[Desert Ryder]

Looking for a helmet for light trail and groomed path, bike path riding.

Is there a do it all recommendation? A full face seems a bit much for the bike path / road.

Are there really big differences in helmets like those sold in big box and bike shops?

 

[Shark]

Go to local shop of your choice and try some on. There will be plenty no matter the budget. Make sure to get one that fits correctly.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Ripbird]

For me TLD is the best fit, A1, A2 and A3. It sits deep on my head like a helmet should fit. POC front sits to low and hits my Oakley glasses frames. Bell sat way to high on my head. SpecialIzed Ambush has zero upper rear padding and was hard on the head(dumb). Bontrager wanted to like, but another that sat too high and didn’t work. Giro, IXS just felt like a cheap plastic toy.

I also use a Sweatbuster and never worry about sweat dripping down my face. TLD helmet padding seams to me made for this and the front padding cuts out allowing a perfect fit for the Sweatbuster.

Try before you buy. Find a good shop that sells many brands, if not try a TLD first and you won’t regret it.

 

[Grinchy8]

Do you plan to ride where there are moving cars and the traffic lane is 'shared'? If so a full face is a good idea. Do you plan to ride with tires off the ground (jumps etc), or on steeps, or rocky steeps, or high speeds? again - full face.
Most everywhere else a basic lid that fits your noggin should suffice.
Full faces are now approaching the cost of an upper end basic helmet and weight of a lower end basic helmet, btw.

 

[FrankS29]

My Fox Speedframe Pro helmets have been great. Really comfortable (for me), vent really well and now that I have owned fidlock clasps, I'll never go back to a standard one.

 

[mark674]

Another vote for Troy Lee. I love my A2, I do a similar setup like Ripbird and use a Halo skull cap to keep the sweat from running down my face and into my eyes, and fit is good with our without. I've use quite a few Giro helmets, but the TLD fit and adjustability was so much better for me. I also like that it comes with a nice mesh/padded helmet storage bag.

 

[OldSchoolMBer]

Been happy with a Fox Speedframe Pro.

After crashing and breaking my last helmet I definitely don't mind spending a little more on a quality helmet.

 

[DeeCount]

Super happy with the Troy Lee Designs A3. I like the POC Tectal, really nice helmet that is super light and very well made, excellent strap design, it just didn't fit my head and pinched the temples (gave it to the wife). Those two and the Specialized Ambush all get my vote.

 

[milehi]

I'm happy with the fit of my POC except it doesn't hold goggle straps well. I picked it up from Backcountry with a steep discount.

 

[rdawson808]

Leatt 3.0 All Mtn (or maybe the 4.0). Love it. Fits like a freaking glove. Better than any helmet I've owned.

Sadly, that won't help you unless you have exactly the same shaped head as me. Try a bunch on.

 

[Hexsense]

Kask Valegro.
On road I use Kask Utopia which works as I travel fast and get a lot of air through my head.
On MTB (XC) I travel a lot slower so I need more ventilation, and Kask Valegro provide exactly that. Excellent ventilation and is very light.

Kask helmet is relatively round in shape. If you head is more oval than round, consider Specialized Prevail II Vent.

 

[Taroroot]

Generally more expensive helmets are lighter, have better ventilation, and/or have a wider selection of sizes for better fit.
They should all meet the same basic safety specs, but more expensive ones will often go beyond the specs. MIPS is one, but benefits have not been concretely proven. One i do believe in is multi density foam, they have a softer layer to absorb lesser impacts in addition to the standard harder foam that does its duty on big impacts.
Full face i think would be overkill. Its heavier, although there are now “enduro” ones which are pretty light. Also hotter. Possibly block some peripheral vision. Harder to hear, riding in traffic this can be pretty important. Oh, also harder to drink.

 

[jscott36]

Met a guy who really liked the 6D Atb-1T. They're on sale right now, but options might be limited. I ordered a new one on Ebay for $119 - but they gave a $12 discount (not sure where the discount came from).

ATB-1T - 6D Helmets

 

[desertred]

Fit is key! Style is secondary. For light trail and groomed or paved paths, a road style helmet will usually suffice unless you want a visor. I wear a road style helmet on groomed and dirt paths (with no features), but will wear a good MIPS equipped half-lid for singletrack with features. Everyone's head is shaped differently, so you need to go to your LBS and find a helmet that fits correctly, is comfortable, and within your budget. Don't get set on a particular brand our model without fitting first.

 

[Jerome]

+1 for the TLD A3. I was on the lookout for a new helmet at the beginning of last season to replace my good old Specialized lid and walked in this bike shop at the trail head (no pun intented!) where they were selling TLD. I honestly did not thought about this brand for a helmet (got many TLD jerseys and shorts, though), but when I tried it on, it was really love at first sight. Although it's a bit heavier than what I was looking for, it was so amazingly comfortable -- like an old pair of slippers. Sure, it's expensive, but the protection, finish and fidlock closure are so good that I couldn't pass the opportunity -- if you're like me and keep your helmets a long time, that's a worthy investment!

 

[mtnbkrmike]

This is the best helmet I own. Luckily I got it at 25% off because it’s not inexpensive, nor is it readily available. I own numerous helmets, including the much revered TLD A2. My Oakley is my go to helmet.

Among its benefits, I have been able to shed my Sweat Busters and Halo products - the built in sweat management is genius.

 

[Desert Ryder]

What I ordered..