[MikeD]

So what's everyone's choice these days for a non-full-face? I have an older Fox that rattles around a lot when the trail gets rough, unless it's set painfully tight, and even then it likes to shift. I have a skate-style lid that's a little better at staying in place, but not vented.

Would like something that stays in place like my o'neal fullface but doesn't cook my head when it gets pedally.

 

[jstuhlman]

happy with my tld a2

 

[dump]

Really comes down to what fits your head best.

I happen to be right on the edge of medium and large in the main brands. Sometimes they will make a medium a bit large, and that’s what I end up with… often times riding with a helmet that’s 4 weeks of hair growth away from too tight. The alternative is large/xls, which end up looking huge and not actually fitting that well. Recently had that experiment with a POC… it was comical. Looked like the dude from Space Balls.

Recently tried a Sweet Protection, and that’s the best-fitting helmet I’ve had innover 10 years.

 

[dump]

Also worth pointing out that there are independent tests out there that might be worth your consideration. This led me to the sweet.

Bike Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Bike helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.

www.helmet.beam.vt.edu

 

[DaveW]

For the last few years I've been running the IXS Trigger Full face and the Leatt 4.0 Enduro convertible helmet.
Totally rate both of these,
IXS is light & super well ventilated, there is a solid structure built into the jaw that wraps up around the back of the helmet so for it's light weight it's actually a reasonably tough helmet.
Leatt is in the same territory as the Giro Switchblade in terms of impact resistance, a bigger beefier more confidence inspiring helmet than the 3.0 it replaced.
Again the Leatt has been really well ventilated, bit heavier than the IXS but thats due to having more of an overkill build ethic up through the main part of the helmet than the IXS.

 

[Bikael Molton]

I really like my A3. Incredible fit and stability for my head.
The magnet buckle is cool, but I’d rather have a normal buckle and pay $50 less for the helmet.

The A2 is a good helmet; A3 is a great helmet.

 

[canadmos]

I like my TLD A2, but the liners are pretty disposable and it's not that cool. It also leaves two gnarly imprints on my forehead, which makes me look like a klingon during post ride beer time. Use this mostly for night and winter rides now.

Also have a Giro Montaro, which I use the most now. It is definitely a little better in the vent category than the TLD.

 

[StiHacka]

A1 sucks, it's too hot. I've tried too many helmets (most of them $$$), and there's one that's head and shoulders above all - the Specialized Ambush. Lightweight, fits my head well, one of the best (if not the best) vented helmets on the market, their MIPS implementation is very unobtrusive, very confidence inspiring coverage, excellent sweat management, looks great, also very light and well vented. Plus it's really well vented. Oh and the beak actually works, unlike the A1 and A2's.

I have the Leatt convertible as well and the Spesh is much better.

Edit: I own the A1 and not the A2. Updated, my bad.

 

[mykel]

POC Tectal
No complaints, good coverage, good ventilation.
Not overly stylish, but then again neither am I.

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

I really like my A3. Incredible fit and stability for my head.
The magnet buckle is cool, but I’d rather have a normal buckle and pay $50 less for the helmet.

The A2 is a good helmet; A3 is a great helmet.

How does your A3 fit compared to the A2? Any time on an A1? My old A1 was much more comfortable on my head than the A2 I replaced it with. The A2 is cooler than the A1 but I'd love even more ventilation given most riding is in hotter than hell NC.

 

[HardtailHack]

I have a Giro Montaro MIPS and it is like an air fryer for your head.

As a baldy my options were limited if I didn't want tiger stipes on my forehead in Summer.

 

[Bikael Molton]

Well, they both fit me well, but I don’t know anything about my head shape other than I’m usually right between M and L.
The A2 feels and fits similar to every other XC/trail mips helmet with typical helmet suspension to me: it sits sort of above my head like a crown and feels a little jiggly/pivoty. The A2 allows you to adjust the depth of the suspension to place the helmet a little higher or lower but you still get that jiggly feel with it in the low-rise position.

The A3 sits closer to my head in the back and feels locked in and secure like an open face, rather than an XC lid. That’s why it’s more comfortable in my view. The A3 feels like it wouldn’t fall off if I crashed with it unbuckled. Of course it would come off in that scenario but it FEELS like it wouldn’t. I like that, especially on rougher trails.

Not sure if this helps. I suggest trying one on.

Also the brow sweat seal thingy works as advertised, which is an added bonus.

How does your A3 fit compared to the A2? Any time on an A1? My old A1 was much more comfortable on my head than the A2 I replaced it with. The A2 is cooler than the A1 but I'd love even more ventilation given most riding is in hotter than hell NC.

