Over the years, mountain bikers have continued to push the limits of the sport with high-speed jumps and maneuvers. Downhill mountain bikers can reach breakneck speeds on carved-out racing tracks. The mountain bike helmet is an essential piece of safety equipment. The best overall mountain bike helmets for children and adults provide complete head and face protection.
Full Face
Mountain biking professionals and publications agree that the full-face helmet offers the most protection for children and adults. As opposed to open-faced models, the full-face helmet features an extended chin bar for increased protection during forward falls. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute states that despite the bulky design of the full-face helmet, it offers the best head protection. When choosing a full-face MTB helmet, make sure the inner lining features a certification label from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC.
Shell
The outer shell of the mountain bike helmet acts as a protective barrier between your fragile skull and the rugged trail. The best overall mountain bike helmets for children and adults feature a durable yet lightweight shell. Common materials used in the production of the outer shell include fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar. To increase the airflow within the outer shell, top-rated full-face helmets have been equipped with a ventilation system. The vents allow the outside air to absorb your perspiration on hot days.
Internal Pads
During a high-speed crash, the internal pads of the mountain bike helmet will prevent your skull from making contact with the hard outer shell. According to the Sierra Trading Post Helmet Guide, the best mountain biking helmets feature internal pads that have been constructed from expanded polystyrene. The best overall helmets for children and adults feature mutli-impact pads. This means that your helmet will function properly even after a traumatic crash. Top-rated models feature removable pads that allow you to perform routine cleaning.
Recommended Model
Mountain bike professionals use a series of trail tests to rate the mountain biking helmet. Vital MTB rated the Pro-Tec Shovel Head 2 as one of the best overall mountain bike helmets for adult riders. The Pro-Tec Shovel Head 2 has been approved by the CPSC and features a total of 13 vents for increased air flow. Pro-Tec offers youth-model helmets that have been specially designed to fit the smaller head size of young riders.
Member Comments