You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi all,
While I am pondering a new helmet thought i would ask what MTB helmet you are wearing and more importantly are you happy with it.
I know fit is the most important! and I will be going to try a few on that I decide on when it is safe to do so.
I've got several of these; https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HEOOEND/on-one-enduro-mtb-helmet
If they fit you (rounder head shape), they're a bloody bargain. So cheap that if you take a small knock you don't have to pontificate over the cost of replacement. Typically, since buying my first I haven't hit my head once.
£10 planet X for local and same with light fitted for local night rides.
Full face Troy lee for long days and trail centres.
I have a bell spark.. excellent helmet if you have a massive head. Really pleased with it
Giro Hex
The Planet X one has a bit that digs in to my head. Never actually worn it for a ride as a result. Think the brand is Carnac.
Spesh Tactic 2 MIPS, super comfy, decent price, nice subtle looks.
MET Roam. Perfect fit for me. I could use it without the retention mechanism. Sizes large too, it's officially only up to 62 cm, and my head is 64.
Bluegrass Goldeneyes
(Writing that, I realise it sounds like a redneck stripper name...)
TLD A1 - comfy but way too hot
7iDP M2 for the last 2 years, has done me well.
New helmet is an Oakley DRT5.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49784910308_9d8c085f6b_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49784910308_9d8c085f6b_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Specialized Ambush. Fits my big, odd shaped head very well. Super light for a trail helmet, super comfortable, very well ventilated. Best lid i've had.
LEM MotivAir it's a road/xc helmet but still fine for any use really, very light and comfy
Smith forefront 2. Easily comfiest helmet I’ve owned
Bell Super. About to be replaced by a Bell Super 3. Very comfy fits my pea head really well
Endura Mt500 for trail and IXS trigger FF for enduro (much better than TLD stage IMO). Simple and decent protection.
TSG scope. One of the better helmets I’ve had.
Specialized Tactic 3 (non-MIPS), because only Specialized helmets seem to fit me perfectly without needing to try them.
Akshewally, mine is a Tactic 3 as well! Replaced a much used, but never crashed Tactic 2.
Bell Sixer, fit's OK, very draughty, v cool (if it's a chilly day I get "ice cream" headache), fits well, and is comfy but the shape of the retention device as it goes above your ears means that I had to buy a new pair of ride glasses that wouldn't interfere with it. S'ok now I've got them, but it was sort of irritating to have to buy a new pair.
TLD A1 for winter
IXS Trail RS Evo for summer
Happy with both but the TLD is comfier , was horrified by the Ixs at first but it got really comfy after the first couple of hours.
IXS Trail Rs Evo for trails and a 661 full face for uplift days.
Smith Rover MIPS really comfy.
Another vote for Smith forefront 2 MIPS.
Perfect fit. yet to be tested fortunately.
Endura mt500, the riding glasses Storage slot is such a good feature.
Endura singletrack is not good due to weird visor but makes a good gravel helmet when visor removed.
STW standard issue of course:
Giro Feature on the trail, Force Bull on the road.
The force fits me perfectly, but the Giro is not perfect. Had a Bell Slant before that, then an IXS Trail that was terrible.
Would really like to try a POC Trabec or Tectal, but no-one sell them near where I live, and they are too bloody expensive to buy sight unseen.
Those of you describing 'odd' shaped head - what shape are you talking about?
I find most helmets seem to be designed for rounder heads than mine which must be a bit longer/narrower by comparison as I find there's a gap at the sides and too much pressure on the forehead.
Any pointers for helmets to suit?
Met Roam, it's well comfy.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/FsqVvbcf/20200410-152554.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/FsqVvbcf/20200410-152554.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://postimages.org/ ]http upload image[/url]
Bonty something general with a peak and mips. Comfy, a bit warm but can't remember what it's called.
7idp full face jobbie. Generic and really hot. Comfy though.
Not remembering any of the model names isn't really helping....
Troy Lee A2 MIPS & Troy Lee MIPS Stage helmet.
Both super comfy and the you wouldn’t even know you had a full on when wearing the Stage helmet.
Giro Chronicle, would buy another.
Main mtb helmet is a Giro Chronicle in Matt Grey. Comfy, not too hot for an enduro style helmet, and I got it for £70 on offer.
I have a Decathlon Btwin helmet that I use for night rides with a go pro torch mount on top of it. It’s comfy and was under £20 and less hot than the Giro but doesn’t have as much coverage / isn’t quite as comfy.
