As I continue to push the limits of my riding and experience the ‘growing pains’ of mountain biking (aka; wiping out), it has become quite apparent to me that my open face helmet just doesn’t seem like enough protection for the riding that I am doing. So before running out and dropping cash on the first one I see, I did my due diligence, and here’s what I found.
So, do I need a full face helmet for mountain biking. Yes. With the latest findings on traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to concussive hits (when the brain impacts with the skull), it has been quite eye-opening to see just how much long term (and many times permanent if not treated properly) damage can come from just a simple knock to head. I for one am making the switch.
Many developing riders make the switch to a safer, more protective helmets as their abilities progress, and the consequences for error have become much greater than what they experienced as a new rider. There are a number of factors that should go into making a decision to wear a full-face helmet or not.
*Now I like my uphills just as much as my down hills, or maybe I just think I do. But for the sake of this article, I will be talking about the more trail or enduro style of riding as opposed to
Are Full-Face Helmets Safer?
Full-Face helmets without a doubt offer much more protection than a half-face XC and even three quarter-face, enduro style helmet. The full wraparound chin bar on a full-face creates a surprisingly effective barrier between your jaw and that rock you just face planted into while going over-the-bars (OTB). I don’t know about you, but sipping my dinner through a straw, just doesn’t fit into my idea of how I like to spend my recovery time.
Most of the full face helmets on the market today are tested to a higher certification level than open face helmets that are available. Though current testing is still not a perfect science, they do at least begin to predict the level of protection the device should offer.
Are Full-Face Helmets Comfortable/Uncomfortable?
Full-face helmets are obviously more confining when compared to more open-style helmets. However, with the latest lightweight materials, more open breathable design and multiple air vents allowing heat to escape, many riders actually prefer the feeling of security over the open-face. As popularity has grown, more and more brands are offering designs that provide the equivalent of downhill protection, with open face breathable; or so they claim.
My son has been wearing his Bell Super 2 for 3 years now and has been happy with the fit and feel. The only complaint he’s ever expressed to me, is the severe limiting of his head movement while wearing his Leatt neck brace. This however, was a fault due more to the neck brace, than the helmet though.
Are full face helmets heavy?
Full face helmets weigh in the neighborhood of 700g-1200g depending on build materials, level of protection and breathability mostly. Today’s full face helmets have become surprisingly lightweight with the use of modern materials. Though it goes without saying, a full face helmet is always going to outshine its equivalent open face counterpart, when it comes to its ability to prevent injury. Is skimping on weight that much more important than protecting the most vital part of your body, your head?
*you’ll find a list of some of the most popular full face helmets today, including their weights later in this article
Are full-face helmets more expensive?
On average, today’s full face helmets cost between $150-$500, a bit higher than the average open face helmet. Though there are a handful of cheap $99 full face helmets available on Amazon, I would personally feel remiss recommend much in that price range. Your helmet is probably the most important piece of gear a we can wear, and I don’t just trust my brain container to anyone.
What about detachable chin bars?
A few helmet manufacturers are now producing full face helmets that feature a quick detach chin bare, that takes only a few seconds to remove or install. These work great for riders that are looking to own only one helmet. For epic all day, long distance, in the saddle riding, the chin bar can be removed to allow more air flow, while also slightly reducing the extra weight your neck will need to support. Then, when a day of all-out shredding and seeing just how wild we can get is in store, the chin bar can be thrown back on to get that extra protection.
The Switchblade by Giro, is one such helmet that has this feature, and somehow still maintains it’s ASTM F1952 DH certification even with the chin bar removed. This makes it one of only a few open face helmets available to carry this certification. As the certifications states; a chin bar is not required to achieve certification, but will be
Are full face helmets hot?
Even with the multitude of extra air-vents, channeling, and breathable materials, a full face helmet will tend to retain the heat released by your head a fair amount more than an open face. Many riders combat this by strapping the helmet to their backpack or hydration pack for the uphill climb (usually the hottest portion of the ride), then throw it on just before tackling the downhill reward.
Is there a safety certification for full face mt. bike helmets?
There are currently 5 certifications covering bicycle helmets.
- AS/NZ 2063 The Australian/ New Zeland certification for all bicycle helmets. said to be more stringent than CPSC or EN 1078
- EN 1078 – The European certification for all bicycle helmets
- CPSC bicycle – every bike helmet in the US must pass this certification in order to be sold as a ‘bicycle helmet’, this test is intended mostly for road biking
- ASTM F1952 DH – tests helmets to a much higher standard and protection criteria. strangely, this certification does not ‘require’ the helmet to have a chin bar. Perhaps and more demanding certification is in order for helmets that do have a chin bar.
- ASTM F2032 – certification for BMX riding helmets, more protection than CPSC, less protection than F1952
Full-face helmet pro’s & con’s?
PROS –
- a greater level of protection
- can be used with a neck brace
- more camera mounting options
- warm on a cool day
CONS –
face is much more susceptible to impact- not compatible with a neck brace
- no chin bar camera mount option
- HOT on a HOT day!
Related Questions
Here is a list of some of the most popular mountain bike helmets on the market today, as well as certification rating, weight and cost. It is by no means an entire complete listing, but these will make up the bulk of what other riders have chosen.
Bell Super 3 MIPS* | CPSC, EN 1078 | 784g | $199.90 |
Bell Super DH MIPS | CPSC, EN 1078, F2032, F1952 | 850g | $209.95 |
Fox Racing Proframe MIPS | AS/NZ 2063, CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 750g | $249.95 |
Giro Switchblade MIPS* | CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 1150g | $249.95 |
Giro Disciple MIPS | F1952 | 1180g | $241.95 |
Leatt DBX Enduro 3.0 360t* | CPSC, EN 1078 | 750g | $239.99 |
Leatt DBX Enduro 4.0 360t | AS/NZ 2063, EN 1078, F1952 | 850g | $229.99 |
Leatt DBX 5.0 360t | CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 1040g | $349.99 |
POC Coron Air SPIN | AS/NZ 2063, CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 1170g | $269.95 |
POC Coron Air Carbon SPIN | AS/NZ 2063, CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 1070g | $ 449.95 |
Troy Lee Design Stage MIPS | AS/NZ 2063, CPSC, EN 1078, F1952 | 690g | $ 285.00 |
*removable chin bar
Can I use a moto style helmet for mountain biking? Yes, however, most riders who have tried this have quickly gone out and purchased a mountain bike specific helmet, not long after. Motorcycle helmets are designed to have a much higher protection rating than that of a bike helmet. As such, a moto style helmet will be much heavier, have more padding and offer less breathability. You’ll be well protected but at the cost of fatiguing much sooner from the additional heat and weight lugging around on your head.
Should I replace my helmet after a crash? Yes. Most bicycle helmets including mountain bike helmets are intended to be thrown away after any crash involving an impact to the helmet. The foam used to line and cushion the interior of the helmet dents and cracks quite easily, and is not designed to absorb multiple impacts. Even if the helmet looks fine, unfortunately you should replace it.
Ultimately, the decision to go full face or