Ridden & Rated: 5 of the Best Convertible MTB Helmets for 2021
About This Review
It’s a fairly logical progression when you think about it: bike weight and geometry have evolved enough that long travel mountain bikes can now easily be pedaled to the top. Then mix in the speeds and technical gnar a skilled and aggressive rider can handle while descending. Plus, now there are e-bikes (love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re here to stay). Alongside this progression, there’s been a similar growth in helmets with a removable chin bar—think of them as kind of like a mullet: half shell business on the up when you’re sweating that climb, and downhill full face party on the downhill when you’re hitting warp speed. And while we’re all about the party, this review of five removable chin bars is all business.
Helmet cert quick facts:
• Helmet certifications include CPSC (USA, Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Brazil), CE-EN 1078/EN-1078 (Europe), AS/NZL 2063:2008 (Australian/New Zealand), and ASTM F1952.
• Helmets are certified based on the amount of force from which they offer protection and the amount of protective material, with EN-1078 as the thinnest and highest up on the head, and ASTM F1952 as the burliest, encasing the entirety of the skull.
• These are tested by dropping a head form that’s wired up with accelerometers and various measuring devices encased inside a helmet onto a variety of anvils from various heights. Medieval, maybe, but straightforward and reliable.
• Helmets that meet the ASTM F1952 downhill standards are tested with higher drop velocities and can protect against a greater range of impacts—say, to the face—than helmets that just sit up top.
• Helmet certifications include CPSC (USA, Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Brazil), CE-EN 1078/EN-1078 (Europe), AS/NZL 2063:2008 (Australian/New Zealand), and ASTM F1952.
• Helmets are certified based on the amount of force from which they offer protection and the amount of protective material, with EN-1078 as the thinnest and highest up on the head, and ASTM F1952 as the burliest, encasing the entirety of the skull.
• These are tested by dropping a head form that’s wired up with accelerometers and various measuring devices encased inside a helmet onto a variety of anvils from various heights. Medieval, maybe, but straightforward and reliable.
• Helmets that meet the ASTM F1952 downhill standards are tested with higher drop velocities and can protect against a greater range of impacts—say, to the face—than helmets that just sit up top.
Full face helmets must clearly meet a much higher safety standards than half shells do. So if a full-face lid is that much more protective, why not always wear one? Simple: that protective casing doesn’t breathe or ventilate as well as a half shell lid. And they’re designed as more of a full tilt boogie kind of thing. So we have evolved the removable chin bar helmet to bridge that gap for this “enduro “ type of riding: they breathe better than a dedicated full face for the “cruise control” of the ups with the chin bar off, and offer that additional level of protection for singletrack plowing on the descents with the extra security of having full facial protection in place. But take note: while that chin bar will definitely help in the event of an impact—it uses EPS or EPP foam—it’s primarily designed to deflect, so it’s mostly just there to keep your face pretty.
I’d be remiss in not mentioning the advent of rotational energy management systems, too, like MIPS or Leatt’s 360° Turbine. While there is currently no standard of certification for these systems, having these types of slip plane technologies in a helmet can help it deal with rotational impacts, by allowing the outer shell to move in response to an impact, rather than remaining in place and taking the full force of a blow.
I’d be remiss in not mentioning the advent of rotational energy management systems, too, like MIPS or Leatt’s 360° Turbine. While there is currently no standard of certification for these systems, having these types of slip plane technologies in a helmet can help it deal with rotational impacts, by allowing the outer shell to move in response to an impact, rather than remaining in place and taking the full force of a blow.
Giro Switchblade MIPS
• Actual Weight: 903g w/ chin bar; 613g no chin bar (size S)
• Tested Color: Matte Warm Black
• Sizes: S (51-55cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (59-63cm)
• MSRP: $280 USD
• rei.com/
• Tested Color: Matte Warm Black
• Sizes: S (51-55cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (59-63cm)
• MSRP: $280 USD
• rei.com/
Giro pioneered the original Switchblade in the early 2000s. That design pales in comparison to the re-released Switchblade of 2016. The Switchblade MIPS is touted as all about the down, and it does carry that ASTM F1952 certification as well as MIPS, but it’s also very much about the up, with hydrophilic padding and enough ventilation to let in some airflow.
