channels as they allow the air to flow directly over the head, from front to back, which will keep you comfier and happier.
During cold weather, although this feature is less concerned, you should ensure that your helmet still provides good ventilation.
FAQ
Why Do Mountain Bike Helmets Have Visors?
It’s because visors help shield your eyes from the sun, mud, and rain.
And this additional feature is just suitable for mounting bike helmets as the MTB riding gesture is more upright than road riding, which doesn’t interfere with the line of sight.
What Is The Best MTB Helmet?
The best MTB helmets should feature not just good fitting but also high protection with no compromise of ventilation. In consideration, I find these three options are the best of the best:
- Giro Fixture Bike Helmet with MIPS
- Troy Lee Designs All Mountain Mountain Bike A1 Classic with MIPS
- Bell Super 3R MIPS MTB Bike Helmet
What Is The Safest Mountain Bike Helmet?
The Demon Podium Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet is my most favorite pick for the safest mountain bike helmet because it is a full-face design with EPS foam liner. Not to say that it’s CPSC certified.
How Often Should I Get A New Bike Helmet?
Every 3 years or so.
The reason is from time to time, the foam padding of your helmet will be worn out by sweat, heat, sun, and so on, added to the usual knocks of common bicycling activity.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best mountain bike helmet, confidence, level of your skills, types of the trail you ride, and your riding style are all the main factors.
From the above article, I hope you’ve already got an idea to figure out which is the right for your needs.
Thanks for reading!