Best MTB Helmets 2026: Trail, Full-Face & Convertible Picks

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Updated October 20, 2026. This is a researched buying guide, not a crash test or a hands-on comfort ranking. Prices are US regular prices from each maker’s own store, checked October 20, 2026; several helmets were on sale that day, which we note. Weights, materials and certifications are what each maker lists.

The best mountain bike helmet is the one that fits your head, matches the riding you actually do and carries the certification your riding needs. No helmet prevents every injury, and a well-fitted helmet beats a better-marketed one that sits wrong. This guide sorts current half-shell, convertible and full-face helmets by job, lists the certifications each maker states, and flags which models from our earlier list have been replaced.

Quick picks

Best overall trail helmet: Smith Forefront 3 Mips ($300). Extended rear coverage, Mips Air Node, full Koroyd coverage and a BOA dial, at a listed 410 g in size M.[1]
Best value: Fox Speedframe ($119.95–$129.95 depending on color). Mips, a 360° fit system and a goggle-friendly visor for about half the price of the premium helmets.[4][5]
Best budget: Giro Fixture Mips II ($84.95). A simple one-size Mips helmet at a listed 330 g; some colors were $59.99 on sale.[6]
Best for e-MTB and aggressive trail: Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0 ($219). An open-face helmet that Leatt certifies to the ASTM F1952 downhill standard and the Dutch NTA 8776 standard for fast e-bikes.[7]
Best Mips alternative: Trek Blaze WaveCel ($274.99). WaveCel liner, removable ear coverage and a one-year crash replacement guarantee.[8][9]
Best convertible: Bell Super Air R Spherical ($329.95 regular). Two-click removable chin bar for climbing open and descending closed.[10]
Best full face: Fox Proframe RS ($359.95 regular). Fixed chin bar, 820 g in size M, with ASTM F1952 downhill certification listed.[12]

These are editorial picks based on published specifications, certifications and how each helmet fits a type of riding. They are not lab or crash-test winners. For independent impact data, see the Virginia Tech helmet ratings linked under “How to choose”.

Comparison table

Helmet	US price (regular)	Type	Rotational system	Listed weight	Certifications the maker lists
Smith Forefront 3 Mips	$300	Half shell, extended coverage	Mips Air Node + Koroyd	410 g (M)	CPSC, CE EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063
Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips	$295	Half shell	Mips; co-molded EPP/EPS	415 g	CPSC 1203, CE EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063:2008
Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0	$219	Half shell, DH-certified	360° Turbine	From 430 g	CPSC 1203, EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063, ASTM F1952-15, NTA 8776
Trek Blaze WaveCel	$274.99	Half shell, removable ear covers	WaveCel	485 g (M, size chart)	CPSC
Fox Speedframe	$119.95–$129.95	Half shell	Mips	410 g ±50 (M)	Not listed on the product page
Giro Fixture Mips II	$84.95	Half shell, one size	Mips	330 g	Page lists CE EN 1078
Bell Super Air R Spherical	$329.95	Convertible (removable chin bar)	Spherical, powered by Mips	640 g (M)	CPSC
Fox Proframe RS	$359.95	Fixed full face	Mips Integra Split	820 g (M)	ASTM F1952 (DH), ASTM F2032, EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063, CPSC 1203

Weights are maker figures for the size shown and vary by size. A blank or partial certification list means the maker’s product page didn’t show more on October 20, 2026, not that the helmet fails a standard. Every bicycle helmet made or imported for sale in the US must meet the CPSC standard,[15] so check the label inside the helmet you actually buy.

The helmets

Smith Forefront 3 Mips: best overall trail helmet

Who it’s for: trail riders who want deep coverage and strong ventilation in one helmet and wear sunglasses or goggles on the same ride.

Key specs (Smith): $300; 410 g in size M; Mips Air Node integrated into the padding; full Koroyd coverage; a nylon-injected internal roll cage; BOA 360 fit dial; 20 fixed vents; three-position visor with goggle storage; front and rear eyewear storage; camera and light mount compatible. Smith lists compliance with CPSC, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS 2063, and sizes from XS (48–52 cm) to XL (61–65 cm).[1]

What changed: Smith launched the Forefront 3 in 2025.[3] The Forefront 2 Mips Twiceme on our earlier list was on clearance on Smith’s US site at $162 (regular $270), marked final sale.[2] If you find a Forefront 2 at that price it can still be a good helmet, but don’t borrow the Forefront 3’s specs for it, and check the return terms.

Drawbacks: $300 is at the top of the half-shell market, and some size and color combinations were sold out when we checked. No fit system fixes a shell that’s the wrong shape for your head.

See the Forefront 3 on Smith’s site or check price at Jenson USA.

Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips: premium alternative

Who it’s for: riders who want a premium half shell and prefer TLD’s fit, or who find the Smith shape doesn’t suit them.

