Image Source: Pixabay
Meta: Think it’s not cool to wear a helmet? Think again! With so many new bike helmet designs on the market, it’s easy to protect your head and look good while doing it. But which are the best mountain bike helmets to keep your head safe? We will discuss this and more in our list of the top 7 mountain bike helmets.
If you’re a big-time mountain biker, you run a large risk of head injury in an accident. Make sure you know how to protect your head before it turns into a bigger problem. We tested the best mountain bike helmets on the market and compiled a list of those worthy enough for even the roughest riders to wear.
Today, we’re going to discuss a little bit about mountain bike helmets and how we chose our favorites. Then, we will get into which are the best mountain bike helmets for you to invest in.
Comparison Table
| Preview | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
Image Source: Amazon |
Giro Chronicle MIPS Helmet | |
Image Source: Amazon |
Troy Lee Designs A2 Bike Helmet | |
Image Source: Amazon |
POC Octal X SPIN Trail Helmet | |
Image Source: Amazon |
Bell 4Forty MIPS Bike Helmet | |
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Image Source: Amazon |
POC Tectal Race SPIN Bike Helmet | |
Image Source: Amazon |
Smith Optics Forefront Bike Helmet | |
Image Source: Amazon |
Fox Flux MTB Helmet |
Mountain Bike Helmet FAQs
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We know that buying a mountain bike helmet can be intimidating at first. There are a lot of questions you may not feel comfortable asking a store associate. If you’re purchasing online, it may be even harder to get questions answered. To make matters easier, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to purchasing a mountain bike helmet:
What Kind of Protection Does a Bike Helmet Provide?
Mountain bike helmets are designed to protect your head from dangerous blows while riding. Mountain bike helmets have two main components: the hard outer shell and the softer inner shell. The outer shell of the helmet is designed to spread the force of the impact over a greater surface area. The shell on the helmets reduces friction, which helps to absorb some of the blow on impact.
Overall, bike helmets save lives and can prevent serious head injuries. With the helmet’s ability to absorb most of the shock in a bike crash, you’ll be less likely to suffer from skull fractures or concussions while wearing a helmet.
What is the Best Material for a Bike Helmet?
A good bike helmet material can make all the difference when it comes to protection. Shells are usually made fiberglass or carbon fiber, or with plastics such as polycarbonate or ABS. All of these materials offer lightweight wear while still providing ample protection. Newer helmets are also now built with energy-absorbing plastics to even further reduce the blow to the head on impact. An example of a popular energy-absorbing plastic is D30.
When Should I Replace My Old Helmet?
You can keep a helmet for years as long as you’re safe on your bicycle. One major mistake riders make when it comes to helmets is keeping their old one after they’ve been in a crash. Every time you get into an accident, you will need to purchase a new helmet.
If your helmet is crashed in an accident or the foam lined is compressed, you should toss it out. If you get into another accident, the helmet won’t be as effective, which can cause some major problems for your head. This is a huge reason why helmets should be purchased new and not second hand in a thrift store.
How We Reviewed
By taking a list of the top mountain bike helmets on the market, we tested each one for protection level, durability, comfort, ventilation, construction material, weight, and price. After weighing all these factors, we were able to narrow it down to our top 7 best mountain bike helmets for you to choose from.
Overall Price Range of Mountain Bike Helmets
A good mountain bike helmet will cost you at least $100. Usually, hitting the $100 mark means you’re getting a better quality helmet, a good level of protection, and a comfortable fit. Many bike helmets can go up to $200-$300. When you pay more for a helmet, you’re usually getting a better quality of materials and more impact resistant technology that will protect your head in case of an accident.
Our Top Picks
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The results are in, and we have narrowed it down to the top 7 best mountain bike helmets available. Without further ado, here are our top picks for the best mountain bike helmets:
Giro Chronicle MIPS Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
The Giro Chronicle MIPS has one of the longest and most adjustable front visors in the helmet world. The helmet adjusts easily, feels comfortable on, and stays up on its own without having to fidget with it. There is also the option to wear goggles with the helmet which rest nicely around the headpiece and protect your eyes.
The Chronicle MIPS is also incredibly lightweight, weighing in at only 13-ounces. You’ll barely even notice that you’re wearing it. It also offers great ventilation to get you through those hot days on the trail.
PROS AND CONS
This helmet is great in terms of comfort and durability. It’s made for just about any type of mountain biking and is the perfect helmet to bring with you anywhere without costing you hundreds of dollars. However, we did find that the visor moved a bit when riding, which may irritate some riders out there.
PRICING
The Giro Chronicle MIPS Helmet will cost you $$ and comes in multiple colors.
Troy Lee Designs A2 Bike Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
The Troy Lee Designs A2 Helmet is a great option if you’re looking for a comfortable, lightweight, well-ventilated helmet. This helmet is especially a great pick for those who live in hotter climates. It is made with EPS and EPP foam and a MIPS liner which offers solid protection to your head. The X-static padding and user-friendly straps make this an easy helmet to adjust to your liking.
PROS AND CONS
Although this helmet only offers 13 vents, it gets extremely good airflow. It’s great for those hot summer rides and sweaty uphill climbs. Combined with how lightweight the helmet is, you’ll barely feel like you’re wearing anything on your head. However, the adjustable visor isn’t very adjustable at all. Meaning that, if you are someone who wears goggles with your helmet, you may want to look elsewhere.
PRICING
The Troy Lee Designs A2 MIPS Helmet can be purchased for $$ at outdoor retailers like REI or online on Amazon.
