How to Choose a Mountain Bike Helmet

Mountain bike helmets: the most important piece of mountain bike protective gear you’ll wear. Here’s how to get the right mtb 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 mountain bike 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 mountain bike helmet.

For cross country, single track, and recreational mountain biking, a “regular” mountain bike helmet offers excellent lightweight and well ventilated protection.

Mountain Bike Helmets Certification

All helmets sold as “bike helmets,” including mountain biking helmets, must meet the requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle helmet certification standard. Look for the CPSC certification sticker on the inside of the helmet, and do not buy a mountain bike helmet that does not carry at least the CPSC certification.

A full face mountain bike helmet will sometimes meet additional safety 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.

Mountain Bike Helmet Fit and Shape

For mtb helmets to protect you from a serious head injury, the helmet has 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:

• MTB Helmet Shell Size. Measure the size of your head using our helmet sizing guide and select a mountain bike 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 mountain bike 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 mtb 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 Triton (formerly known as the Kinghead) and Giro Atlas are both excellent extra large mountain bike helmets that include current features and styling.
  

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