6 New Enduro-Ready Full Face Helmets Ridden & Rated
The concept of a lightweight full face helmet isn't exactly new – remember the original Giro Switchblade? That helmet debuted back in 1998, but thankfully helmet technology has progressed since then, and the modern equivalents of that freeride relic provide much better protection against high- and low-speed impacts.
Enduro racing deserves a good chunk of the credit for the recent influx of more trail-oriented full face helmets. Carrying two helmets, one for the climbs and one for the descents, is about as silly as it gets, but for a time that was a fairly common sight at races where wearing a helmet at all times is mandatory. That's no longer the case, and there are now numerous options that are well suited for enduro racing or rowdy trail riding. These helmets typically use a lighter weight construction than their DH-oriented counterparts, with ventilation and breathability taking a higher priority over the ability to survive multiple Rampage-sized impacts.
Helmet Standards
All of the helmets profiled here are certified to the ASTM F1952 DH standard. In order to achieve that certification, helmets must withstand a higher impact level than what's necessary to achieve CPSC or EN-1078 certification, due to the fact the downhill riding typically involves higher speeds, and thus, bigger crashes.
For instance, in order to achieve ASTM F1952 certification a helmet can't transmit more than 300 G's to the headform when dropped onto a curbstone shaped anvil from a height of 1.6 meters. In comparison, that drop is 1.2 meters high for the CPSC standard, and 1.1 meters high for EN-1078. It's worth noting that a chin bar isn't required for a helmet to be DH-certified, but that if a chin bar is present it needs to pass an impact test as well.
Another similarity between these six helmets is that they are all designed to reduce the amount of rotational energy that reaches the brain during an impact, whether that's via a MIPS liner or Leatt's 360 Turbine technology. Unfortunately, there's currently no standard in place that tests the efficacy of these features, but talks are ongoing among various manufacturers and organizations in order to implement a standard test procedure.
It's worth noting that the purpose of this review is to evaluate the helmets based on their fit and design, not their impact resistance. There weren't any lab coats or complicated test rigs used for this article; instead, it was multiple rides out in the real world that delivered the necessary data.
Bell Super DH
The Super DH is Bell's flagship convertible full face, a DH certified helmet that has a laundry list of impressive features. It's the MIPS Spherical technology that's especially noteworthy. The helmet is constructed with two separate layers of foam, with a harder foam located under the shell, and a softer foam that sits closer to a rider's head.
That inner layer of foam, which has a MIPS slip plane on top of it, 'floats' on elastomers, which allows the two layers of the helmet to move independently. The idea is that during a crash the outer layer is able to rotate enough to help dissipate a portion of the impact force, reducing the amount of stress that reaches the brain.
The Super DH is Bell's flagship convertible full face, a DH certified helmet that has a laundry list of impressive features. It's the MIPS Spherical technology that's especially noteworthy. The helmet is constructed with two separate layers of foam, with a harder foam located under the shell, and a softer foam that sits closer to a rider's head.
That inner layer of foam, which has a MIPS slip plane on top of it, 'floats' on elastomers, which allows the two layers of the helmet to move independently. The idea is that during a crash the outer layer is able to rotate enough to help dissipate a portion of the impact force, reducing the amount of stress that reaches the brain.
Details
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS Spherical
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: removable chinbar, breakaway camera mount
• Seven color choices
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Weight: 887 grams (size M)
• MSRP: $300 USD
• www.bellhelmets.com/super-dh-mips
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS Spherical
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: removable chinbar, breakaway camera mount
• Seven color choices
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Weight: 887 grams (size M)
• MSRP: $300 USD
• www.bellhelmets.com/super-dh-mips
The Super DH is one of the few helmets here with a dial adjust retention system, a feature that I'm a fan of due to the ability to really fine tune the fit, rather than relying on foam pads. Other features include an adjustable visor, a breakaway camera mount, and Bell's Sweat Guide padding, which is designed to help keep sweat from dripping straight into your eyes.
