How To Choose A Mountain Bike Helmet

[@gmbn]

What helmet do you wear and what type of riding do you use it for? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[@well5423]

You forgot to include 3/4 helmets in this video, my favorite kind!

[@did4h2k]

as a guy who pilgrim-ed his face 2 years ago - a fullface is the answer ;) no matter what stuff you ride, for me it was a fireroad 😅

[@gmbn]

Is that what it's called now? 😂

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Same but I don't wear a full face often, in hope the next one will put it back how it was ... 😂

[@did4h2k]

@@gmbnindeed ;)

[@SteliosMTB]

I also pilgrim-ed my face to days ago

[@justanotherbob1621]

A very helpful source is the Virginia Tech helmet test website they tested a bunch of helmets

[@jormateras9298]

Yes. It's a fantastic resource for all kinds of helmets.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

All my helmets have bad scores. Apparently comfortable isn't the safest 🫠

[@justanotherbob1621]

@@LaurentiusTriarius in the end the best helmet is the one you'll actually wear so that's something at least

[@andyk3643]

Split open my chin as a kid well over 25 years ago at a skate park. Full face ever since. I feel very unprotected with an open face. Year of MX and bmx racing with a full face. It just feels natural to me. Currently riding. TLD stage. Super light, tons of ventilation.

[@sundo-pf5zv]

-- Smart move! -- I had a minor Chin slam onto my smooth 'underground garage floor' a month ago and my dental work gave me pressures, and my head gave me crazy aches for 2 days. -- Getting a Full Face for the hopefully not again, yet toutet as 'inevitable' fall in likely not such an easy environment again such as a low speed garage fall ;) -- Better safe than sorry :) -- Do you cringe too when u see ppl without a helmet, ... Accelerated Alzheimers lesions, here they are setting themselves up for it.

[@busslayer4790]

I was on my way to buy a helmet when this video posted. I think I did ok. I ended up with a Smith half shell. I have always used cheapo helmets but wanted to see what paying a little more gets you. From my shopping today, I found the quality of the parts and design are noticeably better. The dial adjuster works great. I felt like I was wearing a comfortable hat instead of balancing a piece of plastic on my head. You might get lucky with a cheap one that fits your head well, but for me, this is the first time I found a helmet that was comfortable.

[@gmbn]

That's great, like Rich said our heads are all different shapes and sizes. The best way to find a helmet that fits is to try it on and you've done exactly that 🤘

[@barfo281]

I just wear a beanie with a propeller on the top. That way, if I get thrown off the bike, the propeller should slow my landing, because it should already be spinning.

[@ant-dev]

Bru what 😂😂

[@haydenmahoney4567]

I recently had a decent crash and gave myself a mild concussion and put my tooth through my lip, I was wearing a Fox Mainframe open face. I have since got myself a convertible full face (Leatt Enduro 4.0) its the best thing I've done yet as I can remove the chin bar and still have a stylish open c=face for the climbs or if riding with my kids etc but when descending I can attached the chin bar and off I go it is an instant confidence booster.

[@gmbn]

We're sorry to hear about your crash! But it sounds like you're back riding 🤘 It's crazy how much having a chin bar in your peripheral can give you.

[@ish474]

I own all the helmets and wear the one for whatever I'm riding, but it really is dumb we don't always try to protect our face with a full face. Slamming the ground teeth first doesn't only happen on DH tracks.

[@SimonBauer7]

well sweat and ventilation happens.

[@halokiller711]

@@SimonBauer7 only really notice it if you arent moving though

[@HumberGarcia]

@@SimonBauer7I was too cheap to buy two helmets so I wore a heavily black full face helmet for the first year I rode mtb, including during some 95* summer days. I didn’t know any better and it never really bothered me.

[@Rellek2700]

I have every kind of helmet, for every kind of ride the best one, but all have MIPS, and I always wear my Neckbrace when I wear my Fullface Helmet!

[@gmbn]

Neck braces are a great investment! What full face have you got?

[@Hiefi97]

When on the road, i only ride with a light road helmet. On most enduro tours and of course bikepark i am riding a fullface. Hit a tree face first at like 5kph with an open helmet recently, and even this hurt quite well. So from this point on, the fullface is the only option for me. Only on more XC like tours, where up-and downhill change very often, i go with the open mtb helmet.

