It seems that MTB helmets have come of age; here’s an overview of the main points to consider when purchasing one.
Just like the bikes that we ride, our choice in helmets has grown exponentially in recent years. Not long ago, your typical mountain bike helmet was a road lid with a visor tacked on to make it ‘MTB specific’. Now we have a glut of choice, with helmets that have been designed from the ground up for mountain bikers.
So what makes a mountain bike helmet and how’s it different to the roadie variety? Well in some cases there is no real difference. Many XC and marathon racers prefer to use a super-light, well ventilated road helmet and choose to go visor-free whilst on the trail. That’s fine if it suits your priorities, and as long as the helmet meets the Australian Standards there’s a good chance it’ll save your skull.
Where our options have grown is in the middle ground that lies between a road helmet and a full face DH helmet. There’s now no shortage of models pitched at the trail and all-mountain markets. Most will come down lower on your head, offering better coverage around the sides and back of your head. In addition to providing some extra protection, this can also result in a more secure fit—a good thing when you’re belting down a rough track and it helps to keep the helmet steady if you ever add lights for night riding.
Proper MTB helmets will have a functional visor that helps to keep dirt and low branches out of your face. The styling is generally more rounded too; there’s no need for a faux aero peak at the rear when you’re on the dirt.
Of course there’s a good deal of variation; at one end you’ll find XC-race oriented models that prioritise ventilation and low weight. Conversely, an allmountain/ gravity enduro helmet may weight almost twice as much and the shell may extend 30-50mm lower on your head. Now we even have full face helmets for gravity enduro racing, offering chin protection but also effective ventilation for longer rides.
FIT TO RIDE
Choose according to your needs and desire for protection, head coverage and comfort. Whichever way you go, it’s absolutely vital that you get a helmet that fits. Don’t go by your head circumference alone; everyone has a slightly different head shape and you really need to try a helmet on to know if the fit is right.
Most modern helmets have a supplementary retention mechanism at the rear. These can compensate for some variation in head size and shape but it’s not always enough. Where possible it’s best to go with a helmet that offers a close fit without being entirely reliant on the retention mechanism, then you can just snug up the fit as required. Most helmets come in two shell sizes but some are offered in three or more, which can improve your chances of getting the optimal fit.
Once you’ve got a snug fitting helmet that sits well on your head without any pressure points, you then need to look at the straps. Adjust ‘V’ in the straps to sit just below your ear with the chin strap comfortably, but securely fastened. With this done the straps should stop the helmet rolling backwards or forwards on your head. If it tends to migrate forward when riding, shorten the rearward part of the V-strap. If it migrates rearward, leaving your forehead exposed, do the opposite and shorten the strap that goes to the front of the helmet.
STANDARDS SAFETY
The amount of head coverage may vary between models but at the end of the day the helmet needs to bear a silver and red Australian Standards sticker. Whether you’re XC racing, riding on the road or enjoying the local singletrack loop, you’re meant to wear an AS2063 approved helmet. Further to this, competitive downhill races and some gravity enduro events will require the use of a full face helmet—check with the event promoters for the requirements as they can vary.
MIPS
Simply meeting the AS2063 testing should ensure that the helmet offers good protection but we now have options that take this further. The Mips system is one such example. Mips was developed by a Swedish research company and it aims to reduce the rotation forces applied to your brain in the event of an oblique impact. You don’t always hit the ground at 90-degrees, in fact you’re far more likely to be sliding or hitting at an angle. The Mips system uses a low friction inner layer that sits on your head; it allows the helmet a small amount of independent movement to absorb the twisting forces created by the initial impact. We’re seeing an increasing number of helmets that come with a Mips option, usually for a relatively small upcharge.
GENERAL FEATURES
Beyond the matters of safety and fit, you need to consider issues such as ventilation, durability and of course style. The appearance may come down to personal taste but you can gain some idea of the durability by checking how far the hard outer shell extends around the foam inner. In some cases the EPS foam will be exposed at the bottom; more shell coverage adds weight (and sometimes cost) but makes it less vulnerable to general wear and tear.
With ventilation, you need to consider the number of vents, their size and whether there’s any internal channelling. More vents may look and sound impressive but less obvious features such as channels that improve airflow can make a big difference.
Other features can include POV camera mounts, magnetic buckle closures and multi-adjustable retention mechanisms, so shop around and try a few on for size before you buy. Get a good helmet and you’ll forget it’s there on the trail—until you need it that is!