With this article I’m going to shed my insights on what I consider to be the best lightest mountain bike helmets.
In the never-ending quest to save grams on our bicycle equipment, it’s inevitable that some helmets are also characterized as being the “lightest”. The only issue with being lightweight or indeed the lightest helmet is that we’re dealing with safety equipment. And being the lightest is at odds with being the safest.
I still have my first helmets. Both would fall into the lightweight category when compared to today’s helmets. That’s because they offer only the minimal amount of protection available at the time, which was a standard EPS liner with a minimal polycarbonate shell and very slim partially disintegrated padding.
The best helmets today when viewed from a safety perspective, not a weight perspective, offer much more in terms of protection. And that protection adds weight to a helmet. It’s that simple.
As far as lightweight is concerned, an open face helmet cannot beat a road bike helmet. Road bike helmets offer the same type of crash technology and are just as safe. They are predominantly used in the XC discipline whereas half-shell models are used for trail riding.
I’ve included both types of helmets on this list, but left full-face options out. The average weight of a road bike helmet is 280 grams, that of an open face one 350. I’ve not included open face helmets that cover your ears.
At the end of this article you can see a table overview of all the helmets included in this list, their weight, and every safety measure included. You’re responsible for your own safety, so think about what trade off you’re willing to make when trying to save a few grams.
The table includes a rating. The ratings are from Virginia Tech and define a risk of concussion based on 24 impact tests. The rating indicates the number of times a person would sustain a concussion with a similar impact. A lower score indicates better helmet performance, with an 8.4 being the best, and 26.57 the worst. There’s an obvious correlation between usage of crash technology and a low-rating.
And now for my list of the lightest mountain bike helmets.
Bell Drifter MIPS
The Bell Drifter MIPS is an allround cycling helmet. With its removable visor its allround nature can be turned into a more road-oriented look.
At 300 grams it’s reasonably lightweight, while still offering the MIPS Evolve technology to reduce rotational impact energy, besides a standard EPS liner with polycarbonate shell.
It’s an excellent value-for-money option for weekend warriors that appreciate the added safety of MIPS, for half the money you need to spend for a top-of-the-range helmet.
- Solid value for an allround helmet with the latest MIPS Evolve technology.
- Lacks a lot of bells and whistles premium models have.
Giro Aries Spherical
The Giro Aries Spherical is one of the safest if not the safest helmet within its category. It also has the highest suggested retail price at 300 USD. On its product page Giro boasts the helmet having the lowest Virginia Tech helmet rating (lower is better), and you have to if you charge this price.
So what exactly do you get for the money? This is one of a couple of helmets offering the MIPS Spherical technology, which reduces rotational damage with a ball-in-socket helmet setup. Furthermore the polycarbonate shell is reinforced with twin bridges on each side, alongside a roll-cage-like reinforced band. It all makes for an incredibly strong helmet that doesn’t weigh more than your average similar helmet.
It has silicon beads so sweat doesn’t drip into your eyes, or runs down your glasses, which is a feature far more useful than you might think.
The helmet is tightened on your head with the Roc Loc 5 Air fit system, something featured in all of their premium models. And something that does a great job of keeping the lightweight lid in place.
- Virginia Tech's best-rated helmet in terms of safety
- The most expensive helmet within its category
Giro Manifest Spherical
The Giro Manifest Spherical offers the airiness of a road bike helmet in an open face mountain bike helmet package.
The general notion of this helmet is that Giro played around with the design of the helmet to ensure maximum air flow. With 19 air vents it seems to do the trick creating probably the best mountain bike helmet for hot summer rides.
In terms of protection it offers the same as the already very expensive Giro Merit Spherical, but tops it off with an added ring of polycarbonate called the Auro Arch, which serves as a kind of roll-cage for your head.
So it means you also get the MIPS Air technology, the Spherical ball-and-socket setup for the EPS liner, which has a dual-density characteristic.
