All Arround MTB

Designed with input from former 4X world champion Michal Prokop, Uvex’s new convertible full/half-shell helmet promises lightweight, cool and versatile protection for enduro racers. It certainly delivers on the first count, with a fibreglass chinguard helping to give an all-in weight of just 667g (M-XL size). It looks like it should be pretty airy too, with 13 vents and a deeply channelled EPS liner. A Boa ratchet at the back gives a wide range of fit adjustment, and goggle compatibility looks good too, thanks to the adjustable peak and retaining clip at the back. If, like us, you’re a little unsure about the Jakkyl’s multicoloured look, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s also available in two more subtle designs. Price $240

At under $150 and with an impressively ventilated, vaulted design, Giant’s new Rail looks promising on paper, but the awkward fit let it down for our test team. Its external shaping is bang on trend, with extra depth over the temples and the rear of the skull. The dial-tightened, height-adjustable cradle looks the same as on many helmets that fit fine too. Unfortunately, the Rail felt perched and continued to rock sideways even when we tightened it up enough to cause obvious pressure from the rear harness and the two hard lumps that protrude beneath the MIPS liner on the brow. The exposed polystyrene lowers are vulnerable to cosmetic damage as well. It’s still worth a look in case it fits you, though. The big vents open into deep, wide ventilation channels over the cutaway MIPS liner and narrow pads for impressive cooling airflow. It radiates heat well too, even when you’re crawling along, and the cutaway design means it’s also light (340g) for the depth of coverage. The flexible

Troy Lee’s first trail helmet, the A1, wasn’t only super-protective and comfy but rad looking too. Our only complaint was how sweaty it got on hotter days. The A2 boasts 25 per cent larger vents and improved internal channeling. But things don’t stop there – as well as having a brain-protecting MIPS layer, it uses a dual EPS (expanded polystyrene) and EPP (expanded polypropylene) liner that’s claimed to protect your head better from fast and slow-speed impacts. Some of the A1’s weight has been shed too, with our M/L lid weighing 375g . As you’d expect from TLD, it comes in a range of race-inspired finishes. Price $210

The fit, protection and styling of the A1 have made it a firm favourite in the MBUK office and now TLD have added the MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to the helmet.

They may be relatively new to mountain biking, but 6D’s helmets have been protecting a crop of the world’s best motocross riders for some time.

We loved the look and fit of Fox’s original trail/all-mountain helmet, the Flux. A decade on, the market’s a lot more crowded but the new Metah still stands out, with striking looks and better coverage than its predecessor.

TSG’S TRAILFOX ENDURO lid delivers plenty of coverage with a healthy dose of slowspeed ventilation.

NOT ONLY IS the newAircraft one of the sweetest looking lids to ever grace a downhill racer’s noggin, it’s also got a spec list full of tech.

SCOTT ARE ANOTHER brand getting into the enhanced protection world of MIPS. Crucially, they’ve done so without obviously compromising other performance aspects like breathability and ventilation, which has cemented the Stego’s winner status. Large holes in the yellow MIPS liner mean there’s no compromise in airflow through the big front, side and rear vents. The liner sits over broad internal channels too, so the wind whistles over your scalp when you get up to speed. Minimal padding means no lingering sogginess if you get sweaty on the way back up.

It seems that MTB helmets have come of age; here’s an overview of the main points to consider when purchasing one.

Looking more like a 'normal' off-road helmet, the Veleno isn't as well ventilated as the others here, or as light. The cutaway section at the front is also quite severe, resulting in a slightly cooler forehead, but one that also feels more exposed to impacts.

Lazer's Zl is the lightest helmet here. It's also, by a fair margin, the most expensive, at just a penny under 300$.

The stubby visor might be a nod towards off-road styling, but underneath the Fathom is effectively a road helmet – lightweight and well ventilated. The visor is removable if you fancy matching your mates out on a road ride, and although it wasn't adjustable as advertised, we also didn't find that it mattered, given its small size.

At just 270g , the WIT is well suited to cross-country whippets and those who like to spend hours in the saddle. The deep internal channelling and 23 vents mean overheating is never an issue, with masses of airflow even at slow speeds.

In contrast to its flimsy predecessor of the same name, the new Parachute HES is a fully certified full-face lid, just one that's been on a diet. Crucially, it passes the higher ASTM standard for helmet safety. This puts it in another league to its predecessor or, more to the point, Bell's new Super 2R. At 736g (for our size large sample), it's by far the lightest helmet on the market, which can make this boast.

New to Australia, Urge helmets are soon to land and we really like the look of the new Archi-Enduro full face lid.

The Lithos helmet from Bontrager not only looks good for the money, it performs on the trail too.

THE SINGLETRACK IS Endura's second stab at an MTB helmet and it's got a lot of good points. It's lightweight at 278g , has great airflow thanks to big full-length vents and worked with all the riding glasses we tried it with.

THE PHASE punches well above its weight offering good value for money and looks good enough to create helmet envy out on the trails.

N OT CONTENT WITH supplying eyewear to some of our favourite riders – Steve Peat, Aaron Gwin and Brandon Semenuk, to name just three – Smith Optics have been edging their way into the helmet business. After focusing initially on skiing and snowboarding lids, they’ve taken the lessons learned on snow and used them to develop their first bike helmet.