[@ChristianPareATLAS]

I still ride a skateboarding helmet 😂 made to hit concrete, less holes around reducing the risk of getting injured from something sharp. I also have a full face for DH

[@ChrisCapoccia]

there are also a lot of style/aesthetic aspects to a helmet that drive how people make their choice. For XC style riding with more pedaling and much less aggressive downhills, you could wear a "road" helmet and be fine. The helmet peak is an aesthetic choice going back to the history of MTB borrowing from motocross styles. If you're not that serious, wear any certified helmet you have. once you get more serious, there are lots of more expensive choices that you might think look better and spend your money how you want

[@Liam_g321]

I just got a FOX PRO FRAME RS, was £191 down from £350, with a go pro mount standard, sick colour too, black full face, blue, red, fading pink, even white.

[@rabotaembratia]

I have light trail helmet fox speedframe. I am looking for full face for aggressive ride. My skills are not impressive but I want to improve it. Light fullface helmets with removable bottom part are really attractive. But as deep i went to thoughts on this topic, I decided i need ASTM certified helmet. Firstly , it has much greater protection. And scary that helmets with removable jaw which are still expensive , with a high chance will be irrevocably broken after any damage. But one question still remains - bluegrass vanguard has ASTM and looks enough breathable, BUT salesman in the store pointed me that bluegrass legit is "next level" of protection... But they have same ASTM, headache...

[@gleneth]

I’m a shite “noob” but I have a lot of enthusiasm and I nearly lost it for the first time on a blue run today with an open face. I feel a full face is needed but also feel I’m going to crash more because of the confidence it’ll bring me… I think it’ll get some knee pads as well

[@eiloen]

"How much dental work do i have? How much more do i want? How bad is my insurance?" Full face, I'm too old and have crappy insurance to mess around.

[@timwheeler8618]

Can you do a review on XL helmets please, not many brands/styles go up to 66cm.

[@dougmartin3573]

Literally just saved my face and jaw this evening with a full face, while on one tiny wee dh section of a super easy evening run. Can happen anywhere any time. Don't skimp!

[@seb.mtbs1]

I always wear full face as I had a crash which would have had more protection if I was wearing a full face instead of a halfshell

[@thelocalangler]

how often should a rider replace their bike helmet? i have had multiple crashes and my current Columbia regular helmet is a bit scuffed up but seem alright. replace only when major cracks appear?

[@gmbn]

You should ideally replace your helmet after any crash that has impacted the helmet itself, it's hard to tell the full extent of the damage without having a helmet professionally inspected. Better to be safe than sorry! 🤙

[@RichardADastardly]

From the Troy Lee Designs A3 user manual: "A helmet has a limited lifespan in use and should be replaced when it shows obvious signs of wear. Bicycle helmets are constructed of materials that that deteriorate with age so their protective capabilities may lessen over time. This helmet should be replaced within 5 years of the date of manufacture stamped in this helmet regardless of use or condition." It's the same with ski helmets (ultraviolet light damages the materials over time) but how many people heed the advice?

[@cygnus6623]

I've worn a full-face motorcycle riding for...ever...I'm 63. Hit a logging cable as a kid in the 70's and the full-face saved my life. Still broke my nose, but otherwise would have caught me in the neck. That would have likely been it for me! I would recommend you First, get as nice of one as you can afford/justify! HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE WORTH? If you ride hard, or are not too coordinated, then the risk is exponentially greater.

[@DirtlovR]

Is there an expiration date to helmets?

[@rahelwijeyekoon9403]

Assuming no impacts, yes - helmets should be replaced every 5 or so years as the EPS foam degrades over time due to exposure to the elements and becomes brittle and thereby less effective at dissipating impacts. Some manufacturers suggest replacing every 3 years even without any impacts, but that's partly so they can sell more - 5 years is a good rule of thumb provided you're not storing your helmet outside or leaving it exposed to direct sunlight unnecessarily.

[@drewsmith6066]

I have a Silver mountain bike, so what colour go's with that ?

