Mountain bike helmets are essential items for riding on the trails. You often ride at high speed, which can result in dire consequences if you crash. Most mountain bikers ride with open-face helmets, but there is no substitute for a good full face mountain bike helmet when it comes to protection.
There are a few different types of full-face MTB helmets to suit different riding styles and terrain. For example, you can buy downhill mountain bike helmets, lightweight versions suitable for enduro riders, and even convertible helmets with a removable chin guard.
The best full-face mountain bike helmet is comfortable, well-ventilated, low-weight, and loaded with technology to ensure you are as safe as possible on the trails. So, let’s take a look at our favorite full-face MTB helmets on the market today.
- Troy Lee Designs Stage MIPS Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet
- Fox Racing ProFrame
- Bell Super 3R MIPS
- iXS Trigger FF
1. Troy Lee Designs Stage MIPS Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet
The Troy Lee Designs Stage full-face mountain bike helmet is a good choice for downhill riders or those who ride technical trails. Even though this may look like a chunky helmet, Troy Lee Designs has worked hard to make it lightweight while packing in several safety features.
It may not be the lightest full-face helmet, but it isn’t the heaviest either, which goes a long way to its high comfort level. This helmet comes with several inserts that allow you to dial in a comfortable fit. You do this by experimenting with the pads in different combinations to suit the shape and size of your head.
Top Pick
Pros:
- Equipped with MIPS
- You can dial in the perfect fit with the inserts
- Good ventilation
- High-quality helmet
Cons:
- None, as long as you get the right size and fit
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This Troy Lee Designs MTB helmet meets all the safety certifications for enduro and downhill racing. This is due to the Polylite outer shell and the polystyrene and polypropylene foam internals. It also features MIPS technology (multi-directional impact protection system) which reduces rotational forces when you crash, protecting your neck.
This helmet is reasonably well-ventilated, which gives you a similar feeling to riding with an open face helmet. It is super easy to get in and out of thanks to the Fidlock buckle, which is magnetic and allows you to release the strap, even while wearing gloves.
2. Fox Racing ProFrame Bike Helmet
The Fox Racing ProFrame bike helmet has large vents, is lightweight, and provides excellent protection. It is a great option for bike park days and technical rides, where you will feel more confident with full face protection.
Fox Racing has managed to optimize this helmet’s air vents while giving you the comparable airflow of half-shell mountain bike helmets. They have done this by putting large holes in the chain bar, which also has padded rubber and detachable cheek pads for a comfortable fit. You can ensure the perfect fit by adding and removing the different-sized pads inside the helmet.
Top Pick
Pros:
- One of the lightest downhill-approved full-face helmets
- One of the best helmet manufacturers in the industry
- Great looks
- Ideal for warm weather
Cons:
- Not good for colder climates
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Your head is protected with a high-density eps foam and the low friction layer of a MIPS liner. You can’t adjust the peak on this helmet, but it is placed and shaped in a way that won’t obscure your vision, and it’s enough to fit your goggles on underneath it when you’re not wearing them. It also has a shaped molding on the back of the helmet, so your goggle strap won’t slip, even when riding on rough trails at higher speeds.
3. Bell Super 3R MIPS Mountain Bike Helmet
The Bell Super 3R is essentially two mountain bike helmets in one, making it one of the best full-face mountain bike helmets for long days on the saddle. It is one of the few convertible helmets on the market with a removable chin bar, adding a good level of versatility.
You can remove the detachable chain guard on hot days or for long climbs. Then, reattach the chain bar for better protection for taking on technical descents. This helmet is incredibly well-ventilated, with 23 vents and four extra ones over your brow, allowing for optimum airflow. These holes also mean that it is a lightweight helmet which is great when you are riding bumpy terrain reducing stress on your neck.
Top Pick
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Excellent ventilation
- MIPS
- A GoPro Chin Mount
- Good value
Cons:
- Not certified for downhill racing
- Some people find it uncomfortable due to pressure points on the back of the head, so we recommend trying one on before buying.
Available from:
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Bell has squeezed lots of features into the super 3R, including MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system), an adjustable visor, and a GoPro Chin Mount. The thein mount bracket is attachable with Velcro, so it will snap off in the event of a crash. You can also attach a light to the chin mount for night riding and low-light conditions.
4. iXS Trigger FF Enduro Bike Helmet
This is another helmet with a focus on breathability and ventilation. It is also one of the lightest helmets, weighing in at just 660 g, which is remarkable considering the iXS trigger FF meets the safety standards for downhill racing. This helmet is designed for Enduro racers and mountain bikers, who wear their helmets all day while riding rugged terrain. It gives you a trail helmet-like experience but with the extra protection of a full face MTB helmet.
The iXS brand has built the Trigger FF to EN1078, CPSC, ASTM, and KC standards, so you can have peace of mind that your new helmet protects you in the best way possible. The protection it provides comes courtesy of the molded X frame, which integrates the chin guard into the central part of the helmet instead of it being a separate piece.
Top Pick
Pros:
- It’s incredibly lightweight
- It looks great
- Built to the highest safety standards
- Ideal Enduro helmet
Cons:
- Not equipped with MIPS
Available from:
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The breathability comes from its liner and high level of ventilation. But the internal harness system and selection of internal pads allow you to fine-tune the helmet for a perfect fit. It is also a user-friendly helmet thanks to the adjustable visor and rubber strip on the rear to help secure your goggles. It also has a magnetic buckle, so you can quickly put it on and remove it even wearing gloves.
Wrapping Up The Best Full Face Mountain Bike Helmets
The first thing to consider when buying a mountain bike helmet is that it suits the terrain and your riding style. But it should also fit you and be comfortable to ensure optimum safety. A full-face helmet may be overkill for some riders. Still, if you ride technical terrain, the right helmet with full face coverage will keep you relatively safe.
In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with any of these helmets as long as they fit. But for the ultimate versatility, we like the bell super 3R, while the Fox Racing ProFrame is one of the best items of protective gear you can buy without buying a full-on downhill mountain bike helmet.
Tom Fortune
Tom is an outdoor enthusiast and writer based in the French Alps. Most days, you can find Tom shredding the slopes on a snowboard or splitboard, exploring the mountains on a hike, or hitting the trails on a mountain bike.
