The Greatest Mountain Bike Helmets of 2025

A top quality helmet is crucial piece of drugs you’ll be able to put on whereas biking, particularly when mountain biking. Whereas all of us attempt to keep away from them, crashes occur, and a superb helmet may help forestall accidents to your head and mind. 

We rounded up a various collection of 18 of the very best mountain bike helmets accessible in 2025 and put them by way of the paces on a variety of path sorts, driving types, and climate circumstances. From desert XC loops to loamy forest laps, shuttle runs, and gravel rides, we spent ample time driving in every mannequin whereas assessing key efficiency parts. 

Our opinions on every mannequin are supported by tons of, if not 1000’s, of helmets utilized by our testers over many years of biking. From commuting to elite ranges of racing, each on pavement and off, a superb and huge quantity of expertise helps our evaluations.

Whereas testing, we scrutinized important traits on the path, like match, consolation, protection, visors, air flow, and sturdiness. We took detailed notes and narrowed down the sector to our favourite fashions and people who excelled for particular causes in comparison with the remaining. Although nobody helmet shall be good for each kind of driving or rider, we’re assured you’ll discover one thing to fit your wants and price range. 

Editor’s Notice: We up to date this information on Could 2, 2025, including the up to date Fox Speedframe Professional, redesigned Smith Forefront 3, and the all-new POC Cularis.

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Different Mountain Bike Helmets To Shield Your Head

Mountain Bike Helmets Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Greatest Mountain Bike Helmets

At GearJunkie, we take biking very significantly, and it doesn’t matter what kind of driving we’re doing, our security is of the utmost significance. For that purpose, a top quality helmet is crucial piece of drugs we placed on earlier than each mountain bike trip. We’re all the time in search of probably the most protecting, snug, and best-looking mountain bike helmets we are able to discover so we are able to have enjoyable on the paths with the peace of thoughts a superb helmet offers.

Our editorial workers has been testing the newest and best mountain bike helmets for over a decade. Positive, we’ve all obtained our favorites, however the market is ever-changing, with new and up to date fashions popping out on a regular basis. Fortuitously, we get to strive all of them out, usually earlier than they’re even accessible to the general public.

This expertise has given us distinctive perception as to what makes an awesome helmet, together with the flexibility to discern the variations in efficiency and performance between the completely different fashions we check. Should you’re a roadie, our crew has additionally totally examined and reviewed the very best highway bike helmets, too.

Overview creator Jeremy Benson has been professionally testing and reviewing mountain bikes and equipment for the previous 8 years. In that point, he has tried over 30 completely different helmets. Whether or not for XC rides, shuttle laps, or adventurous backcountry loops, he has honed in on the precise efficiency attributes that make an awesome helmet. For the needs of this evaluation, he examined nearly all of the fashions on this information facet by facet to immediately evaluate issues like match, consolation, air flow, protection, and visors.

These findings, mixed with different fashions our editors have lately examined, are offered right here to assist inform your necessary mountain bike helmet buy choice. Along with helmets, Jeremy has additionally examined and reviewed the very best dropper posts to maintain your saddle within the best place, clipless mountain bike footwear, and our favourite mountain bike shorts.

Mountain Bike Helmet Purchaser’s Information

There’s loads to contemplate when selecting a brand new mountain bike helmet. Right here, we break down some necessary elements which will allow you to discover the proper mannequin to fit your wants.

Totally different Kinds of Mountain Bike Helmets

As there are a number of types of mountain biking, there are simply as many helmets to fulfill the wants of various riders. As the game has advanced, so too has the protecting tools we use, and lately, helmets are safer than ever. Generally, mountain bike helmets fall into three completely different classes, and we clarify the variations beneath.

Path, All-Mountain, and Enduro Half-Shells

Half-shells for path, all-mountain, and enduro driving are the most typical kind of helmets we see out on the paths. These “open-face” fashions cowl the highest of the pinnacle with trendy shell designs providing prolonged protection on the again and facet of the pinnacle to raised defend the occipital and temporal lobes. These helmets nearly all the time have a visor (peak), and lots of are designed to work with each sun shades and goggles.

