Mountain bike helmets

What type of mountainbiking?

Different mountainbike disciplines place different demands on a helmet. An XC race helmet may be similar to road bike helmets, with an emphasis on being lightweight and properly ventilated so you won’t overheat on climbs. If you’re into more aggressive riding, such as enduro or downhill racing, you’ll want purpose-built features including extended coverage in the rear of the helmet, a visor, goggle integration and perhaps a full-face design. Whatever your dirt dreams, there’s a Mips®-equipped helmet that’s just right for you. 

Competition or fun? 

How serious are you about training, racing and gaining a competitive edge? If you’re aiming for the podium or chasing Strava KOMs, you’ll likely be considering weight and ventilation. If all-day epics are your thing, comfort counts. Whether it’s a marathon XC race or a big backcountry adventure, you want a helmet that you’ll barely notice on those endless grinder climbs. For those who like to mix it up—commute during the week, tackle longer adventures on the weekend—consider an all-rounder helmet that can do double duty. 

Safety

This is what matters most when choosing a mountain bike helmet. You can look for certain safety features, including our Mips® safety system and other special functions made for the type of riding you do, but the first step is to make sure the helmet is certified to helmet standards in your country. There are many different standards worldwide, but some of the most common ones include Europe’s General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the U.S. 

Climate

Most of us live in regions where the weather changes with the seasons. But when choosing your helmet, it’s wise to think about what type of conditions you ride in most often. If heat and humidity are a factor, you want maximum ventilation. An integrated visor can help shield you from rain, dust and harsh sunlight. If you are fat biking in the snow, you might consider a helmet with an insulated liner. Cold-weather riders require less ventilation, but if you ride hilly terrain think about a helmet with vents that can be open or closed. 

Rotational management

This is the reason Mips exists. We have done the research. We have the data.  Studies show that when you crash and hit your head, it’s most often an angled impact. This creates rotational motion, and the brain is very sensitive to this. So, this part is easy: just be sure to pick a helmet that’s equipped with a Mips® safety system, which is intended to help reduce rotational forces to the head when falling at an angled impact. 

Comfort and fit

When trying to find the correct helmet model and size, it’s important to consider everything from the overall helmet shape to retention systems and straps. A poor fit isn’t just uncomfortable, it can compromise safety. The first thing you need to know is your head circumference. You can find this by wrapping a flexible tape measure around your head about 2cm above your eyebrows. Or you can wrap a string around your head and measure it with a yardstick. Once you have the right size, be sure to properly adjust the chin straps and buckle, along with the adjustment dial if it has one (usually located in the rear of the helmet).