POC Octal X SPIN Trail Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
The Octal X SPIN is the first trail-specific helmet by POC. It was designed for racers, but can be used in all types of mountain biking situations. The helmet is designed as a unibody, polycarbonate shell fully wrapped by the lining. This helmet also includes Shearing Pads Inside (SPIN) technology which is made to protect you from impacts that aren’t head on, but from a slant. This helmet also features easy-to-adjust straps and excellent ventilation.
PROS AND CONS
The ventilation on this helmet is incredible, even better than the Troy Lee Designs A2. However, it will cost you. This bike helmet doesn’t come cheap at $275, but it does offer some other major benefits over others. The Octal X SPIN can protect your head from angles that some other helmets cannot. The biggest disadvantage of this helmet is the price, which puts it out of reach for a lot of people.
PRICING
The POC Octal X Spin Trail Helmet will cost you $$$, making it the priciest helmet on our list.
Bell 4Forty MIPS Bike Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
The Bell 4Forty MIPS bike helmet is one of the more affordable mountain bike helmets on the market, but when tested against the higher priced models, it was able to hold its own. This Bell helmet is made with a polycarbonate shell with an EPS foam liner. It offers good coverage around your head and a MIPS system which protects your head in all directions. The 4Forty MIPS helmet offers 15 ventilation vents and a unique sweat management system which keeps sweat from getting into your eyes.
PROS AND CONS
This helmet is a winner for the price. We enjoyed the sweat management technology, which keeps sweat from dripping into your eyes on a long ride. It also provided great protection when compared to other models. However, this helmet is on the heavier side, and the ventilation isn’t great. That’s probably what the sweat management feature is making up for!
PRICING
The Bell 4Forty MIPS Bike Helmet is a great deal at $. It also comes in a variety of colors catered to both men and women.
POC Tectal Race SPIN Bike Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
The second POC helmet on our list, we were very delighted by the features that the Tectal Race SPIN helmet offers. It’s no surprise why it became one of our favorites or such a highly regarded helmet. The SPIN technology, combined with the impact protection system designed by POC makes this one of the most protective helmets on the market. It also offers a great adjustment system and effective ventilation. The Tectal Race SPIN also features a goggle clip and adjustable visor.
PROS AND CONS
We found that this helmet offered great all-around protection while still managing to be lightweight and well-ventilated. The SPIN protection combined with POC’s impact protection technology made us feel safe while wearing this helmet. Some drawbacks on this helmet include the visor, which doesn’t adjust as easily as some other models, and also the price, which makes this helmet more expensive than competitors.
PRICING
You can purchase the POC Tectal Race SPIN helmet for $$$ at major outdoor retailers and on Amazon.
Smith Optics Forefront Bike Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
If weight and aesthetics are important to you, you’ll love the Smith Optics Forefront. The Forefront is one of the lightest models on the market, weighing only 10.8 ounces. It also comes in a unique design that will offer a fresh look while riding. However, what’s most unique about this helmet isn’t in appearance, it’s in the making. The Forefront is crafted with a material called Koroyd, which looks like a sort of honeycomb matrix. The helmet also features a dial-adjustment system to get the helmet to be the perfect fit.
PROS AND CONS
This helmet is super lightweight, and if that’s what you’re going for, it’s one of the best mountain bike helmets you can buy. However, if you’re looking at features in a broader sense, the Forefront is a bit of a letdown. The Koroyd material is able to keep the helmet lightweight, but it also restricts airflow and limits comfort. The helmet doesn’t get great ventilation either which is a deal-breaker for many riders in hot areas.
PRICING
The original price of the Smith Optics Forefront is $$$. However, you can get it for 50% off ($$) on Amazon.
Fox Flux MTB Helmet
Image Source: Amazon
Key Features
This Fox helmet has been redesigned since the original version came premiered in 2006. The new Fox Flux is shaped to provide more complete contact of your head and the helmet. This eliminates rattling of the helmet, removes the need to adjust while riding and makes for a more comfortable helmet. The Fox Flux goes the extra mile for comfort with wide ear straps that won’t be tugging on you while riding.
PROS AND CONS
We like the comfortable, snug fit of the Fox Flux MTB helmet. The helmet also had great ventilation, which provides a nice breeze on your head while riding. We did find that the straps are a bit flimsy and prone to damage. If you decide to invest in this helmet, make sure you’re easy on the straps when adjusting.
PRICING
The standard version with standard pads is available for $$ at most outdoor retailers and Amazon. If you want the MIPS equipped version that comes with antimicrobial padding and a magnetic buckle, this version goes for $$.
The Verdict
Overall, mountain bike helmets offer pretty similar features. Most every mountain bike helmet you can buy will be versatile for any type of riding that you do. However, if you tend to wear goggles while riding, make sure you find something with a nice adjustable front visor. For riders who do wear goggles, we recommend the POC Tectal Race SPIN Helmet.
When it comes to the best mountain bike helmets, the best of the best are separated from the protection offered and the comfort level. For riders who enjoy more thrilling and dangerous rides, you’ll want something with MIPS or SPIN protection that is well designed to protect your head on impact from all areas. Any of our recommended MIPS or SPIN helmets will work great. For riders who take things a little easier and want a more “barely-there” helmet, something like the Smith Optics Forefront will work better for you.
Whichever mountain bike helmet you choose, be sure you’re testing it first to make sure it feels comfortable on your head. Also, be sure to check for extra protection features like MIPS, SPIN, or the POC impact protection technology to ensure a safe ride. Whatever trails you decide to take, make sure you’re always wearing a helmet to protect your head.
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