MTB Helmets
Used open face MTB helmets from sellers across the UK — trail, XC and all-mountain lids with extended rear coverage, MIPS protection and peak visors. Fox, Troy Lee Designs, Bell, Giro, POC, Smith and IXS all appear regularly.
Why ride an open face helmet?
The open face helmet is the everyday lid for most mountain bikers. Modern designs offer significantly more coverage than a road helmet — the rear extends down to protect the back of the skull, and the sides wrap lower around the temples. Combined with MIPS and good ventilation, today's trail helmets are a genuine step up in both protection and comfort.
How much coverage do I need?
Trail helmets vary in how much of the head they cover. XC-oriented helmets (Giro Chronicle, POC Tectal) are lighter with more vents and less rear coverage. Enduro-oriented helmets (Fox Speedframe, Troy Lee Designs A3) extend further down the back and sides, providing more protection at the cost of slightly less ventilation and a few extra grams. For aggressive trail riding the extra coverage is worth the trade-off, and riders who want more than that move to a full face helmet.
Which helmets vent best?
More vents means more airflow but potentially less structural strength. Premium helmets use strategic vent placement and internal channelling to maximise airflow without compromising protection. If you overheat in helmets, look for models with large front-facing vents and internal channels — Smith Forefront, Giro Montaro and POC Kortal are known for good airflow.
Do I need a peak visor?
Almost all MTB helmets have an adjustable peak visor that shields your eyes from sun, rain and low branches, and some detach easily for goggle use. A visor that breaks away on impact, rather than transmitting force to your head, is a safety feature worth having, and most modern designs include it. If that shape is not what you want, the park and dirt helmets and the wider MTB helmet listings are worth comparing.