If you just got into mountain biking, or are still planning to, it’s important to wear the proper gear and protection to reduce injuries.
Helmets are one of, if not, the most important piece of gear you must have as it minimizes the risk of serious head and brain injuries or even death.
But picking the right helmet can be tricky. There are a lot of popular MTB helmet brands in the market today.
It is important however that you wear the helmet that is both comfortable and suits your riding style.
Casual riders riding on trails can get sufficient protection with an open-face or half-shell helmet, while frequent or the most intense riders such as a downhiller, would need more protection that can be provided by a full-face helmet.
Open-face MTB Helmets
As mentioned previously, Open-face MTB helmets are best suited for casual riders, or bikers who take easy trails as they are unlikely to get head injuries on easy and medium trails. Aside from that, open-face helmets are more comfortable to wear especially in warm environments because of the venting holes in it.
Alpinestars Vector Tech Polar MIPS Adult MTB Helmets
Open-face helmets are lightweight, easy to wear or take off, and carry around.
The only significant drawback with open-face helmets are their ability to protect your face since your chin and teeth are very vulnerable in the rare instance that you do crash from your ride
Full-face MTB Helmets
In the other end of the spectrum, the full-face MTB helmets would suit mountain bikers who are more “hardcore”, likes going fast and take on difficult trails (ie. downhill or enduro).
The biggest advantage of full-face helmets over the open-face variety is their ability to protect the entire face. Wearing a full-face helmet doesn’t make you invincible to bumps or hits, but it definitely raises your confidence and make you feel a lot safer especially if you already have hit your face before.
Troy Lee Designs D4 Composite Eyeball MIPS Adult MTB Helmets
Aside from the teeth and chin area, full-face helmets’ coverage extends to the brain area, with their hard shell providing better pierce resistance.
Because it offers more protection than the open-face helmet, full face helmets do cost more.
They are also heavier and bulkier, so it would need time for a rider to get used to wearing or carrying it around, especially for riders who are used to wearing open face helmets.
With its sturdier construction, full face mountain bike helmets are not as well ventilated and can get hot especially in warmer weather conditions.
Bicycle Helmet Standards USA
To ensure that bike helmets are able to provide an effective protection especially to the head and brain, they have to be meticulously tested in accordance to the standard set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1203
CPSC 16 CFR Part 1203 is the mandatory safety standard within the United States. CPSC highlights the following standards for bicycle helmets:
ASTM F1447
The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) F1447 standard applies to helmets used by recreational cyclists and roller skaters.
Snell B-95
The Snell B-95 is a voluntary standard and is the updated version of the Snell B-90.
What Helmet Should You Get?
Make sure to wear what works for you. Pick the right kind of helmet that suits your personal preference, particularly in terms of your riding style and your abilities.
Also make sure to buy high quality helmets that are designed for protection and are properly certified.
Don’t be afraid to try multiple helmets first before making a decision.
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