 

[Da Peach]

IXS Trigger AM works for me.

Similar fit to Giro stuff (as opposed to Bell), and the fidlock buckle is nice.

 

[Andeh]

I have and really like the Fox Speedframe and TLD A3. The Speedframe is a great value (MIPS, Fidlock buckle) and can be found for as low as like $130. But I prefer the A3 most of the time because the sweatband works better, and the liner padding extends all the way around, so more sweat absorbion. Plus I like the look of the A3 better.

 

[MikeD]

Thx for all the i put! I notice no one has even mentioned the Fox Dropframe...

I can get pro-deals on Leatt through work...hmm...

 

[buckoW]

Thx for all the i put! I notice no one has even mentioned the Fox Dropframe...

I can get pro-deals on Leatt through work...hmm...

I was considering the drop frame but it gives me pressure points on my head. I wasn’t sure I could modify it to my shapes.

The Giro Switchblade is not comfy either. The Giro Spherical might be nice? Are you getting something with ear covers? I definitely prefer eating shit and dirt napping with ear covers more than without.

 

[DaveW]

Thx for all the i put! I notice no one has even mentioned the Fox Dropframe...

I can get pro-deals on Leatt through work...hmm...

Not a fan, under built IMHO
And their Proframe is one of the rare helmets to make it onto my "Do NOT buy" list, I've seen several fail badly when the jawbone's essentially imploded on fairly small crashes.

 

[StiHacka]

Thx for all the i put! I notice no one has even mentioned the Fox Dropframe...

I have a Dropframe. It is comfy, but hot. I liked the idea of moar coverage after I broke my face, but I only ride in it when it’s cold and not humid, a.k.a. almost never.

 

[slyfink]

A1 sucks, it's too hot. I've tried too many helmets (most of them $$$), and there's one that's head and shoulders above all - the Specialized Ambush. Lightweight, fits my head well, one of the best (if not the best) vented helmets on the market, their MIPS implementation is very unobtrusive, very confidence inspiring coverage, excellent sweat management, looks great, also very light and well vented. Plus it's really well vented. Oh and the beak actually works, unlike the A1 and A2's.

I have the Leatt convertible as well and the Spesh is much better.

Edit: I own the A1 and not the A2. Updated, my bad.

I'm happy to read this. I just picked up last year's Ambush as a replacement for my cracked IXS trigger.

I went to a bunch of bike shops to try on helmets to see which one fit best. My head seems to sit right at the break in sizes between M and L for most brands. Giro seem generously sized, so I could fit in an M, but it would be perched very high on my skull, and didn't seem to provide full protection. But an L was way too big and loose. The "oval vs round" shape of Fox, Bell, and Troy Lee didn't seem to be as comfortable on my head as the IXS and Leatt.

But the specialized was the best. I think this is in part because they had 4 shell sizes, and I could find the "cinderella" size for me. I also like the weight and ventilation. Only thing I'm not happy about is colour... I'm not a fan of plain dark colours for a helmet. I like them to be bright so I can be seen... on the road by vehicles, but also in the photos!!! But this was a previous-year model, so I couldn't be choosy.

IXS Trigger AM works for me.

Similar fit to Giro stuff (as opposed to Bell), and the fidlock buckle is nice.

The only thing I didn't like about my IXS was how squeaky the MIPS was... But it worked to protect my head when I crashed, and it was relatively light and airy.

 

[Andeh]

I have but rarely use the Ambush (last model, not the '22 one). What I don't like about it is that the MIPS is basically the liner pads got soaked in rubber on the back half, so they slide around. That means that they're about half as absorbent as normal pads, leading to them dripping sweat in my eyes. The pads are also not very durable, I had them start to disintegrate within like 6 months and had to get a warranty replacement set. It is light and breathable though.

 

[dexter]

Smith forefront 2.0 and TLD A3 are what I have been rocking

 

[MikeD]

All very interesting.

The Dropframe was #1 on my interest list because a review said it fit the head like a fullface rather than using the thin padding/rear-head-clamp-plastic arrangement, just hugged it with ample padding. I was hoping that could alleviate the bouncing-around-in-the-rough aspect of my current helmet. But it's also hot and humid right now here and gonna be that way through the rainy season.

I actually have a Team Wendy bump helmet from work, with a proper Boa system and good padding...hmmm. Never gonna use it again for the kind of work it was meant for...and I bet the forward nightvision mount can double for GoPro or a lamp lol. I'd feel a little stupid wearing it, but if the shoe fits...

just grabbed it, and it's a dense foam liner, not styrofoam...rated to whitewater BS EN 1385:2012 standard. Wonder if that's more or less than MTB? Guessing less...and at least so different as to be less than relevant.