Key specs (TLD): $295; 415 g; Mips; a co-molded EPP/EPS liner; 16 vents; Fidlock magnetic buckle; composite shear screws. TLD lists CPSC 1203, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS 2063:2008 certification.[13]

Drawbacks: similar money to the Forefront 3. Try both if you can.

Check price at Jenson USA

Fox Speedframe: best value

Who it’s for: most trail riders who want Mips and a good fit system without paying $300.

Key specs (Fox): $119.95–$129.95 depending on color; Mips; 360° fit system; one-hand-adjustable visor; sunglass storage. Fox’s size chart lists 370, 410 and 440 g (±50 g) for S, M and L.[4]

Step up: the Speedframe Pro adds a BOA dial, dual-density EPS, a Fidlock buckle and Mips Air Node. Fox lists current Pro colorways at $219.95–$239.95, and says the Speedframe Pro earned 5 stars in Virginia Tech’s bicycle helmet ratings.[5][16] Older Pro colorways were on sale for much less on October 20, so compare model years carefully.

Drawbacks: Fox’s Speedframe product page didn’t list the certifications, so check the label. The price varies by color.

Check price at Jenson USA

Giro Fixture Mips II: best budget

Who it’s for: new riders, occasional trail riders and anyone who needs a spare helmet for a friend.

Key specs (Giro): $84.95 regular; Mips; Roc Loc Sport fit system; one universal adult size (UA); 330 g; reflective rear decals. Some colors were $59.99 on sale when we checked.[6]

Drawbacks: one size has to fit a wide range of heads, so it won’t suit everyone. Giro’s US page lists only CE EN 1078 under certifications, so confirm the CPSC label on the helmet you receive. It also has less rear coverage than the trail helmets above.

Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Leatt MTB AllMtn 4.0: best for e-MTB and aggressive trail

Who it’s for: e-MTB riders and aggressive trail riders who want an open-face helmet with more certification than a standard trail lid.

Key specs (Leatt): $219 regular ($153.30 on sale when we checked); in-molded EPS plus EPO impact foam; Leatt’s 360° Turbine Technology for rotational forces; Fidlock buckle; breakaway visor; sunglasses dock; from 430 g. Leatt lists AS/NZS 2063:2008, EN 1078, CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952-15 (downhill mountain bike) and NTA 8776, a standard for helmets for e-bikes that go up to 45 km/h (28 mph). It also has a three-year helmet replacement program.[7]

Why the certifications matter: in the US, Class 3 e-bikes are assisted up to 28 mph, which is the speed NTA 8776 was written for. That doesn’t make an open-face helmet a substitute for a full face at a bike park, but it’s more than most trail helmets list.

Drawbacks: no chin bar. And “DH-certified” describes the standard Leatt tested to, not a promise about every crash.

Check price at Jenson USA

Trek Blaze WaveCel: best Mips alternative

Who it’s for: riders who want ear coverage on rough days and a lighter half shell on others, or who want to try a non-Mips rotational system.

Key specs (Trek): $274.99; WaveCel liner, which Trek describes as a collapsible cellular layer designed to reduce rotational forces; removable 3/4 ear coverage; BOA fit system; Fidlock buckle; magnetic breakaway, goggle-friendly visor; removable Blendr mount for a light or camera. Trek lists CPSC compliance and a free replacement if you crash it in the first year.[8]

Weight note: Trek’s size chart lists 445, 485 and 530 g for S, M and L, while its FAQ gives 385 g without the ear protection and 500 g with it.[8][9] We use the size chart in the table.

Drawbacks: the heaviest half shell here in size M with the ear covers on.

Bell Super Air R Spherical: best convertible

Who it’s for: enduro and big-mountain riders who climb a long way and want a chin bar for the descent without carrying a second helmet.

Key specs (Bell): $329.95 regular (from $178.17 to $209.97 on sale depending on color on October 20); a two-click removable chin bar; Spherical Technology powered by Mips, a ball-and-socket design in which the outer liner rotates around the inner one; Float Fit dial; adjustable visor; goggle gripper. Bell lists 640 g (M) and CPSC compliance. It says the helmet is 144 g lighter than its predecessor.[10][11]

Drawbacks: Bell’s US product page lists CPSC only. It doesn’t list the ASTM F1952 downhill standard, so if a bike park or race requires it, choose a full face that lists it. Bell also notes that certification can vary by region.

Check price at Jenson USA

Fox Proframe RS: best full face

Who it’s for: bike park riders, enduro racers and anyone whose event requires a downhill-certified full face, but who still pedals to the top.

