full face helmets are widely used in mountain biking but their use cases are limited and rightfully so because summer is usually longer than winter and wearing these helmets can get sweaty and tiring.
But even so on harsh and technical trails, there is nothing more assuring than a good full-size helmet that can protect your face against all sorts of unfortunate accidents.
Usually, full face helmets are worn with enduro, trail, and DH mountain biking and not so much with the XC or touring bikes because the need is not quite there
So the question arises how full face helmets compare to half face and are they really worth more than the half face helmets
full-face helmets are better than normal helmets, because of their lightweight, they are cheap, they are comfortable most common for aggressive tracks usually best for downhill trails.
- Full-face helmets are designed pretty well for covering the lower face region.
- Full-face helmets increase your confidence riding on single tracks.
- Full-face helmets prevent you from causing many serious injuries to your face.
- Full-face helmets are a must for downhill racing between flowy tracks.
- You can use a full-face helmet in all seasons like summer and winter.
- full-face helmets are used for the new trail racing the questions arise on every corner of the single tracks.
- When a crash happens your face directly hits the ground and rocks that’s why full-face helmets are recommended before the disgusting moment.
Are they better Compared to half-face?
A lot of difference is present between both, half-face helmets are designed in such a way they have good looks but cannot protect as much as a full-face helmet.
Often people buy half-face because of their coolness but these are not secure.
The half-face helmets are a little bit lighter compared to a full-face helmets.
It’s comfortable for smelling, you can taste anything on low-speed tracks from your hand but it’s not a safe choice.
It is also good for wearing for slow-speed tracks as compared to the aggressive tracks mostly used by road bikers for smooth tracks.
It is made up of soft rubber which identifies that it is comfortable but it is totally on you if you feel comfortable then you can buy half face helmet but if you want to be safer on the trails you can buy a full-face helmet.
Full-face helmet weight compared to half-face?
Full-face helmets are much heavier than half-face helmets, but the weight difference is little and the security they provide fulfills that gap.
Helmets with greater or smaller sizes cause a big weight difference.
The weight of the full-face helmets is between 1500 to 2000 grams.
full-face helmets to stop the outer noise and air due to the large weight and complexity present in their shape.
Due to its heavier weight, it may tire your head riding the whole day on your mountain bike on flowy tracks.
Most riders buy half-face helmets because of their lighter weight and good air conditioning.
Both helmets have their own qualities depending on your own choice and experience their budget ranges and weather conditions and the size of your head.
Shoei Arai helmet brands are lighter in weight for riding.
How to do a Full-face helmet fit check
- Helmets are of different sizes, a good helmet is the one that relates to your head size, for checking a helmet wear it if you feel it is hitting on your cheeks when you see around it is of big size.
- when you tap your palm on the helmet from one side make sure it would not lose contact on the other side of your head.
- There should be no more gap between the inner surface of the helmet and your cheeks you can understand it by rotating the helmet if it moves a little bit then it’s good if it rotates fully then maybe you have not pushed the chin bars properly.
- There should be no distance between the top inner surface of the helmet and your top head.
- A properly fitted helmet makes you feel more comfortable than of a big size.
- After fitting properly you should shake your head here and there to make sure your helmet would not move around its the best method of fitting and checking your helmet.
- But there is always an adjuster on the back of the helmet you can choose to squeeze it based on your tail and vice versa.
- You can also take measurements for your helmet by just wrapping an inch of tape around your forehead to the back of your head which would give you the exact size of your helmet.
What kind of trails full-face helmets are good for?
Full-face helmets are used for aggressive and hard tracks or in competitions they have less ventilation but choosing a full-face helmet is a good choice as it offers much more safety
Full-face helmets are used for rocky trails coming down from mountains.
Full-face helmets are not used on roads, half-face work just fine
As the name suggests full-face helmets protect your full face also the lower region like your mouth, teeth, jaws, and chin as compared to half-face helmets.
Motocross helmets are preferred for downhill trails.
Full-face helmets are strictly recommended for fast flowy trails.
Every downhill, uphill, local trail and muddy and sandy trail, the use of a full-face helmet will higher your confidence in riding.