Switching the helmet from full face to half shell mode only takes a few seconds (there's a latch on each side and one on the back that flips open to release the chin bar), although re-installing the chin bar properly without taking the helmet off does take a little practice. There's also no easy way to transport the chin bar if you're not wearing a pack – it's an awkwardly shaped item, and much larger than the chin bar on the Giro Switchblade. The front of the chin bar also isn't as open as some of the other helmets tested here, which means it's not really possible to spit through it. A tiny detail, I know, but one that can make a difference in the middle of a grueling race run.
That being said, the Super DH really is two helmets in one – I've taken laps in the bike park with it in full face mode in the morning, and then removed the chin bar to go on a more pedally ride in the afternoon, all without feeling like I was compromising on safety or ventilation. The Super DH is a great choice if you're traveling on a mountain bike vacation and don't want to lug two separate helmets around.
Pros
+ It truly is two very usable helmets in one
+ MIPS Spherical
+ Excellent retention system
Cons
- Chin bar is bulky when not in use
- Can't spit through chin bar
Leatt DBX 4.0
The DBX 4.0 is Leatt's DH-certified lightweight full face, a model that falls in between their dedicated downhill helmets and the convertible DBX 3.0 helmet. While the other helmets in this roundup use some version of a MIPS liner, the DBX 4.0 uses Leatt's own 360-degree Turbine technology, which consists of 10 'turbines' constructed from an energy absorbing material. Those turbines are strategically placed on the inside of the helmet, where the rest directly against, or close to, a rider's head. In the event of an impact, that material is designed to help reduce the forces that reach the brain.
Along with the Turbine technology, the DBX uses two different densities of foam to further help with impact absorption.
The DBX 4.0 is Leatt's DH-certified lightweight full face, a model that falls in between their dedicated downhill helmets and the convertible DBX 3.0 helmet. While the other helmets in this roundup use some version of a MIPS liner, the DBX 4.0 uses Leatt's own 360-degree Turbine technology, which consists of 10 'turbines' constructed from an energy absorbing material. Those turbines are strategically placed on the inside of the helmet, where the rest directly against, or close to, a rider's head. In the event of an impact, that material is designed to help reduce the forces that reach the brain.
Along with the Turbine technology, the DBX uses two different densities of foam to further help with impact absorption.
Details
• Shell Material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: 360° Turbine Technology
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic closure
• Additional features: removable mouth vent, breakaway visor, quick release cheek pads
• Colors: steel, ruby, ink
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 852 grams (size M)
• MSRP: $230 USD
• www.leatt.com
• Shell Material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: 360° Turbine Technology
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic closure
• Additional features: removable mouth vent, breakaway visor, quick release cheek pads
• Colors: steel, ruby, ink
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 852 grams (size M)
• MSRP: $230 USD
• www.leatt.com
Like the Fox Proframe, the DBX 4.0 has a non-adjustable, breakaway visor. It was slightly in my field of view while climbing, but I didn't notice it while descending with goggles one. Still, I do wish it could move upwards at least a few degrees.
The DBX is on the roomier side of the spectrum for a medium, although that may be due to my more oval shaped dome – it seemed like the excess room was mainly near the top of my head on each side. The cheek padding is thick and comfortable, and overall the DBX has a fit and feel that's closer to a traditional DH helmet.
There's not quite the same level of ventilation as what the Stage and Proframe provide, but the DBX does reasonably well with heat management. The removable screen on the front of the chin bar is a nice touch, and helps increase the amount of breathability for climbing or sprinting.
Pros
+ Comfortable padding
+ Overall feel is closer to a DH helmet
+ Removable chin vent
Cons
- No adjustable visor
- Slightly roomier fit than other size medium helmets in this test
Giro Switchblade
The Giro Switchblade debuted all the way back in 1998, but the current iteration is a far cry from the original. It still has a removable chinbar, but not only is this model much better looking, it's also DH certified in both the full face and half shell configuration.
