Good cycling helmet design strives to be not only unnoticeable, but unforgettable. In other words, you don’t want to notice your helmet once it’s atop your head—it should be so comfortable. That said, it’s really sitting up there for one task alone—to protect your head.
It needs to be safe, light, well-ventilated, and attractive—though this last objective is open to interpretation.
In the past decade, the fit, comfort, and protection of helmets have improved significantly. Interestingly, no two helmets take the same exact approach; the helmets in our review vary in their design to everything from protection technology to retention systems to visor mechanics. Most of the helmets here are extended-coverage half-shell helmets designed for cross country, trail, and enduro riding, and there are two “full face” helmets that offer even more coverage than your standard trail helmet.
Best Mountain Bike Helmets
- Best Overall: Lazer Jackal Kineticore
- Best Protection: POC Kortal Race MIPS
- Best Entry-Level Helmet: Giro Radix MIPS
- Best Value: Fox Racing Speedframe MIPS
- Best Protection for Enduro Shredding: Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2VI MIPS
- Best Full-Face Helmet: Smith Mainline MIPS
The Expert: I’ve been riding and racing all manner of bikes for over 30 years. My first “real” bikes were mountain bikes, and my racing days began on the rooted trails of southern New England. Formerly the managing editor of VeloNews magazine, I now guide gravel cycling and bikepacking tours with my company Alter Exploration. Additionally, I am an assistant coach with the Build Academy Development Mountain Bike team. My garage is filled with my family’s precious collection of bikes, neatly organized and maintained for daily riding, racing, and adventures. Follow me on Instagram at @chrisjustincase.
What to Consider in a Mountain Bike Helmet
In the case of mountain bike helmets, as with any helmet, the fit should be sublime, the weight feathery, and the cooling effect better than with no helmet at all. Of course, the main purpose of the helmet—protection—remains paramount. Let’s take a closer look at how we rated these helmets.
How We Selected Mountain Bike Helmets
The helmets recommended here have been evaluated based on several factors: experience with the product, consultation with other experienced riders, market research, and ratings from third-party organizations like Virginia Tech, as well as brand reputation. The helmets tested by the author were evaluated on performance, value, fit, comfort, ventilation, adjustability, and aesthetics. The other helmets that weren’t tested in the field were carefully chosen based on our experience with similar models, their value, and how the overall design met the needs of the intended rider.
Our Full Mountain Bike Helmet Reviews
Pros
- Premium fit
- Great visor design
- Elegant retention system
Cons
- Interferes with some glasses
Key Specs
| Protection tech | Kineticore |
|---|---|
| Weight | 340 g |
| Ventilation | 19 |
The Jackal could just as easily have been named most comfortable helmet, or most ventilated—it’s that good. A comfortable fit for a variety of head sizes, it is coupled with a host of small details that make a big difference: great visor design with ample adjustability, a grippy goggle grabber at the back, a simple and refined retention system, and a magnetic Fidlock buckle.
This last feature is much easier to work when you have gloves on—which is usually the case when mountain biking. The proprietary Kineticore protection technology is highly rated by the lab at Virginia Tech, which since 2011 has provided unbiased reviews of the safety of bike helmets. This system may also be preferable to MIPS if you have long, fine hair, as it won’t get caught in the many cells that you find in MIPS-equipped helmets. Overall, the Jackal rises above the rest because of its classic design, great head coverage, durability, and a host of small details.
Pros
- Greater head coverage than other helmets
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Some sunglasses will hit shell
Key Specs
| Protection tech | MIPS Integra |
|---|---|
| Weight | 401 g |
| Ventilation | 17 |
Following its reputation for safety, POC pushes the envelope of protection with this high coverage half-shell. It boasts a deep fit and more head coverage than many of the other helmets on this list. It features a rotational impact protection system called MIPS Integra, offering a low-friction slip plane integrated into the foam of the helmet.
