Helmets & Protection

Smith Pilot Mips review: premium-brand trail helmet performance for under £100

The Smith Pilot Mips is a mountain bike helmet that immediately makes sense on paper. It comes from a premium helmet and eyewear brand, weighs a claimed 370g in a medium, includes Mips rotational impact protection and costs less than £100. For newer mountain bikers, trail riders and eMTB users who want a proper off-road…
Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt review: extra confidence without going full-face

The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt is one of the more interesting MTB helmets to land recently because it does not sit neatly in the usual open-face or full-face categories. Instead, it brings back the 3/4 helmet format, giving riders more protection around the ears and jaw without the enclosed feel of a full-face lid.…
Endura MT500 Mips review: the trail helmet you forget you are wearing

The Endura MT500 Mips is not the sort of mountain bike helmet that shouts for attention once you are riding, and that is one of its biggest strengths. It has plenty going on technically, including Mips, Koroyd, deep trail coverage, an adjustable visor, eyewear storage and a clip-on mount for a light or camera, but…
Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips review: premium trail protection with deep coverage and serious airflow

The Troy Lee Designs A3 Mips is a premium open-face mountain bike helmet built for riders who want deep trail coverage without moving to a full-face lid. It sits in the serious trail, enduro and eMTB space, with Mips rotational protection, EPS and EPP impact construction, a Fidlock magnetic buckle, a 3-way adjustable visor and…
Canyon Deflectr review: odd-looking safety tech, surprisingly normal on the trail

The Canyon Deflectr is not a normal-looking mountain bike helmet once you spot the HighBar system. Instead of a conventional strap arrangement, it uses a more structured under-chin retention design that looks unusual at first and immediately makes the helmet feel different before you even ride in it. Add in Canyon’s RLS safety technology and…
Bluegrass Rogue Core Mips review: a seriously comfortable trail helmet in a crowded market

The Bluegrass Rogue Core Mips is the sort of open-face trail helmet that should make immediate sense to eMTB and mountain bike riders. It has extended coverage, Mips rotational protection, a Fidlock buckle, a proper retention system, decent goggle compatibility and enough ventilation to work hard on climbs without feeling like a sweaty plastic bucket.…
MET Shelter Mips review: an affordable trail helmet that gets the basics right

The MET Shelter Mips lands in a busy part of the helmet market. Trail riders, e-MTB riders and newer mountain bikers have more choice than ever under £100, and plenty of helmets now promise extended coverage, rotational impact protection and a cleaner trail-focused shape without wandering into premium pricing. This review of the MET Shelter…
Specialized Ambush 3 review: a premium trail helmet that finally feels fully sorted

This review of the Specialized Ambush 3 lands at an interesting moment for mountain bike helmets. Riders are asking for more than just a light shell with plenty of vents now. A modern trail helmet has to balance cooling, comfort, secure fit, good eyewear integration and a visor that actually works, all while keeping a…
Smith Mainline full-face helmet review: lightweight protection that stays breathable

Full-face helmets used to be a very specific tool: downhill days, uplift laps, and the kind of riding where you knew you’d be hitting higher speeds and taking bigger risks. For eMTB riders in the UK, that line has blurred. Modern electric mountain bikes make it easier to pack more descending into a ride, repeat…