The chin bar is removed by pushing two buttons on the underside, and then rotating the bar upwards. The resulting helmet is more of a ¾ coverage helmet rather than a true half shell – it reminds me of something a spaceman in a 1950's comic book would wear, a look that I can appreciate. It may have 20 vents, but it's still quite warm with the chin bar removed due to that extra coverage over the ears. It's become the helmet I'll grab for chilly fall and winter trail rides, but in the middle of summer I'd rather have a 'regular' half shell.
The Giro Switchblade debuted all the way back in 1998, but the current iteration is a far cry from the original. It still has a removable chinbar, but not only is this model much better looking, it's also DH certified in both the full face and half shell configuration.
The chin bar is removed by pushing two buttons on the underside, and then rotating the bar upwards. The resulting helmet is more of a ¾ coverage helmet rather than a true half shell – it reminds me of something a spaceman in a 1950's comic book would wear, a look that I can appreciate. It may have 20 vents, but it's still quite warm with the chin bar removed due to that extra coverage over the ears. It's become the helmet I'll grab for chilly fall and winter trail rides, but in the middle of summer I'd rather have a 'regular' half shell.
Details
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: double D-rings
• Additional features: removable chinbar, spare visor with camera mount
• 9 color options
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Weight: 986 grams (medium)
• MSRP: $250 USD
• www.giro.com/switchblade/
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: double D-rings
• Additional features: removable chinbar, spare visor with camera mount
• 9 color options
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Weight: 986 grams (medium)
• MSRP: $250 USD
• www.giro.com/switchblade/
The chin bar itself is much more compact than the one on the Super DH, which makes it easier to stash during a long uphill grind. I did find that the retention dial had a tendency to dig into the back of my head if I tried to put the helmet on without loosening it up first, but once the helmet is actually on it's very comfortable and secure. It's not the lightest helmet, but it has a reassuring heft to it – it feels like it could take a solid hit without disintegrating, and feels closer to a standard DH helmet.
Pros
+ Compact removable chin bar
+ Adjustable visor
+ DH certified in both full face and half shell mode
Cons
- Not the lightest option
- Still very warm in half shell mode
- The look of the half shell won't be for everyone
Troy Lee Designs Stage
Troy Lee took their time before entering the lightweight full face helmet, but when they released the Stage it snagged the title of the “lightest DH-certified full face helmet in existence.” At only 685 grams, it's half the weight of a typical downhill helmet. There are 25 vents to keep the air flowing, an adjustable visor, and different thicknesses of foam padding to adjust the fit. The helmet is constructed with both EPS and EPP foams in order to help it both high- and low-speed impacts, and there's also a MIPS liner in place in order to help reduce the amount of rotational impact force that reaches a rider's head.
Troy Lee took their time before entering the lightweight full face helmet, but when they released the Stage it snagged the title of the “lightest DH-certified full face helmet in existence.” At only 685 grams, it's half the weight of a typical downhill helmet. There are 25 vents to keep the air flowing, an adjustable visor, and different thicknesses of foam padding to adjust the fit. The helmet is constructed with both EPS and EPP foams in order to help it both high- and low-speed impacts, and there's also a MIPS liner in place in order to help reduce the amount of rotational impact force that reaches a rider's head.
Details
• Shell material: Polylite with fiber reinforcement
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: adjustable visor
• Five color choices
• Sizes: XS/S, M/L, L/XL
• Weight: 711 grams (medium)
• MSRP: $295 USD
• www.troyleedesigns.com/stage-helmet/
• Shell material: Polylite with fiber reinforcement
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: adjustable visor
• Five color choices
• Sizes: XS/S, M/L, L/XL
• Weight: 711 grams (medium)
• MSRP: $295 USD
• www.troyleedesigns.com/stage-helmet/
The Stage's light weight is immediately noticeable on the trail – I'm not really a fan of climbing with a full face on, but the Stage makes it as bearable as possible. The chin bar has plenty of ventilation for heavy breathing, and the cutouts above the ear make it possible to hear what the rider next to you is saying. Those same cutouts do create more wind noise on the descents, but whether or not that's an issue will depend on rider preference.
Paul Aston encountered some discomfort with the chin strap positioning when he reviewed the Stage, but I didn't experience that issue – head and ear shapes vary, so as always it's best to try before you buy.
