Best Mountain Bike Helmets for All types of Riders

Having the right mountain bike helmet is absolutely crucial for your safety on the trails. A well-fitting, safety-certified helmet isn’t just about compliance—it can be the difference between a minor scrape and a life-altering injury.

Our expert team has tested and reviewed the best MTB helmets for trail, cross-country (XC), and enduro riding, ensuring that we help you find the perfect protection for your style.

With advancements in helmet technology, including the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and the integration of rotational safety features like MIPS, helmets are now more protective, comfortable, and stylish than ever.

MIPS technology, in particular, has become a standard feature across most price ranges, providing an extra layer of protection in case of rotational impacts. If you’re specifically interested in MIPS, be sure to explore our dedicated guide on the best MIPS helmets available.

Our guide to the best mountain bike helmets will help you choose the right head protection for trail, XC, and enduro riding. We’ve broken down our top picks by category, with detailed insights into what each helmet offers.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly starter or a high-end helmet with cutting-edge safety features, we have you covered.

The Best Mountain Bike Helmets

Below, we introduce some of the top mountain bike helmets available, each selected for its outstanding features and performance.

Whether you’re seeking the best in safety, value, or versatility, these reviews will help you make an informed decision.

1. Best Trail & Enduro Overall: POC Axion SPIN Helmet

• Rotational Safety: SPIN
• Sizes: XS/S, M/L, L/XL
• Colors: Black, pink, green, and more

Reasons to Buy: Comfortable fit, excellent value, good ventilation, SPIN safety technology.
Reasons to Avoid: Fit can be tricky for those between sizes.

The POC Axion SPIN helmet is designed with the brand’s SPIN (Shearing Pad Inside) technology, which functions similarly to MIPS but without compromising comfort or ventilation. Despite being one of the more affordable options in POC’s lineup, it doesn’t skimp on style, safety, or performance, making it our top pick for trail and enduro riding.

We describe it as “possibly made too good,” as it provides ample protection for nearly all riding styles, making the higher-priced POC Tectal less of a necessity unless you’re regularly tackling aggressive trails.

2. Best Value Trail & Enduro Helmet: Endura Hummvee Plus

• Rotational Safety: MIPS
• Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
• Colors: Black, blue, gray, and more

Reasons to Buy: Secure fit, MIPS protection, modern styling, lightweight, great price.
Reasons to Avoid: Could use more venting on the top; short peak may limit protection from sun/rain.

Endura’s Hummvee Plus delivers solid value with excellent protection features, including a MIPS liner for added rotational safety. This helmet also offers good coverage at the temples and back of the head, which is crucial for trail riders. With 13 vents and a comfortable fit, it’s ideal for all-day rides.

3. Best Entry-Level Helmet: Outdoor Master Gem

• Rotational Safety: MIPS
• Sizes: M, L
• Colors: Black, blue, yellow, and more

Reasons to Buy: MIPS equipped, well ventilated, sturdy build, lightweight, affordable.
Reasons to Avoid: Peak could be longer; fit isn’t as deep as others.

The Outdoor Master Gem delivers an incredible value by providing MIPS protection at an entry-level price. With 25 vents and a lightweight structure, it excels at keeping your head cool during rides. It’s perfect for beginners or riders who want a dependable, comfortable helmet without breaking the bank.

4. Best MIPS Trail & Enduro Helmet: Bell Super Air Spherical

• Rotational Safety: MIPS
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Colors: Matte black/white, red/black, gloss black, and more

Reasons to Buy: Excellent MIPS protection, adjustable fit, decent ventilation, optional chin bar.
Reasons to Avoid: Chin bar isn’t DH certified, fit can appear slightly skewed.

The Bell Super Air Spherical is a top-tier helmet with a unique combination of Flex Spherical technology and MIPS. This two-layer design provides comprehensive protection in a variety of impact scenarios. With its deep coverage and optional detachable chin bar, the Super Air is versatile for both trail and enduro riding.

5. Best Full-Face Enduro Helmet: Specialized Gambit

• Rotational Safety: MIPS SL
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Colors: Black, oak green

Reasons to Buy: Ultra-lightweight, full DH protection, excellent airflow, secure fit.
Reasons to Avoid: Fixed visor may not be ideal for everyone.

The Specialized Gambit offers full downhill (DH) protection without the typical weight of a full-face helmet, thanks to its carbon-reinforced polycarbonate shell. Despite its robust protection, it weighs in at just over 600g, making it light enough for long enduro rides.

6. Best Open-Face Enduro Helmet: Giro Tyrant

• Rotational Safety: MIPS
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Colors: Green, yellow, black variants

Reasons to Buy: Extended protection, excellent ventilation, reasonable price.
Reasons to Avoid: Can get warm during long climbs.

Giro’s Tyrant offers extra protection compared to a typical trail helmet, with extended coverage all the way over the ears, yet maintains excellent ventilation. It features MIPS, and provides great airflow through its well-designed venting system, keeping your head cool despite the added coverage.

7. Best for Ventilation: Lazer Jackal KinetiCore

• Rotational Safety: KinetiCore
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Colors: Black, blue, red, and more

Reasons to Buy: Excellent ventilation, innovative protection system, good fit.
Reasons to Avoid: Slightly heavy.

The Lazer Jackal KinetiCore is a high-performing helmet that excels in ventilation, featuring more and larger vents than most other trail helmets. The KinetiCore impact protection technology is unique to Lazer, designed to absorb impacts more effectively by including crush zones within the EPS foam.

8. Best All-Rounder: Giro Manifest MIPS

• Rotational Safety: MIPS Spherical
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Colors: Black, orange, white, and more

Reasons to Buy: Premium protection, great ventilation, extremely comfortable, practical features.
Reasons to Avoid: High price compared to other helmets.

Giro’s Manifest MIPS is designed for those who want the absolute best in helmet technology. Its MIPS Spherical design provides the ultimate in rotational impact protection, while the Roc Loc Trail Air system ensures a secure, comfortable fit.

Despite the higher price point, it delivers outstanding comfort, ventilation, and safety, making it the best all-round trail and enduro helmet.

How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike Helmet

When choosing a mountain bike helmet, the primary considerations are safety, fit, and intended use. Modern helmets are packed with safety technology such as MIPS or SPIN, which help absorb rotational impacts, making them significantly safer.

Fit is crucial, as a loose or improperly fitted helmet won’t offer optimal protection. Always try helmets on if possible or check size guides carefully.

You’ll also want to consider the type of riding you plan to do—cross-country helmets are lightweight and well-ventilated for climbing, while trail and enduro helmets provide more coverage and features like adjustable visors for tackling more technical descents.

Full-face helmets are best for downhill riders who need maximum protection.

How We Test

Our expert reviewers test each helmet on real-world trails, assessing factors like comfort, fit, ventilation, and safety features. We put these helmets through their paces on climbs, descents, and technical sections to give you a clear idea of their performance.

With our guide to the best mountain bike helmets for 2024, you’re ready to find the ideal helmet to protect you while you enjoy the ride.