More choice means more possibilities to choose the perfect product. Or, easier to get it wrong! Here are some tips for choosing your own helmet without buying models whose full potential we will never be able to exploit.
TYPE OF USE
The first factor to evaluate is: what routes do I usually take? The more protective the helmet, the heavier and less ventilated it is. Ok that safety is never too much, but buying a full-face helmet to ride on the cycle path is excessive.
The main category is ROAD e OFF-ROAD (mtb). Nothing prevents us from using a road helmet off-road, but one or the other product has particular characteristics more suitable for use in the correct sector. Road helmets are lighter and more aerodynamic, sometimes less ventilated, compared to the MTB model: on the road the speeds are higher therefore, many high-end models tend to have caps closed on top. This can be annoying in MTB where the speeds are much lower.
Another difference, perhaps the most important, the level of protection: in addition to the structure (the MTB helmet has a slightly higher weight), in the off-road models we find more total protection at the side, covering the temples well up to touching the ears. And on the back, precisely in the occipital area, where road helmets leave this area more exposed. This protection is very important because falls on a MTB are often at low speed and the obstacles that can be encountered in the event of a fall (rocks, trees, roots), make it quite dangerous to go out on a MTB with a road helmet.
THE VISOR: COOL MTB LOOK
Last difference, but not important, is the visor: it is an intrinsic characteristic of MTB helmets. On a purely performance level, it does not give particular advantages, and it is difficult to convince a person, not in the sector, of why the visor is not present in the road models. A bit like explaining why road cyclists shave: ok, in the event of a fall the wound heals slowly and infections are likely, but the truth is that "it's cool". Going out on the road with a group of bare-bones road racers is a bit like going out with a group of Endurists in lycra: ok, it can be done but it's not the best. The fact is that the visor protects from the sun, by shading, and from a minimum of protection in the event of a fall (especially on the more gravity models).
CATEGORIES
Here are the categories that we most commonly find in the naming of helmets:
- CROSS COUNTRY (or XC)
- TRAIL/ALL MOUNTAIN
- ENDURO (open, integral or modular)
- DOWNHILL (full helmets)
After the explanations in the previous paragraph, let's skip the URBAN/CITY and STRADA (or ROAD) products since they are not part of the mountain-bike world.
MTB CROSS COUNTRY HELMET (XC)
In the early years of MTB, the typical XC (Cross Country) helmet was nothing more than a road helmet with a visor. Now, however, they have become more protective on the sides and in the occipital area (as we said previously). However, it must be said that some brands, rightly, offer road/MTB models: these helmets are perfect for Sunday use or occasional off-road outings, while if you do races or technical outings, I would stick to purely MTB models for protection.
Road/mtb and mtb xc helmets are always OPEN (not closed/full face). We arrive at weights of about 250gr.
TRAIL/ALL MOUNTAIN HELMETS
Here we find MTB helmets, open, which however offer a very high level of protection, especially in the occipital (rear) area. Some of these open helmets, the most protective models, border on enduro.
Trail/All-mountain helmets are recommended for technical bikers who therefore need protection when going downhill, in the event of a fall, but don't want to switch to full-face helmet solutions so as not to have ventilation/breathing problems when going uphill. Of course the weights, compared to XC models, increase by about 100/200gr.
ENDURO HELMETS
This is the most problematic sector because enduro, in the original meaning of the term, involves very technical descents which, however, are reached naturally by pedalling. So this means that you need a product that performs uphill and downhill: 2 polar opposite situations. Here, in enduro, there are various solutions: open helmets (very protective), Jet helmets (with protection on the ears), full-face helmets (completely closed but trying to contain the weight) and modular helmets, i.e. which can be at the same time open and closed, by removing the chin guard).
Leatt even has presented the Enduro 3.0 model: the same product can be used open, jet or integral. 3 helmets in one. These Enduro helmets are specific for very technical bikers/advanced users.
HELMETS DOWNHILL
Finally there are the helmets downhill, closed helmets (full-face) with heavy weights. It goes without saying that they are not the best to pedal due to the weight (not excessive but certainly more uncomfortable than other solutions) and ventilation. Here the weight rises to about 800gr/1kg and is recommended for advanced athletes.
TRICKS
The white helmet remains much cooler: it seems trivial but, during the purchase phase, we often get carried away by very aggressive dark colors which, however, in the practical attack, warm up (and not a little) the head.
Good riding and keep following 365mountainbike!
