The best enduro MTB helmets 2026 need to suit the whole ride: the climb, the descent and the protection your route demands. Extra coverage can be valuable on rough trails, but fit, ventilation and the way a helmet works with your eyewear matter just as much. This guide brings together conventional open-face helmets, more enclosed three-quarter designs and a convertible option, with the differences made clear.
The Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips remains our overall pick for its balance of fit, coverage and everyday trail usability. The other nine options cover different priorities, from lower-priced three-quarter protection to a removable chin bar. Prices refer to the listed colour and size; check that the available fit is right for you before choosing an offer.
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Best enduro MTB helmets 2026: the shortlist
Overall winner: Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips — £99.99 (RRP £220)
Giro Tyrant Mips — £109.99 (RRP £164.99)
Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips — £136.99 (RRP £179)
Bell 3QTR-Air Mips — £159.99 (RRP £204.99)
Specialized Ambush 3 — £169
POC Kortal Race Mips — £169.99 (RRP £250)
Smith Forefront 3 MIPS — £174.99 (RRP £250)
Fox Dropframe Pro Flow Mips — £185 (RRP £260)
Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt — £215.99 (RRP £239.99)
Leatt Enduro 3.0 — £224.10 (RRP £249)
The best enduro MTB helmets in detail
Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips
Best overall · Best Trail Helmet
£99.99 (RRP £220)
The Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips is our overall winner in this best enduro MTB helmets 2026 guide because it feels like the right helmet for the largest number of aggressive trail riders. Electric MTB UK has ridden it, and the thing that stands out is not one headline technology but how well the whole package works once the trail gets faster.
The shell sits deep around the back and sides of the head without dropping into 3/4 territory. That keeps the A3 familiar on long rides while giving more reassurance than a lighter trail helmet. Sixteen vents and internal channeling move enough air that the extra coverage does not become oppressive on climbs, and the padded fit feels secure when the bike starts moving underneath you.
Troy Lee Designs uses a co-moulded EPP/EPS construction with Mips B-Series, a Fidlock magnetic buckle and a three-position Magnajust visor. The visor lifts high enough to store goggles, which matters if you switch between glasses on climbs and goggles for descents. The Sweat Glide brow pad can divide opinion and the A3 is more substantial than an ultra-light trail lid, but those are small compromises for the level of coverage and comfort.
Current UK discounts make the recommendation even easier. Some colourways are around £100, although prices vary considerably by size and graphic. Buy the A3 because the fit and coverage suit enduro riding; treat the sale price as a bonus.
Pros
Premium all-round enduro helmet
Very strong blend of comfort, coverage and fit
Excellent choice for long, aggressive trail rides
Cons
More substantial than a minimalist trail helmet
Discounted colour and size availability varies
Specifications
Type: High-coverage open-face
Construction: EPP/EPS with Mips B-Series
Ventilation: 16 vents
Closure: Fidlock magnetic buckle
Visor: Three-position Magnajust
Price example: Uno Water, XL/XXL (60–63cm)
Giro Tyrant Mips
Lower-priced three-quarter coverage
£109.99 (RRP £164.99)
The Giro Tyrant gives riders who prefer a compact, skate-influenced shape another route into three-quarter coverage. Its shell wraps around the ears while leaving the face open, and the Roc Loc Air DH retention system helps keep the fit stable when the trail gets rough. It suits technical woodland riding and sessions where extended coverage matters more than the lightest possible lid.
Mips Spherical uses two foam layers that can move relative to one another, with EPS and EPP serving different roles in the construction. Brow and cheek-pad ventilation help move air around goggles and the lower shell. The extra material around your ears is a compromise on a hot climb, and the Tyrant still provides no chin bar.
Pros
Spherical construction with EPS and EPP layers
Adjustable Roc Loc Air DH retention
Goggle-friendly visor adjustment
Cons
More enclosed than a conventional trail helmet
No chin-bar protection
Specifications
Type: Three-quarter open-face
Impact system: Mips Spherical
Retention: Roc Loc Air DH
Visor: Tool-free adjustable
Price example: Matte Black, L (59–63cm)
Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips
Adjustable fit and trail ventilation
£136.99 (RRP £179)
The Sweet Protection Trailblazer Mips is a conventional open-face option for riders who want coverage without moving into an ear-enclosing shell. Its four-piece construction is paired with 16 vents and the STACC ventilation system, making it a useful alternative for long rides that mix demanding descents with sustained climbing. The black finish keeps the styling restrained.
