The Best Mountain Bike Helmets of 2024

Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet

Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet

Why it’s Great

After a full season of testing helmets out on the trail, the Fox Speedframe Pro is the best overall mountain bike helmet we’ve ever used.

The Fox includes everything we look for in a top-rated mountain bike helmet. You get a MIPS liner that helps reduce rotational forces during a crash and the helmet is exceptionally comfortable thanks to the 360-fit system that cinches down around your entire head (not just the back like most others). The Speedframe Pro also includes premium features like a magnetic Fidlock buckle and an adjustable visor, and the vents located just above the brow do an excellent job of flowing air and minimizing excessive sweat buildup in hot temps. Finally, the Fox lid simply looks good out on the trail and comes in a plethora of color combinations.

Even after riding thousands of miles in dozens of different lids, the Fox Speedframe Pro remains our top recommended helmet for the year.

How it Compares

The closest competitor to the Fox Speedframe Pro is the Troy Lee Designs A3 (listed below). Both helmets are phenomenal in their own right, but each has its differences.

If you value airflow, cooler head temps, and less sweat above all else, then the Speedframe Pro is the easy choice–the three intake vents right under the visor work so darn well. However, if a slight bump in overall coverage is more important, then the Troy Lee Designs A3 might be the better option. The rear and sides of the TLD A3 helmet extend slightly farther down when compared to the Speedframe Pro, which in turn feels like it offers a bit more protection. One final deciding factor between these two helmets might well come down to price, with the Fox undercutting the Troy Lee Designs by about $40. All things considered, you really can’t go wrong with either lid!

Shop the Fox Speedframe Pro at:

Wanna know more?
Read our In-Depth Review of the Fox Speedframe Pro.

Another Top Mountain Bike Helmet

Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet

Why it’s Great

If past performance is an indicator of future success, then it should come as no surprise that the Troy Lee Designs A3 is a real standout helmet. Having logged thousands of miles in the previous generation A1 and A2 models, we can unequivocally say that the A3 is the best version yet.

Slipping on the TLD A3 helmet feels like coming home; its cinch system features 54 clicks of adjustment (yes, we counted) for dialing in the perfect fit and the padding offers a perfect balance of comfort while still retaining a low profile. The combination of EPP and EPS foam provides excellent slow- and high-speed impact protection, and the MIPS safety system helps reduce rotational forces during a crash. Other noteworthy features include a magnetic Fidlock buckle, an adjustable visor, and a piece of EVA foam located just above the brow that helps keep sweat from dripping down your head and getting in your eyes. If you can swallow the $250 price tag, the Troy Lee Designs A3 is a standout choice.

How it Compares

With its full-coverage style, the Troy Lee Designs A3 is a solid helmet for trail and enduro bike duties. In this same genre, you’ll find the Fox Speedframe Pro (listed above) and POC’s Kortal Race MIPS (listed below).

For hot climates and all-day pedals, we recommend the slightly breezier Speedframe Pro–its ventilation system is one of the best we’ve ridden in. And while the TLD A3 offers a good amount of coverage, the Kortal Race MIPS takes it one step further with its slightly deeper fit and extended temple and rear protection sections, making it the better choice for gnarlier trails. The POC also features some cool built-in tech, like the ability to electronically store emergency medical and contact information, which certainly sets it apart from the TLD A3. In the end, we highly recommend all three helmets, but each has its subtle nuances and is tailored to a slightly different rider.

Shop the Troy Lee Designs A3 at:

Wanna know more?
Read our In-Depth Review of the Troy Lee Designs A3.

Best Mountain Bike Helmet Under $100

Smith Convoy Helmet

Why it’s Great

If you’re looking for the best mountain bike helmet under $100, it’s really hard to beat the $85 Smith Convoy. For less than half the price of premium offerings, Smith manages to produce a stellar lid.

For starters, the ever-valuable MIPS liner helps reduce rotational forces on your brain during a crash. And the 20 vents do a great job of keeping your head cool as the temperature, or tempo, rises. The Convoy is also special in that it comes in a full range of sizes from XS to XL, ensuring a proper fit (many budget helmets only offer one or two sizes). Finally, the Smith has a quality feel to it and the assortment of colors just looks good. For recreational riders, or those who don’t demand all the features found on premium models, it doesn’t get any better than the Smith Convoy.