Features:
• ASTM F1952, EU CE EN1078, CPSC certified
• MIPS
• Climbing-friendly padding and ventilation
• 3-position adjustable visor
• Giro's Roc Loc Air DH adjustment system
• Moto-style D-ring closure
• Tool-free chin bar on/off
• Replaceable cheek pads to tune fit
Fit: I tested the Switchblade in size small. The fit was spot on my 55cm head with the smaller cheek pads attached. The dial of the Roc Lock easily allowed me to adjust the helmet to a tight but comfortable fit (with and without the chin bar). The D ring closure system is known to be a safe choice and is a straightforward buckle system that is easy to adjust with gloves on or off. There is a snap on the strap to keep the extra material from flapping. The visor easily adjusts to fit desired google positions. The Switchblade does hug the face (and cheeks) fairly tight, but there are ample vents and cutout ear holes so I could hear people around me relatively well.
Ride Impressions: Like all the convertible helmets in this review, I tested the Switchblade both with and without the chin bar, climbing and descending, and in a range of spring and summer temperatures. The helmet offers some of the best coverage with the chin bar off and offered such a solid and snug fit that it moved very little when descending technical trails (or with my shaking the head around as a test). I had decent peripheral vision, and the chin bar was easy to remove when the helmet was on.
Snapping the chin bar back into place takes a little practice and I noticed that sometimes I thought it was locked in when it wasn't, so it's always important to give it a little tug to make sure everything is in place before dropping in. While this helmet is well ventilated, I will note that it runs on the warm side—even with the chin bar off, on any climbs in the heat the Switchblade had me looking like a Red Hot at the top. If you are looking for a convertible helmet that provides excellent coverage both with and without the chin bar the Switchblade is a great option, although I would lean towards choosing it for shorter climbing days in cooler weather.
Giro Switchblade MIPS.
Pros
+ Best half shell coverage
+ Very stylish design
Cons
- Hot when climbing
Bell Super 3R MIPS
• Actual Weight: 738g w/ chin bar; 547g no chin bar (size S/M)
• Tested Color: MatteDark Gray/Gunmetal
• Sizes: S (52-56cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (58-62cm)
• MSRP: $240 USD
• jensonusa.com/
• Tested Color: MatteDark Gray/Gunmetal
• Sizes: S (52-56cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (58-62cm)
• MSRP: $240 USD
• jensonusa.com/
The Bell Super 3R MIPS is aimed at trail riders wanting the security of a full face helmet in a lighter weight, well-ventilated package. It's crafted by bonding the outer shell of the helmet to the EPS liner in a process Bell pioneered called fusion in-mold polycarbonate. This creates a sturdier helmet with reduced weight. This helmet is CPSC certified; but take note: it does not have the ASTM F1952 certification found on the slightly heavier Bell Super DH Spherical helmet or the other helmets in this review. However, with the chin bar locked in place, it will still function to deflect impact forces away from the face in the event of a crash (although like all chin bars, it has limits).
Features:
• MIPS
• Lightweight
• Tool-free, two-chip chin bar
• Adjustable visor accommodates both goggles and glasses
• A plethora of vents
• Bell's Float Fit
• Breakaway camera mount
Fit: I tested this helmet in size small. The overall fit was perfect out of the box and the Float Fit system dial allowed me to easily fine-tune as needed. The helmet is the lightest of the bunch tested here. With the chin bar removed, it feels as if it is perched higher on my head, but the fit system does a good job of keeping it snug on one's head. I would note that with the chin bar on, I needed to pull the chin bar down to ensure that my chin was covered adequately, which was unusual. I'm uncertain as to why, because my head (in general) is on the smaller side making me think that the chin bar fit would be more natural.
Ride Impressions: This is the lightest helmet of the review and also offered the least coverage, but it's not a DH-rated helmet, so that was to be expected. The light weight and venting did make this by far the most comfortable helmet for climbing. Peripheral vision was good. While you can easily take the chin bar off the helmet without removing it from your head, stashing it for the ups isn't as easy as some of the others in this review because it's a completely circular frame with a release in the back—i.e. you can't just tuck it into a waist strap.
