The Smith Mainline offers excellent ventilation and it likes to get rad. The visors on our test helmets vary in both length and width. Absolutely. An example of a visor mounted with two screws. Jon grew up in the Seattle area and currently resides there with his wife Ilana, kids Erez and Lilah, and his Boston Terrier Marley. Whether you want one for downhill races, enduro events, or to simply have more head and face protection, full-face helmets are a great option for many riders. We did not do any scientific crash or durability testing of these helmets. is a helmet designed to be lightweight, provide downhill certified protection, and unmatched ventilation. In fact, the visor is a primary and critical feature on a mountain bike helmet, and we feel they are especially important on a full-face. Originally, we just used repurposed dirt bike helmets, with the chinbar and extra padding helping keep your head safe at higher speeds, and in gnarlier terrain. That said, we think this is an excellent convertible helmet that can serve double duty as a half-shell or a full-face. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Whether you've just started riding and want to start with Searching for a new mountain bike helmet?

Smith's use of Koroyd helps maintain a high level of coverage and impact protection while still delivering excellent ventilation. These generally breathe the best. Additionally, this helmet has a clever breakaway visor with screws designed to shear off and release the visor upon impact. The mechanism that allows you to remove and attach the chin bar is more sturdy than others in this review. That said, some helmets are far more comfortable than others.

Keep in mind that full-face helmets will never offer anywhere near the same airflow as a half shell. The copious amounts of pillowy padding paired with a killer shape was a hit among testers. This wasn't much of an issue on the trail, but when we first put the helmet on, it was very noticeable. We think it is pretty easy to justify the extra ounces to keep your face and head protected when ripping DH laps. Full face downhill mountain bike helmets can be quite expensive. One look at the Fox Proframe will tell you what a high priority ventilation was in the design of the helmet. This is another pure downhill helmet with a different take on a rotational impact system called Smartshock. No ads. Among the most protective helmets, the 100% Aircraft 2 is the most well-ventilated by a large margin.

Frankly, there is not a great deal to say about the safety features of the, . Pat is the former Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor at OutdoorGearLab. Instead, it relies on well known, tried and true technology to deliver a solid helmet. It is the closest thing to wearing nothing at all. It's pretty darn light, although a couple of ounces heavier than some of the other enduro-focused models we've tested, but it has a more substantial, confidence-inspiring feel. At only 1000 grams, the Troy Lee Designs D4 Carbon Bike Helmet is a featherweight dream. GearLab is reader-supported. This helmet offers better ventilation than any of the other burly full-face helmets in this review. Certainly. One area of weakness we identified in our half-shell helmet test is the bottom edge of the helmet. The chin bar vents are noteworthy as they are not covered in a mesh or screen-like material. Each model was ranked based on these metrics to determine our award winners. In addition, the shape of the helmet was perfect and we experienced no pressure points or hot spots. We awarded each helmet a relative protection score based on the certification standards that it meets, a close inspection of its construction, and included protective features. The Troy Lee Designs D3 Fiberlite is a fantastic value. The Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS will have you sliding into corners with reckless abandon. This lid is moderately priced, but we feel it represents an excellent blend of quality and price. For this reason, if you damage a visor in a minor crash that doesn't total the helmet, you have to track down a replacement specifically for that helmet. Theyve gotten lighter, new safety technologies have been developed, and companies have worked to create helmets that serve our specific needs, as opposed to rebranding motorcycle helmets. You are essentially buying two helmets in one. That said, these helmets are all functional in their own right. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Dont worry! This top-of-the-line helmet has a carbon fiber shell paired with dual-density EPS foam and a MIPS rotational impact protection system. It might not be as ultralight as the. In the market for a new mountain bike for trail riding We're always searching for the best new mountain bikes biking gear and accessories on the market, the strengths and weaknesses of each model, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Breathable, more robust than other enduro-focused options, lightweight, Lightweight, excellent ventilation, quality fit, Stellar performance in trail mode, Solid feel in full face mode, lightweight, Excellent airflow for burly DH helmet, light for DH helmet, good visor, Not suited for frequent bike park duties, a little expensive, Not the most protective, mud can clog up the chin bar bar attachment system, Narrow range of use compared to other helmets, tight chin bar, Pressure point on back of head on half shell mode, not as robust as other full face helmets, A dialed enduro-oriented helmet that delivers excellent breathability and solid protection, An extremely light and well-ventilated convertible full-face helmet suited for aggressive trail and enduro riding, A lightweight and supremely breathable enduro-oriented helmet, A versatile convertible helmet that functions well in both half shell and full-face mode, A true DH helmet that offers serious protection and spectacular ventilation and airflow, 14.9 oz - half shell 23.8 oz - full face, A killer enduro lid that works well for shuttle laps or the racecourse, A light and airy convertible helmet suited for pedal-y rides rather than bike park laps, An enduro-focused full-face helmet that delivers a low weight and superb ventilation, A full-face helmet with a removable chin bar that performs well in both settings, A DH race helmet that delivers high levels of protection and tremendous airflow, A burly, protective helmet designed for ripping laps at the bike park, DH racing, and hucking gnarly freeride lines, A convertible full-face helmet that carries a DH certification and offers a comfortable fit, A park-worthy helmet at an attractive price that offers serious protection, A full-face enduro helmet that is lightweight and provides incredible ventilation, A solid-performing downhill helmet at an outstanding price, A full face helmet with a removable chin bar that is a great option for gravity fiends, A convertible helmet that functions better as a half-shell than a full-face, A well-rounded helmet that works in the bike park or on a semi-pedal-y shuttle, A quality helmet with nice protective features and an impressive price, A functional full-face helmet that is best suited for the enduro racecourse. We think the Disciple MIPS is an excellent helmet, especially for the price. For comparison, the average weight of the half-shell helmets in our mountain bike helmet test is around 12.5-ounces. Note the absence of a middle screw. Among convertible helmets, the Leatt MTB 4.0 Enduro is also exceptionally comfortable. If we are going to ride big, sketchy freeride lines or frequently ride at race speed, this is the helmet we would reach forevery single time. By: Jon Kennedy:Bike Buyer | May 4, 2022. All of the helmets in our test have visors. This is by design; most are designed to break away in a crash. While we feel it is a very protective helmet, it doesn't come with any sort of rotational impact protection system. That said, it is still a full-on downhill race helmet. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, How to Choose a Full-Face Helmet for Downhill Mountain Biking. This allows maximum amounts of air to get to your mouth. This means that full-face bike helmets are a little more than two to three times heavier than half-shell helmets. They allow you to more or less leave the side screws by the temple alone and use the center screw for all adjustment purposes. Other helmets are more versatile and offer lower weight and better ventilation. Jon was formerly the Marketing Manager for Diamondback bikes and was the Executive Director for the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance prior to that. In both full-face and half-shell settings, it is pleasant against the head and is absent of any pressure points or hot spots. Let us know! The Troy Lee Designs Stage MIPS Bike Helmet features a full padding kit and tons of channel venting to keep you cool and comfy during your runs. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category. Second, it doesnt include features that involve big tradeoffs with pros and cons that need explaining. Whether you're a BMX racer obsessing over grams or a jeans-wearing park rat who wears a helmet all weekend, you'll appreciate the protection-to-mass ratio of the D4. While we loved the Mainline for its substantial feel and excellent weight to protection ratio, it does have some compromises. The average weight of our downhill-specific full-face helmets in our test is approximately 40-ounces. This was the second lightest helmet in our review coming in at 24.3 oz. These two helmets had a more substantial feel and enhanced protective properties compared to the competition. The range of uses for this helmet is also a bit narrower than some other options. We scored the Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS at the top of the heap. While we feel this helmet is the best of the best, it's not for everyone. Furthermore, its 24 vents, which include huge cutouts in the chin bar make it the best-ventilated helmet in our test, just edging out the.

