Your helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you own. A good one fits perfectly, stays on your head in a crash, and doesn't turn your head into an oven on a hot climb. A great one does all that while being light enough that you forget you're wearing it. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Half-Shell vs. Full-Face
For most trail and all-mountain riders, a half-shell (open-face) helmet is the right choice. Better ventilation, lighter weight, and sufficient protection for the trails most people ride most of the time. If you're regularly hitting bike park jump lines, riding aggressive enduro terrain, or doing shuttled descents, a convertible or full-face helmet makes more sense.
MIPS: Worth It
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) adds a slip liner that reduces rotational force transmitted to the brain in angled impacts — the most common type in cycling crashes. Studies support its effectiveness. The weight and cost difference is minimal. Get MIPS.
Our Top Picks
Best Trail Half-Shell: Giro Manifest Spherical
Giro's Spherical technology integrates MIPS more elegantly than the traditional slip-liner approach, and the Manifest is the best expression of it for trail riding. Excellent ventilation, superb fit, light weight (~380g), and a visor that actually adjusts. This is what we recommend for most trail riders.
→ Giro Manifest Spherical on Amazon
Best Budget Half-Shell: Bell Spark 2
Under $75 with MIPS, in-mold construction, and enough ventilation for summer riding. The fit isn't as refined as the premium options, but the protection is solid and the price is hard to argue with for newer riders who aren't sure how often they'll be on the bike.
Best Enduro/Convertible: Fox Racing Proframe RS
The Proframe RS threads the needle between trail helmet ventilation and full-face protection by using a fixed chin bar that's open enough to breathe through on climbs. MIPS-equipped, Koroyd liner for comfort, and a profile low enough to feel like a half-shell when you're pedaling. Our top pick for aggressive trail and enduro riders.
Best Full-Face: Troy Lee Designs Stage MIPS
For bike park days and descents where you want maximum coverage, the TLD Stage is the benchmark — lighter than traditional full-face helmets, well-ventilated for a full-face design, and available in enough colorways to match any bike.
→ Troy Lee Designs Stage MIPS on Amazon
Fit Is Everything
The best helmet on this list means nothing if it doesn't fit your head. Measure your head circumference at the widest point and consult each brand's size chart. Then adjust the retention system until the helmet sits level, doesn't rock forward or backward, and feels secure without pressure points.
Replace your helmet after any significant impact, or every 3–5 years even if it looks fine — the foam degrades over time.
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