Mountain Bike Helmets – What You Need To Know Before You Buy

Choosing which helmet to spend your cash on can quickly become an overwhelming undertaking. So to clean up the confusion, here is an essential guide to mountain bike helmets, what you need to know before you buy, and ten of our top picks.

First and foremost, there are a lot of MTB helmet options available. Brands like Smith, Bontrager, 100%, Oakley, Sweet Protection, and many more make excellent mountain bike helmets. Depending on your riding style, there is a perfect type and style of MTB helmet just for you.

Regarding price, if your mountain biking gear budget is thin, cutting corners on a helmet is not recommended. Good mountain bike helmets cost money. Prepare to spend on average between $100 – $400 roughly depending on riding style, brand, and safety features.

Mountain bike helmets generally last 3 – 8 years. If you ride a lot as we do, you’ll probably be looking for a replacement at the three-year mark. Many helmet brands recommend replacing them as the foam compounds break down with sweat and normal wear and tear over time. In addition, new helmet technology is constantly evolving– consider this when you’re looking to replace an older helmet. Finally, if you ever crash and hit your noggin, you should replace your helmet before your next ride to ensure it’s safe. Your helmet brand may even offer you a discount code for a crash replacement. The community is HUGE on safety.

Before we show you the goods below, here are a few links to learn and read up on the safety technology currently in use. In addition, a few brands have also created their own protection systems.

• MIPS – Multi-directional Impact Protection System is a popular option for safety features. MIPS technology works by creating a low-friction layer between the helmet’s shell and soft liner, providing extra protection for side-impact crashes. Here’s some safety info about MIPS technology we found.  
• Spin by POC – The SPIN system looks similar to MIPS, but it’s less complex. SPIN uses specially developed pads placed in critical locations in the helmet to absorb impact. Those pads move in any direction to produce the same effect as MIPS.
• Smartshock® by 100% – A fully suspended rotational protection system for your brain. The Smartshock suspended rotational system improves protection by immediately compressing and absorbing direct impacts, thus reducing energy transfer to the brain over a wide range of speed and impact types.
• WaveCel by Bontrager – WaveCel works to divert the impact force away from the head. The cells crumple to absorb impact energy, like the crumple zone of a car. Finally, cells glide to distribute rotational forces. According to a study at the Legacy Research Institute in Portland, Oregon, WaveCel is significantly more effective than MIPS in reducing both linear impact forces and rational forces on the brain.
• Koroyd by Smith – Similar approach to WaveCel, Koroyd’s welded tubes crumple instantly and consistently on impact, absorbing maximum force in a controlled manner, minimizing energy transferred to your head.

Most of these items have been tested on the trail and bashed around by our editors and riding buddies. Some even tested for over a year, so you know you’ll get a quality review. But, of course, we at Mountainly also read countless reviews, conduct market research, and compile the top products that the MTB community recommends.

In no particular order, here are a few of our favorite picks for mountain bike helmets.