If you’re hunting for the best enduro MTB helmets 2026, you’re probably riding harder, steeper terrain than a standard trail lid was designed for. Enduro riding in the UK usually means awkward gradients, off-camber roots, rocky chutes and long days where the climbs are still pedal-heavy but the descents are where the risk lives. That’s where a deep-coverage, open-face enduro helmet makes sense: more back-of-head and side protection, a more stable fit at speed, and visor and goggle setups that assume you’re actually riding technical terrain, not just cruising bridleways.
This guide deliberately focuses on open-face enduro MTB helmets, not full-face or convertible models (they have their own buyer’s guides). These are the high-coverage “half shells” you wear for all-day riding: trail centres, natural enduro lines, big loop days on an e-MTB, or any ride where you’re earning your descents but still want serious protection. All seven picks here use modern rotational protection (Mips or equivalent), have adjustable visors that work with goggles, and are widely available in the UK for 2026.
The best enduro MTB helmets shortlisted
Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS — £99.99 (RRP £220.99)
Bell Super Air Spherical — from £129.99 (RRP £224.99)
POC Kortal Race MIPS — From £139.99 (RRP: £250)
Smith Forefront 2 MIPS — £174.99 (RRP £219.99)
Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips — £179
Fox Dropframe Pro — £179.99 (RRP £259.99)
Giro Manifest Spherical — £254.99
It’s also worth separating trail helmets from enduro helmets. Trail lids are fine for general riding, flow trails and mellow singletrack. The best enduro mountain bike helmets, by contrast, give you deeper coverage, more stable retention systems and often more robust shells designed for aggressive trail and enduro racing. For many riders moving onto steeper UK terrain or spending more time on an e-MTB, that extra confidence is worth the step up.
We’ve prioritised current models with deep coverage, rotational protection and real trail / enduro intent that make sense for UK ownership. If your riding leans more towards bike-park laps or you want chin-bar protection, jump to our full-face helmet or convertible helmet guide instead. Alternatively, if you’re unsure where to start when it comes to helmets, take a look at our much more inclusive mountain bike helmet buyers guide.
Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS
£99.99 (RRP £220.99)
When riders talk about the best enduro MTB helmets 2026, the Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS almost always comes up. It’s TLD’s deepest-coverage half-shell, with extended rear and side coverage and a co-moulded EPS/EPP foam construction designed to manage both high and low-speed impacts. That makes it particularly attractive for UK enduro trails where crashes can happen at awkward speeds — sliding on wet roots one minute, pinging off rocks the next. The A3 is pitched squarely at modern trail and enduro riding, making it a perfect fit for more aggressive e-MTB use as well.
The other reason it’s so widely recommended as a best enduro mountain bike helmet is comfort. Troy Lee focuses heavily on fit and ventilation: the A3 has 16 optimised vents, a three-position adjustable visor with magnetic goggle parking, and a V3 precision fit system with height adjust. Taken together, it’s one of those helmets that disappears on your head over a long ride — exactly what you want from a premium enduro MTB helmet.
Pros
Deepest-coverage Troy Lee trail / enduro helmet with EPS + EPP dual-density foam
Mips rotational protection plus extensive coverage for aggressive UK riding
16 vents, refined fit and magnetic goggle storage make it genuinely all-day wearable
Cons
Overkill if your riding is mostly mellow blue-grade trails
Specifications
Type:
Rotational protection:
Fit system:
Ventilation:
Visor:
Goggle compatibility:
Bell Super Air Spherical
from £129.99 (RRP £224.99)
The Bell Super Air Spherical is one of the most versatile helmets in this best enduro MTB helmets 2026 guide because it balances deep coverage, serious safety tech and low weight. It uses Spherical Technology powered by Mips, which is Bell’s ball-and-socket approach to managing rotational energy, and is marketed as their most advanced trail helmet. For UK riders, that translates into a lid that feels stable on rough descents but remains impressively well ventilated for big pedalled days or long e-MTB loops.
