Review: MET's New Parachute MCR Convertible Full-Face Helmet
MET was ahead of the lightweight full-face game with the original Parachute, although the look of that helmet was polarizing, to say the least. The next generation Parachute skipped the removable chinbar, and staked a claim as the world's lightest full-face helmet. That brings us up to version 3.0, the Parachute MCR. It's gained a few grams, but the removable chinbar feature is back (MCR stands for Magnetic Chinbar Release), and as a whole, the look of the helmet is much more palatable.
To create the removable chinbar, MET worked with Fidlock, the company whose magnetic buckles are becoming increasingly common on mountain bike helmets. The chinbar has two metals posts that slot into the helmet, and the magnets snap together to connect the rest of the chinbar. A plastic tube with serrated ridges adds an extra layer of security to ensure that everything is securely connected.
To create the removable chinbar, MET worked with Fidlock, the company whose magnetic buckles are becoming increasingly common on mountain bike helmets. The chinbar has two metals posts that slot into the helmet, and the magnets snap together to connect the rest of the chinbar. A plastic tube with serrated ridges adds an extra layer of security to ensure that everything is securely connected.
MET Parachute Details
• Magnetic chinbar release
• MIPS liner
• BOA retention system
• 21 vents
• FidLock magnetic buckle
• Certifications: ASTM F1952-15, EN 1078:2012, CPSC 1203 AS/NZS 2063:2008
• Weight: 833 grams (size M), 461 grams without chinbar
• MSRP: €330
• www.met-helmets.com
• Magnetic chinbar release
• MIPS liner
• BOA retention system
• 21 vents
• FidLock magnetic buckle
• Certifications: ASTM F1952-15, EN 1078:2012, CPSC 1203 AS/NZS 2063:2008
• Weight: 833 grams (size M), 461 grams without chinbar
• MSRP: €330
• www.met-helmets.com
When it's time to remove the chinbar, a quarter turn of the flip-up dial on each side of the helmet is all it takes to separate the magnets. MET's video that's found below does a good job of demonstrating the process.
The Parachute MCR meets the ASTM DH standards, as well as EN 1078, CPSC 1203, and AS/NZS 2063. In other words, it's passed all of the standards that are currently in place for full-face and half-shell helmets. It's available in sizes S, M, and L, and comes with two different cheek pad thicknesses to fine-tune the fit. There are also six different color options, everything from basic black to fire engine red. My size medium test helmet weighed in at 866 grams in full-face mode, and 461 grams without the chinbar. MSRP: €330.
Features
The removable magnetic chinbar may be the star of the show, but the Parachute MCR has a laundry list of additional features, including more magnets in the Fidlock buckle, which can easily be operated with one hand.
The fit of the helmet is adjusted via a BOA system – the dial on the back is turned one way to tighten things up, or the other way to reduce the tension on the two cords that run around the entire perimeter of the helmet. The visor can be moved upwards to create more room for goggles, and it's constructed of a flexible plastic that's designed to bend during a crash, rather than transfer any unwanted forces to the neck.
Magnets connect the chinbar to the half shell portion of the helmet, and the plastic tube helps lock everything into place.
The number of vents a helmet has doesn't automatically correlate to how well it'll keep you cool on a hot day, but if you were curious, the Parachute has 21 vents, counting the ones on the chin bar. There's also internal channeling that's meant to keep air moving over your head before exiting out the back.
There are multiple designs currently on the market that are intended to reduce the amount of rotational force that reaches a rider's head during a crash, everything from gel-filled pads to viscoelastic discs placed strategically throughout a helmet. MET went with a MIPS low-friction liner, which is attached to the helmet's EPS foam with rubber elastomers, and the padding velcroes directly to the liner. The idea is that the outer portion of the helmet should be able to slide or rotate during a crash while the liner and padding stay relatively stationary on a rider's head.