The Stage would be an excellent pick for an enduro race helmet thanks to all that ventilation, but it wouldn't be my first choice for taking lap after lap in the bike park. It's best to think of it as a trail helmet with extra protection rather than a light DH helmet. After all, Troy Lee already makes the D3 Carbon for riders looking for a light, World Cup DH ready full face.
Pros
+ Light weight
+ Very well ventilated
+ It barely feels like you're wearing a full face
Cons
- More wind noise than other helmets in this category
- Chin straps may not be comfortable for all riders
Fox Proframe
The Fox Proframe weighs only 40 grams more than the TLD Stage, and out on the trail both helmets deliver a level of airiness that's as close as you can get to a half shell without actually wearing one. The Proframe is constructed with Fox's Varizorb foam, which uses different densities of cone-shaped EPS to provide protection from impacts.
There's also a MIPS liner, and a visor that's designed to break away if things take a turn for the worse. The visor is fixed in place in order to ensure that it directs air into the vents helmet's vents, but once again, it'd be nice to have at least some range of motion in order to get it into that 'just right' position, or to make room for goggle straps. I usually wear my goggles backward when climbing, and with the Proframe there wasn't that much room for the strap to sit underneath the visor.
The Fox Proframe weighs only 40 grams more than the TLD Stage, and out on the trail both helmets deliver a level of airiness that's as close as you can get to a half shell without actually wearing one. The Proframe is constructed with Fox's Varizorb foam, which uses different densities of cone-shaped EPS to provide protection from impacts.
There's also a MIPS liner, and a visor that's designed to break away if things take a turn for the worse. The visor is fixed in place in order to ensure that it directs air into the vents helmet's vents, but once again, it'd be nice to have at least some range of motion in order to get it into that 'just right' position, or to make room for goggle straps. I usually wear my goggles backward when climbing, and with the Proframe there wasn't that much room for the strap to sit underneath the visor.
Details
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: breakaway visor, dual density EPS liner
• 7 color options
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 756 grams
• MSRP: $250 USD
• www.foxracing.com
• Shell material: polycarbonate
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: Fidlock magnetic
• Additional features: breakaway visor, dual density EPS liner
• 7 color options
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 756 grams
• MSRP: $250 USD
• www.foxracing.com
The Proframe's chinbar is the most open of all the helmets here, which helps with airflow, especially when you're seeing red and want to suck in as much air as possible. However, that design does mean that rocks or other pointy things have a better chance of making it through to a rider's face during a crash. It'd take an unlucky set of circumstances for that to happen, but it is possible.
The overall fit of the Proframe was comfortable, except for a slight pressure point at my forehead – the padding in that area isn't super thick, and it has a tendency to slide upwards and out of place.
Pros
+ Excellent ventilation
+ Light weight
Cons
- Visor isn't adjustable
- Thin forehead padding
Fly Racing WERX Imprint
As one of the lightest downhill-oriented full face options available, the Fly Werx Imprint was included in this roundup to see how it would stack up against the more enduro-oriented options.
It has a snug, incredibly comfortable fit, thanks to a generous amount of padding, and it stayed securely in place with or without goggles. It doesn't have the same level of ventilation as the other helmets tested here, but it doesn't feel like a portable sauna either, and it felt most similar to the Giro Switchblade in this category. The angle of the chin strap did cause it to sit against my Adam's apple more than I would have liked, but that may not be the case with everyone.
As one of the lightest downhill-oriented full face options available, the Fly Werx Imprint was included in this roundup to see how it would stack up against the more enduro-oriented options.
It has a snug, incredibly comfortable fit, thanks to a generous amount of padding, and it stayed securely in place with or without goggles. It doesn't have the same level of ventilation as the other helmets tested here, but it doesn't feel like a portable sauna either, and it felt most similar to the Giro Switchblade in this category. The angle of the chin strap did cause it to sit against my Adam's apple more than I would have liked, but that may not be the case with everyone.