The Super Air Spherical also makes sense if you like the idea of enduro-ready protection but don’t want something that feels overly bulky. With Overbrow Ventilation feeding cool air through an internal air-channel matrix and Bell’s Float Fit system keeping the helmet locked in place, it works very well for riders who spend as much time climbing as they do descending. There’s also an adjustable visor designed specifically for goggle storage, which is ideal for UK conditions where you might be swapping between glasses and goggles within the same ride.
Pros
Spherical Technology™ powered by Mips® for advanced rotational impact management
Light, highly ventilated feel for a deep-coverage enduro trail helmet
Adjustable visor and goggle-friendly design suit typical enduro and e-MTB riding
Cons
If you mainly ride ultra-steep or bike-park terrain, you may still prefer a full-face or convertible option
Specifications
Type: Deep-coverage open-face trail / enduro MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Spherical Technology™ powered by Mips®
Fit system: Float Fit™ lightweight dial fit system
Ventilation: Overbrow Ventilation™ with 18 vents + 4 brow ports for full-head airflow
Visor: Adjustable visor designed for sun protection and easy goggle storage
Goggle compatibility: Goggle-friendly eye port with visor positions that allow goggle parking above the brow
POC Kortal Race MIPS
From £139.99 (RRP: £250)
The POC Kortal Race MIPS is one of the most recognisable enduro mountain bike helmets on the market and an easy inclusion in any “best enduro MTB helmet UK” list. It’s built with exceptional coverage, a fully wrapped unibody shell and large, uninterrupted vents that are designed to keep air flowing even at lower climbing speeds. POC positions it firmly at the aggressive trail and enduro end of the spectrum and it’s also e-bike ready, meeting the Dutch NTA 8776 speed-pedelec standard — a nice reassurance for faster e-MTB use in the UK.
One of the Kortal Race MIPS’s standout features is the combination of an adjustable 360° fit system, a highly ventilated shell and a patented breakaway peak. The visor is designed to break away in a crash to reduce rotational forces, and the helmet incorporates an “eye garage” and goggle-compatible ventilation channels. For riders who are regularly tackling steep, natural terrain or enduro stages and want a premium enduro MTB helmet that feels purpose-built for that job, it’s a very strong contender.
Pros
Premium enduro MTB helmet with exceptional coverage and e-bike-ready certification
Highly ventilated shell with uninterrupted airflow and integrated Mips
360° adjustable fit system and breakaway peak for fine-tuned safety and comfort
Cons
Shape and fit feel quite “POC specific”; definitely one to try on if possible
Specifications
Type: Deep-coverage enduro / all-mountain MTB helmet, NTA 8776 e-bike ready
Rotational protection: Mips® rotational impact protection system
Fit system: Adjustable 360° fit system
Ventilation: Highly ventilated design with POC’s large, open vents and internal channels
Visor: Patented breakaway peak, raises high to improve protection and avoid snagging; designed to work with goggles
Goggle compatibility: Goggle compatible with specific “eye garage” storage at the rear and ventilation shaped to work with POC Ora goggles and similar models
Smith Forefront 2 MIPS
£174.99 (RRP £219.99)
The Smith Forefront 2 MIPS has become a bit of a benchmark “aggressive trail / enduro” helmet and earns its place in any best enduro MTB helmet UK shortlist. It combines a Koroyd core with EPS and Mips to deliver zonal impact protection, wrapped in a shell that offers genuinely deep coverage for the back and sides of the head. For UK riding, it suits big trail-centre days, natural singletrack and mixed e-MTB loops where you’ll be pedalling for hours but still want a confident, stable lid for the descents.
A lot of riders shortlist the Forefront 2 because of its 20 optimised vents, AirEvac ventilation and the VaporFit adjustable fit system, which together make it easier to wear all day compared with some heavier enduro helmets. The three-position visor is designed for sunglass and goggle integration, and the shell’s shape plays nicely with typical UK eyewear choices. If you want a helmet that can slide seamlessly between trail and enduro duties, this is one of the safest bets.