Performance
Installing the Parachute's chinbar is quite simple, especially if you remember to do one side at a time. Simply slot the metal tab into the side of the half shell, and then move the chinbar around until the magnets find each other and snap into place. It's easy to tell if everything is good to go by running your hand over the side of the helmet – the chinbar should be sitting flush with the rest of the shell. Removing the chinbar is almost as simple, but it can be a little tricky to find the latch that needs to be lifted up on each side, especially with gloves on.
I did run into a slight issue when I tried to take off the helmet in full-face mode without loosening the BOA dial first - the retention system will pop out of the tabs used to adjust the height at the back of the head. I tried to remember to loosen it up, but I still forgot every once in a while and was quickly reminded of my forgetfulness by the 'snap' of the retention system popping out of place.
The visor is designed to flex during an impact, in order to avoid putting any undue strain on a rider's neck.
The retention system had a tendency to pop out of place if the BOA dial wasn't loosened when removing the helmet in full-face mode.
The overall fit of the helmet was comfortable in both modes, although in the half shell mode the helmet does feel a little top heavy, a sensation I've also experienced with the Bell Super DH helmet, the Parachute's most similar competitor. It never shifted out of place enough to require any adjustments, but it didn't feel as stable and head-hugging in rough terrain as the Specialized Ambush that's currently my go-to half shell. Summer hasn't fully arrived yet in the Pacific Northwest, but I'd put the amount of ventilation in the middle of the pack - it's not as steamy as a Giro Switchblade, but it's also not as airy as the Fox Proframe or TLD Stage.
In full-face mode, the helmet feels more stable, with a nice and wide field of view. The chinbar's position was fairly close to my face, which I wouldn't typically mind, except for one thing – if I didn't pay close attention to the position of the front vent my breath would be deflected directly up into my goggles. This may not be the case for everyone, but it's worth trying one on to see how everything lines up.
MET photo.
Final Thoughts
Creating a two-in-one helmet is a tricky proposition – it's difficult to make it work perfectly in all scenarios. At this point, I've tried almost all of the convertible helmets on the market, along with a large sampling of the lightweight full-face options out there, and come to the conclusion that I'd rather wear a dedicated full-face if the situation calls for it rather than deal with the extra bulk and complication of a two-in-one design. That's especially true in an enduro race scenario. Even if I have the option, I'm unlikely to disassemble and reassemble a convertible helmet between stages, especially one with a larger chinbar like the MET or a Bell Super DH – if you're not wearing a pack there's no easy way to carry that chinbar around.
I completely understand that for some riders it's a convenient way to avoid the hassle of bringing two helmets on a vacation, but I still haven't found one that doesn't make concessions in some area, whether that's ventilation, weight, or overall fit, a sentiment that includes the Parachute MCR.
MET photo.
Pros
+ Easy to use removable chinbar
+ Excellent field of view
+ Lots of color choices
Cons
- Retention system can pop out of place when removing helmet in full-face mode
- Chinbar's position may direct breath into goggles
- Expensive
Pinkbike's Take
 | The chinbar interface is easy to use, the weight and ventilation are all very competitive, and the look is much more appealing than previous versions. MET may not have hit a home run with the new Parachute MCR – there are a few small issues that prevent it from earning that distinction – but, to keep the baseball analogy going, I'd say they've hit at least a solid double. |
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When I get to the top of a climb I always stop to take a breather or even a bite to eat so it's a perfect time to attach the chin bar, same goes when completing a long down section before heading back up... I'll typically take a min or 2 to catch my breath and that's when the chin bar comes off. It's also so well vented that when rides have a a good mix of up and down, but mostly down... I don't mind the chinbar and don't even notice it during those times either.
During races... not having a chin bar on my face when I'm climbing to the next stage is huge. Then once I get to a stage start, again, I'll either need to take a breather and get myself sorted or it's a 5 to 45 min wait to drop in anyway = lots of time for the 10 seconds it takes me to attach the bar. Similarly, at the bottom of a stage, I am typically f*cking gassed and need a min or 2 before heading back up to the next stage = lots of time to take the bar off.