The 360 Occigrip system adjusts both height and width, while two included comfort-pad thicknesses offer another way to tune the fit. A three-position visor provides room to adjust your sightline and eyewear arrangement. Among the best enduro MTB helmets, this is a sensible choice when an adjustable fit matters more than extra lower-face coverage.
Pros
Height and width adjustment
Two comfort-pad thicknesses supplied
16 vents with STACC ventilation
Cons
No ear or chin coverage
Try the shell shape before committing
Specifications
Type: Open-face trail/enduro
Impact system: Mips
Shell: Four-piece variable construction
Fit: 360 Occigrip
Visor: Three positions
Price example: Matte Black, M/L (56–59cm)
Bell 3QTR-Air Mips
Extended ear and upper-neck coverage
£159.99 (RRP £204.99)
The Bell 3QTR-Air Mips sits firmly in the growing 3/4 category rather than the conventional half-shell group. Its shell extends around the upper neck and jaw, giving a noticeably more enclosed feel without adding a chin bar. Bell builds it around Advanced Mips Evolve, dual-density EPS and Dual Flow Ventilation, then adds the sort of details riders actually notice: a Fidlock buckle, two-position Flying Bridge visor, removable antimicrobial liner and a breakaway mount for a light or action camera. It is also certified to NTA 8776 as well as EN 1078.
The claimed weight is 650g in medium, so this is a substantial helmet compared with a conventional open-face. Choose it when the extra coverage suits your routes, and check how the lower shell works with your eyewear and head shape. It leaves the mouth and chin open and should not be treated as a full-face replacement.
Pros
Very distinctive high-coverage open-face concept
More jaw and upper-neck coverage than most rivals
Strong option for riders who want something between enduro and full-face
Cons
Styling and fit concept will be too specialised for some riders
Specifications
Type: High-coverage open-face MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Mips
Fit system: Adjustable retention system
Ventilation: Enduro-specific venting
Visor: Adjustable peak
Goggle compatibility: Yes
Price example: Steel Grey, M (55–57cm)
Specialized Ambush 3
Ventilation and precise fit adjustment
£169
The Ambush 3 is the option for riders who want a well-ventilated open-face helmet for the climbs as well as the descents. An internal composite AirCage supports the shell design, while the 4D Cooling system provides the airflow-focused approach. It keeps the profile more conventional than the three-quarter helmets here, so it makes sense for long mixed-terrain days.
The BOA Fit System with FS1 gives a micro-adjustable wrap around the head, and Mips Air Node Pro is integrated into the construction. The visor has four positions, with an optional VisorLock piece for riders who prefer a fixed setting. Choose the Ambush for fit and ventilation rather than expecting the ear or chin coverage of a more enclosed design.
Pros
BOA micro-adjustment with a 360-degree wrap
AirCage and 4D Cooling construction
Four-position visor
Cons
Premium price for a conventional open-face
No lower-face coverage
Specifications
Type: Open-face trail helmet
Impact system: Mips Air Node Pro
Fit: BOA FS1, 360-degree wrap
Construction: Internal composite AirCage
Visor: Four positions
Price example: Black, Medium
POC Kortal Race Mips
Best Enduro Helmet
£169.99 (RRP £250)
The POC Kortal Race Mips is still one of the category benchmarks because POC built it around enduro riding rather than simply extending the rear of a trail helmet. The shell covers deeply around the temples and occipital area, the visor is designed to break away in a crash and the vents are placed so a goggle strap does not block the airflow.
It also has the most comprehensive feature set in this guide away from pure impact construction. Mips Integra handles rotational motion, a RECCO reflector can help rescue teams locate a rider in compatible search situations, and a Twiceme NFC Medical ID can store emergency information that another rider or first responder can access with a phone.
Those extras do not make the Kortal automatically safer than every other helmet in the best enduro MTB helmets 2026; helmet fit and the actual crash still matter. What they do is make it unusually well considered for riders heading into remote natural terrain, big enduro days or trail networks where help may not be beside the car park.
POC also certifies the Kortal Race to NTA 8776. The selected orange M/L offer is £169.99, although other sizes and colours can cost differently. The shape is substantial and riders after the lightest visual profile may prefer Smith or Sweet, but the Kortal remains a properly serious enduro lid.