Pros
Well-established aggressive trail / enduro mountain bike helmet with Koroyd + Mips
20-vent layout and AirEvac ventilation work well for long, warm UK climbs
Excellent eyewear and goggle integration with a three-position visor
Cons
Fit is slightly more “helmet-first” in feel than ultra-minimal enduro lids, so trying before you buy is wise
Specifications
Type: Deep-coverage trail / enduro MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Mips® Brain Protection System available on all Forefront 2 MIPS colours
Fit system: VaporFit adjustable fit system
Ventilation: 20 optimised vents with AirEvac ventilation channels
Visor: Three-position adjustable visor
Goggle compatibility: Designed for “ultimate sunglass and goggle integration” with front and rear eyewear storage channels
Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips
£179
The Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips is a strong entry point into the best enduro MTB helmets 2026 because it feels like a proper enduro trail lid without drifting into “race-only” territory. It’s built around a unique four-piece variable shell construction with deep rear coverage, so it suits UK riders who are pushing harder on natural trails and trail-centre black runs but still want something cool and comfortable to pedal in all day. Sweet’s STACC ventilation and 16-vent layout are designed to keep airflow moving on long climbs, and the overall shape works well with both glasses and goggles.
For riders stepping up from a basic trail helmet, the Trailblazer Mips is a noticeable upgrade in terms of stability and coverage, but it doesn’t feel overbuilt for normal trail riding. That makes it a very appealing first “serious” enduro mountain bike helmet for UK conditions, whether you ride an analogue trail bike or an e-MTB and simply want more confidence on greasy winter descents.
Pros
Deep-coverage MTB helmet with a sensible price for enduro-ready protection
Mips rotational protection and modern shell design aimed at serious trail use
STACC ventilation and 16 vents keep it realistic for long UK climbs
Cons
Sits more in the trail/enduro overlap than a full-on enduro race helmet
Specifications
Type: Deep-coverage open-face trail / enduro MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Mips® Safety System
Fit system: 360 Occigrip turn-dial fit system
Ventilation: 16 vents with STACC ventilation for extra cooling
Visor: Adjustable visor with updated mechanism
Goggle compatibility: Designed to work with MTB eyewear and goggles; visor allows parking goggles above the brow (inferred from product positioning and visor design)
Fox Dropframe Pro
£179.99 (RRP £259.99)
If you want the most “enduro”-looking helmet in this best enduro MTB helmets 2026 guide, the Fox Dropframe Pro is it. Fox calls it a maximum coverage open face mountain bike helmet: a ¾-shell design with coverage extending around the ears and jawline, plus deep rear protection. It’s aimed squarely at aggressive trail and enduro riding, and meets the NTA 8776 e-bike helmet standard, making it particularly relevant for UK e-MTB riders who are riding faster and further more often.
Internally you get Mips, a BOA® Fit System for precise adjustment and big bore front vents that double as eyewear storage recesses. The visor is three-position adjustable and explicitly goggle compatible, and there’s even a removable under-visor GoPro mount. For UK riders who are spending lots of time on steep enduro lines, Welsh trail-centre blacks or uplift days but still want an open-face feel, the Fox Dropframe Pro is one of the most confidence-inspiring enduro MTB helmets available.
