Thanks for the video. I wish I'd heard someone make this argument for FF on trails before August 24, 2019. I crashed and broke my jaw and hand that day, on a very tight but tame trail (hard pedal strike on a hidden root) never dreamed of sailing over the bars that fast. Two surgeries to add some nice titanium hardware to my mandible, lots of smoothies and soups for weeks, and many other slow steps to get back to sort-of-normal. Just riding road and gravel now. When the trails dry out here in the PNW, I will be donning a full-face helmet (maybe this IXS trigger ff) for my usual blue and black trails.
Holy crap man! Sorry to hear that but glad you're back riding. Careful on that roadie. Had an acquaintance recently get hit by a car. He's ok thank God but still... PNW, there's a place I want to visit and ride. Yeah man. Armor up and go send it!
We already do. Full face all the time, knee and shin guards all the time, elbow guards all the time. I have two kids that ride with me all the time. I’ve seen them fall flat on their face in a crash. With the guards, gloves, and full face they just get up, dust off and keep riding.
@@OurMTBJourney Think about spine protectors too. Smashing into a tree with your back first does not need a whole lot of force to send you permanently into a wheelchair.
@@flatcoastmtb9739 Those are the type of riders who throws plastic wrappers on the trail and overtakes on the road like they own the highway. Typical D bags
A couple of days ago I had a front wheel wash out on a tame xc trail. Hit the hard dirt face first. The chin bar of my £250 Bell FF helmet split, cutting and bruising my chin, such was the force of the impact. I shudder to think what would have happened had I only been wearing a half shell. I'll never ride without a FF after that. Great video man, people need to stop caring about what others think and put their own safety first.
It’s dusty here in Vancouver I just washed out and slammed into a tree falling down everything was ok but was on a easier trail than I normally do it happens anytime
Coming from a dirt bike background, I think people wearing half shells look dumb. It just does not look like it would do anything in a crash. I always wear a full face
I like this guy, very straight-forward advice. Maybe not your typical hippie mountain biker, but still, a great perspective. Thanks for the advice on helmets!
As a suicidal young man tryna get out of that mindset with mountian biking, this video Definitely helped me as well with choice on full face. Im looking into the troy lee stage.
Personally, I think the full face helmets look way cooler than standard bicycle half helmets. If you're going over 20 mph on single track, 30 on gravel, or 40 on paved (as is case with custom e bikes now) go with a full helmet.
Switched from half shell to TLD Stage last year after a face plant into a rock. Will never go back. No excuse not to switch other than the look. Added bonus - keeps the sun off my face and ears.
Great insight. I will get a lightweight Fullface helmet. Even though i ride mostly on road and few MTB rides . Last year a friend of mine smacked her face on the pavement while riding 15-20 km/h . Two teeths gone and had problems with eating for 3-4 months . Its for your safety do what you feels safe
Agreed! I've had nature reach out and grab me plenty of times dirt biking single track at all kinds of speeds. Starting to get back into mtn biking after a decade and wearing a half dome make me feel super vulnerable. Added to that I run clipless, all it takes is one squirrelly root + one convenient rock to knock your molars out. Besides fashion is a young(er) person's game. I'ld rather not have the downtime.
Sub’d because you make a great case for safety.. Agree on the enduro style full face transition. My son and I went to Snow Summit bike park on Sunday, about 2.5 hours from our home.. After spending the day there using our 1/2 helmets my son and I went out and purchased FF enduro helmets from FOX and TLD.. The added safety makes too much sense.. At 53, I’m not worried about anyone making fun of any safety gear I use to protect myself.. Back in my ATV/off-road days my THOR full face MX helmet did double duty when riding/racing DH in Hawaii and the PNW.
Full face all the time for me, its a little bit hot like you said, but when you crash, and you will eventually, we all do, you won't regret it. Went over my bars just a few days ago, all I ended up with was a sore shoulder. If I didn't have pads and a full face, I would have been much worse
Thanks for a super-good video on a controversial topic. I’m with you, changing over to full-face for every trail. Thanks for making this and sharing your thoughts. You discussed many points that encourage me to never look back. Good luck to you, Sir!
Only reasons full face suck are weight and heat.Why not wear the light breathable full face all the time? I mean I like riding and eating solid food lol. If people don’t like it that’s fine they don’t have to....Full face gets my vote!
