The Finest Mountain Bike Helmets of 2025

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

We rounded up a various number of 18 of the very best mountain bike helmets obtainable in 2025 and put them via the paces on a variety of path varieties, driving kinds, 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 components. 

Our opinions on every mannequin are supported by a whole bunch, if not hundreds, of helmets utilized by our testers over a long time of biking. From commuting to elite ranges of racing, each on pavement and off, a wonderful and huge quantity of expertise helps our critiques.

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 remainder. Although nobody helmet might be excellent for each sort of driving or rider, we’re assured you’ll discover one thing to fit your wants and funds. 

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.

Different Mountain Bike Helmets to Shield Your Head

Mountain Bike Helmets Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Finest Mountain Bike Helmets

At GearJunkie, we take biking very critically, and it doesn’t matter what sort of driving we’re doing, our security is of the utmost significance. For that cause, a high quality helmet is a very powerful piece of drugs we placed on earlier than each mountain bike trip. We’re at all times in search of essentially 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 helmet supplies.

Our editorial workers has been testing the most recent and biggest 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 obtainable to the general public.

This expertise has given us distinctive perception as to what makes a terrific helmet, together with the power to discern the variations in efficiency and performance between the completely different fashions we take a look at. For those who’re a roadie, our crew has additionally totally examined and reviewed the very best highway bike helmets, too.

Assessment 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 a terrific helmet. For the needs of this assessment, he examined the vast majority of the fashions on this information facet by facet to immediately examine issues like match, consolation, air flow, protection, and visors.

These findings, mixed with different fashions our editors have not too long ago examined, are offered right here to assist inform your vital 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 excellent place, clipless mountain bike footwear, and our favourite mountain bike shorts.

Mountain Bike Helmet Purchaser’s Information

There’s lots to think about when selecting a brand new mountain bike helmet. Right here, we break down some vital elements which will assist you to discover the suitable mannequin to fit your wants.

Completely different Kinds of Mountain Bike Helmets

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

Path, All-Mountain, and Enduro Half-Shells

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

The added supplies concerned with prolonged protection, visors, and different options usually lead to 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 actual fact, {most professional} XC racers are utilizing what are technically thought of highway bike helmets. This fashion of helmet is often smooth, low-profile, and well-ventilated, and so they present a bit much less protection of the pinnacle than the prolonged protection fashions.

Additionally 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 essentially 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 consumer to decide on when they need half-shell or full-face protection.

This fashion 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 variety of designs, kinds, supplies, and weights, with fashions geared towards nearly each sort of rider or protecting wants.

Getting the Proper Match

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

You will need to notice 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 most likely 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 at all times have a measurement information on their web site for reference. Every helmet measurement usually suits a small vary of head sizes, and these are normally 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. It will make sure you get the right match the primary time.

In case you are not sure of your head’s measurement, all it’s essential to do is measure it. A versatile measuring tape is the very best software to do that. In any other case, a size of string and a ruler may even 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). File this measurement in centimeters, and you must have the ability to determine the suitable measurement 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 measurement 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 considered one of these sizes. In case you are on the cusp between sizes, it’s usually higher to measurement up than squeeze into the smaller shell measurement, in our expertise.

For those who get a helmet that’s too tight or too free, attempt to change it for the proper measurement earlier than you put on it and get it sweaty or soiled.

Match Changes

Most high quality helmets have match adjustment methods that can assist you dial them into your precise head form to maintain them secure, safe, and cozy when in use. An adjustable harness is one such characteristic that’s used to cosy the helmet up in opposition to the occipital lobe/again of the cranium.

These harnesses normally have a small dial you can flip to tighten or loosen it, and most have a vertical adjustment contained in the helmet so you may you’ll want to place the harness correctly below the occipital lobe as properly. When tightened correctly, the harness ought to really feel cosy however not uncomfortable, and it ought to hold your helmet from bouncing round as you trip over tough terrain.

Likewise, the chin strap is one other vital 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 free, your helmet can come off your head. Most chin straps might 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 also needs to cut up round the ears, and we favor them to not contact our ears in any respect, if potential. Many strap splitters permit for some adjustment, so you may match them to your ears for consolation.

Put on It Accurately

Even if you happen to get a helmet that’s the proper measurement, it is very important put on it correctly for it to work as meant. Fashionable helmets are designed to be worn stage on the pinnacle and comfortable 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 shield the pinnacle by offering a barrier from direct impression and dissipating the forces from impression. On the most elementary stage, mountain bike helmets are comprised of two elements: an inside foam layer (normally 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 vital activity of defending the softer foam beneath and, when impacted, helps to unfold the drive of the impression over a larger 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 harm might be apparent, however not at all times. Even low-speed impacts may end up in injury that may compromise the integrity and protecting qualities of a mountain bike helmet.

On your security, it’s endorsed that you simply at all times exchange your helmet after a crash. Fortunately, many manufacturers supply 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 grow 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, resembling MIPS Air, MIPS SL, MIPS Evolve, MIPS Spherical, and MIPS Integra, to call just a few.