Details
• Shell material: carbon / Kevlar
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: double D-rings
• Additional features: quick release cheek pads, 18 intake and 6 exhaust vents
• 5 color choices
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 980 grams
• MSRP: $449.95 USD
• www.flyracing.com
• Shell material: carbon / Kevlar
• Rotational impact protection: MIPS
• Buckle type: double D-rings
• Additional features: quick release cheek pads, 18 intake and 6 exhaust vents
• 5 color choices
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 980 grams
• MSRP: $449.95 USD
• www.flyracing.com
The Werx is best suited to the downhill racer who may also try out an enduro race or two. The light weight and high level of comfort mean that you won't mind having it on your head all day, but the reduced ventilation and breathability do hinder it slightly on the climbs. There's also the price to consider, which is quite steep due to the carbon / Kevlar shell construction. Overall, this is a very well constructed, high-end helmet that's an excellent option for the gravity-oriented rider, but isn't the best pick for an everyday lid, unless your daily ride includes a chairlift or shuttle truck.
Pros
+ Very comfortable, well padded
+ High end construction
Cons
- Not as breathable or ventilated as more enduro-specific options
- Pricey
Top Picks
All of the helmets featured here are worthy options if you're in the market for a lightweight full face, but choosing the best one will depend on what type of riding you're planning on using it for.
Racing
The TLD Stage would be the helmet I'd grab if I was heading out for an enduro race, especially if it was going to be a long, multi-day event. It's light, very comfortable, and well ventilated. It also has an adjustable visor, which is part of the reason it snagged the top spot over the Fox Proframe, which would be my second pick. The Proframe didn't fit me quite as well as the Stage, but it offers a similar amount of ventilation, and it's only a smidge heavier. Both would be excellent options for the racer who doesn't want to be encumbered by a bulky, heavy helmet, or even for the trail rider looking for extra protection without incurring a massive sweat penalty. The ability to spit through the mouth piece may seem like an odd detail, but in the middle of a race run it can come in very handy. The Stage, Proframe, and DBX 4.0 rank the highest on the spittability index.
All-Purpose
The Super DH takes this category due to the fact that it's very usable in both the full face and half shell configurations. It's nice being able to travel with only one helmet and be able to adapt it to the day's ride plan. The chin bar is bulky when it's not in use, but once it's in place the Super DH has a very solid feel – I spent numerous hot summer days wearing it in the Whistler Bike Park and never felt underdressed for the occasion.
The Leatt DBX 4.0 also falls into this all-purpose category – it feels closer to a DH lid than the Stage or the Proframe, and I wouldn't have any qualms using it as a bike park helmet or for rowdy shuttle laps. I do wish the visor was adjustable, though, and the fit of the Super DH (along with the retention dial) worked much better for my head shape.
Honorable mention goes to the Fly Racing Werx. It was slightly out of its element in the breathability department, but there was no shortage of comfort, and for the DH racer who's thinking of dabbling in enduro it fits the bill.
What About the Switchblade?
The Switchblade was designed as an enduro helmet, but I'd call it more of a freeride lid, in both configurations. It's the heaviest helmet here, and one of the warmest as well, but I often found myself wearing it in the half shell mode for chillier rides in the fall and winter. That look might not jive with your style sense, but I like pretending I'm an old-school spaceman. The extra coverage over the ears also provides an additional sense of security compared to a traditional half shell.
The Switchblade's chin bar is much more compact than the Super DH's, and it's easy enough to carry it on the waist strap of a hip pack. It's certainly usable as a race helmet, just be aware that there are better options when it comes to breathability and ventilation.
Title image: Boris Beyer
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I for one am genuinely fascinated.
*note: I realise some of the above information might be found in social-media-land, but I don’t do that. A proper Luddite I is.
"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."