How are the light weight and breathable ones I’m using a giro disciple it’s so hot but I have had alot of concussions so i only use good helmets. It’s nice riding again after 7 years off I might not be at the same level i was but still fun
Great video! I don't care what people think. They aren't paying my medical bills! They aren't the ones going to be in pain with a broken jaw. INCOMING RANT: You know what angers me more, those lazy folks who don't even have a sport that do nothing but watch TV and facebook, but got the nerve to critique me on my safety gear decisions! These folks never went mountaim biking, never went downhill skiing in the big mountains out west, never rode speed bikes, never rode electric skateboards at 30MPH, but yet have the audacity to tease me about wearing a full face helmet. I'm sorry, go sit back down and eat your French Fries watching RUclips and seeing others truly living their life! These lazy idiots will NEVER know how it feels like to feel adrenaline pumping through your body (sorry bud, video games don't count)
Medical bills doesn’t msp cover that unless you are 🇺🇸 i guess i have just lost money not working because injuries 2 broken arms,3 torn shoulders,broken ribs,over 10 concussions,temporary nerve damage ext
Decided to get a full face helmet because I'm fairly new to mountain biking and I like going fast despite my inexperience. I figured I would want one eventually anyway, why not get one now and avoid a potential serious injury. Plus I think it looks cool lol
I raced motorcycles off-road in my forties now am in my early sixties and getting into mountain biking, half shell isn’t an option on motorcycles believe me. Getting a full face for MTB so I can feel safer as I learn. BTW, MTB is much more difficult to learn when you realize your lungs are needed much much more! Great video, thx!
the algorithms must have put this video in my feed because it knows I just bought the IXS Trigger FF. Love it... It's now the helmet I use for everything. And your point that sometimes the worst injuries happen on the "easy" trails is absolutely true. Most of my injuries have happened when I'm "screwing around" on an "easy" trail. So I have adopted a new personal policy that I will take the time to put on ALL my pads / protective gear before EVERY ride... even if I think it's gonna be a short / easy ride.
Thanks for your video. I've decided to give the full face, yet convertible Bell Air R a try. Even though I just trail ride, there are some features like stairs, a few jumps, and ramps I am doing every ride now, where I feel a full faced helmet would be beneficial. At this point in my life, broken teeth, or a busted lip is not an option.
Thank you this video has been the extremely helpful to making a final decision. The best video on the topic of full face or half face helmets. Thank you!!
Bought a Bell Super Air R recently for roughly 300$ and it has been the best purchase, (helmet wise), I have made for mountain biking thus far! Perfect ventilation with similar security.
Great vid. My tire dislodged from my forks and I ate pavement at 25mph. Knocked out cold and teeth through my lips. Honestly scared sh*tless of it happening again. Why don't more people use full face on the street? What do you think?
That sounds horrible! I suppose a full face on the street just isn't the norm or "fashionable". The regular half shell helmet is just what people go to. Still better than nothing in the event of a crash. With your specific accident, I'm sure you weren't expecting that to happen to your bike...ouch
I ride around 20MPH-30MPH on my electric skateboard and just purchased a full face helmet. Frankly, I don't care what the general public or most of my family think. I'll be damned if I can't save my jaw
@@JT-xf9sw yeah man I'm getting an electronic unicycle and a full face helmet because I only get one jaw and I've invested a lot in my head so have fun but wear protection!
Saw like hundreds of crashes on trails... I remember exactly three guys, falling really bad on their faces... So on light trails I don't wear full face. When I want to ride on new trails or tricky trails I take my full face. When you are only downhilling, just full face. When you have an e bike and also want to enjoy some other trails or uphills you don't need an fullface helmet. Also hikers are kind of afraid from badass downhillers with fullface. Just my experience.
Thank you for this video. I nailed my face last week on a ride which was supposed to be just basic trail ride. My hesitation was the air flow and visibility. This is a great comparison of a very durable downhill helmet to a helmet that seems great for everyday riding. I only have one face, time to better protect it! Never know what's going to happen on those rides
This is a great video thank you. I'm getting back into the sport but coming from BMX racing I feel more comfortable in a full race, recently took a spill with my cheapo trail helmet reminding me I need protection. With the bigger jumps I'm hitting now I'm going lightweight full face!
