MTB Helmets have come a long way in recent years and the modern trail specific helmets are better than ever. They’re light, provide great ventilation and offer more protection than the cross-country or road specific alternatives. If you’re in the market for a new lid sus out these seven, but remember to try them on before you buy because everyone’s head shape is a little different.
Specialized Ambush
RRP R2 599 | www.specialized.com | Tester: @SeamusAllardice
Weight: 325g (All weights for Medium helmets)
Ventilation: 20 vents provide decent airflow over the top of your head but the ample padding above your forehead means that the front of your head can get a little hot.
Adjustment: A rear ratchet set into the EPS foam shell for the Mindset Adjust inner cage. Comfortable and adjustable chin straps combine with inner cage for a secure fit.
Comfort: Super comfortable, though offering understandably less ventilation than the Specialized Prevail which I’m used to, the Ambush is the more comfortable helmet. One thing to note is the wide point of origin of the chin straps, this makes it impossible to wear your sunglass arms over the chin straps.
Looks: The Ambush is available in white (with two decaling options), black (as tested), neon yellow and turquoise (stock is currently limited in SA). It’s a helmet which looks great especially when combined with big lensed sunglasses.
Safety: Patented Aramid-Reinforced Skeleton provides internal EPS support while patented Energy Optimized Multi-Density EPS construction helps to manage impact energy.
Lazer OASIZ
RRP R2 025 | www.lazersport.com | Tester: @SeamusAllardice
Weight: 285g
Ventilation: The Lazer OASIZ boasts an impressive 21 vents which provide better than expected ventilation for a trail helmet.
Adjustment: The size adjusting ratchet is located at the top of the helmet just behind the built-in GoPro mount. The straps are wider than Ambush and the TrailRS’s, and felt a little bulky. I’d trim them down to avoid excess if it was a long term test. The straps originate from a narrower angle than most trail lids so you can wear your sunglass arms either over or under the straps. It closes under your chin with a magnetised system rather than a clip which is really cool.
Comfort: The helmet fits really comfortably despite bulkier straps, a fact that’s aided by the excellent ventilation.
Looks: I wasn’t sure of the flash camo green, but once on your head – especially when combined with Lazer’s KRYPTON KR1 sunglasses – the OASIZ looks really cool, ideal for the rider who likes bold designs. Also available in black (two decaling options), white, flash camo orange and flash green.
Safety: CE, CPSC and AS certified.
IXS TrailRS Helmet
RRP R2 052 | www.ixs-sportsdivision.com | Tester: @SeamusAllardice
Weight: 320g
Ventilation: Great ventilation from 22 vents. The ports in the visor synchronising with the three primary front vents is a big bonus.
Adjustment: A large rear dial to adjust the inner cage and latched clips on the chin straps to allow for super easy adjustments.
Comfort: The comfort is enhanced by ample padding, including a pad on the rear of the inner cage which is unique. Just keep in mind if you’re shopping online that the IXS TrailRS comes in two sizes, SM or ML. The SM was just too small for comfort on all our usual testers, but riders with smaller heads who tried it out raved about the comfort levels. Bear in mind that sunglass arms can only be worn under the straps.
Looks: In the fire truck red which we tested the TrailRS is one of the best looking helmets we’ve ever seen. Also available in black, blue, white and green.
Safety: EN1078 and CPSC certified.
GIRO Feature
RRP R1 599 | www.giro.com | Tester: Richard Pieterse
Weight: 299g
Ventilation: 12 vents (with internal channelling) which seem to be ample although I must admit that most of the testing was done in cooler conditions. Strategically-placed vents radiate heat up and out when you’re climbing at lower speeds.
Adjustment: The dial system at the rear of the helmet is part of the In-Form fit system that allows for one-handed adjustment to the fit and stability of the helmet. Standard chin strap allows for a simple click fit and adjustment mechanism.
Comfort: The In-Form fit system cradles the back of your head, which I found particularly comfortable as it provides additional stability and an added sense of safety. The position of the side straps are perfect as they are fairly wide apart and did not interfere with my ears, which I found a problem with a number of other helmets.
Looks: The Feature is available in matte black/lime/flame (as tested), matte black, matte white/lime, matte lime/mountain division, matte blue/lime and matte titanium/flame. It features a longer moto-style visor.
Safety: In-Mold construction fuses a tough polycarbonate outer shell with the helmet’s impact-absorbing foam liner.
POC Tectal
RRP R4090 | www.puremotionsports.co.za | Tester: Shayne Dowling @FullSussa
Weight: 350g
Ventilation: 17 large and strategically placed vents provide good airflow to ensure adequate ventilation on the trail.
Adjustment: A smooth turning rear ratchet adjusts the inner cradle. V-shaped strap holders bring the straps together and assist with the position of the straps under your chin. The visor is adjustable and has a small adjustment screw.
Comfort: Sits snugly but comfortably. POC totes it as an “aggressive trail helmet” so despite ventilation not being the main focus, with their extensive wind tunnel testing they seem to have got this right too.
Looks: Available in four solid colours: Actinium Pink; Amosite Grey; Hydrogen White and Uranium Black (as tested). POC helmets always look great and have become a head-turning addition to any rider, the Tectal doesn’t disappoint.
Safety: An unbreakable Aramid (think Kevlar) grid integrated into the helmet along with their reinforced EPS liner gives the highest amount of protection. Their RECCO reflector, which is a passive radar detectable beacon made famous in avalanche situations is included, although this is not a system widely used in SA.
Bontrager Rally
RRP R1 799 | www.trekbikes.com | Tester: Shayne Dowling @FullSussa
Weight: 360g
Ventilation: 20 vents in a more traditional helmet layout provide more than adequate ventilation, better than most in the line-up.
Adjustment: The only helmet where the straps are not mounted to the sides of the shell but on the inside of the helmet, I find this feels a lot better as the straps don’t meet under your chin from a wide angle. An easy to reach rear ratchet adjusts the inner cage. An adjustable visor with tightening screws on either side of the visor and it flips back far enough to accommodate goggles.
Comfort: Does not feel as tightfitting as the other helmets (this is not a negative) and this has to do with the straps and where they are mounted as well as the generous padding in the cradle, a really nice comfortable fit.
Looks: Available in five colours: White, Firebrand (Orange – as tested); Black; Green and purple and Volt and Smoke (Grey and lime green). More angular, traditional shape but the orange is sure to make a statement.
Safety: It has an in-mould composite skeleton which besides helping with vent layout keeps your dome safe. The hard shell covers most of the EPS which makes the helmet really hardy.
BELL Stoker
RRP R1395 | www.omnico.co.za | Tester: Shayne Dowling @FullSussa
Weight: 305g
Ventilation: 13 massive vents coupled with three brow ports provide excellent airflow and despite long rides in heat I never redlined.
Adjustment: A rear clicker SpeedDial Fit system allows for easy adjusting. Lockable side strap holders need a bit of fiddling to find the right angle for comfort and was my only bugbear on this helmet. An adjustable visor that doesn’t have a mechanism to keep it in place but I never experienced it moving despite rough terrain.
Comfort: This was the best fit on my head, comfortable, secure and snug. It was also the lightest helmet I tested, coupled with the massive vents and good padding I really enjoyed wearing this helmet.
Looks: Damn fine looking lid with the new rounded style that prevents snagging. I tested the funky matte black and white combo and it’s also available in white and silver.
Safety: In-mould polycarbonate with extended rear gives more than adequate coverage and high degree of protection.
