Reviewing 5 popular, high end MTB helmets for 2023

show the helmets more than bike riding ffs!

how true is the replace helmet after every crash?

I've broken two Fox Frame Pro helmets this year on free rides. I'm twice as dumb as I look and the last wreck put a little rug burn on my face. God is warning me. So I went full face and its been brutally hot...suffocating. I bought the Tyrant yesterday. Please let it be the holy grail in protection and keep me from suffering from heat exhaustion while on an XC ride or an enduro race.

the bluegrass rogue mips is a great choice. safe and light

I'm also a size M and when I tried on the Fox Dropframe Pro it was too tight.... 🤦

Like the game

Hoping the Smith you featured, is not as the same as Smith Convoy, because the plastic rod connected to the adjustable wheel has a pointed shape, it is creating a pain in the back of my head. I informed Smith, l told them it is a poor design and fit/wear testing method.

gotta say after seeing few of your helemt reviews (since I am currently looking for one) I really love your riding style, you bike control is great and it reacts so fast in your hands

SMITH MAINLINE is the best!

any helmet over $100 is overpriced.

What about the Fox Speedframe Pro?

God bless

Nice video and general explanations on these helmets, but I'm baffled why you keep mentioning the fact that the Fox Dropframe was too small when it clearly said on the site and helmet sticker what the CM sizing correlates to and that you know your head's CM measurement?! You mention that you are a size 58 and specifically didn't get the helmet that would fall in your range. It'd be nice to have a detailed review on the Dropframe if you actually tried the correct size. For now I can't fully trust the reviews if you're just going in expecting that an M will always fit across the board the exact same as if it'll magically grow two cm to fit your head.

Every bike has reach and geo numbers to consider beyond just the letter size that someone looking to get into the sport more seriously will consider. Likewise the most important gear for an MTBer will have the same fit that isn't just, "Letter size matches most things I get, therefore it's good".

What is up with the sun visor being way too short on almost any helmet? I have a "Bell Super DH Mips" which has the same problem- thinking about 3d-printing an extension so it actually does something.. and since I never use the helmet in full face configuration... I look like an idiot... but who cares and the GIRO TYRANT doesn't look much better tbh

Yo. What knee pads you use

Another note on POC - I have the Tectal Race MIPS because they're meant more for people with blockier heads, whereas the Kortal is for "rounder" heads. I tried both on at a LBS and there was a pretty big difference in fit. I have a big noggin, so it was hard finding a helmet that fit well and the Tectal is perfect for me (in the biggest size they make). I don't have any issue with there being no padding in the back, I wear it for hours without any discomfort.

I tried one smith helmet and couldn’t stand it. The mips made it feel like it was always sliding around. I went back to a Troy Lee A2. Best helmet I’ve ever used!

After landing on my head in an MTB crash on a local trail, I went shopping for a new helmet at my local bike shop. I ended up with the POC Tectal for three reasons over other available helmets: fit, coverage and the buckling system. Not everyone's head is shaped the same, so fit is a pretty personal issue. For me, the POC Tectal fit very securely and comfortably. I also liked the greater amount of coverage afforded by the Tectal. The tectal extended further down the back of my head, which I feel not only provides better protection but helped the overall fitment for this particular model. Finally, I really like how the buckling system adjusts. Most MTB helmet straps are - at least for me - very difficult to adjust to the point where the strap keeps the helmet in just the right position on my head. The POC Tectal is somewhat unique, I think, in that it uses two independent loops extending from the sides of the helmet which are connected by a center strap that includes the buckle. The center strap floats on the two side side loops so that it automatically centers under the chin in just the right place. All of this - the fit, coverage and buckling system - adds up to a safer helmet, I think, at least for me. I also like the Tectal's visor - it extends far enough that it actually is useful for blocking out the sun and/or limbs, etc. The Tectal is not the perfect helmet, though. I have some doubts about whether the padding is really the best, and, in fact, the padding started coming loose not long after I bought the helmet. Thanks, ya'll. Be safe out there . . .

I do really like my Smith Forefront 2, but it can have the same issue as the Session with the sweat eventually coming down my face and into my eyes at times. it doesn't happen often, but man does it suck when it does.

Again nice video but. For me I love my tld a1 half shell but if I can choose only one helmet for me it would be my ixs trigger ff super ventilation and comfort(for my head shape). I really recomend to try this brand.

The smith mainline is a great helmet, but my head was slightly too big for the small size and too small for medium. So I ended up with a trajecta helmet instead because it fits perfectly. I hope smith will run their small helmets up to 56cm in the future.

Ion traze is a great helmet

the smith forefront 2 is 50% off right now, (it's very good)

Curious why you didn't check out the #1 helmet on the VT List - The Specialized Tactic 4, just to see how it stacks up with the ones you did use and to see if the sizing issue with the Fox Helmet would impact your own test of it.