The Manifest is not only one of the safest helmets on the market, it’s also one of the best-ventilated. A total of 19 huge vents in a relative low-weight package ensure maximum air flow and a reduced risk of heat building up. When you don’t do prolonged stretches of slow climbing the chances of the helmet feeling hot and uncomfortable is near zero.
Does that kind of tech win awards in the safety department? Yes it does. Does that kind of tech win awards in how fast it’ll drain your wallet? It does that equally impressive, being the most expensive helmet of its specific category.
- Jam-packed with award-winning crash technology to create the ultimate mountain bike helmet for hot summer trail riding.
- Extremely expensive
Giro Merit Spherical
The Giro Merit Spherical offers superb crash protection in a fantastic open face mountain bike helmet.
There are multiple crash technologies ensuring this helmet sits at the top of the range in terms of protecting. As do many other helmets it offers MIPS technology. The Merit uses MIPS Air which is the lightest variant.
Furthermore it offers Spherical technology, commonly referred to as a ball-and-socket setup where the inside of the helmet can move independent from its outer shell. A dual-density EPS liner is the last piece of tech to ensure maximum crash protection.
The entire package is still very light at 360 grams. Other great features are the bolt-on adjustable visor and the multi-point Roc Loc adjustment system.
The only downside I can think of is that you have to pay a lot of money for all that tech.
- One of the best open face mountain bike helmets, period.
- Very expensive
Giro Register MIPS
The Giro Register MIPS is probably the cheapest helmet on the market to include MIPS technology.
That’s a big plus, because MIPS is more than a marketing fad, and does indeed make a helmet safer. It’s no coincidence that it’s being included in almost every helmet of some stature.
The Register has the allround look-and-feel, with a small detachable visor, and the entry-level Roc Loc Sport tightening system, which is operated with a small dial at the back of the head.
The lack of additional crash technology, the simple fit system, and minimal padding, ensures the weight sits at a mere 285 grams, which is decent for an all round bicycle helmet such as this one.
I can see why this helmet is such a best-seller. Adding MIPS to such an affordable package does the trick.
- Cheapest helmet with MIPS technology. Great value for money for recreational riders.
- Lack of additional crash technology makes it a mid-tier helmet.
Kask Caipi
The Kask Caipi is the lightest open face mountain bike helmet by far, clocking in at a mere 250 grams. That’s 100 grams less than your average half shell helmet.
It’s unfortunate I don’t have any Virginia Tech rating for this helmet, because it’s probably the best example of a mid-tier helmet.
It does not offer MIPS, which is one of the reasons they can be this low. It does offer a comfortable fit with a soft padding attached to the standard EPS liner.
An integrated visor is attached to the polycarbonate shell, which is kept into place on your head using the Octo-fit system. That’s the same system as featured in their most expensive helmets, so expect the same level of comfort and adjustability.
All-in-all this helmet is indeed a perfect middle-of-the-road type helmet. Great looks paired with a great fit in an extremely lightweight package, yet lacking the technology to put it amongst the best-of-the-best in terms of crash protection.
- The lightest open face mountain bike helmet provides excellent comfort and fit.
- Lacks all of the crash technology found in the most premium models.
Lazer G1 MIPS
The Lazer G1 MIPS is marketed as one of the lightest helmets in its category. And to be fair it is.
Yet I want to put the 235 grams of this helmet in perspective, because the average road bike helmet weighs 280 grams. That’s 45 grams heavier and something you will not notice while riding.
On the other hand, things like ventilation and fit are far more important things with respect to comfort than a couple of grams less. And luckily this helmet performs exceptionally well in that area. You get 2 different sets of padding to fully customize the fit.
Unlike your classic dial at the base of your skull you actually modify the fit with a wheel on top of the helmet. This non-indexed dial draws the helmet tight around your head around the entirety of its circumference.
Although it does a fantastic job of creating a superb fit, the two strings underneath the helmet look rather delicate. And I’m familiar with fit systems breaking with helmets being stuffed into bags. So that’s something you might want to keep in mind if you’re not the type of person who’s really careful with her/his material.