[@DavidParathyras]

Hooray! Another useful video! Thanks a lot

[@gmbn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blvckabacus]

Back when i was in college i rode my bike everywhere. I just begun my ride and i was going full speed standing up pedaling. All of the sudden my grip came loose on my jandle bar causing me to flip over the bars and breaking two of my teeth. I wasnt wearing any helmet what so ever. I wear one now anytime i ride somewhere

[@marcoaguiar6608]

For me Bell Super DH it gives me versatility because I have a trail and a full face on the same helmet. It is not cheap but safety first because we only have one head 😂😂😂

[@exilb]

Being this early to a GMBN video feels illegal...

[@yannhenriot2568]

I recently catch opportunity of good sale to replace my full face I use in the summer while practicing enduro in the alps. I have now a beautiful MET parachute in lava color ⛑️ So impatient to go riding it 📆

[@itsbow8630]

A question for someone who has full helmet Can you wear AirPods under a full helmet?

[@ronshurie3523]

Big help thanks!

[@robertstocks3507]

Very useful video thanks alot was clear and too the point 👍👍👍

[@gmbn]

Thank you!

[@joshjoy2535]

Don't really understand the open face helmets, I've had many, many crashes, bmx, motorcross, and mountain biking, destroyed at least 20 helmets but don't recall a time when I landed on the top of my head.

[@johns9974]

An IXS Trigger ff helmet is ASTM DH certified and I ride with it all day long in Southern France. It is the same ASTM DH spec as a Troy Lee D3 which is a way superior DH helmet. Your video is very missing leading.😢

[@johnpcwarrior]

my helmet C-MANIAC 2.0 MX 😀full face and open face both cenarios

[@corykayhoe1033]

Exactly what I'm looking for, thanks.

[@brandonfields5720]

I have a removable chin helmet as well, a Leatt Helmet MTB 3.0 Enduro V21

[@alanpowell2849]

You are not quite right on your explanation of MIPS. You said it stood for Multi Impact Protection System. It's actually Multi-directional Impact Protection System.

[@monstarwrx]

So, would anyone wear a full face while riding to work on the road?

[@ant-dev]

if it spares you a traumatic brain injury from a series of unfortunate events within a split second time frame...

[@evan5167]

Buy the one with the best protection you can afford, your noggin is worth more than that few bucks you save on a cheaper model

[@silviapabon1282]

If not in a foam pit whit egg cases as floor and feathers arpund... i would always choose the maximum amount of armour.

[@TomasWatchReviews]

Full face looks cool. Especially with goggles. Be cool, wear full face.

[@brucehamilton6019]

I just bought a Fox Dvide, sweetness. But thx.

[@TheTypical685]

Have almost always exclusively wore my full face. Maybe an old bmx/skate park habit from when i used to send it as a kid. But especially on trails, downhills and your more hairy stuff; blows me away not seeing more full faces. Only time I don't is at my local bike park cause it's not too wild and quasi open. But tree+face? No thanks

[@johns9974]

You need to get a Virginia Tech Certified Helmet.

[@sandrapeverelle8066]

Yes, Seth from Berm Peak did an interesting video at the test centre.

[@mece700]

Helmets have expiration date, usually can last 5 to 7 years top after this period the helmet cannot pass the certification anymore as the EPS foam dries out and becomes brittle, why nobody is talking about this. Mostly to stop old helmets to be sold at premium on a secondary market and be passed by like new!

[@RichardADastardly]

Yes indeed, why is nobody talking about this? A reputable retailer will sell older helmets that they still have in stock at significant discounts, because they have a much reduced lifespan. A recently purchased Troy Lee Designs A3 was manufactured in Oct 2022 (5 year lifespan). It cost £100 rather than its full retail price of £220.

[@DenesElkan-zy9xd]

I don't know which one to choose... I'll describe what I would use it for, and then see if anyone can give me advice

[@DenesElkan-zy9xd]

i have a enduro hardtail, and i use it in bike parks, and natural trail, with medium, and little (1-2 bigger) sized jumps, and drops.

[@utuskio]

man just get full face it look very cool (for me) and i think it is very worth it

[@lukemaclauchlan]

Hi how good are these brakes

[@lukemaclauchlan]

Tektro Auriga comp

[@Me-0063]

My sister just broke mine somehow so will be using this😅

[@gmbn]

Will she be buying you a new one?