Bruh, that tree hug was not a concussion. It was you punching a hole in the fabric of the space and time continuum you were in. Welcome to our universe, you weirdo...

I find all the MIPS helmets I've tried feel like they sit on top of head and not around it. POC Tectal Race Spin without the MIPS feels like my head sits inside helmet and fits great.

I use a Oakley DR5 for trail which has 2 features I'm not sure I can live without at this point...sweat diversion and a sunglass holder on top. I know, dumb...but they're invaluable and make it easier to ride.

Favorite is my fox ProFrame

That was a serious head smack into a tree. I don't think any of these helmets would have been capable of preventing a concussion, but probably any of them would have prevented a split skull

I like my Mainline but agree that the noise it almost unbareable. Have to wear earbuds and tunes otherwise I don't use it.

Nice video Jeff. No Troy Lee helmets???

I wish I would've seen this video before the helmet I just bought. It's a POC Tectal (olive matte). I haven't ridden with it yet but it fits pretty good. I chose by looks. Next helmet I buy will be given more thought and research seeing as though it's thee most important equipment to invest in. Thanks for the vid JKW! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Always full face i survive only becasue i wear 500+ dollar full face helmet.

I use currently use a Leatt 1.0 DH, it's quite light full face helmet, price is decent, too, but a con is the pads come loose as the Velcro pads come loose, but I added 3m HVB tape I cut to fit, it solves the issue, but eventually wears out, so other than that, no complaints. It has a mesh, so no insects come in, maybe just tiny flies, but no way a bee a bigger flies will get in, also leafs, twigs.
The helmet's chin guard is not as stiff as my previous helmet 2016 Fox Rampage Pro Carbon, which was quite heavy too at around 1100 gram I think it was, the Leatt helmet is around 560g in Large , around 1500g with Diablo light, goggles, Gopro Hero 7 Black. so not bad, it feels a lot lighter, but I got used to the heavier helmet, so this feels nice.
Cheek pads did not compress permanently, so the helmet fits as it did when it was new. Some claim the current Fox Rampage Pro Carbon does not have the issue with the cheek pads, but I know 2016 had it.

A lot of helmets don't have a insect/debris mesh, it actually is helpful to have it, less debris, at least bigger stuff does not get in the helmet, potentially leading to discomfort.
So I always bought helmets with a mesh.

Dude I love my Smith Engage but the same thing happens to me with the brow pad filling up with sweat. Also the padding tends to delaminate from the hook and loop system rendering it useless after a short while of use.

It seems like MIPS probably a gimmick. Most non MIPS helmet liners/ insert will also move a little bit rotationally upon impact? It seems this extra cost and benefit is theoretical at best and without it the helmets generally weigh less. Edit: That said I have a Giro Manifest Spherical with MIPS. Can’t hurt.

Jeff, have you ever tried the TLD A3? I have a big and apparently odd shaped head so just finding a helmet that fits comfortably is a challenge for me, the TLD A3 fits great and seems to have all the safety do-dads.

Leatt helmets fit my narrow but long head best, very comfortable. After 25 years I finally have a helmet that doesn't leave a big dent in my forehead.

I'm a switchblade fan! I run it without the bar as a makeshift tyrant for most riding, and with a bar for more aggressive stuff. I find that it's a bit hot in the summer, but I live in Minnesota, so from October - April, the extra warmth is invited. I even run it fatbiking as it keeps my ears nice and warm!

I also have a giro shaped head! I use the insurgent, the switchblade when it’s cold enough, but I fount the specialized tactic to be easily the most comfortable helmet! It also has a great spot for glasses!

Since a concussion and a broken eye socket I’ve completely ditched the half shell so it’s either the TLD Stage or D4 Carbon at the park.

Cool in depth review as usual Jeff. I wonder if Virginia Tech is now using new headforms with materials mimicking skin and hair (nylon and wigs, like the scientists from a scientific paper from 2022 did), since a discussion was brought up into the industry that current "tacky" headforms used by Virginia Tech are favouring MIPS helmets (even if the technology HAS a benefit, but just not that big) because tests don't reflect the natural lateral play effect that occurs between hair, skin and cranium.

I bought the giro tyrant because of you last year and i couldn't be happier, that said why not make a similiar video on knee pads? I've been riding for almost 3 years and still haven't gotten around to buying some and i'm starting to see the benefit of it. I'm sure there are more people like me who would be interested.

The into was excellent!

There was a great podcast with Worldwide Cyclery and one of the big guys from Kali. It's worth a listen for sure. I have a Kali Maya from your videos years ago and still prefer it over a few others I've tried since (one being a POC). I'm in the market again and the Maya is looking like the next choice I make.

I got the Giro Switchblade and I still love it.