Is @WAKIdesigns a mortal man, or a philosophy....
www.pinkbike.com/news/MTB-MarsThe-ShRED-Planet.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud60i0o-mdc
1. Practice practice practice. Don't do 5m drops if you aren't 99,999% you will make it. Progression should be slow. I am riding mountain bikes for 25 years now and I just wasn't prepared enough for this place and this drop. All the research supports me here. Helmet is important. But what saves MOST lives is skill, not gear. I stopped being a lazy weekend warrior and bought myself Inspired Fourplay. I practice almost every day. Amazing new adventure
2. Practice your overall mobility and stretch. Don't be a bag of meat when you fall. Do gymnastics.
3. Fu&^ck all the MIPS and other shmips. The science behind it is sloppy and what is there says almost nothing. What IS important is the fit. If the helmet is really nicely tight in every place, and touches your head everywhere it will be 20x better that the supposedly best helmet out there with all those fancy systems.
4. Neck brace. Wear it or not. Science here is also not supporting it. I don't wear it because I want to be in charge of my head position when I fall. Not a passenger of my own accident. And remember that if you hit anything with the top of your head and compress the neck, the neck brace is useless.
I am riding Giro Switchblade for trail (please don't laugh here
For strictly park days I have something special. And that is Bell Full 9. This is a helmet without any fancy systems. But the fit is just crazy. It's light and fits so well that I honestly don't feel I have something on my head. Amazing helmet.
Stay safe.
Good takes otherwise though.
What is known is that the helmet fit matters. A lot. And also how smooth it is. Any helmet that has any sort of hooks that could attach themselves to the ground are a big no no. Rotational forces will smash your brain in that case.
I don't want to tell anybody not to buy helmet with MIPS or equivalent. I just want to point out that there are other factors that matter more. But you cannot charge money for a better fit. You can charge money for MIPS and others. So this is what is stressed by all companies. Not fit but tech.
The best you can do is to buy a helmet with a great fit and with MIPS
I agree with you that fit matters, I just disagree that none of the concussion-tech innovations of the past 5 years do anything, just because there's no data to prove it. There's no data to prove that smoothness reduces concussions either, but you're absolutely right that riders should take it seriously anyway.
If there's no data proving that EPS is safer than the leather hairnets of old, would you keep buying leather?
It looks much more like a bunch of statistics not a study, but maybe it shows something new. Seems like neck braces might work after all. I'm posting this only to show what I found. I unfortunately didn't have time to check what is the quality of this source.
I always wonder about the practicing to roll advice. While I don't think it could hurt, it seems that it applies in very few tires of crashes. The only ones I can think of are ejections out the front at reasonable speed and bails from large jumps. In both of these the natural reaction is going to be to roll out anyway. Anything else, slow speed OTB, washouts, high sides, and most bad landings on jumps, I'm just going where the crash takes me. I can try and stay relaxed, but I don't even really seem to have control over whether I put my arms out. So flexibility seems more important. Do people actually practice rolling from various awkward starting positions (like standing on a 3 foot platform that randomly slowly ejects you, or sideways on a platform that sides and comes to an about stop, or is it more like the practice falls and rolls in judo? Is there any data that training to roll helps?
As for everything else I basically agree.
Develop skills
Develop strength
Get the best fitting helmet you can. Spherical, light weight, smaller, anti rotation in that order.
Wear as much armor as is comfortable
Learn to roll
Neck curls/ bridges and so on... Takes 5 mins a day and makes a difference.
I'd like MIPS to do their tests in real world conditions: not so tightly strapped helmet on a dummy head with hair and a layer with a bit of give (scalp) on top of the head's hard material.
But until that happens I'll call it bs, cause they test helmets tightly strapped to a rubberized head.
helmets.org/mips.htm
Watching races it seems almost entirely the type of crash that causes injury, rather than if someone has practiced rolling.
Of course there is no downside to learning to roll out of impacts, so learn it. I'm just not convinced it is all that effective.
cyclingincities.spph.ubc.ca/injury-rates-vs-mode-share-helmet-laws
"See, I don't need a helmet while commuting!" They say...
Then I tell them... "Ok, come here, leave your helmet on, get down on your knees and bonk your head on the pavement... yep, not bad right. Ok harder! Good, still not too bad... Ok, now take your helmet off and do it again... oh what, you don't want to do that? It'll hurt too much? Hmmmm.... So now, if you're still confident in this "study", why do you make your kids where helmets?"