Attaching the chin bar back on is fairly easy, although it is not the easiest of the group; you have to make sure the back latch is hooked before you put it on, and then line things up before latching it down—and then give it a little tug to verify you didn't mess it up. I see this helmet out on the trails very often, whether it's on kids or adults, and it appears to be a top pick (probably due to the cost and light weight). If you are looking for a little extra face and head protection this helmet is a good entry point into the convertible helmet world: it doesn't break the bank and won't weigh you down on epic backcountry missions.
Bell Super 3R MIPS.
Pros
+ Affordable
+ Lightweight
+ Good venting
Cons
- Coverage feels minimalistic
- Only convertible without ASTM F1952, and EU CE EN1078 certs
Sweet Protection Arbitrator
• Actual Weight: 984g w/ chin bar; 547g no chin bar (size S/M)
• Tested Color: Nardo Gray / Natural Carbon
• Sizes: S/M (53-56cm)/ M/L (56-59cm)
• MSRP: $349.95 USD
• competitivecyclist.com/
• Tested Color: Nardo Gray / Natural Carbon
• Sizes: S/M (53-56cm)/ M/L (56-59cm)
• MSRP: $349.95 USD
• competitivecyclist.com/
This Norwegian brand has been making full face and half shell mountain bike lids for a decade now, and the Arbitrator is their removable chin bar design. This helmet is designed with a four-piece in-mold shell and an EPS liner with MIPS. It also utilizes Zytel (a type of nylon resin) internal framing for additional structural support.
Features:
• CPSC, SGS EN1078, and ASTM F1952 certified
• MIPS
• Two different retention systems for use with or without chin bar
• Well-ventilated
• Sturdy construction
• Single snap closure to join helmet and chin bar
• Replaceable cheek pads to tune fit
Fit: I tested this helmet in size S/M. The helmet fit well with the chin bar on and the boa dialed all the way down. With the chin bar off the helmet felt a tad bit loose on my head (much like the Leatt). The helmet has a double strap retention system, meaning the half shell has a standard buckle and the chin bar has a separate buckle. While I found this unique, I didn't have any issues buckling the thing up once it was on my head and it didn't feel as bulky as I thought it would. Not sure what the purpose is, but maybe the doubling up prevents helmet ejection in case of buckle failure? Peripheral vision with goggles on was good.
Ride Impressions: This is the heaviest and bulkiest helmet of the review, but also felt the most like an actual full face. The chin bar system was unique: you have to take the helmet off to get the chin bar off as it's a solid circular lower shell that snaps to the upper half shell. To buckle it in place, one aligns some v's, slides guides into slots, and then levers a single snap closure that locks everything into place. The snap takes a little bit of muscle power, but as a result I definitely knew that the chin bar was securely on. With the chin bar in place, this helmet definitely gave me the confidence to just pin it—knowing I had such a solid fit and excellent coverage around my head definitely gave me a boost of confidence heading into root and rock filled chaos. Kind of like powering down a pothole-filled road in a classic soft top Cadillac: looks sweet but it's as solid as it comes.
Sweet Protection Arbitrator
Pros
+ Solid fit
+ Confidence inspiring design
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
MET Parachute MCR MIPS
• Actual Weight: 826g w/ chin bar; 440g no chin bar (size S)
• Tested Color: Petrol Blue/Matte Glossy
• Sizes: S (52-56cm)/ M (56-58cm)/ L (58-61cm)
• MSRP: $379
• jensonusa.com/
• Tested Color: Petrol Blue/Matte Glossy
• Sizes: S (52-56cm)/ M (56-58cm)/ L (58-61cm)
• MSRP: $379
• jensonusa.com/
The MET Parachute MCR utilizes a magnetic chin bar release (M-C-R) that was developed in partnership with Fidlock to convert the helmet from full face to half shell and back.
Features:
• AS/NZS, CPSC, CE 1078, ASTM F2032, and ASTM F1952 certified
• MIPS
• Magnetic chin bar release (MCR)
• 21 vents
• Flexible and adjustable visor
• Fidlock magnetic buckle and BOA adjustment system
• Replaceable cheek pads to tune fit
Fit: The size small MCR with the standard cheek pads offered a great fit. This helmet is super comfortable both with and without the chin bar. I had zero issues with peripheral vision. Removing the chin bar with the helmet on is very straightforward, and the MCR system makes it almost impossible to incorrectly put the chin bar back on—there is a fairly loud pop when the dials press into place correctly. The Fidlock magnetic buckle is easy to use with or without gloves and the visor adjusts to handle googles as desired. The coverage and fit without the chin bar gave me the confidence to ride hard knowing the helmet fit tightly in all the right places.