Key specs (Fox): $359.95 regular ($251.99 on sale when we checked); a fixed full-face design; Mips Integra Split protection; dual-density foam; Fidlock magnetic chin strap; under-visor GoPro mount; multi-size cheek pads. Fox lists ASTM F1952 (DH certified), ASTM F2032, EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063 and CPSC 1203, and sizes S, M and L at 710, 820 and 910 g.[12]

Drawbacks: warmer and heavier than any half shell on long climbs. Our earlier version of this guide wrongly called the Proframe RS convertible; its chin bar is fixed.

How to choose an MTB helmet

Mips and the alternatives

Mips is a low-friction layer that lets the helmet move slightly relative to your head in an angled impact, to reduce rotational forces. Several brands use their own approaches: Bell and Giro’s Spherical (a ball-and-socket liner powered by Mips),[10] Trek’s WaveCel collapsible cell liner[8] and Leatt’s 360° Turbine discs.[7] Smith pairs Mips with Koroyd, an energy-absorbing tube structure.[1] Every maker describes its own system favorably, and these descriptions are not independent comparisons.

For independent data, use the Virginia Tech bicycle helmet ratings. The lab rates helmets on 24 impact tests that measure both linear acceleration and rotational velocity, and recommends choosing a helmet rated 4 or 5 stars.[14] Ratings cover specific models and versions, so match the exact helmet.

Fit

Measure your head circumference just above the eyebrows and ears, then use that maker’s size chart. Sizes differ by brand.
The helmet should sit level, about two fingers above your eyebrows, and shouldn’t rock front to back with the straps open and the dial snug.
Adjust the side straps so they meet just below the ears, and fasten the chin strap so you can fit about one finger under it.
Wear your usual sunglasses or goggles when you try it on. Check that the visor clears them and that the goggle strap stays put.
Replace a helmet after a crash. Several makers offer crash replacement: Trek for one year, and Leatt through its replacement program.[8][7]

Half shell, convertible or full face

Half shell: best for most trail riding and long climbs, and the lightest and coolest option. Convertible: a removable chin bar for days with long climbs and steep descents, but check whether it lists a downhill standard. Full face: for bike parks, downhill and races that require ASTM F1952. If a venue or event names a standard, check it on the helmet’s label, and don’t assume “full face” or “convertible” means certified.

Certification labels, decoded

CPSC (16 CFR 1203): the mandatory US bicycle helmet standard. Every bicycle helmet sold in the US has to comply.[15]
CE EN 1078: the European bicycle helmet standard. AS/NZS 2063: the Australian and New Zealand standard.
ASTM F1952: the downhill mountain bike helmet standard. It’s listed here on the Fox Proframe RS and the Leatt AllMtn 4.0.[12][7]
NTA 8776: a Dutch standard for helmets for faster e-bikes (up to 45 km/h). Leatt lists it on the AllMtn 4.0.[7]

e-MTB riders

e-MTBs climb faster and carry more weight, so crashes can happen at higher speeds than on an analog bike. A helmet with deep rear coverage, or one that lists ASTM F1952 or NTA 8776, is worth considering. See our e-MTB tire guide for the rest of the setup.

FAQ

What is the best mountain bike helmet in 2026?

For most trail riders, we’d start with the Smith Forefront 3 Mips ($300) for its coverage and fit system. If that’s more than you want to spend, the Fox Speedframe ($119.95–$129.95) covers the essentials with Mips.

Do I need a Mips helmet?

You need a helmet that fits and is certified for your riding. Mips and its alternatives aim to reduce rotational forces in angled impacts. Independent ratings such as Virginia Tech’s measure rotational velocity, and many of the top-rated helmets use some kind of rotational system, but check the exact model rather than the logo.

Is a convertible helmet as safe as a full face?

Not automatically. Check whether the convertible lists ASTM F1952. Bell’s US page lists CPSC only for the Super Air R Spherical, while the fixed-chin-bar Fox Proframe RS lists ASTM F1952.

What helmet should I wear on an e-MTB?

A well-fitted trail helmet with good rear coverage at minimum. The Leatt AllMtn 4.0 is one of the few open-face helmets whose maker lists both ASTM F1952 and NTA 8776. For bike parks or very fast descents, wear a full face.

How often should I replace my helmet?

After any crash where the helmet hits something, even if you can’t see damage. Otherwise, follow the maker’s guidance and replace it if the foam, shell or straps are damaged or the fit system no longer holds.

Can I put a light or camera on my helmet?

Some helmets are designed for it. Smith lists the Forefront 3 as camera and light mount compatible, and Trek’s Blaze comes with a removable Blendr mount.[1][8] For night rides, see our bike lights guide for helmet-light options.

Before you buy

Check the exact model, version and year. Older versions are often on sale under similar names.
Confirm the price and any sale on the maker’s page. Prices here were checked October 20, 2026.
Check the label for the standards your riding or event requires.
Try it on with your eyewear, and keep the receipt for crash replacement programs.

Related guides: MTB knee pads, bike lights, hydration packs and e-MTB tires. Our research and review methodology and editorial policy explain how we pick products.