Pros
¾-shell, maximum-coverage open-face enduro helmet with jaw and ear coverage
Mips + BOA® Fit System + NTA 8776 e-bike certification tick serious safety boxes
3-position adjustable visor, goggle compatibility and eyewear storage vents are very practical
Cons
More “enduro specific” than general trail; overkill for mellow XC or light trail use
Specifications
Type: 3/4 open-face enduro MTB helmet (maximum coverage, NTA 8776 e-bike certified)
Rotational protection: Mips® added protection system
Fit system: BOA® Fit System for class-leading fit and security
Ventilation: Large “Big Bore” front vents and increased overall ventilation with reduced surface contact for improved cooling
Visor: 3-position adjustable visor compatible with goggles; removable under-visor GoPro mount included
Goggle compatibility: Explicitly goggle compatible; visor and Big Bore vents designed for goggle and eyewear storage
Giro Manifest Spherical
£254.99
If you want a top-end enduro MTB helmet that still feels comfortable enough for every ride, the Giro Manifest Spherical is an obvious benchmark. Giro describes it as their most premium trail-riding helmet, built around Spherical Technology™, effectively a dual-shell Mips system that allows the outer shell to rotate around the inner. Combined with deep rear coverage and progressive layering of dual-density foam, it’s designed to manage both big hits and more common low-speed knocks. For riders searching for the best enduro MTB helmets 2026 with a focus on safety tech, it’s an extremely strong candidate.
The Roc Loc Trail Air fit system and very generous venting make the Manifest stand out on longer UK rides. Reviews consistently highlight its stability and comfort over big days, which matters if you’re wearing the same enduro helmet for everything from trail-centre laps to natural enduro missions and e-MTB days. It’s not cheap, but if you want a best-in-class high-coverage open-face with Spherical Mips, this is one of the most convincing options on the market.
Pros
Spherical Technology™ with dual-density foam for high and low-speed impact management
Deep coverage and best-in-class ventilation for long enduro and trail rides
Roc Loc Trail Air fit system is highly adjustable and very stable
Cons
Premium helmet at a premium price, best justified if you ride enduro terrain regularly
Specifications
Type: Premium deep-coverage trail / enduro MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Spherical Technology™ (Mips® Spherical)
Fit system: Roc Loc® Trail Air adjustment system
Ventilation: “Best-in-class” ventilation with large intake and exhaust ports and internal channeling
Visor: Adjustable trail visor with multiple indexed positions (supports eyewear and goggle use; inferred from product positioning)
Goggle compatibility: Trail/enduro shell shape and visor designed to work with goggles and glasses; ample frontal opening and visor clearance (inferred from enduro-focused design and reviews)
Frequently Asked Questions – best enduro MTB helmets 2026
What is the best enduro MTB helmet in the UK for 2026?
There’s no single “best enduro MTB helmet 2026” for every rider. If you want deep coverage with great ventilation, the likes of the Troy Lee A3, Bell Super Air Spherical, POC Kortal Race MIPS and Giro Manifest Spherical are all strong options. If you want maximum open-face coverage, the Fox Dropframe Pro stands out as a very enduro-specific ¾-shell choice.
What’s the difference between a trail helmet and an enduro MTB helmet?
Trail helmets focus on lower weight and general riding, while enduro MTB helmets add deeper coverage at the back and sides of the head, more stable fit systems and features designed for steeper, rougher terrain (like goggle-friendly visors and more robust shells). Many of the best enduro MTB helmets 2026 blur the line, but coverage and stability are the key differences.
Do I need Mips or Spherical tech in an enduro mountain bike helmet?
All the helmets in this guide use Mips, Mips Spherical or equivalent rotational systems because enduro crashes often involve twisting impacts. It’s not the only factor — fit and coverage matter hugely — but if you’re buying a new enduro MTB helmet for aggressive riding, it makes sense to choose one with modern rotational protection.
Are these best enduro MTB helmets 2026 suitable for e-MTB riding?
Yes. You don’t need an “e-MTB-specific” helmet, but deeper coverage and NTA 8776 certification (as seen on the POC Kortal Race MIPS and Fox Dropframe Pro) can be reassuring if your assisted speeds and mileage are higher. The key is to pick an enduro mountain bike helmet that fits well and is comfortable enough to wear for longer e-MTB days.
How should an enduro MTB helmet fit?
A best enduro MTB helmet should sit level on your head, with the front low enough to protect your forehead and no significant rocking when you shake your head. The fit system should snug the helmet evenly around your head without hotspots, and the visor should sit out of your line of sight while still shading your eyes and working with your preferred goggles or glasses.