The added supplies concerned with prolonged protection, visors, and different options usually end in helmets which are barely heavier than their XC-oriented counterparts. Examples of recent path driving helmets embrace the POC Kortal Race MIPS, the Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS, and the Specialised Ambush 2.

XC Helmets

Cross-country riders and racers usually prioritize light-weight and aerodynamics, so XC helmets are considerably completely different than their trail-oriented counterparts. In truth, {most professional} XC racers are utilizing what are technically thought of highway bike helmets. This type of helmet is usually glossy, low-profile, and well-ventilated, and so they present a bit much less protection of the pinnacle than the prolonged protection fashions.

In addition they typically don’t include a visor, though some riders will put on a biking cap beneath to behave as a visor in sure circumstances. Examples embrace the Giro Aries Spherical and the POC Octal MIPS.

Full Face and Convertible Helmets

Full-face helmets present probably the most head safety, with shells that reach over the ears and enormous chin bars that present safety for the entrance of the face. Convertible helmets are people who have a detachable chin bar, permitting the person to decide on when they need half-shell or full-face protection.

This type of helmet has historically been worn by these in gravity-oriented disciplines like downhill and enduro racing, though a brand new breed of light-weight and well-ventilated fashions has expanded their enchantment to a broader vary of customers. Full-face fashions now are available in a spread of designs, types, supplies, and weights, with fashions geared towards just about each kind of rider or protecting wants.

Getting the Proper Match

A correctly becoming helmet is important for it to not solely be snug however to work correctly within the occasion of a crash. Whether it is too unfastened or too tight, its protecting qualities could also be compromised, or its protecting options might not perform correctly. Moreover, a correctly becoming helmet is extra snug, permitting you to focus your consideration on the path forward.

You will need to be aware that match and luxury are subjective, and never each particular person’s head form will work with each helmet. In case your head could be very spherical, very slender, or your brow very pronounced, you’ll in all probability need to strive a helmet on earlier than shopping for it to make sure that it suits your particular head form.

Sizing

Similar to folks’s heads, most helmets are available in a number of sizes. Helmet producers nearly all the time have a dimension information on their web site for reference. Every helmet dimension usually suits a small vary of head sizes, and these are often proven as head circumference in centimeter measurements. As a common rule, one of the best ways to find out if a helmet suits is to strive it on before you purchase. This may make sure you get the correct match the primary time.

In case you are not sure of your head’s dimension, all you have to do is measure it. A versatile measuring tape is the very best device to do that. In any other case, a size of string and a ruler may also do the trick. Measure the circumference of your head in a circle above the eyebrows, ears, and throughout the occipital lobe (again of the cranium). Document this measurement in centimeters, and it’s best to be capable to determine the suitable dimension helmet.

Most grownup helmets are available in a number of sizes to cowl heads starting from 51-63cm in circumference (give or take), with every shell dimension protecting a smaller vary. For instance, the Giro Manifest Spherical is available in three shell sizes: S: 51-55cm, M: 55-59cm, and L: 59-63cm. Most individuals will fall inside one in all these sizes. In case you are on the cusp between sizes, it’s usually higher to dimension up than squeeze into the smaller shell dimension, in our expertise.

Should you get a helmet that’s too tight or too unfastened, attempt to change it for the right dimension earlier than you put on it and get it sweaty or soiled.

Match Changes

Most high quality helmets have match adjustment programs that will help you dial them into your precise head form to maintain them secure, safe, and comfy when in use. An adjustable harness is one such function that’s used to comfortable the helmet up towards the occipital lobe/again of the cranium.

These harnesses often have a small dial which you could flip to tighten or loosen it, and most have a vertical adjustment contained in the helmet so you’ll be able to make sure you place the harness correctly beneath the occipital lobe as effectively. When tightened correctly, the harness ought to really feel comfortable however not uncomfortable, and it ought to maintain your helmet from bouncing round as you trip over tough terrain.