Pros
Excellent high-coverage enduro option
Very secure feel on rough descents
One of the clearest reference helmets in the category
Cons
Warmer than lighter, more minimal trail helmets on slower climbs
Specifications
Type: High-coverage open-face MTB helmet
Rotational protection: Mips
Fit system: Adjustable retention system
Ventilation: High-coverage venting
Visor: Adjustable peak
Goggle compatibility: Yes
Price example: Fluorescent Orange AVIP/Uranium Black Matte, M/L (55–58cm)
Smith Forefront 3 MIPS
Koroyd coverage and eyewear integration
£174.99 (RRP £250)
The Smith Forefront 3 Mips combines complete Koroyd coverage with a roll cage and an integrated Mips Air Node system. It remains an open-face helmet, but the extended rear coverage makes it relevant to riders moving between long trail loops and more technical descending. The BOA fit system provides small adjustments to keep the helmet settled without relying on overtightened straps.
Twenty vents and Smith’s AirEvac layout manage airflow, while the adjustable visor and eyewear-storage channels make it practical for riders switching between glasses and goggles. The claimed medium weight is 410g, so it is not the minimalist option. Its appeal in a best enduro MTB helmets shortlist is the combination of fit, coverage and well-considered eyewear storage.
Pros
Premium high-coverage open-face option
Strong fit for aggressive trail and light enduro riding
More confidence-inspiring than a normal trail helmet
Cons
Price puts it firmly in the serious-rider bracket
Specifications
Type: Open-face trail/enduro
Impact systems: Complete Koroyd coverage and Mips Air Node
Fit: BOA micro-adjustment
Ventilation: 20 vents with AirEvac
Visor: Three positions
Claimed weight: 410g, size M
Price example: Matte Chalk, M (55–59cm)
Fox Dropframe Pro Flow Mips
Open-face coverage around the ears
£185 (RRP £260)
The Fox Dropframe Pro Flow Mips is a three-quarter option for riders who want extended ear and rear-head coverage without a chin bar. Its shell wraps around more of the head than a conventional trail helmet, while the open face keeps the configuration straightforward. It suits repeated technical laps when a minimalist lid does not provide the coverage you want.
The Flow listing combines Mips with dual-density Varizorb EPS, a Fidlock buckle and additional fit pads. Eight intake vents and seven exhaust vents provide the airflow layout, while the removable liner helps with cleaning after sweaty rides. The extra shell remains a trade-off in heat and bulk, and this is still an open-face helmet rather than a substitute for chin protection.
Pros
Very high coverage for an open-face helmet
Strong confidence boost for rougher, faster riding
Better ventilation than older Dropframe versions
Cons
More enclosed than a conventional trail helmet
No chin-bar protection
Specifications
Type: Three-quarter open-face
Impact system: Mips and dual-density Varizorb EPS
Closure: Fidlock SNAP
Ventilation: Eight intakes and seven exhaust vents
Fit: Additional pads supplied
Price example: Black, Medium
Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt
Helmet of the Year
£215.99 (RRP £239.99)
The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt is the most distinctive recommendation here and one Electric MTB UK has already ridden. It gives more coverage around the ears, rear of the head and upper jaw than the A3, but it stays open at the face and keeps enough airflow that it does not feel like a full-face with pieces missing.
That is exactly why it works so well for eMTB riders doing repeated red and black trail-centre runs. The motor gets you back to the top quickly, so there is less reason to optimise every gram for a long unassisted climb. What matters is that the helmet remains comfortable, breathable and easy to hear through while adding a noticeable feeling of extra coverage on the way down.
Troy Lee Designs uses Mips Integra Fuse, dual-density EPS, nine intake vents, 13 exhaust vents and adjustable Dri-Lex neck rolls. Those neck rolls are important because they help the 3/4 shell sit naturally around the lower rear of the head. A Fidlock buckle and three-position goggle-compatible visor complete a very polished package.
The Stage Stunt is not our overall best enduro MTB helmets 2026 winner because it is more specialist than the A3. It also cannot replace a proper full-face when chin-bar protection is appropriate. For riders who understand that middle ground and want more reassurance without the heat and isolation of a full-face, it is one of the best helmets of its type.
