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Full Face MTB Helmets

Open face trail helmets stop at your temples, which leaves your chin, jaw and lower face completely exposed. That's a fine trade-off for cross-country riding where the biggest risk is a low-speed tumble. It's not a trade off worth taking for gravity riding, downhill runs or fast enduro, where a face plant at speed is a real possibility and an open face helmet does nothing to protect you from it.

Ivanhoe Cycles has been helping Melbourne riders find the right protective gear for nearly 40 years. We're still a family-owned Australian bike shop today, and our team can help you work through fit and coverage in store, which matters more with a full face MTB helmet than almost any other piece of kit you'll buy.

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Enduro or Downhill: Picking the Right Shell Weight

Full face MTB helmets generally split into two rough categories, and the right one for you depends on how much climbing you're doing between descents.

Lighter, more ventilated shells suit enduro and all day riding where you're still pedalling uphill between runs. Fox's full face MTB helmet Proframe range is a good example, cut with big vents and a lower overall weight so it doesn't feel like overkill on the climbs. Thicker, burlier shells are better suited as downhill MTB full face helmets, where you're being shuttled or chairlifted up and coverage matters more than shaving grams. 

We carry that end of the market through Fox's Rampage range, Bell's Sanction series, Leatt's Gravity line, along with Abus and Kali, so there's a fair spread of price points and weights to choose from either way.

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What Happens Inside the Shell During a Crash

The outer shell is only half the story. Underneath it, most full face MTB helmets use either an injection moulded ABS shell or a lighter in-mould polycarbonate construction, paired with EPS foam that's designed to crush and absorb energy on impact.

That EPS foam only works once. It's built to sacrifice itself in a single hit, compressing to absorb the force rather than bouncing back, which is exactly why a helmet needs to be replaced after any serious crash even if the outer shell looks fine. Most current full face helmets, across the brands we stock, also include MIPS, a low friction layer that lets the shell shift slightly against your head on an angled impact to redirect rotational force away from your brain rather than transferring it straight through.

Removable Chinbar Helmets: The Best of Both Worlds

Some riders want full face protection on the way down and a lighter, more open helmet on the way up, without owning two separate lids. That's where a convertible helmet like the Bell Super 3R comes in. The chinbar clips on and off in seconds using a tool-free locking mechanism, so you can pedal up in open face mode and click the chinbar on before a technical descent.

It's a genuine compromise rather than a free upgrade. A convertible helmet won't offer quite the same protection as a dedicated full face shell, but for riders who are mostly on trail and enduro terrain with the occasional steeper, faster section, it's a sensible middle ground.

Getting Goggles and Fit Right

A wide eyeport matters more than it sounds. Too narrow, and wide strap racing goggles end up pinching the bridge of your nose or leaving a gap where dust and grit get in. Most of the full face MTB helmets we stock are shaped with a wide field of view specifically for this, and include a moulded channel around the rear of the shell to keep your goggle strap sitting in place rather than sliding around under a helmet.

Inside, cheek pads are removable on essentially every model we sell, and most brands offer replacement pad kits in a couple of different thicknesses so you can fine tune the fit as the foam packs down over time, or if you've bought a helmet slightly loose and want to firm it up.

Keeping Your Full Face MTB Helmet Fresh

Sweat builds up fast inside a full face shell, especially through summer, so it's worth pulling the crown liner and cheek pads out for a proper wash reasonably often rather than just after the smell becomes obvious. Hand wash them in cool water to clear out salt buildup, and skip the tumble dryer entirely, since high heat causes the synthetic lining to shrink and can affect how the pads sit once they're back in the helmet.

Complete Your MTB Setup Today

Pair your new helmet with a set of MTB gloves and check out our MTB protection range for knee and elbow guards to match. Sort your MTB shorts while you're at it, and if you're after the Fox side of the range specifically, our Fox MTB helmets collection covers their full lineup including open face options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a full face MTB helmet be used for basic cross-country trails or casual path riding?

It can, but it's not really built for it. A full face MTB helmet runs warmer and heavier than an open face trail helmet, so most cross-country and casual riders are better served by a standard helmet unless they're specifically riding rougher, faster terrain.

What is the difference between an in-mould polycarbonate and an ABS hard-shell full face MTB helmet?

In mould construction bonds the polycarbonate outer directly to the foam during manufacturing, generally keeping weight down. ABS hard shell helmets use a separate, tougher outer shell, usually adding some weight but often at a lower price point.

Are replacement cheek pads and visors available if parts wear out over time?

Yes, most brands we stock, including Fox, Bell, Leatt, Abus and Kali, offer replacement cheek pads and visors. Get in touch with our team and we can order in the right parts for your specific model.

Does a full face helmet trap too much heat during steep summer trail climbs?

It runs warmer than an open face helmet, yes, though enduro focused models like the Fox Proframe are built with large vents specifically to manage this. A convertible helmet like the Bell Super 3R is also worth considering if summer climbs are a regular part of your riding.

How tightly should the chinbar fit against the jawline when properly buckled?

It should sit snugly without digging in or restricting your jaw movement when you talk or swallow. If you can easily slide more than a finger's width of space under the chinbar, it's likely too loose to do its job properly in a crash.

Do youth and adult models share the exact same structural impact testing certifications?

Youth full face MTB helmets are tested to the same relevant safety standards as adult models, though sizing and shell dimensions differ to properly fit a smaller head. Always check the specific certification listed for the model you're considering.

Are full face MTB helmets legal to wear on the road in Australia?

Yes, provided the helmet meets the required Australian safety standard, a full face MTB helmet is legal for road use the same as any other certified bicycle helmet. Check the specific model meets AS/NZS 2063 if you're planning to use it on the road as well as trails.

What is a convertible full face helmet?

A convertible, or removable chinbar, helmet lets you detach the chin protection and ride in a more open, ventilated mode, then clip the chinbar back on before a technical descent. The Super 3R is a Bell MTB full face helmet that’s a well known example.

Do you stock kid’s full face MTB helmets?

We stock kid’s full face MTB helmets from Kali and Abus, sized for smaller heads with the same core safety features as the adult range. Our team can help fit your child correctly in store, since a properly fitted helmet matters even more for younger riders.

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