How it Compares

There’s never been a better time to be a value-driven mountain bike helmet shopper; there are just so many quality budget lids on the market at the moment. Most similar to the Smith Convoy is Trek’s Solstice MIPS (listed below). As the name suggests, both helmets include a MIPS liner for added protection, and each come in a number of good-looking colors.

That said, the Convoy wins us over with its more comfortable fit, lower weight, and higher quality build. Perhaps most importantly, however, the Smith is offered in five sizes ranging from X-Small to X-Large, whereas the Trek only comes in two (S/M and L/XL). Finally, we think the Smith feels less clunky on the trail and is the better looking helmet in general. The Trek does undercut the Smith by about $15, but we think the Convoy is the smarter choice for the reasons listed above.

Shop the Smith Convoy at:

Best Mountain Bike Helmet for Enduro Riding

Fox Dropframe Pro Helmet

Why it’s Great

Part full-face, part half-shell, Fox’s Dropframe Pro is one polarizing mountain bike helmet. But if you can get past the funny looks–although its unique design has really grown on us–then it’s easy to see why this lid is the best mountain bike helmet for enduro riding.

It’s all about added coverage and safety with the Dropframe Pro, which is backed up by it being rated one of the safest mountain bike helmets by Virginia Tech’s independent research lab. The Fox features a MIPS liner to reduce rotational forces and extended coverage around the ears, temple, jaw, and back of the head. Plus, the dual-density Varizord EPS foam claims to spread out impact forces across a wider area.

We also found the Dropframe Pro to run pretty darn cool despite the extra coverage, and remains comfortable to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Other things we like about the Fox are the large ear holes that retain excellent hearing and overall awareness (unlike a full-face), a comfy and custom fit thanks to different size pads that are included in the box, and interference-free goggle and glasses integration. If your looking for the best mountain bike helmet for enduro riding then the it’s hard to beat the Fox Dropframe Pro.

Of note, the Dropframe Pro has some wonky sizing so make sure to refer to the size chart before buying, we ordered one size larger than normal.

How it Compares

The Fox Dropframe Pro fills a pretty specific niche in the world of mountain bike helmets, but it doesn’t stand alone. Giro’s Tyrant Spherical is a worthy alternative to the Fox, but it can’t quite compete in our opinion. To get to the point, we found the Fox to be considerably more comfortable across the board.

Overall, the Dropframe Pro offers a more secure fit (thanks to different size pads that come in the box), and the Fox (16 ounces) is noticeably lighter on the trail compared to the Tyrant Spherical (24 ounces). Finally, the Dropframe Pro does a much better job of letting air flow through the helmet and keeps our head much cooler during warmer outings. All these things add up in the Fox’s favor and make it our preferred choice for extra aggressive riding and gnarly trails.

Shop the Fox Dropframe Pro at:

Best Full-face Mountain Bike Helmet

Smith Mainline MIPS Helmet

Why it’s Great

Not too heavy and not too light, but just right; the Smith Mainline MIPS manages a great blend of downhill-worthy protection and confidence with enduro-worthy low weight and breathability, making it the best all-around full-face mountain bike helmet at the moment. Pulling the Mainline MIPS out of the box we immediately noticed three things: a premium feel that is a cut above the rest, a surprisingly low weight, and an unexpected stoutness to it all. All said, it’s a unique and impressive combination.

As you’d expect from a premium lid that costs just over $300, the Smith Mainline MIPS is loaded with features. You’ll find a number of different pad sizes for dialing in a perfect fit, the D-ring buckle is stout and provides a locked-in feel, and the chin strap is surprisingly soft and comfortable (enough so that it’s worth mentioning here). And while it’s certainly not as cool as a half-shell model, the 21 vents do a good job of letting air flow, allowing the helmet to remain comfortable even as the mercury rises. Finally, the Smith passes testing for both downhill and e-bike use, making it a great option for all types of aggressive riding.

How it Compares

For something that’s a bit more pedal friendly than the Mainline MIPS, the Troy Lee Designs Stage is an excellent choice. The Stage undercuts the Mainline MIPS by about 3 ounces and offers better ventilation overall, making it the preferred option for those who are more likely to earn their turns and typically pedal to the top of the hill. That said, the Stage doesn’t feel nearly as robust as the Mainline MIPS and isn’t our first choice for shuttle or lift-served days.