Pros
Electric MTB UK tested with excellent comfort and usable hearing
Extra ear, rear-head and upper-jaw coverage without a chin bar
Mips Integra Fuse, Fidlock and excellent goggle integration
Strong ventilation for a 3/4 design
Cons
More specialist than a normal enduro half-shell
Still does not provide chin-bar protection like a full-face
Specifications
Type: 3/4 open-face trail, enduro and eMTB helmet
Rotational protection: Mips Integra Fuse
Fit system: Adjustable Dri-Lex neck rolls with three vertical positions
Ventilation: 9 intake vents and 13 exhaust vents
Visor: Three-position adjustable visor
Goggle compatibility: Yes; goggle and sunglasses stowage
Price example: Black, M/L (57–59cm)
Leatt Enduro 3.0
Best Convertible Helmet
£224.10 (RRP £249)
The Leatt Enduro 3.0 retains Electric MTB UK’s Best Convertible Helmet award and brings a different approach to this shortlist. Its removable chin bar lets you change the configuration for the ride, rather than committing to either an open-face or a fixed full-face design. That is useful when a long climb leads to a descent where you want the additional coverage.
Leatt uses 360° Turbine Technology, and lists weights from 690g with the chin bar and 360g without it. Those are manufacturer figures rather than measured weights for every size. Check the correct attachment procedure and the helmet’s certification against any event requirements; removable parts add versatility, but also need careful fitting and inspection.
Pros
Removable chin bar
360-degree Turbine Technology
Existing Electric MTB UK convertible award winner
Cons
More parts to inspect and fit correctly
Selected lower-price offer has limited size choice
Specifications
Type: Convertible MTB helmet
Impact system: 360° Turbine Technology
Claimed weight: From 690g with chin bar; from 360g without
Price example: Stealth, S (51–55cm)
Choosing the right enduro helmet
Start with the routes you ride most often. A conventional open-face helmet is practical for long rides with substantial climbing, while three-quarter designs add coverage around the ears and rear of the head. That extra shell can feel reassuring, but it does not provide the chin-bar coverage of a full-face helmet.
Fit comes before the feature list. A helmet should sit level, remain stable when you move your head and feel secure without pressure points or an overtightened retention dial. Try it with the glasses or goggles you actually ride in, and check that the straps and visor do not interfere with them.
Our Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips review explains why it remains such a useful all-round choice. For the more enclosed alternative, read our Stage Stunt review, which covers its specialist role in repeated technical trail riding.
What happened to the Endura MT500 Mips?
The Endura MT500 Mips retains its Electric MTB UK Best eMTB Helmet award. UK stock has become difficult to find, with the previous offers out of stock or discontinued. Our Endura MT500 Mips review remains useful if you already own one or find the exact model in your size; its award has not been transferred to another helmet.
Best enduro MTB helmets: questions answered
Which is the best enduro MTB helmet for most riders?
The A3 Mips remains our overall recommendation for riders who want a high-coverage open-face helmet for varied trail use. Its fit still needs to suit your head, and riders who need chin protection should choose an appropriate full-face or convertible helmet instead.
Is a three-quarter helmet a full-face helmet?
No. A three-quarter helmet extends coverage around the ears and lower rear of the head while leaving the chin exposed. Choose it for the coverage it actually provides, rather than assuming that a more enclosed shape makes it equivalent to a full-face.
Do eMTB riders need a different helmet?
Choose for your terrain, speed and riding style rather than motor assistance alone. Repeated technical descents can make extra coverage useful, while long mixed rides may place more emphasis on fit and ventilation. Check any specific event or bike-park helmet requirements before travelling.
Does Mips make one helmet automatically better than another?
Mips is one part of a helmet’s design, not a replacement for correct fit or a guarantee against injury. Shell coverage, construction, retention and recognised certification all matter. Different technologies should be assessed as part of the complete helmet rather than treated as a simple ranking.
When should an enduro helmet be replaced?
Follow the manufacturer’s replacement and inspection guidance. Replace a helmet after an impact when directed, even if the outside looks intact, and inspect the shell, foam, straps and retention system regularly. Avoid unknown second-hand crash histories.
Should I buy the cheapest available size?
Only if it is the correct fit. The prices in this guide are examples for particular sizes and colours, so a bargain in another size is not a useful saving. Measure your head, use the manufacturer’s chart and check the fit before riding.
Verdict: which enduro helmet should you buy?
For most riders comparing the best enduro MTB helmets 2026, the Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips is the sensible starting point. It offers a familiar open-face shape with the coverage and practical details needed for demanding trail riding. The right fit remains more important than its position at the top of the list.
Choose a three-quarter model such as the Giro Tyrant, Bell 3QTR-Air, Fox Dropframe or Stage Stunt when the added ear and rear-head coverage suits your rides. The Ambush 3, Trailblazer, Kortal and Forefront offer different takes on the conventional open-face helmet, while the Leatt Enduro 3.0 adds a removable chin bar. Match the helmet to the descent, then choose the fit you can comfortably wear for the entire day.