Sometimes studies & data paired with idiocy can be a very, very bad thing.
point number two while i do agree mips is new and without much back up systems like like leatt's turbines show dramatic reduction in impact! and they also slow rotation and anytime you can slow a crash no matter what direction being impact or rotation thats a good thing! I'd say leatt's turbines are better than mips because it slows impact aswell as rotation!
Anyways, regarding crashing, tuck and roll is just one of many techniques. It may or may not help depending on the situation. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you dont, thats why crashing is an art. Or roulette.
youtu.be/07o-TASvIxY
The Turbines also have Huge amounts of data showing reduction!
www.revzilla.com/common-tread/ask-the-doc-do-neck-braces-reduce-injuries
Apparently, there was a 2018 study of 8000 patients in motocross accidents which seems to be a pretty clear argument in favour of the neck brace if common sense and observation aren't enough for you.
Thankfully the situation on the trails is a little clearer as trees and rocks aren't influenced by what protection you choose to wear, and the aim of the game is to prevent your face being ground away, your skull getting cracked, and to decelerate your brain in the gentlest possible manner.
Data = good
People = dumb
I don't give a f*ck about the physiological perceptions and cultural implications of how people fall off or don't fall off their bikes and how that makes society feel.
This whole idea that promoting helmet use lowers bicycle use is just stupid. Of course it does... but you have to finish that thought because helmets ARE saving lives. So, we stop wearing helmets, some people are going to die because of it. Ah it's ok, look at how many more people are riding bikes!! He contradicts himself by telling us that we should be putting smoking-like disclaimers on cars because they're so dangerous but then tells us not to wear a helmet while riding a bike, which is also inherently dangerous and should probably carry the same warnings of we care about saving lives. So which is it? Do we care about people dying from head injuries or do we care about getting more people on bikes?
I'm sorry, I'm not willing to be one of the sacrificial lambs that dies because I wasn't wearing a helmet just so more people ride bikes. haha... such bullshit.
When I'm riding to work and some pedestrian steps off the sidewalk right in front of me while I'm doing 30km/h... and I fly off my bike and my head impacts the pavement... sure as shit an unprotected head is going to get much more f*cked over than a protected one. And it's as simple as that. Talk to any ER doc about this subject and you'll get the same answer. Wear a f*cking helmet stupid.
The guy is talking mainly about Denmark and the Netherlands, which is phead and shoulders above when it comes to city biking, but still it has interesting points, and I have seen/experienced some of them. Posted it just as food for thoughts, not that I suggest stop wearing helmets.
At 40 years old, my line of reasoning was:
1) If I'm wearing any helmet, I'm acknowledging there is a chance of trauma to the head.
2) If I'm acknowledging there is a risk of trauma to the head, why shouldn't I be concerned about the face part of the head?
I get everyone has their own tolerance for risk, but I wouldn't be surprised if full face becomes more common as these have become sufficiently light and well ventilated.
Never found that a minus with my Super DH......
The helmet took the impact (left a nice dent), and the rotation from the snag of that rock. I was totally fine, and I truly credit the helmet for that.
They even sent me a 30% off coupon for crash replacement. I just wish they would sell the half shell alone so I didn’t have to buy the whole setup again.
Your impact was for sure stronger. Did you check the internal layer of the helmet to see if it got deformed more than the outer layer? I would expect that the different density helped more than the slip plane in your case.
I'd actually recommend the helmet a lot. I've been travelling around NZ for the last few months with mine and its been great to have both types of helmet in one.
That being said, I am on my second Super DH now.
The first one was the same colour as the one tested and the liner fell apart within 6 weeks.
The second one the adjustable cradle is broken (and now has been well crashed) so will have to go back for replacement too.