Situated at the other end of the lightweight full-face helmet spectrum is the slightly heavier Fox Proframe RS (29 ounces). While the Fox is a popular choice, we don’t find the fit and finish to be on the same level as the Smith, and it certainly doesn’t feel as streamlined. For the best all-around performance, it’s hard to find a fault the Smith Mainline MIPS.

Shop the Smith Mainline MIPS at:

Wanna know more?
Read our In-Depth Review of the Smith Mainline MIPS.

Best XC (cross-country) Mountain Bike Helmet

POC Octal MIPS Helmet

Why it’s Great

For the best XC mountain bike helmet on the market, we wholeheartedly recommend the POC Octal MIPS. Weighing in at a scant 9.5 ounces, the POC easily undercuts all other helmets on this list. Combine that low weight with the helmet’s exceptional airflow–the Octal MIPS features 21 massive vents–and you have yourself the perfect cross-country companion.

As soon as we slipped on the Octal MIPS, we knew it would be a winner. The helmet comfortably cradles your head in a way that other lids don’t, its minimalist padding is surprisingly comfortable, and even the chin strap is extremely supple and soft. In short, the helmet simply disappears on your head. If gruelling climbs, all-day epic rides, and XC racing are what you love, then the POC Octal MIPS is for you. As an added bonus, the POC also excels as a gravel and road riding helmet.

How it Compares

The POC Octal MIPS is certainly a standout in terms of low weight and ventilation. However, if the $200 price is a bit much then the $85 Smith Convoy (listed above) is a solid second choice. Don’t let the low price of the Smith fool you. Just like the POC, the Smith Convoy features a MIPS liner, is pretty darn light at 10 ounces with the visor removed, and it simply looks good. That said, the Octal MIPS has the edge in fit and feel as well as airflow, making it the better choice for hour-long sufferfests and all-day rides in hot temps where minimal weight and maximum airflow reign supreme.

Shop the POC Octal MIPS at:

Giro Radix MIPS Helmet

Why it’s Great

Founded in 1985, Giro has a long-standing history of making quality mountain bike helmets. In fact, some of our most fond riding memories are while wearing the original Xen model, circa the early 2000s. Fast forward a few decades and the Radix MIPS is an excellent example of what makes a Giro helmet a Giro helmet. Comfortable, lightweight, good-looking, and reasonably priced is the best way to describe the Radix MIPS. The trail- and cross country-oriented lid features a MIPS liner for an added boost in safety and it has minimal yet comfortable padding. Additionally, the 25 vents do a pretty good job of keeping your head cool while working hard.

What we really like about the Giro Radix MIPS, however, is its versatility. Whether we’re cruising around on local singletrack, setting out on a multi-day bikepacking adventure, or simply commuting to work, the understated Giro takes it all in stride. So, while it can’t compete with some of the more expensive options in terms of features–lacking things like a magnetic buckle and extended coverage–it’s a solid multipurpose mountain bike helmet with a very reasonable $100 price tag.

How it Compares

The Giro Radix is a quality lid with an affordable price tag aimed at trail bike and cross-country riders. Along those same lines you have Smith’s Convoy helmet (listed above). Both lids are relatively light and well ventilated, feature a MIPS liner, and are offered in a variety of colors. However, with its adjustable visor and superior strap routing in the rear, the Giro is better equipped. That said, if you’re on a budget and the lack of those aforementioned features isn’t a concern, then the $15 savings of the Smith Convoy is worth considering.

Shop the Giro Radix MIPS at:

POC Kortal Race MIPS Helmet

Why it’s Great

One of the most protective half-shell mountain bike helmets on the list, the POC Kortal Race MIPS is all about coverage and keeping your noggin safe. At the heart of the POC you’ll find a MIPS Integra liner, extended rear and side coverage, and a visor that’s meant to easily break away during a crash (which may help reduce neck injuries). It’s also one of the few models that meets the Dutch NTA 8776 e-bike helmet standard, making it a great option for those who ride electric mountain bikes.

