The Trail Helmet (Part Un)

What should you look for in a trail helmet?

This blog post is sponsored by Bikester.se

Helmets brand and models are, like most things in mountain bikininesg, very much a matter of personal choice.

Even more so that all have a differently shaped head, and what is the best fitting helmet for one might well be ill fitted or even painfull to wear to the next.

However, there are some design and feature that you should look for in any helmet, and more so when trail riding as the question of crash testing those features in very much a matter when and not if you discover that your relationship with Newton's law of gravity is an abusive one.

So, I will quicky go through the different type of cycling helmet available, which type is best for trail riding and what feature you should look for in your next helmet.

But first and foremost, I will start by saying that the best helmet is the one you wear and that as much as wearing riding gloves or not is a matter of choice, wearing a helmet is NOT!!!

Altho there are some other very niche type of helmets, the main types are:

The XC helmet

also suitable for gravel and road riding

The Convertible Helmet

just think about where you will keep the chin guard when removed…

The Trail Helmet

also suitable for light “Enduro”riding

The Enduro Racing Helmet

some will prefer the convertible option

The DH Helmet

also the one I am the easiest on the eyes in ;)

And for this blog post, we will concentrate on the trail helmet as this is the one type most riders are likely to use more often than not.

So what, other than being the right size (see or next week blog on the subject) and fitting your head shape makes a great trail helmet and what features should you really look for when purchasing your next helmet.
First and foremost, a good helmet is one that actually protects your skull and brain in case a crash where your head impacts ground, tree, rock or anything really as at a certain speed, anything but fresh air becomes a potential issue.

And for this, coverage is by far the most important feature as all the technology world will do you no good if you hit your head somewhere without any cover.

This is why I believe that any decent trail helmet does need to have good coverage of the back of the head. This, with the addition of a peak/visor, are the main difference between a Gravel /XC/ Road helmet.
A quality size adjustment ratchet, adjustable visor and good ventilation are also key feature to look for.
Lastly, some refinement such as the Fidlock neck strap buckle, google strap guide and removable/washable lining are niceties that I would look for as, although not a must in term of safety, the sure make for a more pleasurable use.

I recently acquired, as replacement for my Sweet Protection Bushwaker II Carbon (any crashed helmet need to be replaced as soon as possible), a lovely Orange Bluegrass Goldeneyes and will be reviewing in fully in a few weeks, once I have had a few rides wearing it. So, join the mailing list and keep your eyes open for this one.

Next week I will be going through the different type of helmets and what make it of them a particular tool for a particular job in the our new YouTube channel :)