[@Skizm_admin]

When you subtly try to push the smith brand because POC dropped you as a sponsor.

[@HansZidenko]

Niemals ohne Helm❤

[@The_Rumpo_K1d]

Go into shop. Look at the prices. Cheapest wins 😜

[@Me-0063]

Look at Seth’s video from berm peak. It ain’t looking good for cheap helmets.

[@SugoDiGatto]

@@Me-0063 There are some cheap ones in his video that have a great rating, though.

[@jackr0101]

i have a downhill helmet for trail :>

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Some bikeparks require fullface

[@qualm43]

step-1: make sure it has MIPS. step-2: go try on at least 6 different brands/models... Maybe ONE will feel good.

[@sultanabran1]

why are helmets priced differently? because a POC is cool and you pay more for it than a metz. why do you pay more for nike than something else? they're both made by children in vietnam.

[@paulbielakovski3217]

Get that man an autocue

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Full Face or GTFO, it's not worth damaging your teeth!!!!! Also, I've seen too many regular helmets pop off during impact, whereas full face D-Ring strapped helmets stay put!

[@shaunschneeberger6301]

Agree you can go 10kmh and still lose your teeth

[@silys5253]

It really depends. On a slow Sunday ride or slow uphill that is not really MTB I wear an open helmet. For real MTB driving, fast and downhill I convert to full face

[@Hiefi97]

@@shaunschneeberger6301Hit a tree face first on a really low speed a few weeks ago. Had a really good open face helmet. The lid at the top of the helmet took most of the impact, but it still felt like i broke my nose and my chin hurt at least over two weeks. Can't imagine to hit a tree faster, so from now on i am only going with the full face, when i go riding in the forest.

[@theredspoon1763]

Nothing is better than riding uphill wearing a ff helmet, essentially suffocating yourself in that mfer. FR, helmet choice is not a “this one or gtfo” type of choice. I for example love the protection of a ff helmet but would never wear one as it’s pretty much unsuitable for my riding style. Where I live there are many steep uphill sections followed by downhills and more uphill action. Even if I wore one of those (admittedly terrible) 2 in 1 ff helmets, it would not make sense to put on and off the chinguard every 2-3km. So don’t forget: just bc it’s your best choice does not necessarily mean it’s the best option for the entire world. Different riders have different priorities and needs.

[@teecee4459]

Don't crash 🤯

[@deividas_kimontas]

Looks always first! 😅🤘

[@evanl889]

If it’s on your head you can’t see it, and nobody cares what you wear or look like. Get over your ego.

[@kuzmajacek]

Open face helmet is really just a decoration or tick in a box to give you false peace of mind that you wear one. It may protect you from tree branches but that's it. If you ever crash on a MTB in it, your face won't look pretty.

[@L0G1C4LLY]

Teeth in our teeth out. The choice is that simple as long as there is any risk of you actually crashing on rather hard stuff like rocks or maybe even roots. Edit: I ride convertible

[@lostintransit5822]

What’s with the annoying music in the background?

[@LeonardoPostacchini]

The bike helmet protection against concussion is pure BS, the only thing helmets really protect is against bruises and deflecting sharp objects, the only helmet that offers meaningful protection in that sense is the full face, the others are a scam which bleeds bikers of their money and produces environmental waste.

[@SilvioMalfatti]

I have been saved from concussions, death and brain damage with my helmet. Have fallen straight onto rocks and around 6 metres straight down onto my head and didn’t get concussed.

[@henrikhedberg5922]

Considering what these anti-bacterial treatments do to the micro organisms that we need and pretty much depend on, I believe these treatments should be banned in consumer products.

[@nramrez]

No, I work in Muck boots, and they have antibacterial properties. When you spend hours in these boots at a time, sweaty or not, having bacteria buildup in your boots can be outright dangerous, and really mess up your feet. (Then there are things like silver and copper/brass, they have antibacterial properties)

[@henrikhedberg5922]

@@nramrezSilver in training apparel is a huge problem for water treatment plants because it doesn’t stay in the garment. So I still think this is something that doesn’t belong in consumer products. For general use, just keep it clean.

[@gianlucapatriarca7516]

ever full face helmet. The other sucks. Too bad and insecure and unstylish