MTB Helmets 2025

Choosing a Mountain Bike Helmet

MTB helmet selection has gotten complicated with all the technologies and styles flying around. As someone who cracked a helmet on a rock garden two years ago — walked away with a headache instead of a skull fracture — I learned everything there is to know about what actually protects your head. Today, I’ll share what matters.

Trail vs Full-Face

Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

Trail helmets: Open-face, lighter, better ventilated. Standard for cross-country and trail riding. Protects top and back of head, leaves face exposed. What most mountain bikers wear most of the time.

Full-face helmets: Chin bar protects your jaw. Required for downhill and bike park riding. Heavier and hotter, but much more protection if you’re doing gnarly stuff.

Convertible helmets: Removable chin bars. Climb with it off, descend with it on. Compromise solution — the chin bar isn’t as protective as dedicated full-face, but offers flexibility.

Coverage

That’s what makes MTB-specific helmets endearing to us trail riders — they extend further down the back of the head than road helmets. This matters because MTB crashes often involve going over the bars backward onto rocks.

MIPS and Rotational Protection

MIPS (or similar systems) adds a low-friction layer that reduces rotational forces on your brain during angled impacts. Worth the $20-30 premium. Most crashes aren’t straight-on.

Fit Above All

A helmet that doesn’t fit won’t protect you properly. Try before you buy. Shake your head — it shouldn’t move. Adjust the retention system until it’s snug without pressure points. Replace after any impact.