Ride Impressions: This was my favorite convertible helmet of the review. The half shell really stands out—not only does it look like a regular helmet, but it's quite stylish and it didn't make me feel like I had a modified bunker perched atop my head when the chin bar was off. Many of the other half shells are bulky or look like you're wearing a ski helmet. Not the case with the MCR!
This helmet is on the lighter side and the chin bar is just svelte enough when removed that it easily fits in a smaller riding pack. Testing, this helmet was on par with most the other full-face helmets as far as having enough venting to keep things cool while having the certifications and rotational impact protection that keep your brain as safe as a helmet can. While this helmet is on the pricey side, it checks all the boxes as far as comfort, protection, style, and weight.
MET Parachute MCR.
Pros
+ Super comfortable
+ Half shell checks all the boxes
+ Chin bar system is dialed
Cons
- Expensive
Leatt Helmet MTB 4.0 Enduro V21
• Actual Weight: 805g w/ chin bar; 455g no chin bar (size S)
• Tested Color: Sand
• Sizes: S (51-55cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (59-63cm)
• MSRP: $299.99 USD
• leatt.com/
• Tested Color: Sand
• Sizes: S (51-55cm)/ M (55-59cm)/ L (59-63cm)
• MSRP: $299.99 USD
• leatt.com/
The Leatt entry into this removable chin bar round up features a polymer construction with both EPS and EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foams for high and low speed impacts, as well as Leatt’s proprietary 360° Turbine Technology (a rotational energy management system) to reduce rotational and concussive forces to the rider in the event of a crash. Rather than a flexible visor like the MET Parachute MCR to reduce rotational leverage, their adjustable visor has a breakaway function.
Features:
• AS/NZS 2063/2008, ASTM F1952, EN1078, and CPSC certified
• Combination of foams for high and low-speed impact absorption
• Leatt's 360° Turbine Technology
• Adjustable breakaway visor
• Chin bar attached with stainless steel hardware activated by lever on either side of helmet
• Ratchet dial to adjust fit
• Fidlock magnetic closure
• 18 vents
• Moisture-wicking, washable inner liner
Fit: I tested this helmet in size S. While the size chart on the website states the size small is 51 - 55cm (my head circumference is about 55cm), the helmet felt fairly loose and big on me both with and without the chin bar. I could dial down the boa to tighten it up enough for testing, but do note that if you have a small head, the Leatt small runs on the larger end of the sizing spectrum. Sizing aside, once this helmet was on it was super comfortable. Like the MET, the chin bar system is dialed and it's hard to mess it up: you know without a doubt when the chin bar's locked into place, and removal when wearing it is fairly simple. The Fidlock buckle and fit retention system work seamlessly while the glasses retention system is a cool feature that I used with chin bar off while climbing. Peripheral vision was great.
Ride Impressions: This helmet is rad! It's lightweight, well-vented, easy to use, and offers top-notch comfort. If the fit was a little more snug I would consider it as my go-to daily driver for big days with long climbs and fast, technical descents. While I can't speak to the difference between MIPS and 360° Turbine Technology and whether one is better than the other (as of yet there are no standards for rotational impact systems), it holds all the certifications that make me feel confident to ride hard. In fact both my 13-year-old son (pictured in the photo above) and my testing co-partner absolutely loved this helmet. And since the fit was a little better on them, the helmet had many hours of testing, some small crashes and scuff marks, but is holding up phenomenally well (i.e. no wear and tear on the chin bar system). If you are looking for a convertible helmet that runs a little cooler than the Switchblade and just a little heavier than the Bell, I highly suggest you take a look at this one.
Leatt Helmet MTB 4.0 Enduro V21.
Pros
+ Comfort and fit is stellar
+ Stylish look
+ Chin bar system is easy to use
Cons
- Sizing runs big-- not the best for small heads
About the Tester:
Nikki Rohan stands 5'5" and weighs 135 lbs with a 28-inch waist, 37-inch hips, and 35-inch chest and wears a size small helmet, size large gloves, and EU-41 shoes. She typically falls between a size small and medium, a US size 6, and a US 8.5 shoe. She resides in Hood River OR with her husband, Colin Meagher, her two kids, a dog, and a grumpy cat.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Bought a TLD Stage
Few helmets at home, all work fine.