When should you buy a full-face helmet?
a direct answer would be Well there is no time limit see what you are comfortable with but as for if you have security concerns than definitely buy a full face helmet since it would make more sense than always riding in fear other than that if you are a beginner than half face helmets are just as fine as full face helmets but in future if you are riding dangerous trails definitely buy one even if you own a half face helmet already because its not good to compromise on your safety.
When you own a mountain bike you will also buy a safety kit along with the kit buy a full-face helmet, but as a beginner, half-face is just as good as well assuming you won’t be speeding up so much or using less difficult tails e.g a green or a blue trail
If you have downhill trails it is a must for you to buy a full-face helmet because moving downward speed of the bike goes faster and faster so it gives you a sense of security.
It’s necessary for every single trail that your face is covered thoroughly by a full-face helmet.
Almost all helmet manufacturers recommend changing the helmet after even 1 crash so a used helmet is out of the question always Buy a new helmet not a second-hand helmet because your face is more important than a few bucks.
The old helmet may have been hit on many times in crashes it does not last long and jeopardizes your security it would be better for you to buy a new full-face helmet.
Do Full Face Helmets have good Ventilation?
Riders often complain that in summer wearing full-face helmets is not ventilated well and they feel hotness in their face. full face masks block the air.
In summer the full-face helmet does not give you the best ventilation because it will fully cover your face in this season mostly half-face helmets are used.
Another effect it brings in your riding is that it will lower the surrounding noises like your teammate may call you for help from a distance it is fully covering your ears you will not be able to hear his noise from far away.
This helmet has these issues just in the summer season but these are the firmest helmets for winter.
many riders wear them in summer because there is no other option when you choose a faster downhill trail where you know many chances of crashing are present for such tracks typically full-face helmets are the best option.
Are full-face helmets good for beginners?
you can use full-face helmets as beginners but half-face is okay as well, full faces are a little bit heavier in weight the reason is than for downhill trails almost full-face helmets are used to wear providing more protection.
provides a good comfort zone to every part of your head like ears, nose cheeks top of the head, and rotates along with your head.
full-face helmets are not much expensive, it costs around 200$ to buy a full-face helmet.
For beginners, the full-face helmets should be good because these helmets will not suddenly rip apart They are much more rigid as compared to the half-face helmets but if you want to go on a ride with lesser weight then half-face helmets are recommended.
Full-face helmets will give you bonus protection riders may follow the single flowy trails, it’s tough for the rider to stay sensational always on every minute of the ride, anything happens at any time, and the rider should be aware of his safety.
How to measure a full-face helmet?
- Helmets are of different sizes and different shapes depending on your face measure which are you going to buy, some have round thick faces while others have a narrow thin look.
- Helmets are measured by twisting and rotating them after wearing on the head if these were loose these are of big size and if you notice the helmet is biting your cheeks you are having difficulty in opening your mouth then it shows the helmet is small.
- The common method of buying a full-face helmet is that go to the shop and wear a helmet it tells you whether it’s a better size for you after that buy it. the reason is that most of the time riders buy full-face helmets from online stores after receiving them when they wear the size that matters the most so better than regretting buying a suitable-sized helmet from a nearby shop.
Best Brands for full-face helmets
There are many brands that produce both the half-face and full-face helmets but it all comes down to what you like in a model always look for things like style, ventilation, a security system that you are satisfied with e.g MIPS and other things
I have done an article on my recommendations as well if you are interested you can check that article for some suggestions as well
best full face mtb helmets under 300$ buyer’s guide
There are many brands that produce full face helmets here’s a short list of the few of the best and budget-friendly helmet brands
- Shoei
- POS
- GIRO
- FOX
- LEAT
- Bell
- HJC
- Arai
- AVG
- Icon
- Schuberth
- Shark
The brands which are good according to your choice
- IXS Trigger FF
- 7iDP Project 23
- Leat MTB 4.0 V21
- Smith-Mainline
- Giro Disciple MIPS
- Fox Pro Frame
- Leat DBX 3.0
- Fox Rampage Carbon
- Troy Lee D3
- POC Coron
- TLD Stage MIPS
- Bell Super DH( downhill)
All are good and comfortable to wear, it depends on you which one you will choose for your single twisting tracks, the budget range may vary differently according to their sizes.