The question I get asked most about gear is: "Do I need a full face?" And the honest answer is: it depends entirely on where you ride. Let me break it down properly so you can make the right call for your riding.
The Simple Rule
- Bike park, DH, or anything where a crash means going over the bars face-first at speed: Full face. Every time. No debate.
- Trail riding, XC, enduro loops with technical descents: Half shell or a good convertible. Depends on how gnarly your terrain is.
- Regular enduro with lift-accessed descents: Many riders wear a full face for the descents and swap to a lighter helmet for climbs. Or a quality convertible.
I ride The Gap Bike Park in Wicklow and Rostrevor Forest. For bike park sessions I'm always in a full face. For forest enduro loops I wear a half shell. It's that simple — match the helmet to the consequence of a crash on the terrain you're riding.
Best Full Face Helmets 2026
The Stage is the benchmark for trail-aggressive full face helmets. It's light enough (800g) to wear on long enduro days without neck fatigue, protective enough for serious DH riding, and well-ventilated enough that you won't overheat on the climbs. The MIPS liner adds rotational impact protection. The fit is excellent across a wide range of head shapes. This is what I reach for when I'm doing serious riding.
Fox's Proframe RS is the lightest properly certified full face helmet you can buy in 2026. At 750g it weighs what some half shells weigh — an extraordinary achievement that doesn't compromise protection. The ventilation is exceptional. The fit system is excellent. If weight and ventilation are your priorities without sacrificing protection, the Proframe RS is the answer. Expensive, but worth it for riders who push hard terrain on hot days.
The Bell Super Air R is the best convertible helmet available — a half shell with a removable chin bar that turns it into a full face in 30 seconds. The conversion is genuinely easy and the protection in both configurations is excellent. For enduro riders who mix long climbs with technical descents, the convertible is the smartest choice. Pop the chin bar in your pack for the descent, leave it off for the climb. This is the helmet davidmtb recommends for most enduro riders.
Best Half Shell Helmets 2026
The Speedframe Pro is Fox's best trail/enduro half shell and it's excellent. The Extended EPS coverage extends further down the back of the skull than most half shells — addressing one of the key vulnerability areas of the category. The MIPS liner is standard. The fit system is reliable and secure. Great ventilation. Light enough to forget you're wearing it on long climbs. At £150 it's accessible for most riders while being genuinely protective.
Smith's Session is one of the most popular half shell helmets in mountain biking for good reason — it fits exceptionally well across a wide range of head shapes, the ventilation is very good, and the overall quality and finish is premium. The deep coverage at the rear of the helmet is reassuring. Compatible with Smith goggles perfectly, which matters if you run their eyewear.
The best value MIPS trail helmet you can buy. The Chronicle fits reliably, the MIPS system is properly integrated, and the ventilation is excellent for the price. Giro's Roc Loc 5 fit system is one of the best in the industry. This is what I'd recommend to a friend who wants a properly protective trail helmet without spending more than necessary.
Certification — What the Stickers Mean
Every helmet sold for mountain biking should have at minimum one of these certifications:
- EN 1078: Basic bicycle helmet certification. Minimum acceptable.
- ASTM F1952 (DH): Downhill mountain biking standard. Required for proper DH/bike park helmets.
- EN 13087: European standard for certain impact protection levels.
- CPSC: US consumer product safety standard (applies to US-sold products).
If a helmet only claims EN 1078, do not use it for DH or bike park riding. The ASTM F1952 DH rating requires testing at significantly higher impact velocities.
A helmet that doesn't fit properly is worse than you think. Measure your head circumference and match to the manufacturer's sizing chart — not just S/M/L. Put the helmet on: it should sit level, two finger-widths above your eyebrows. The buckle should sit just under your chin. The straps should form a V just below your ears. Shake your head hard: the helmet should move with your head, not independently. If it rocks, it doesn't fit and you need a different size or model. Never compromise on fit.