Anyway@Noeserd - you are right and I've made the same comment on Instagram.
Super Air fits here way better, but we know how it works
I finally took the same choice going for the Stage and really like it even on climbs.
Strange, as I was putting my one in strange situations.
In that case, they should replace it, as definitely something was wrong with this one!
Wonder if it wasn't attached properly? Really depends on the helmet... I witnessed a Fox Proframe chin bar break off relatively easily. If you take a good look at those helmets, even though the chin bar is not detachable, the way it's connected looks quite fragile.
From using the Bell Super 3R and eventually evolving to just keeping the chin bar on all the time because it's so well vented and trying to stay away from 2-piece helmets, I bought the Kali Invader which is a super lightweight extremely vented but one-piece full face helmet. Use it on every ride, and really like it.
I still prefer to ride with my Full 9, but I’m confident in the Super DH
I still use a POC carbon MIPS FF for park days.
Anything crash the breaks a convertible chin bar off would most likely have broken the chin bar off of a comparable two-piece light weight full face anyway. And probably still saved that person's face and teeth.
But, I do agree to an extend... I crashed my Bell Super 3R and the chinbar held up great. But when it was time for a new helmet I went with a one-piece lightweight helmet, the Kali Invader.
If you need a full face, then you’re not riding trail, you’re riding park or downhill.
I tried riding trail with a full face, it’s way to hot, so I used s boony cap for climbing… which led to me using the boony cap for slight downhills; you get the picture?
So yeah, I retired my 2R, set aside my full face, and picked up a Bell Super Air, great helmet, the chin bar only comes off for climbing in hot days.
You can crash in a way that puts in face first in the ground trail riding
Don't need that FF til you need it.
It was awful though.
There ya go, safest helmets in the world.
Sometimes those connectors are improving safety- a lot!
You can see it with MIPS that makes a huge difference- and adds another connection between helmet parts
And please, do not talk about which helmet is stronger- but which is safer.
I remember- a few years ago there was a CNC helmet done on 5 axles machine for some anniversary (with Redbull)- it will be the strongest one on the market, but will you use it to protect your brain??
Your simplistic statement stronger = safer is not true. Why did you have to say a DOT helmet would be safer IF a bike was going 45 MPH most of the time.
If stronger = safer then it wouldn't matter. Helmet safety can't be boiled down to that simple of a statement.
You flat out said a stronger helmet is safer and that is not true, otherwise DOT helmets would be safer for riding bikes, but as you admitted, they aren't.
Pretty straight forward.
But...
You are wrong!
especially here:
A helmet with a chin guard that doesn’t break will always be safer than one that does
because, it has to take impact and decrease force- not look good.
I have nice examples from my life and my friends.
My friend can walk, thanks to not-fixed connections (DBX 4 helmet with MIPS similar technology took a lot of force and thans to that, only part of his back was broken).
My 661 chin broke in pieces few years ago, thanks to what force that hit my head was way lower and I am alive (but have to take some pills till I die)...
So please, it is all about taking impact and decreasing force- not being unbreakable...
And here once again- FOX Proframe is way worse than for example Bell Super DH (ok, super DH is 100g heavier, but have also MIPS which is increasing its weight).
And had a nice comparison last year, that even Super Air (which is way lighter) had not broke totally, and Proframe was destroyed after falling out from a bike at the parking below the lift.
And there is more examples of poor design helmets which are far behind those 2in1 helmets when material and weight is similar...
Take a look, that Super DH has DH certificate, where a lot of other full-face helmets are not certified...
So please, staph!
It is all about the design. Always...
So we're still back to stronger > safer.
But keep going.
Really, we are talking about the final effect.
Nobody cares about complexity etc.
That's why your assumption is wrong...
I will say, that on very hot days there are still some differences between even a super vented light weight full face and a half shell... and it's because of the cheek pads. On really hot days your face (cheeks) can get a bit hot. What I've done on those days is just pop off the cheek pads for the climb and pop them back in for the descent. When you do that, even on super hot days, it truly does feel like a half shell. Only need to do it for 1 to 3 days a year.
