Mountain bike helmets: the most important piece of mountain bike protective gear you’ll wear. Here’s how to get the right helmet for you.
What type of mountain biking do you do?
How aggressively you mountain bike determines the amount of protection you need from your helmet. The risk of mountain biking injuries is higher with downhill, dirt jumping, or other high speed riding. For higher risk mountain biking, consider the additional protection of a full face helmet for mountain biking.
For mountain biking that’s cross country, single track, and recreational riding, an open face mountain bike helmet offers excellent lightweight and well ventilated protection.
Mountain Bike Helmet Certification
All helmets sold as “bike helmets,” including helmets for mountain biking, must meet the requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) bike helmet certification standard. Look for the CPSC certification sticker on the inside of the helmet, and do not buy a bike helmet that does not carry at least the CPSC certification.
A full face helmet for mountain biking sometimes will go further and meet additional standards, including the ASTM F 1952 Downhill Mountain Bike Helmet Standard, the ASTM F 2032 BMX Helmet Standard, or the even tougher DOT or Snell helmet standards (see How to Choose: a Downhill Mountain Bike Helmet for additional information).
Mountain Bike Helmet Fit and Shape
For helmets to protect you from a serious head injury, they have to fit properly and remain in place during a crash. These features help ensure a proper fit of this vital piece of mountain bike protective gear:
- Helmet Shell Size. Measure your head and select a helmet that fits this size. Be careful not to assume sizing; age, height, and weight have little to do with how big your head is. Measure, measure, measure, and then pick the right size for you.
- Adjustable Fit System. Many helmets have adjustable fit systems built into the helmet that allow you to rotate a dial and adjust the fit to your head. This is a great feature. We all have different sized and shaped heads, and the fit system allows you to tailor the fit of your helmet to your own head.
- Helmet Straps and Buckles. Don’t overlook the importance of the straps and buckle to the fit and security of your mountain biking helmets. Look for a helmet that offers adjustable straps, and a secure buckle design that won’t break loose during a fall.
- Extra Large Heads. If you have a large head, and need XXL or XXXL mountain bike helmets, don’t worry. The Bell XLV (formerly known as the Bell Triton and Giro Venti (formerly the Giro Atlas) are both excellent extra large mountain bike helmets that include current features and styling.
What if it’s a gift? Check out our secrets to buying a mountain bike helmet, including a full face helmet for mountain biking.
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