The essential concept, nonetheless, stays the identical. MIPS and comparable applied sciences attempt to boost head safety by lowering the rotational forces that attain the mind throughout sure impacts. They do that by making a slip-plane that permits the helmet to shift across the head and take in a few of these forces earlier than they attain the mind.

Many different manufacturers have additionally developed their very own rotational impression safety methods which are meant to work a lot the identical as MIPS. 100%’s SmartShock system depends on small rubber elastomers constructed into the shell which are meant 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 meant to crumple and shear on impression, and KinetiCore was developed by Lazer to work in a lot the identical means, with remoted columns of EPS foam.

Which considered one of these applied sciences works the very best is tough to say, however we’re glad that helmet producers try to enhance helmet security. We don’t have our personal impression testing tools, so we check with 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 worth and security should not immediately associated.

For years, Virginia Tech has been a frontrunner in helmet impression testing, and so they do it independently and supply their findings free to the general public. They take a look at every helmet for its capacity to cut back linear acceleration and rotational velocity with 24 completely different assessments. After all, 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 shield the delicate temporal and occipital lobes. That is significantly obvious in path, all-mountain, and enduro-oriented fashions which are sometimes called “prolonged protection” half-shell helmets.

Not like old-school helmets that sat excessive atop the pinnacle, fashionable helmets now encompass far 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. Typically, 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 might not be a excessive precedence. For many who dwell in heat climates, trip within the warmth of the day, or just perspire lots, how properly a helmet permits air to cross via 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 don’t seem to be created equal.

Whereas vital, the variety of vents is just not the one issue in the case of air flow. As a substitute, a well-executed design that entails satisfactory air consumption vents on the entrance of the pinnacle, inner channels that transfer air over the pinnacle, and exhaust vents behind the pinnacle for air to flee is mostly the simplest.

Visors

Visors, typically known as “peaks,” are a standard characteristic on most mountain bike helmets and serve a number of functions. Many visors are adjustable, permitting the rider to place them at numerous angles. This makes it potential to drop them down low to assist hold 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. Additionally they serve to deflect trailside branches and will help hold mild rain from reaching the eyes whereas driving.

Adjustable visors and people positioned increased 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 possibility of damage.

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 vital 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 characteristic a rubber strip or pad of some form 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.

Extra Security Options

The entire level of creating helmets for cyclists is to assist forestall damage, 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, referred to 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 scenario.

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 might be learn by first responders to search out vital private, medical, and make contact with data 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 possibility of damage. Different manufacturers use structural reinforcement of their designs, resembling aramid bridges or ActiCage built-in into the EPS foam so as to add power.

The froth itself might be various, with some corporations utilizing dual-density foams like EPS and EPP, which take in the vitality from excessive and low-speed impacts otherwise. 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 via and warmth and moisture to flee.

Sturdiness

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

The sturdiness of the outer shells of helmets can differ, nonetheless, 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 drive, for instance. Keep in mind, your helmet might forestall severe damage and even save your life, so deal with it with care.

For those who don’t trip that always, most helmets will final for a number of years with out difficulty. For those who trip day by day, you’ll most likely need to exchange your helmet extra continuously, each couple of seasons or so. All the time bear in mind, if you happen to crash and impression the helmet, it must be changed.

Worth & Worth

The half-shell mountain bike helmets we examined vary in worth from $75 all the best way as much as $300. Whereas any of those helmets will shield your head a lot better than none in any respect, it’s truthful to surprise why there may be such a large worth vary after they primarily carry out the identical operate. What we’ve discovered 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.

Funds

For those who’re working on a funds, that doesn’t imply you may’t discover a helmet that appears good and can shield your head. Lately, fashionable development strategies, supplies, and security options have been trickling right down to extra inexpensive fashions. The Specialised Camber ($75) is a primary instance. This helmet seems practically 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 behind the pinnacle. Nonetheless, it has a 5-star ranking in Virginia Tech’s impression testing, which suggests it carried out higher than many helmets that price double or extra. We take into account helmets between roughly $75 and $125 to be within the funds 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.

Typically, we begin to see extra refined helmets, several types of MIPS, extra protection, and likewise some distinctive supplies and designs. For instance, the Trek Rally Wavecel ($160) makes use of a proprietary materials in its development that’s designed to crumple and shear within the occasion of an impression.

Or, verify 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 cozy straps. It performs practically in addition to its costlier 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 entering into the high-end of half-shell mountain bike helmets. Helmets on this worth vary begin to embrace options like magnetic buckles, eyewear integration, or costlier variations of MIPS or different rotational impression safety methods. Protecting options like dual-density foam, inner constructions, or supplies like Koroyd could also be integrated into the designs.

Some fashions are even designed and examined to outlive increased pace impacts and meet the brand new Dutch NTA 8776 E-bike security commonplace. 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 prime of our checklist, you’ll see the Giro Manifest Spherical ($260). It earned that spot by offering a wonderful mix of protection, air flow, consolation, and options, plus the MIPS Spherical system and a 5-star Virginia Tech impression take a look at ranking. Sure, they could be costly, however these helmets could also be price their weight in gold while you want them.

Regularly Requested Questions