BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE HELMETS 2024

Words & Photos by Staff

If you’re looking for some of the best mountain bike helmets, this list of recommendations should offer some insight into just a few of the MTB helmets we’ve tested. There are countless options out there to protect your head while riding your mountain bike, but some bike helmets are better than others. For that reason, we compiled our list of the best “Trail” mountain bike helmets.

Like bikes themselves, mountain bike helmets have splintered into sub-groups to suit the demands, styles, and safety desires of riders in those categories. For our purpose, trail mountain bike helmets span a range of different styles but are most likely found on casual riders heads to enthusiasts on 120-150mm mountain bikes. These mountain bike helmets can feature a range of protective technologies like dual-density shells and rotational impact protection systems like Mips, and more.

Of course, helmets are only as good as the fit, so we would recommend trying them on, if possible. Plus, supporting local shops is great! Or if you are purchasing from an online retailer, make sure they accept returns so you can be sure to ride in the best-fitting bike helmet possible.

BEST OVERALL MOUNTAIN BIKE HELMET

FOX SPEEDFRAME PRO

The Fox Speedframe Pro is the top-tier trail helmet in the Fox MTB helmet lineup, and packs a good compromise between weight, coverage and ventilation. Equipped with a MIPS system and Fidlock buckle, the Fox Speedframe Pro is a high quality option that is a great all round trail mountain bike helmet.

Many members of our crew really like the Speedframe Pro helmet as it fits a wide variety of head shapes comfortably, offers a quiet and secure fit while also looking very stylish…In our opinion.

MOST COMFORTABLE HELMET

TLD A3 MIPS HELMET

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: ★★★★★
VA Tech Score: 11.01
Weight: 413 grams (M/L)
Protection Type: MIPS
Fit System: Dial Adjust

The Troy Lee Designs A3 is a trail mountain bike helmet that packs generous head coverage and has a big focus on comfort. It’s not the most ventilated helmet, but packs all of the premium features including a MIPS liner, and ranks very highly for its fit and reassuring feeling of safety. For this reason, it’s one of our picks for more aggressive mountain biking. It’s not cheap though.

If you’re not regularly riding in very hot temps, or prioritize coverage and a secure-feeling helmet, the Troy Lee Designs A3 helmet is one we wholeheartedly believe in.

MOST UNIQUE HELMET VISUALLY

POC AXION RACE MIPS HELMET

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: N/A
VA Tech Score: N/A
Weight: 360 grams (Medium)
Protection Type: MIPS Integra
Fit System: 360° Dial Adjust

The POC Axion Race MIPS is the brand’s cheapest MIPS-equipped mountain bike helmet, but doesn’t skimp on the quality. At $180 you would certainly hope so, but the inclusion of the MIPS Integra system and its light weight and airy feeling give a lot to like. The standard chin buckle is disappointing at this price, and the coverage is not as deep as most of the other helmets in this roundup, so the Axion Race MIPS is likely a helmet best reserved for XC to Trail riders.

POC is a European company that has a lot of high-end products, but they do seem to be a bit finnicky when it comes to fitting a wide range of head shapes or body shapes for North Americans. This helmet offers some nice features, some others that may not be for everyone, but is a solid option for lighter-duty trail riding or those who just love the looks.

DUAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

ENDURA MT500 MIPS HELMET

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: ★★★★★
VA Tech Score: 10.70
Weight: 422 grams (Medium)
Protection Type: MIPS + Koroyd
Fit System: 360° Dial Adjust

With its combination of a full Koroyd Core and a MIPS Brain Protection System, the MT500 doubles up on protective technologies to make for a reassuringly safe feeling helmet. Ventilation levels are not the highest, but the overall quality and fit of this helmet is high and it’s a mountain bike helmet that all our crew enjoyed. Like the POC helmet, the standard buckle performs adequately but is disappointing to see at this price point.

Some of our favorite things about the Endura helmet are its general comfort; sharp looks and the combination of protective technologies.

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT TRAIL HELMET

LAZER JACKAL KINETICORE

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: ★★★★★
VA Tech Score: 13.60
Weight: 340 grams (Medium)
Protection Type: Lazer KinetiCore
Fit System: Advanced TurnSys

The Lazer Jackal Kineticore is an interesting option that features the very unique Kineticore technology. This combines efficient direct impact protection with rotational impact protection in one, and makes for a lightweight and airy helmet. The coverage is not as good as the likes of the TLD A3 though, so it wouldn’t be our first choice for more aggressive riding.

If you are looking for a mountain bike helmet that has notable airflow over the top of your head, and packs protection from a new and unique technology which allows for a low overall weight, then the Lazer Jackal Kineticore is a great option.

STAFF STANDOUT

ABUS CLIFFHANGER HELMET

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: ★★★★★
VA Tech Score: 13.75
Weight: 413 grams (Medium)
Protection Type: MIPS
Fit System: Zoom Ace Fit System

The ABUS Cliffhanger MIPS is a helmet we enjoyed unanimously, with good coverage, solid ventilation and a comfortable fit. The coverage combined with a comfortable and secure fit makes it one of our top picks for more aggressive trail to enduro mountain biking. It has quite an oval shape to the shell, so riders with very round heads may not find it as comfortable as some.

This is a new helmet to us and we all thought it was one of the best looking, best performing and well-ventilated, full coverage trail helmets out. If it fits you, this is a great option in our book!

MOST VERSATILE MTB HELMET

LEATT ENDURO 4.0 HELMET

QUICK SPECS

VA Tech Rating: N/A
VA Tech Score: N/A
Half Shell Weight: 484 grams (Medium)
Full Face Weight: 824 grams (Medium)
Protection Type: 360 Turbine Technology
Fit System: Dial Adjust

The Leatt MTB Enduro 4.0 helmet is actually two helmets in one, but it performs well enough as a trail helmet in its half shell guise that we considered it worth of a place in this group. The coverage is solid, and the helmet was comfortable and lightweight in its trail form. Being able to convert to a full face with this helmet was appreciated for its versatility and the ability to transport less kit.

If you travel regularly and want to save space in your luggage by only having to bring “One” helmet that can be adapted into two different helmets, this one is hard to beat! On trips where some of our crew were packing open face trail helmets and pedal-friendly full faces in their checked luggage, Sean was able to save space and just bring the Leatt Enduro 4.0 helmet.

If you found this roundup of Trail mountain bike helmets useful, please let us know down below and also let us know what other categories of products you’d like us to showcase.

Thanks as always for the support and trust, we hope one of these helmets fits your head and needs well!

– The Loam Wolf Crew