I recently replaced my Giro switchblade with a Fox Proframe and immediately put the proframe to the test with a pretty serious crash and direct impact to boulder with my face. The proframe cracked but my head was perfectly fine. My collarbone however.... My son also used to have a switchblade and he had a crash where the chinbar blew up off the helmet and he ended up with a concussion. I don't trust removable chin bars.
Fyi Fox is givinng me a 20% discount o a crash replacement. Not that great compared to some companies but better than nothing I gusss.
I've tried slow speed mountain fire road climbing in a standard fullface helmet, a half shell, and an enduro-full face (proframe).
- Airflow with the fullface was worse, by far. In particular, I think it's harder to clear co2 as you breath out and look for your next breath.
- Airflow with the proframe is extremely good, with no breathing issues. It's cooler than the fullface, as well.
- Airflow with the halfshell is pretty much the same as the proframe, but runs cooler, for obvious reasons. That said, the proframe wasn't THAT much hotter.
I'm going to state the obvious here, but I really think it comes down to how ventilated the chinbar is. The Bell Super DH, for example, is not going to clear out-breaths nearly as well as the proframe. There just isn't the same ventilation.
But nonetheless, point taken.
Think of a football tackle's face guard, and a quarterback's, and a kicker's. There's a big reduction in coverage at each step. But would you really believe that the kicker's helmet is some great innovation in ventilation? Does the offensive tackle complain about breathing in stale breath? (I never played and don't know)
Apart from that good content
IXS Trigger L - fitted well front to back, but way too loose on sides - my guess is it would suit a 63cm round head or there abouts
IXS Trigger M - too small front to back, couldn't get head in
TLD Stages XL - similar to the IXS Trigger L
TLD Stages L - perfect side to side, not long enough front to back - suits a rounder head
Endura MT500 Full face XL - this was enormous, biggest by far of all the helmets
Endura MT500 Full face L - this was the only one that fitted my xeno-bonce, so that's the one I went with
@Afterschoolsports depending on your head shape the Endura or possibly the IXS and TLD might be worth a try.
This should be way more important! I call it a camera/light mount, since most good modern lights have gopro-style mount options. It's literally one of the biggest reasons I got a Super 3R (I already knew that the Super line fits me well). I couldn't find any other good convertible options with a mount, and not even a good selection of half-shells.
Night-riding is amazing, and here in New England it's basically the only choice for weekday group rides (more people work day jobs than not) between approx Oct and Apr, and even a good choice in the middle of summer to avoid some heat. But no one really wants to be gluing or strapping shit to their helmet that's just going to stick out and grab stuff in a crash.
Also saw a nice photo of someone who’s nose had been smashed in by his Switchblade chinbar yesterday - not the best PR
My TLD Stage met that requirement but the chin bar still broke. I don't remember the crash but no injury to my chin so I guess it worked. However, it was a disconcerting seeing the broken chin bar, missing pieces, and the visor did not breakaway as I hoped.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/20906979
Disconcerting for sure.
But these helmets are all "single use" only. So if the chin bar has to break off to save the chin/face, then so be it right?
It does look like the visor broke away, but not in a way that I’d expect. Just from looking at the picture, i don’t see scratches on the visor, but it’s there on the helmet behind it. So it must have ripped off immediately. I wonder what sort of effect that had in protecting or exposing your head in the crash. I’m only an under graduate at YouTube University so I don’t have those answers.
Could imagine the Sweet being very well thought out. Had a Bushwhacked and Fixer when they first came out and currently have a Dissenter
I think "minimal" is the correct word here. "Minimalistic" or "minimalism" has more to do with simplicity of appearance or construction than the actual amount of a thing.
If you think the helmet has "minimal" (just enough to pass) coverage, then that's a con; but if it has a "minimalistic" (simple) appearance, then that's just taste.
I believe you are suppose to use only one buckle with chinbar, the other buckles can be hidden inside the earpieces when the chinbar is on.
2:25 on this video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHwBQGv3pPk
It is also in the manual, but the images are not the best possible...
Also if I'm riding where I want a full face, I'll get a proper full face.
One year ago I bought a Proframe, super ventilated and a lot lighter, but on heavy climbs I still need to remove it so I can breath better. It is also a little bit uncomfortable specially on the forehead, and the helmet itself doesn’t feel very “secure” or solid. To be honest I m not sure wich one I like more.