In terms of safety it offers MIPS technology and sits just behind Giro’s Aries Spherical, so its most important feature is taken care of. And a helmet cover is included to marginally increase aerodynamic properties or protect you from the rain.
- One of the both lightest and safest helmets.
- Delicate fit system. You pay a hefty price to safe a few grams.
Lazer Sphere MIPS
The Lazer Sphere MIPS is an excellent choice if you want a helmet with a proven track record in safety without paying an absurd price.
When looking at the catalog of helmet manufacturers you can see an exponential increase in price to obtain the latest technology or the lightest variants. The Lazer Sphere MIPS is an excellent example of this, where a decent price get’s you all the latest bells and whistles in a slightly heavier package than Lazer’s top dog.
MIPS technology, the ARS fit system with the non-indexed dial on top of the helmet, and a weight of 280 grams, which is the exact average for road bike helmets all make for a great package.
- Excellent value for money.
- Delicate fit system
POC Octal MIPS
I will not hide the fact that I’m a fan of the Swedish brand, and with the POC Octal MIPS they’ve created another fantastic-looking product to their already impressive lineup.
Always striving to cram their products with the best technology the Octal MIPS features the Integra version of this crash technology, which means the slip plane is customized to the specifics of this helmet. The helmet has a unibody build for enhanced structural integrity in case of a crash.
It’s touted as being extremely lightweight, with a stripped down EPS liner and fit system, but it isn’t really. 270 grams sits just below the average for a premium bike helmet such as this one, and if you really want the lightest helmet you have to look somewhere else.
Personally, I feel again that this helmet is the best-looking of the whole bunch, but am acutely aware of the subjectivity of that statement. And I have read a number of comments from people being less favorable about its above-average width. Nonetheless is the craftsmanship of this helmet undeniable, and it has a safety rating to match.
- Distinctive design, excellent fit.
- None
POC Tectal Race MIPS
The white/orange version of the POC Tectal Race MIPS has the honor of being my personal favorite bike helmet design-wise. But what’s more important than how I feel about design is whether or not it does the job it was designed for. And as with many POC products, it does.
Similar to its bigger brother, the Kortal Race, it offers the MIPS Integra version of this crash technology, aimed at the reduction of energy transfer caused by rotational forces during an impact.
It also features the aramid reinforcement attached to the EPS liner, otherwise known as Kevlar.
And where it ditches the NFC chip, it still has the Recco Reflector should you find yourself flying off the trail and ending somewhere in the ravine.
The ventilation is similar to that of the Kortal Race, with the exception of the dual slits, which are missing in this model. Yet, the helmet offers the same fantastic air flow into the helmet.
The helmet offers a snug fit, but it is still highly ventilated offering great air flow capability. It has a standard helmet weight of around 365 grams.
- Fantastic design, great protection, snug fit
- Snug fit
POC Tectal Race SPIN
The POC Tectal Race SPIN is a fantastic-looking half shell mountain bike helmet featuring the SPIN crash technology.
SPIN is POC’s proprietary crash technology and is an abbreviation of “Shearing Pad INside”. Its goal is the same as MIPS, with rotational forces being dissipated by using silicone bladders in the liner.
The SPIN technology in combination with the unibody EPS structure, and aramid puncture-resistant reinforcement makes for an excellent impact-resistant helmet.
I believe that because of its proprietary nature POC decided to ditch SPIN in favor of MIPS in their recent lineup, for what is probably a marketing and sales reason. Because SPIN proved to be an excellent approach to increase a rider’s safety with respect to the helmet.
It is what it is, and it does mean that excellent can probably be had for less than its initial suggested retail price of 230 euros.
- Just as good as the MIPS version and probably cheaper
- If you're serious about getting a MIPS helmet
Smith Convoy
The Smith Convoy is one of the very few sub-100 dollar open face mountain bike helmets featuring MIPS technology.
That makes it worthy of inclusion here. It has a distinctive-looking, and lightweight design at 300 grams and features an integrated visor with eyewear ports.