7idp full face helmet is comfy for uplift days for a bargain price.
I have a Carnac road helmet that was really cheap - it feels nice and light and comfy - but the adjuster dial on the back does feel clunky / cheap tbh.
Bell Sixer. Very nice helmet, great finish and some neat features, not had the glasses issue like the previous poster.
Also got a Troy Lee A2, very comfy, good quality but warmer than I’d like.
Troylee a1 mips
Proper substantial protection
Might as well wear one that works
Saying that I used to wear a backwards baseball cap!
Fox Striker, which is discontinued sadly but I've got a couple. Fits me like a glove.
And a TLD Stage, which is ace- I really liked my old Urge Downomatic, this thing just does much the same job but better
Bell stoker best one I've had, Urge enduro-matic a close 2nd. Mostly wearing an On One enduro now which is great for the money but looks ludicrously big on me.
Funnily enough got one today. Endura Humvee and I thought it was alright. Comfortable fit and not stupidly expensive.
Smiths MIPS metallic gravy.
Fox Flux and Proframe
I have a Fox and Giro shaped heed.
Fox Dropframe, it is suprisingly comfortable and well vented even on long rides.
Bell Super 2 mips.
Bought it for the alps a couple of years ago as wanted a lid with removal chin bar for planned XC rides. Found it so comfy it took over as my main lid for everything +/- the chin bar
My main helmet is a Bell Super DH I got heavily discounted an year and half ago.
It's not the best half lid in the world (there are lighter and more compact ones) nor the best full face (traditional ones definitely feel cosier) but it's great at both, very comfortable and just simplifies things so much. I often go to a new spot and after the first run decide if I want to go full face or not. Same goes for traveling, only need to carry one helmet.
On the other hand, the prospect of climbing without the chin bar and installing it at the top has zero appeal to me, I just leave the thing at home or in the car.
Also have a 661 Recon Scout that I use for bikepacking, very light and airy
Bell 4Forty Helmet (MIPS) https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/helmets/mountain-biking-helmets/bell-4forty-mips-helmet-review/
The Planet X one has a bit that digs in to my head. Never actually worn it for a ride as a result. Think the brand is Carnac.
@funkmasterp I had the same issue - but I found adding a bit of velcro and a spare pad from another helmet sorted it - now quite comfy.
My main helmet is a Kali Maya 2.0.
I use the Planet X one for night rides as my lights mount to it better.
Giro Montaro for trail riding. Killed one landing on my head, bought another.
I have the reflective version of the Planet X enduro helmet for commuting on my Brompton. It’s not as comfy as the montaro, but I don’t care so much about it being knocked about on the train.
Planet X XC helmet - bought it after my Bell Sweep started to fall to bits (plastic retention). Very happy with it for £10. I've also got a Bell Volt that I don't use often.
Urge, got a few, had a few from dh full face to light trail/xc , they just fit me, they are a more subdude in design as of late.Can be had cheap too👍🏼
POC Trabec - light, fits my head (v small). Also POC Octal on the road.
Bell 4forty non MIPS for me.
I’ve got a smith session.
never again.
Pads fell apart after one (hand) wash, got some new ones through the shop I bought from. They lasted 2 washes. Tried to order another set from same (very well regarded) bike shop who just gave me loads of excuses. Smith themselves were less than helpful
Fairly comfy helmet just terrible backup/spares availability.
I’d have an urge all mountain again, they were really comfy
4 forty mips for me and a sixer for the wife. She wanted the GoPro fitting on the top to save sticking brackets onto the shell.
My Super DH came with a detachable top cam mount and, honestly, is crap.
Not only it makes the lid way top heavy but also gets you awful footage.
I'd never choose an helmet based on that feature
I’ve had the Bell Super for the last 5 years which has been great and very comfy on the bonce.
Just bought a new Bell Super DH MIPS with the removable chin guard and this feels as good as my old helmet.
Haven’t tried the GoPro mount that came with it though.
My head is similar. I used to use Giro XLs, but they leave room around the sides of my head, leading to wobble or MIPS stud imprints on my forehead. The MET Roam is narrower and like I said above, a perfect fit. Sadly their road helmets don't work for me, as they all have too shallow slopes in the front or back leading to pressure points on my fairly rectangular head.
Specialized Tactic 3 MIPS, straps are so soft and comfy and fit is perfect for a small head.