Now can someone do a similar review but make the tester someone with a massive head so us poor sods with huge noggins can get an idea of which helmets actually fit us. I seem to spend half my time reading reviews, only to try them on and find they don’t fit. As helmets are so expensive nowadays I’m loathe to sand/trim the inside like I used to have to do with pisspots. On that note, can someone make a Clydesdale puss pot please !?
I have a Fox Proframe for casual riding (meaning I unbuckle it and slide it up on my head on the gravel roads up) and I find nothing beats it in fit/comfort/ventilation/ease-of-use (thanks Fidlock).
Now, for the aforementioned races I've tried 2 of the convertibles in this test (56cm head circumference, shaved head):
- Sweet Arbitrator in size S/M:
---- - uncomfortable at back of the head right behind the ears where my head would contact the plastic (again, no hair to cushion and for some reason the outer plastic shell wraps around from the outside into the inside of the helmet at that spot where other helmets would only have EPS on the inside facing the riders skull),
---- - the double retention buckles are a real faff to stash away when switching at the top and bottom of every stage (think 6 stages means 12 times faffing around with that, it's only a few seconds but becomes annoying quite fast, plus one ends up stashing the half shell buckle correctly half the time...)
---- - the locking mechanism at the back is not super smooth and may require some force/faffing
---- - feels heavier and less ventilated than a Proframe
---- - chinbar does not flex and feels stout (dunno if it's a plus though)
---- - chinbar once removed is a "full circle" which it convenient for "locking" it around your backpack but something to keep in mind space-wise
---- - padding is comfortable, especially on the plastic head adjuster (there's some padding on the plastic bit that one tightens at the back of the head)
---- - there is no possibility to put the chinbar back on the helmet without removing it from the head
Re-sold it after 2 rides.
- Leatt MTB 4.0 Enduro V21 in size M:
---- - lacks padding at the back of the head: the plastic head adjuster has sharp edges directly in contact with the skull (shaved head, again...) and feels like it could lacerate the skin in the event of a crash; feels much better once you cover these up with a silicone lining or some extra padding
---- - sizing runs big, I could probably have gone for a S; this feels especially true when in half-lid mode where there's a big gap at the back between the EPS shell and the head, though it does not wiggle if the head adjuster is properly tightened
---- - chinbar can be put back on the helmet without removing it
---- - padding inside the chinbar feels cheap compared to the Proframe
---- - chinbar is quite flexy which worries me, a bit like on the Bell (seen a guy faceplant a Bell super, break the chinguard and cut his face open reaaally bad, requiring a lot of stitching and lifelong scarring)
---- - fidlock buckle system is definitely the most convenient
---- - well ventilated
---- - does not feel heavy on the head / feels well balanced
---- - nice with the grid on the chinguard to avoid eating dirt and insects (which happens on the Proframe)
I'll keep this one for now.
I can only wish Fox came with a convertible Proframe. That would be a killer of a helmet.
My head measures 59cm and I think it's oval shaped.
I tried the following:
Bell super air - size large, felt like I was wearing even less helmet than my super 3r.
Fox proframe - size XL. Pretty good fit but had some pressure points and ventilation was not as good as TLD Stage.
Kali invader (unsure 1.0 or 2.0) - size L/XXL, nice and breathable but the rear ratcheting retention systems has parts that either sat between my skull and top of my ear or just clapped the to of my ears to my head. The strap had a little pad on it but it was pretty annoying in the store.
TLD Stage - XL/XXL. I could not fit my head into the M/L size. I could good air movement space around my ears and nothing came close to touching my ears. On the trail, it felt like way more air moved through it than my super 3r. The front of the chin bar is open so you can squirt in water from a bottle, which will take a little getting used to. Overall, it felt good enough to leave on while waiting for my buddies at the top of some hard climbs.
My confusion comes from my climbing on public trails, which means descending on public trails meaning no warp speed. So why do I need this full face? When I go to the bile park, I want a well built full face.
So while I'm sort of interested, I'm more likely to just have 2 helmets.
Why can't you go Warp speed on public MTB trails? Many are marked as downhill traffic only...
I want to climb without a chin bar and descend with one.
I dare say you're very mistaken.