Likewise, the chin strap is one other necessary adjustment that helps to maintain your helmet in your head within the occasion of a crash. Too tight, and it may be uncomfortable. Whether it is too unfastened, your helmet can come off your head. Most chin straps will be tightened or loosened to suit your particular wants, and this adjustment is fast and simple to make.

A common rule of thumb is to have the ability to match a finger or two between the strap and your neck in order that it’s tight sufficient whereas nonetheless avoiding irritation. The straps must also break up round the ears, and we desire them to not contact our ears in any respect, if attainable. Many strap splitters permit for some adjustment, so you’ll be able to match them to your ears for consolation.

Put on It Accurately

Even in case you get a helmet that’s the proper dimension, you will need to put on it correctly for it to work as supposed. Trendy helmets are designed to be worn degree on the pinnacle and cushty sufficient in order that they don’t transfer round. Most of your brow and the crown of your head must be inside the helmet, versus the helmet sitting up too excessive or off the again.

How Mountain Bike Helmets Work

Mountain bike helmets defend the pinnacle by offering a barrier from direct impression and dissipating the forces from impression. On the most simple degree, mountain bike helmets are comprised of two components: an internal foam layer (often EPS foam) and an outer polycarbonate shell. Mixed, these layers present a protecting layer that takes the brunt of an impression.

The firmer outer shell performs the necessary process of defending the softer foam beneath and, when impacted, helps to unfold the pressure of the impression over a better space. The softer EPS foam compresses and absorbs these forces and it usually crushes, cracks, or deforms within the course of.

All the time Exchange Your Helmet After a Crash

As a consequence of the truth that helmets are designed to partially destruct when absorbing the forces of an impression, they’re meant to get replaced after a crash. Usually, cracks or different indicators of injury shall be apparent, however not all the time. Even low-speed impacts can lead to harm that may compromise the integrity and protecting qualities of a mountain bike helmet. To your security, it is suggested that you simply all the time change your helmet after a crash. Fortunately, many manufacturers provide reductions for crash-replacement helmets.

Rotational Affect Safety

Because the introduction of MIPS (Multi-Directional Affect Safety System) a number of years in the past, rotational impression safety has turn out to be commonplace in mountain bike helmets. MIPS was the originator and remains to be the most typical, though it has developed through the years into quite a few iterations, equivalent to MIPS Air, MIPS SL, MIPS Evolve, MIPS Spherical, and MIPS Integra, to call a number of.

The essential thought, nevertheless, stays the identical. MIPS and related applied sciences try to reinforce head safety by decreasing the rotational forces that attain the mind throughout sure impacts. They do that by making a slip-plane that enables the helmet to shift across the head and soak up a few of these forces earlier than they attain the mind.

Many different manufacturers have additionally developed their very own rotational impression safety programs which are supposed to work a lot the identical as MIPS. 100%’s SmartShock system depends on small rubber elastomers constructed into the shell which are supposed to soak up each rotational and direct impression, and Leatt’s Turbine 360 works equally.

Trek/Bontrager’s WaveCel design has a zig-zag honeycomb-like construction that’s supposed to crumple and shear on impression, and KinetiCore was developed by Lazer to work in a lot the identical method, with remoted columns of EPS foam.

Which one in all these applied sciences works the very best is tough to say, however we’re glad that helmet producers are attempting to enhance helmet security. We don’t have our personal impression testing tools, so we seek advice from Virginia Tech’s Bicycle Helmet Rankings for extra perception. Their testing exhibits that typically the costliest helmets are the “most secure” however different research have proven that value and security are usually not immediately associated.

For years, Virginia Tech has been a pacesetter in helmet impression testing, and so they do it independently and supply their findings free to the general public. They check every helmet for its skill to cut back linear acceleration and rotational velocity with 24 completely different exams. In fact, they haven’t examined each mannequin in the marketplace, however they do have 190 fashions of biking helmets at the moment examined and rated on their website.