Props to Giro!
forums.mtbr.com/apparel-protection/giro-switchblade-failure-1041207.html
"Ok, so a helmet, that breaks after a hard crash and you suffer from concussion didnt do its job because it should not break and prevent you from any injuries... right.
of course would be the purpose for the chinbar to stay on, but at some point it has to crack somewhere... yes, a full on DH helmet would be safer and anybody that thinks a convertable helmet is as safe as a non convertable helmet is pretty naive. ASTM is just a norm that a helmet has to pass. It doesnt say if two helmet pass these norm that they are equally safe.
hybrid helemts are always a compromise.
Conclusion:
- Probably would have gone away without any injuries wearing a full on DH helmet.
- probably would have lost all his teeth and broke his jaw wearing an open face helmet
- suffered from (minor) rashes on lip/chin with Convertable helmet"
I'd just like TLD to release a full US redneck edition with flames and dragons.
getonfleek.com/product/chicken-ramen-tracksuit/?gclid=CjwKCAiA767jBRBqEiwAGdAOr13FS5ADjxAJKzUOqc_GnEEYBAa7wy8ihsdvH2oRIZziCEbCn7L6BhoCI8QQAvD_BwE
And the big question of course would be: if these lightweight enduro specific helmets are already DH certified, is there a higher standard that tells the not so lightweight true DH specific helmets apart?
Everything else depends on the person. My skull/brain is slightly different than everyone else and so is yours. What may be a minor hit for one person could knock out another person.
"He is a right helmet".
I demand to know
For me it's more about actually breathing because I'm a fat azz. Chin bar sits close to my face I pass out because I'm breathing my own used air. At that point I'll spit on my face. Don't care. LOL!
Quite surprised at how light it is and breathable. Was good for belting down sections of DH track in the morning of a lovely mild Aussy Summer Day (cough 30+ degrees).
Haven't smacked it into a tree or the dirt so can't comment on the protection part of it but hey, I'm not trying to be a Crash Test Dummy. I'll take cool and comfortable for now.
The forehead pressure point for me was fixed by using one of these" traxfactory.com/store/product.cfm?product=3
I know the fidlock is comfy, but I don´t trust it as I´ve managed to lost my helmet while crash due to fidlock.
Had a crash in my Pro Frame the other day. Full over the bars, at speed into a tree. The chin bar was the first point of contact and took all the force. It cracked in 3 places but my face was totally fine.
I don't really need a fancy helmet with super high level of comfort or airy fabrics.
But the lack of vision when you ride super steep stuff with a lot of helmets is kinda annoying.
I have big goggles but most of the time wearing a neck brace which makes it worse. But better save than sorry.
I saw a few pros riding the POC Air Spin which seems great.
Maybe I will get that.
Had a Bell (3R admittedly) and was so tempted to get this new one but had a bad incident when the chin bar disconnected at impact so ... no thanks. And besides its too tempting to leave it off or at home when you should have it on.
So i bought a Proframe and love it. Happy to wear it on all my riding. Dont even know its there most of the time. And its hot here. All. The. Time.
Brilliant venting and easy buckle. Would be nice to have the ratchet adjustment but thats not a deal breaker.
Yes can spit through the chin bar but more importantly can get the camelbak hose in.
Tried BELL, it has a closer chin bar position to your face comparing to MET, which makes it less comfortable and breathable for me personally; however, mips works awesome;
Giro - ridiculously small size chart, and auto ejecting chin bar;
As all mentioned, FIT is the most important part;
I'd like to mention that the new Troy Lee helmet costs almost double the Proframe here in Australia making it an absolute non-choice. $300 or $500? Hard to see why anyone would go for the Troy Lee with those price tags.
I've never felt the need to spit into the chin bar(I always either lift the chin bar up, or push it down), so I don't see the anti-spit-through bar as a problem either.
I tried the TLD in XL and it's not a 63 cm helmet. It just isn't.
Giro makes a left fit XL for me, in a half shell. Why oh why not carry that over to full face? So frustrating.
I was looking at a Proframe about 16 months ago when I got my full-face, but got an absolute steal on a factory sample Fox RPC instead (Fox's full helmets seem to fit my head shape well) . Even at that price, the want to not damage the lid is itself an effective crash prevention.