Appropriate helmets are a prerequisite for mountain bike safety. You should consider several factors when choosing a mountain bike helmet for high-pressure situations like races. Protection is the most important quality. The weight, ventilation and fit of the helmet are other important considerations. The higher-end helmets offer greater ventilation and more comfortable suspension systems without compromising protection.
Protection
A biking helmet's protective components consist of the padding or main shell, and the outer plastic shell. The padding is usually expanded polystyrene foam, chosen for its lightweight qualities. In a crash, the padding allows your head to decelerate slowly, absorbing the impact, and the plastic shell will keep the padding together throughout the incident. High-quality helmets will have padding concentrated to protect your forehead and the back of your head.
Weight
The protection materials and the ventilation combine to determine the weight of the helmet. Lighter materials and larger vent openings result in a lighter helmet. A lighter helmet can help reduce neck and shoulder fatigue during long rides. Some helmets are designed with the outer shell and inner foam padding fabricated as one piece; this in-mold construction style reduces helmet weight. The Fox Flux helmet is an example of a high-end in-mold mountain bike helmet.
Ventilation
Air vents are primarily for comfort. Ventilation is designed to encourage airflow in the front of the helmet and out the back. The size of the vent openings are less important than the way the air flows over your head. The Fox Flux helmet has a total of 20 vents, with long intake openings and concentrated outflow vents in the thicker back section. Giro's Indicator has a very similar vent configuration, but at a much lower price point.
Suspension and Fit
Helmet suspension, retention systems and chin straps are intended to keep the helmet in place on your head, without shifting back and exposing your forehead. Modern biking helmets often have an adjustable harness system to hold the helmet securely to the back of your head. The most adjustable retention systems that can be sized to most any head shape are standard features of high-end helmets such as the Flux. However, Bell also offers a True Fit system on some of its lower-priced helmets; while not as versatile as the high-end retention systems, it is a lower-priced alternative.
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