Protection

As mountain bike helmets have advanced over time, the quantity of head protection has elevated. For half-shell fashions like these reviewed right here, that is most noticeable on the perimeters and again of the pinnacle, the place the shells drop down additional to raised defend the delicate temporal and occipital lobes. That is notably obvious in path, all-mountain, and enduro-oriented fashions which are sometimes called “prolonged protection” half-shell helmets.

In contrast to old-school helmets that sat excessive atop the pinnacle, trendy helmets now encompass rather more of the cranium. Fashions just like the Abus Cliffhanger, POC Kortal Race MIPS, Smith Payroll MIPS, and the Candy Safety Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS are nice examples of this pattern. Generally, we usually equate extra head protection with higher head safety, and we really feel it is a welcome development.

Air flow

Relying on the local weather the place you reside and trip and the way a lot you sweat, air flow might or will not be a excessive precedence. For many who stay in heat climates, trip within the warmth of the day, or just perspire loads, how effectively a helmet permits air to cross by way of to chill the pinnacle could also be of the utmost significance.

Not solely does good air flow scale back the quantity of sweat operating down your face or dripping onto your lenses, but it surely helps to maintain you from overheating. Fortuitously, most helmet producers do their greatest to make their helmets well-ventilated, although they aren’t created equal.

Whereas necessary, the variety of vents just isn’t the one issue in terms of air flow. As a substitute, a well-executed design that entails ample air consumption vents on the entrance of the pinnacle, inner channels that transfer air over the pinnacle, and exhaust vents in the back of the pinnacle for air to flee is mostly the simplest.

Visors

Visors, typically known as “peaks”, are a standard function on most mountain bike helmets, and so they serve a number of functions. Many visors are adjustable, permitting the rider to place them at varied angles. This makes it attainable to drop them down low to assist maintain the solar out of the eyes at low solar angles or transfer them up and out of the sector of view at excessive solar angles. In addition they serve to deflect trailside branches and may help maintain mild rain from reaching the eyes whereas driving.

Adjustable visors and people positioned larger on the helmet usually additionally accommodate a pair of goggles or sun shades stashed beneath them when not in use. Some visors are additionally designed to interrupt away within the occasion of a crash to cut back the prospect of harm.

Eyewear Compatibility

Since most of us put on biking sun shades to guard our eyes whereas we trip, many helmet producers are designing and advertising their helmets with built-in sunglass storage and goggle compatibility. It has lengthy been the case that you might put on goggles with many helmets and stash sun shades within the entrance vents, however now, these options are sometimes part of the design.

The spacing of the entrance vents is fairly important for stowing sun shades, and a few producers have taken to including rubber grips or different supplies to raised maintain sunglass arms. On the rear of the helmet, many now function a rubber strip or pad of some variety so as to add grip for a goggle strap. As talked about above, visor adjustability or placement can be an element when stowing both sun shades or goggles when not in use.

Further Security Options

The entire level of creating helmets for cyclists is to assist forestall harm, and producers are in search of extra methods to guard the individuals who purchase their merchandise. They do that in a wide range of methods, together with the implementation of latest applied sciences.

Manufacturers like Specialised and ABUS make small crash detection sensors, known as ANGi and QUIN, respectively, that may be connected to the helmet. These small models can sense the forces related to a crash and ship a notification to your contacts in an emergency state of affairs.

Likewise, Smith has partnered with Aleck and features a crash sensor on a number of of their helmets, together with the new Payroll MIPS. POC features a twICEme NFC medical ID chip in sure helmets, which will be learn by first responders to seek out necessary private, medical, and call info if the person is unresponsive or unable to speak successfully.

As talked about within the visors part above, some fashions have visors which are designed to interrupt away within the occasion of a crash, which can assist scale back the prospect of harm. Different manufacturers use structural reinforcement of their designs, equivalent to aramid bridges or ActiCage built-in into the EPS foam so as to add energy.