Other standout features include a RECCO reflector for search and rescue location-detection purposes and near field communication (NFC) functionality for storing emergency medical and contact information (which is accessed through a mobile device). All told, the POC Kortal Race MIPS is one of the most feature-packed helmets out there at the moment, which helps justify its eye-watering $250 price tag.

How it Compares

The closest competitor of the POC Kortal Race MIPS is the Troy Lee Designs A3 (listed above). Both helmets are aimed at squarely at aggressive trail and enduro riding and provide a ton of coverage (for half-shell models that is). However, the TLD A3 is more comfortable (we experienced pressure on the sides of our head with the POC), integrates better with a wide variety of riding glasses (the POC’s extended temple area pushes most glasses down), and is about $40 less. Nine times out of ten we’d recommend the Troy Lee Designs A3. That said, if you have an oval-shaped head and the POC’s tech features temp you, then the Kortal Race MIPS is still a darn fine choice.

Shop the POC Kortal Race MIPS at:

Trek Solstice MIPS Helmet

Why it’s Great

Trek’s recently updated Solstice MIPS is a versatile lid with a very reasonable price tag, making it a nice budget mountain bike helmet option for recreational riders. As with most wallet-friendly lids, you do forgo a few premium features like an adjustable visor, magnetic Fidlock buckle, and extended coverage, but the Trek has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Noteworthy features include a MIPS liner that claims to help reduce brain injuries during a crash and reflective accents for increased visibility at night. Additionally, instead of a one-size-fits-none approach like most true budget helmets, the Solstice MIPS comes in S/M and M/L sizes and covers head sizes ranging from 51 to 61 centimeters. Finally, the low 11.8-ounce weight and multitude of color options mean you’ll remain comfy on long rides and look good doing it. For someone just getting started in the sport or those on a budget, the Trek Solstice MIPS makes a lot of sense.

How it Compares

Inexpensive mountain bike helmets may not get the same level of attention as their premium counterparts, but there’s a lot to be said for a quality product at a reasonable price. Sharing that same accolade is the Smith Convoy (listed above). Both models come in well under $100, feature a MIPS safety liner, and are available in a multitude of colors. That said, we prefer the Smith Convoy for its larger range of sizes, increased coverage, superior fit and finish, and subjectively better looks. However, the Trek does offer a better crash replacement policy (free replacement for one year versus the Smith’s 30% off MSRP) and is more casual in appearance, which may be a selling point for some.

Shop the Trek Solstice MIPS at:

Giro Manifest Spherical Helmet

Why it’s Great

Don’t let the Giro’s position on the list fool you, the Manifest Spherical is one sweet mountain bike helmet with some awesome features. The talking point of the Giro is how it implements the MIPS safety liner; essentially, there are inner and outer pieces that are separated by a slip plane, allowing for the two layers to rotate on one another. Besides the benefit of reducing rotational forces during a crash, this implementation of MIPS rids the helmet of the traditional plastic liner and makes for a streamlined fit and feel.

As for the rest of the helmet, you’ll find premium features like a magnetic Fidlock buckle, an adjustable visor, and excellent sunglass and goggle compatibility (there’s even little grippers that do a good job of holding them in place). And finally, the Manifest Spherical’s unique construction offers above-average ventilation, making it a great choice for hot-weather mountain bike rides.

How it Compares

Priced at about $260, the Giro Manifest Spherical is the most expensive half-shell model on our list, but that doesn’t necessarily make it our favorite. In fact, we prefer less-expensive options like the Fox Speedframe Pro (listed above), Troy Lee Designs A3, and POC Kortal Race MIPS over the Giro. All three alternatives do a better job of routing straps around the ears, feel less clunky, or have a nicer fit and finish.

For about $80 less than the Giro, the Fox Speedframe Pro feels considerably more streamlined on our heads. It also comes with an extra set of liner pads to swap in once the originals get too nasty. We prefer the Troy Lee Designs A3 (listed above) over the Giro due to its more comfortable fit, better styling, and included accessories like extra liner pads and a carrying bag–all for $60 less. Finally, the POC Kortal Race MIPS is only about $10 less than the Giro but offers more coverage, is just as well ventilated, and features cool tech like a RECCO detector and the ability to electronically store emergency medical information. In the end, there isn’t a compelling reason to opt for the Giro over the others.

Shop the Giro Manifest Spherical at:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)