Maybe what I really need is a half lid with a retention system that goes fully round the head, not just tightening across the back. Hmmmmm.

 

[MikeD]

Also, and don't punch me here, anyone tried the Oakley DRT5??

 

[bdamschen]

Bell Sixer here. It's about time for a new helmet and I might just buy another one. It checks all the boxes for fit and whatnot, plus it has a removable gopro mount so I can quickly snap a light on there for night rides. Looked around and didn't see any other helmet that does that.

 

[MikeD]

I can quickly snap a light on there for night rides. Looked around and didn't see any other helmet that does that.

The Team Wendy I mentioned earlier:

 

[6thElement]

Replaced my Smith Forefront with a version 2 MIPS jobber.

Wife has a POC Kortal Race MIPS and seems happy with that too.

 

[MikeD]

Well REI has the POC Kortal Race MIPS on sale and I have a dividend, sooooo...

Dark horse wins!!

It has the 360-style fit deal, so I'm eager to see how that works out.

 

[StiHacka]

Well REI has the POC Kortal Race MIPS on sale and I have a dividend, sooooo...

Dark horse wins!!

It has the 360-style fit deal, so I'm eager to see how that works out.

The POC (.*)tals fit weird for a few people I know. I’d try it before buying it, and you may have to adjust the depth of the helmet.

 

[Andeh]

The POC (.*)tals fit weird for a few people I know. I’d try it before buying it, and you may have to adjust the depth of the helmet.

Yup, my head's like 60cm or so and was exactly in between POC helmet sizes when I looked for a half shell. Medium was too tight to even get on my head, and large was so loose even with the adjustment fully tightened up that it just flopped around.

 

[MikeD]

The POC (.*)tals fit weird for a few people I know. I’d try it before buying it, and you may have to adjust the depth of the helmet.

Not much chance of a try-on in El Salvador. If it doesn't fit, can probably sell for equal/more than I paid.

I have an Aliens-shaped head so maybe it'll work.

 

[Westy]

Not much chance of a try-on in El Salvador. If it doesn't fit, can probably sell for equal/more than I paid.

I have an Aliens-shaped head so maybe it'll work.

A few places have them more on sale than REI

POC Kortal Bike Helmet

Free Shipping & Lowest Price Guarantee! The POC Kortal Bike Helmet is in stock now.

www.evo.com

Poc Kortal Race Mips Helmet

Please note XL/XXL is now called Large by POC. M/L is now called Medium by POC. Epidote Green XL/XXL In Stock Cerussite Kashima In Stock All Sizes -For Sales and Service Text (707) 285-9196 Anytime…

bikecloset.com

 

[MikeD]

Yeah, but I don't have free money with them from spending money...

That's a good price, tho, and I wouldn't have minded non-MIPs. Wish I'd seen it beforehand. Thanks a LOT, Westy.

 

[dump]

Well REI has the POC Kortal Race MIPS on sale and I have a dividend, sooooo...

Dark horse wins!!

It has the 360-style fit deal, so I'm eager to see how that works out.

Picked up this helmet recently. Was surprised by how massive it was. Definitely stout, and half way to fullface in the construction. Fit was good though, but the sweet fit me better. fwiw.

 

[Leafy]

Also worth pointing out that there are independent tests out there that might be worth your consideration. This led me to the sweet.

Bike Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Bike helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.

www.helmet.beam.vt.edu

Do note that their testing methodology does not simulate skin or hair, its as if the helmet is sitting directly on your skull. So it will show MIPS and other similar style helmets as being unjustifiably better than standard helmets.

I kind of switched to the specialized gambit as my go to helmet unless I'm on the mildest of XC rides, its almost as light as my half shell and doesn't really breath any worse.

 

[MikeD]

Kortal seems to fit me well in the xs/s...long oval like my head. I'm at the top end of it but under the minimum for M/L. Looks a lot bigger on my head than in the hand...just the shape I think.

I think it will be a lot better staying in place than my old Fox was.

I wish I'd not taken a chance on a weird color, though.

 

[kidwoo]

long oval like my head.

vulturelike skull features hinted that it might be adapted to feed on animals that were already dead.

https://www.livescience.com/giant-extinct-eagle-ate-organs

 

[MikeD]

 

[slimshady]

View attachment 175895

I guess you'll be better fit with a track helmet...

Or maybe to stay in tune with the Revenge of the 5th theme, a Death Star gunner helmet...

 

[MikeD]

Well, I mean, I know Vader wore a Bell. So who knows?