The froth itself will be different, with some corporations utilizing dual-density foams like EPS and EPP, which soak up the vitality from excessive and low-speed impacts in a different way. Koroyd is one other attention-grabbing materials utilized by manufacturers like Smith and Endura. This honeycomb-like construction is meant to crush and crumple on impression whereas remaining porous and permitting air to cross by way of and warmth and moisture to flee.

Sturdiness

Until you crash usually or are careless together with your gear, helmets are inclined to have a fairly good lifespan. High quality helmets have in-mold constructions with the internal foam effectively bonded to the outer shell, and most now have full shell protection over the decrease fringe of the froth. Uncovered foam is extra inclined to break, so the extra it’s lined, the higher.

The sturdiness of the outer shells of helmets can range, nevertheless, with some being fairly resilient and others being extra vulnerable to denting if struck by a department or dropped in a truck mattress with an excessive amount of pressure, for instance. Keep in mind, your helmet might forestall critical harm and even save your life, so deal with it with care.

Should you don’t trip that always, most helmets will final for a number of years with out challenge. Should you trip day-after-day, you’ll in all probability need to change your helmet extra often, each couple of seasons or so. All the time keep in mind, in case you crash and impression the helmet, it must be changed.

Value & Worth

The half-shell mountain bike helmets we examined vary in value from $75 all the best way as much as $300. Whereas any of those helmets will defend your head a lot better than none in any respect, it’s honest to surprise why there’s such a large value vary once they basically carry out the identical perform. What we’ve realized is that you simply don’t have to spend so much to get high quality head safety, but it surely’s your head we’re speaking about there, so that you make the decision.

Price range

Should you’re working on a price range, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t discover a helmet that appears good and can defend your head. Lately, trendy building strategies, supplies, and security options have been trickling all the way down to extra inexpensive fashions. The Specialised Camber ($75) is a major instance. This helmet appears almost equivalent to its top-of-the-line sibling, the Ambush 2, but prices lower than half the worth.

To maintain the worth decrease, it makes use of a extra simplified MIPS liner and strap system. It has a bit much less protection in the back of the pinnacle. Nonetheless, it has a 5-star score in Virginia Tech’s impression testing, which suggests it carried out higher than many helmets that value double or extra. We take into account helmets between roughly $75 and $125 to be within the price range class.

Mid-Tier

Between round $125 and $200, there are many choices that fall into the center of the worth vary. That is usually the candy spot for a lot of riders, particularly those that need efficiency and options however don’t need to shell out the massive bucks for any of the premium fashions. Generally, we begin to see extra refined helmets, various kinds of MIPS, extra protection, and in addition some distinctive supplies and designs. For instance, the Trek Rally Wavecel ($160) makes use of a proprietary materials in its building that’s designed to crumple and shear within the occasion of an impression.

Or, test our favourite mid-range helmet, the Candy Safety Primer MIPS ($150). It has a deep match, nice protection, good air flow, an adjustable visor, and comfy straps. It performs almost in addition to its dearer sibling, the Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS, however prices $100 much less. Equally, the POC Octal MIPS ($200) is a super-light XC helmet with glorious air flow. It makes use of a less complicated type of MIPS however prices two-thirds of the worth of the Giro Aries.

Premium

As soon as we break the $200 mark, we’re stepping into the high-end of half-shell mountain bike helmets. Helmets on this value vary begin to embrace options like magnetic buckles, eyewear integration, or dearer variations of MIPS or different rotational impression safety programs. Protecting options like dual-density foam, inner constructions, or supplies like Koroyd could also be included into the designs.

Some fashions are even designed and examined to outlive larger pace impacts and meet the brand new Dutch NTA 8776 E-bike security normal. The POC Kortal Race MIPS ($250), Smith Payroll MIPS ($200-220), and the Candy Safety Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS ($250) are three fashions we’ve examined that carry the Dutch e-bike certification.

On the high of our checklist, you’ll see the Giro Manifest Spherical ($260). It earned that spot by offering a superb mix of protection, air flow, consolation, and options, plus the MIPS Spherical system and a 5-star Virginia Tech impression check score. Sure, they could be costly, however these helmets could also be price their weight in gold whenever you want them.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions