MTB Helmets

Road helmets prioritize aerodynamics and ventilation for high-speed rides on smooth surfaces. They're lightweight with minimal coverage. Road helmets do not include a visor, as this can obstruct vision and create wind-drag. Road cyclists instead use sunglasses and/or a flexible cycling cap with a peak.

MTB helmets offer deeper coverage, including the back of the head, for protection against falls and debris encountered in off-road riding. They have visors for sun and branch protection, sometimes adjustable to accommodate goggles, and durable construction to withstand impacts. MTB helmets also often feature adjustable fit systems for wearing with goggles. Each type is tailored to the specific demands and hazards of its respective cycling discipline.

To learn more, read our helmets buying guide.

To find your helmet size take a tape measure or piece of string and place it 1" above your ear. Measure your head circumference, being sure to keep the tape level.

Originally an acronym for "Multi-directional Impact Protection System", Mips is a patented safety system for helmets developed with the intention to reduce rotational motion to the brain, and reduce the risk of concussion and brain injury.

The Mips® Safety System was originally developed by a brain surgeon and a biomechanics scientist. It consists of a low friction layer that is mounted inside the helmet. In a crash, this layer is designed to move slightly inside the helmet to help reduce the rotational motion of certain impacts that may otherwise be transferred to your head, possibly causing concussions or brain injury. 

Nope! All helmets meet the mandatory AS NZS: 2063 safety standards in Australia. These helmets likely use cheaper materials and a hard-shell construction method to keep cost down, and likely need to be replaced after a crash, but they are tested and certified to the same minimum safety standard as our most expensive helmets.

More expensive helmets may utilize lighter-weight (and more expensive) materials and additional protection technology, like Mips, which offers more protection in specific impact scenarios like an impact with rotational force (e.g. hitting the ground in a rotational direction rather than a straight impact). These added technologies add to the cost and improve safety above the minimum standard.

To learn more, read our helmets buying guide.

There are two methods of constructing a helmet that play a factor in the helmet's cost, weight, and breathability.

These are In-Mold and Hard-Shell Construction.

In-Mold helmets are a one-piece construction where the outer shell and inner EPS foam liner are fused together while it's still in the mold. These helmets are thinner, and therefore lighter. It also allows the helmet to deform more easily during an impact. These helmets allow for more ventilation.

Hard-Shell helmets are a two-piece construction where the liner and shell are molded separately then laminated together. These helmets have a thicker and tougher shell, which provides increased protection from penetration but deforms less easily. Hard-shell helmets are more common in BMX, Skate and MTB applications.

Both helmets are safe. In-mold helmets are lighter and more ventilated, but hard-shell helmets are more affordable.

To learn more, read our helmets buying guide.