Although I’ve read otherwise it does not provide comparable protection when compared to the most expensive mountain bike helmets on the market. Those helmets always offer multi-density EPS liners and some form of reinforcement to the polycarbonate shell. This helmet does not.
I never had an issue with EPS liners being exposed, which is the case for the lower edge of this helmet. Premium helmets wrap the polycarbonate shell around this edge. But if you’re less careful with your helmet, expect scratches and nicks in this area.
There’s a huge market for people who start out with mountain biking and want an entry-level helmet. Or people who like their everyday casual ride and looking for a nice looking lid. Those people should look at this helmet. If you’re not unfamiliar with crashing you might consider looking for a helmet that offers more crash technology.
- Good looking helmet that does the job.
- MIPS technology alone will not make this one of the safest helmets out there.
Troy Lee Designs A2
The Troy Lee Designs A2 is one of the most affordable, high quality, open-faced mountain bike helmets worth your money.
It offers superb comfort and fit, with an anti-bacterial X-Static Pure Silver padding. The padding sits within a dual-density EPS liner. The polycarbonate shell wraps around the edges to further protect the rather delicate EPS.
The decade-old design has been updated to feature the MIPS technology. Safety is further enhanced with the bolt-on breakaway visor, and 3-point fit system.
Part of the popularity of the A2 can be attributed to the comfort it provides. Both with the excellent fit and its ability to keep your head cool when you try and get the most out of your ride. 2 vents on the side extend far into the front. Together with elongated vents on top they suck in cool air, which can exit through a number of vents located at the back.
It’s a great looking helmet, available in many colors, with a perfect track record in crash protection, for a price below many of the top-of-the-line offerings from its competitors. An unbeatable proposition when it comes to mountain bike helmets.
- Best-in-class safety for a reasonable price when compared to the competition
- None
Specifications lightest mountain bike helmets
Name | Price | Technology | Shell | Liner | Visor | Fit | weight (gr) | eyewear port | rating | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bell Drifter MIPS | 100 USD | MIPS Evolve | polycarbonate | EPS | removable | Float Fit | 300 | |||
Giro Aries Spherical | 300 USD | MIPS Air/Spherical/Aura II | polycarbonate | Progressive Layering 3-layer EPS | none | Roc Loc 5 Air | 275 | yes | 8.4 | |
Giro Manifest Spherical | 260 USD | MIPS/Spherical/Hardbody/Aura Arch | polycarbonate | dual density EPS | bolt-on adjustable | Roc Loc 5 Trail w. Fidlock buckle | 340 | yes | 12.20 | |
Giro Merit Spherical | 220 USD | MIPS Air/Spherical/Hardbody | polycarbonate | dual density EPS | bolt-on adjustable | Roc Loc 5 Air | 360 | yes | 9.90 | |
Giro Register MIPS | 70 USD | MIPS/Hardbody | polycarbonate | EPS | removable | Roc Loc Sport | 285 | 17.06 | ||
Kask Caipi | 155 EUR | MIT | polycarbonate | EPS | integrated | Octo-fit | 250 | |||
Lazer G1 MIPS | 250 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | EPS | none | ARS | 235 | 9.23 | ||
Lazer Sphere MIPS | 160 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | EPS | none | ARS | 280 | 10.23 | ||
POC Octal MIPS | 200 EUR | MIPS Integra/Unibody | polycarbonate | EPS | none | lightweight system | 270 | yes | 10.59 | |
POC Tectal Race MIPS | 230 EUR | MIPS Integra/Aramid bridge | polycarbonate | EPS | adjustable | adjustable 360-degree fit | 365 | yes | ||
POC Tectal Race SPIN | 230 EUR | SPIN/Aramid bridge/Unibody | polycarbonate | EPS | adjustable | 368 | 11.67 | |||
Smith Convoy | 85 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | EPS | integrated | dial | 300 | yes | ||
Troy Lee Designs A2 | 170 USD | MIPS | polycarbonate | dual density EPS | bolt-on breakaway | 3-point dial fit | 350 | yes | 9.99 |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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