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.

That makes this review of the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt especially relevant for eMTB riders. Electric mountain bikes often encourage bigger days out, repeated descents and faster average trail speeds, but not everyone wants to wear a full-face helmet for normal trail riding. The Stage Stunt tries to sit in that middle ground: more reassuring than a standard open-face helmet, but lighter, cooler and easier to live with than a full-face.

After riding with it, the strongest impression was comfort. The Stage Stunt felt super comfortable, breathable and reassuring on the trail. It gave that extra sense of protection around the ears and jaw, but without making hearing feel compromised or the helmet feel heavy and restrictive. It also looks properly Troy Lee Designs, which will matter to riders who want kit that feels as good as it performs.

Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt

Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt: Review

Comfort and fit

The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt feels much more comfortable than its shape might suggest. A 3/4 helmet can easily look like it should feel bulky or awkward, but that was not the case here. Once fitted, it sat securely and felt natural on the trail.

The extra coverage around the ears and jaw gives the helmet a more protective feel than a normal open-face trail lid, but it does not feel like wearing a full-face helmet. That distinction is important. You get more reassurance when the trail gets faster or rougher, but without the enclosed feeling that can put riders off full-face helmets on normal rides.

The adjustable neck rolls are a key part of the fit. They let the helmet settle around the lower rear of the head and jawline more naturally, which helps stop the extra coverage feeling clumsy. It is still a different fit experience from a standard open-face helmet, so riders should take time to set it up properly, but once dialled in it feels impressively easy to live with.

For eMTB riding, that comfort matters. A helmet like this only makes sense if you are willing to wear it for proper rides, not just short bike-park laps. The Stage Stunt clears that hurdle.

Ventilation and trail use

Ventilation was one of the best parts of the helmet. With 9 intake vents and 13 exhaust vents, the Stage Stunt feels breathable for something with this much coverage. It is not as open as a minimalist trail helmet, but it avoids the stuffy, boxed-in feel that some more protective helmets can have.

That makes it well suited to UK eMTB riding. On climbs, it lets enough air through to stop the extra coverage becoming a distraction. On descents, it gives a reassuring feel without making you feel isolated from the trail. It is the kind of helmet that suits riders who want more protection for trail centres, natural woodland riding and faster eMTB routes, but who do not want to jump straight to a full-face.

Hearing is also good. That matters more than some riders realise. Being able to hear trail noise, other riders, freehub sound, tyres on the ground and people around you helps you feel connected to the ride. The Stage Stunt gives extra coverage without making the trail feel muted.

Protection and confidence

The real appeal of the Stage Stunt is confidence. It does not try to be a downhill full-face helmet, but it gives more protection around vulnerable areas than a standard open-face helmet. That extra coverage around the ears and jaw is noticeable in a good way.

For riders who have been caught between helmet categories, this makes a lot of sense. A normal open-face helmet can feel too minimal for harder riding, especially on an eMTB where the bike’s weight and speed can make descents feel more committed. A full-face helmet can feel excessive for normal trail riding. The Stage Stunt sits neatly between the two.

The Mips Integra Fuse system adds the rotational impact protection riders now expect from a premium MTB helmet, while the dual-density EPS liner and polycarbonate shell give it a serious safety-led construction. No helmet removes risk from mountain biking, and this should not be treated as a full-face substitute, but it does offer a useful step up in reassurance for riders who want more coverage without closing off the whole face.

Design and usability

The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt looks brilliant. That is subjective, but it matters with a helmet this distinctive. It has a strong retro 3/4 influence, but it does not look like a novelty throwback. It looks purposeful, modern and very Troy Lee Designs.

The Fidlock buckle is another strong detail. It is easy to use with gloves, simple to fasten and less fiddly than a traditional buckle when your hands are cold or muddy. On a helmet designed for trail and eMTB use, that kind of everyday usability matters.

The adjustable visor also works well, and the goggle and sunglasses stowage makes sense for riders who switch between eyewear setups. This is not just an odd-looking open-face helmet with extra shell coverage. It has been built properly around the way trail riders actually use their kit.

What is not so good?

The main limitation is that the Stage Stunt is a specialist helmet. It offers more coverage than a normal open-face helmet, but that also means it is not as simple, minimal or familiar as a regular trail lid. Riders who only ride gentle routes may not need the extra ear and jaw coverage.

The second point is protection category. The Stage Stunt adds reassurance, but it is still not a full-face helmet. If you want proper chin protection for bike-park days, downhill tracks or high-risk enduro riding, a full-face helmet is still the better choice.

Those are not major criticisms, but they are important buying-context points. The Stage Stunt is excellent if you want this middle ground. It is less necessary if you already know you either want a normal open-face or a proper full-face.

Final verdict

The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt is a seriously impressive 3/4 MTB and eMTB helmet. It is super comfortable, breathable, good to hear through and gives a noticeable boost in confidence thanks to the extra coverage around the ears and jaw.

Its biggest strength is that it does not feel as awkward as it looks on paper. Once riding, it feels natural, secure and easy to live with. The Fidlock buckle, adjustable visor, Mips Integra Fuse protection and goggle storage all add to the premium feel.

It will not replace a full-face helmet for riders who need chin-bar protection, and it is more specialist than a standard trail lid. But for eMTB riders who want extra reassurance without the full-face commitment, the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt makes a very strong case for itself.

Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt – competition

FAQs

Is the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt a full-face helmet?

No. The Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt is a 3/4 open-face helmet. It gives more protection around the ears and jaw than a normal trail helmet, but it does not have a chin bar like a full-face helmet.

Is the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt good for eMTB riding?

Yes. The Stage Stunt is well suited to eMTB riding because it gives extra coverage, good ventilation, Mips Integra Fuse protection and a secure fit without feeling as restrictive as a full-face helmet.

Can you hear properly in the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt?

Yes. Hearing remains good in the Stage Stunt. The extra ear coverage does not make the trail feel overly muted, which helps it feel natural when riding with other people or listening for trail noise.

Is the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt breathable?

Yes. The Stage Stunt has 9 intake vents and 13 exhaust vents, and it feels breathable for a helmet with this much coverage. It is not as open as a minimal trail lid, but airflow is strong.

Who should buy the Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt?

The Stage Stunt is best for riders who want more protection than a standard open-face helmet but do not want to wear a full-face helmet on normal trail rides. It makes particular sense for eMTB riders, enduro-style trail riding and riders who like extra reassurance around the ears and jaw.