I wear a small-ish pack with a low horizontal bladder that also has back protection, it happens to have a perfect attachment system on the outside of my pack for the chinbar. The attachment is good enough that even if, for whatever reason I'm not riding with the chin bar attached, it's very secure and doesn't move. I easily see for guys that don't use a pack why they'd not want to use this type of helmet.
I repeat bought the last model which I think is the nicest thing anyone can say about a helmet, especially when they’ve smashed one up.
www.pinkbike.com/u/razzle/album/Chin-bar-attachment
My 2 y.o. already has a proper IXS full face but it's way to heavy for daily use so he is using it only on big pumptracks
There are only a few lighter(for kids) options that have better venting and they are double the price.
Cannot recommend these helmets more.
My younger kid is becoming faster and faster trying to follow his older brother but he crashes more and more because of it. Also, quality protection is almost impossible to find for kids so small
rascalrides.com/full-face-mountain-bike-helmets-kids
But ouch on the price.
The Urge Gringo that is my current candidate is less than half the price at 149 €.
"Certifications: ASTM F1952-15, EN 1078:2012, CPSC 1203 AS/NZS 2063:2008"
Beyond passed the relevant tests? Like what is that -15 at the end of the ASTM cert? That mean it's less than full cert, like minus 15 from full? Or is it like a sub cert? I have Fing clue. This is needlessly Byzantine
They are official protocols of certification, the "-15" we refer to the last version of the ASTM protocol issued in 2015.
The Parachute MCR passes and exceeds all of these standards with large margins which we apply into our internal testing; for instance we crash hundreds of helmets in advance to apply the certification at the external authorised labs, with the aim to create a large statistic database of impact results, making us able to predict each impact point structural performance.
Slimmer, less restricted guards, seems like a total win for everything but full downhill- It seems like an intelligent compromise for ski.
@methelmets @BellBikeHelmets @troyleedesigns @KaliProtectives
At these prices, the helmet vendors need to sell water bottle form factor mounts for the chinbars. Dont know why product testing never revealed the need for a mount.
No idea why the "option" is there, but I'd guess it was part of how they decided to manufacture it, or possibly they intended it to be removable during the design phase, but then decided against it.
But comfort and such, you say? I take the full face off in transition stages, which are uphill. Never had organizers and safety staff(even in an EWS qualifier event) yell at me and others to put my full face on while pedaling or walking uphill.
I just undo the chin bar on my Bell R3, and wear it around my neck on the climbs. It's not obtrusive, and negates the need for a back pack (which I loathe wearing).
Many of the injuries my friends get aren't on big air or anything, but hitting a curb while getting groceries on their bike, or other such nonsense.
That being said, I pretty much only go full face now, especially commuting.
I know MET was caving to pressure from what others released- but I think this is a step backwards.
The V2 is light and really well ventilated.
When I get to the top of a climb I always stop to take a breather or even a bite to eat so it's a perfect time to attach the chin bar, same goes when completing a long down section before heading back up... I'll typically take a min or 2 to catch my breath and that's when the chin bar comes off. It's also so well vented that when rides have a a good mix of up and down, but mostly down... I don't mind the chinbar and don't even notice it during those times either.
During races... not having a chin bar on my face when I'm climbing to the next stage is huge... also not a fan of not wearing a helmet even when it seems ok. Then once I get to a stage start, again, I'll either need to take a breather and get myself sorted or it's a 5 to 45 min wait to drop in anyway = lots of time for the 10 seconds it takes me to attach the bar. Similarly, at the bottom of a stage, I am typically f*cking gassed and need a min or 2 before heading back up to the next stage = lots of time to take the bar off.
I wear a small-ish pack with a low horizontal bladder that also has back protection, it happens to have a perfect attachment system on the outside of my pack for the chinbar. The attachment is good enough that even if, for whatever reason, I'm not riding with the chin bar attached, it's very secure and doesn't move. I can easily see for guys that don't use a pack why they'd not want to use this type of helmet though. You need to be able to stash the bar somewhere simple and easy to access otherwise you just might not use it.