This system has the benefit of not blocking any of the vents or air channels in this well-ventilated helmet. There are just a few elements that keep the Kortal from being among the absolute best: it was designed to integrate with POC's new Devour sunglasses, but the shell conflicts with the arms of some other sunglasses. Additionally, the visor doesn’t come down as low as those from other makes, which can reduce low-angle sun protection.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Secure and comfortable harness system
Cons
- Fiddly visor
- Lackluster ventilation
Key Specs
| Protection tech | MIPS |
|---|---|
| Weight | 360 g |
| Ventilation | 25 |
If you are just starting out on your mountain biking journey, or if you’re on a tight budget, the Radix strikes a fine balance. The comfortable fit and light weight are features usually reserved for premium helmets with a higher price. In fact, it is consistently ranked among the most comfortable helmets among users.
It isn’t without shortcomings, however. The visor is small and the shell is more compact than that of other models. Despite its 25 vents, it is also below average in terms of ventilation. Still, for those who value comfort, weight, style, and functionality, this could be the right lid.
Pros
- Feature-rich
- Comfortable
- Well ventilated
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Key Specs
| Protection tech | MIPS |
|---|---|
| Weight | 407 g |
| Ventilation | 19 |
This top-shelf trail helmet is packed with all the features you would expect: MIPS protection technology, an adjustable visor, goggle storage, magnetic Fidlock buckle, lots of ventilation, and a highly-adjustable harness system.
The comfortable, secure fit offers a confident feel. And though it isn’t the lightest on the market, the sleek styling and harness system create a supreme fit. Large vents and interior channeling provide a cooling effect among the best on the market. This helmet is built to last and furthers the Fox reputation for quality, innovative workhorse helmets.
Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2VI MIPS
Pros
- Extended coverage
- Modern design
- Durable construction
Cons
- Heavy
Key Specs
| Protection tech | MIPS Air |
|---|---|
| Weight | 430 g |
| Ventilation | STACC |
One of the highest-ranking helmets in the Virginia Tech Rankings, Sweet Protection’s Bushwhacker is a great choice for enduro and trail riders who are looking for a helmet with greater protection that's still comfortable enough for long pedals.
The integrated 360 fit system features on-the-fly height adjustment, and the shell is specifically designed to integrate with Sweet Protection eyewear. A proprietary ventilation system (STACC) is meant to cool the temples, although it seems to fall in line with other deep coverage helmets in terms of overall ventilation. Small features like an adjustable visor for easy goggle storage and eyewear grippers are appreciated touches.
But the protection is where this helmet shines most. The 2Vi system is intended to provide a multifaceted approach to impact protection. MIPS Air protects against rotational forces, while the multi-density EPS structure boasts four impact shields, and the variable elasticity shell gives Sweet Protection the ability to claim increased protection performance at both low- and high impact speeds. This is backed by the VT rankings.
Pros
- Good blend of comfort, protection, and ventilation
Cons
Key Specs
| Protection tech | MIPS |
|---|---|
| Weight | 765 g |
| Ventilation | N/A |
For those who go big—whether that’s enduro riding, shuttle laps, or the occasional full-fledged downhill session—a full-face helmet is a must. And the Smith Mainline sits at the top of the list of choices because of its blend of comfort, protection, ventilation, and weight.
It features Koroyd coverage and a MIPS rotational system and is certified for use for downhill riding. Though there are other full-face options with more ventilation or lighter weight, the level of refinement and finish quality of the Mainline is hard to match.
Among enduro-focused helmets, the Smith has a more robust build—it comes down to the blend of weight and protection. Internal air channels and exhaust ports improve breathability. And in case you actually take advantage of the protection this helmet offers, Smith offers 30-percent off for crash replacements.
Q&A
Don’t Take the Matter of Your Lid Lightly. Expert Chris Case Gives His Guidance.
Chris Case, former managing editor of VeloNews magazine, has been riding, racing, and adventuring by bike for nearly 30 years. His cycling pursuits have taken him to destinations across the U.S. and Europe, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Israel, and beyond. He has stood on the podium at several cyclocross national championships, and is a silver medalist at master’s cyclocross worlds. Today he guides adventurous gravel cycling and bikepacking tours through his company, Alter Exploration.