Meanwhile, the Proframe features the popular magnetic Fidlock buckle, attached to well-padded straps that will not irritate your ears, like the straps on the, will tell you what a high priority ventilation was in the design of the helmet. The 7Protection M1 is an excellent value. Our field testing took place in all corners of the western United States and Canada, including the Whistler Bike Park, Northstar Bike Park, and several janky, under-the-radar shuttle runs in the great state of Washington. Got feedback? The most impressive helmets in this test were the Smith Mainline, 100 Aircraft 2, and Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS, which came through our test with almost no signs of wear. Our testing process includes countless bike park laps, sending sketchy jumps, tackling runs at high speeds, and even a handful of crashes. We found that on some occasions, the visor could end up a bit crooked. This is a safety feature that is designed to allow the visor to break away cleanly and easily in the event of a crash towards the face. The Fox Proframe is a helmet designed to be lightweight, provide downhill certified protection, and unmatched ventilation. features a molded, dual density eps foam liner for protection against both high and low G impacts. These screws allow the visor to pivot up and down a few degrees to adjust for conditions. The poor ventilation theme continues at the chin bar as the ventilation ports aren't very effective. While it is downhill certified, we'd recommend looking at a heavier-duty DH-specific helmet. However, their contribution to the mountain bike helmet arena has been solely in the form of hard-charging downhill helmets. This screw is positioned under the visor and is attached to a slider mechanism. Like the fixed visor on the. No sponsored content. In other words, weight isn't everything. Unfortunately, visors are typically designed for a specific model and are not compatible with other helmets. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We tested models from Fox, Giro, Smith, 100%, and more to find the best full-face mountain bike helmets. He has a long tenure in the bike industry bringing over 20 years of experience. Supremely protective with a quality construction? That said, some full faces breathe significantly better than others. We also don't think this is the best option for dedicated bike park riding or downhill racing. The Bell Super Air R MIPS is our favorite convertible helmet. That said, we always appreciate good value. Rotational impact protection systems, like MIPS or Fluid Inside, are also considered to add protection. But, with those developments, weve got more options as well. We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. The POC Coron Air SPIN was among the most comfortable helmets in our test.

If you like the idea of a DH-certified convertible helmet, the Leatt MTB 4.0 Enduro comes in at 29.9-ounces. They are not that complex, nor are they terribly innovative. Yes, there are lighter options, but we feel the Mainline is an ideal blend of weight, ventilation, comfort, and protection. The Smith Mainline MIPS is our favorite helmet in the enduro sub-category. It also features the standard MIPS anti-rotational insert. The Mainline carries a DH certification, and it felt more robust than some of the other helmets in the enduro sub-category. The Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS has a fixed visor that is a perfect length and shape. Due to its lightweight and less burly feel, we don't consider this convertible helmet to be the best option for full-blown downhill shredding. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. If you're challenging yourself with bigger terrain and higher speeds, the confidence you'll get from this full-face is a welcome addition.

The lighter-duty enduro-oriented models and those that are convertible tended to score a little bit lower. The chin bar weighs practically nothing and can be easily stowed in a pack for long uphill grinds en route to a gnarly downhill. Heis a daily rider packing countless miles in every year, loves all disciplines, and simply considers himself a cyclist a title he embraces with great passion. Among convertible helmets, the Bell Super Air R stood out. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer manufacturers include spare visors these days. The. Full-face helmets do not suffer from this weakness since all of the impact-absorbing foam is encased within the shell. Finished with Leatt's safety enhancing 360 Turbine Technology which reduces both rotational acceleration and concussion level impact energy, this helmet is poised to help you take your riding to the next level.