I think full face helmets look better than the half shells, and I don't think you can overdo it on protection either, regardless of what skill level you have. Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" Even when there is nothing difficult in front of, maybe you even cruise along a bike lane in your city, but one mistake, one trip, or one factor outside your own personal doing and you could kiss concrete and smash your jaw. Not too long ago I saw a video of a guy doing some simple light jumps, he fucked up, and landed face first in a protruding rock in the ground. Luckily the guy did wear a full face helmet, and the chin guard protected him from a pretty gruesome outcome (he really smashed into it). I think if we can get well ventilated helmets like this or the Endura MT500 Full Face (which I currently consider), then we probably should wear them over a half shell.
My friend lost 2 teeth on a simple trail, with just a couple of berms, nothing crazy whatsoever. Since then he has used a full face helmet, and so have I. There are tons of well ventilated full face options out there. I use a Bell Adults Servo helmet. It's lightweight and ventilated. I don't think you can find them anywhere but Academy or Walmart, but it's pretty much a Bell Sanction, which is another good budget choice. I am currently saving for a Fox Racing MTB helmet.
Thank you so much for the advice! I have been progressing my riding a lot lately, and was wondering about whether or not to consider a FF. That also looks like a really cool helmet I might consider purchasing.
I always ware full face even in heat of summer. There is no thing as overkill with a helmet. Dress for the crash not for the ride. Also how do you like the IXS helmet. I have a fox pro frame I’m selling and it’s now between the IXS trigger and TLD stage. I was leaning towards the IXS because of the rear adjuster but the Troy lee has more pads to fine tune fit.
I really like it. One thing having had it for a while now is that the pads saturate with sweat quickly and therefore drip a lot into my goggles and face. Aside from that, it is very comfortable and light feeling.
I bought the Troy lee stage but had to return it did not fit right. I sold my fox pro frame but bought a new fox pro frame. Only reason I did not get the IXS is it did not have MIPS.
@@BH-cy9tb how do you like your proframe? I bought a size L wich was slightly too big for me and i didnt trust it. So i had to sell it. Now i only have my openface in which i smashed my nose. Id like something with mips too so ill probably get the proframe as well.
Andrei I first bought the TLD stage but returned it because it did not fit me right. But it was very light. I bought another Fox Pro frame in size large. I love it. Like I said not matter what temperature is full face all the time.
Guess i will go full face helmet even on flat road because half face helmets just wont save your face that much and accidents never choose a type of trail or road. I even think its more dangerous on the road with all the speedy and reckless drivers around you'll at least wamt to keep your head intact in case
Had my jaw slightly chirurgicaly moved to complete my orthodontic treatment (braces) so I had to eat with a syringe for 2-3 weeks and then eat only soft things like well mashed potatoes. Needless to say it sucked and I even flipped at my sister who was helping me due to how restrained I felt. But at least I knew what I was going into beforehand and could prepare for it. Can't imagine falling and having my summer ruined just because I look less weird with a 1/2 helmet. I rollerblade and bike with my full face now.
I wear the IXS Trigger FF on trails and the bike park. Janky aggressive NJ trails, Mountain Creek. It’s fine in the summer. No excuses, just get one. I broke one at MC last year. At least I could eat while all the other bones and joints healed. Also broken a MET Parachute at MC. The Trigger is always the right choice
Thanks for making the video. I recently smashed my face up pretty good in a high speed crash while trail riding. I think I’m leaning towards that ixs now, since I don’t want to go through that again now that I’ve healed up.
I just ordered the IXS trigger ff mips for the reasons you described. I want to start doing more jumps and drops and don’t want my comfort to deter me from wearing safety gear. I figure the IXS is the perfect helmet for a trail full face without the DH heavy hot issues. There’s some much more advanced trails with doubles and gaps I’d like to start riding but this will give me little more confidence
I bought and returned lots of the new modern Enduro full face helmets. I kept the IXS Trigger FF despite not having Mips because it has the thickest and strongest jaw. The jaw is substantially stronger than Bell Super DH, Fox ProFrame or TLD Stage.
@@pjsanab MIPS is all about protecting from certain angle of hits, though, right? So a hit at an angle is the main culprit of the damage MIPS is seeking to reduce. Was the hit you took the type of hit MIPS was designed for?
I just got into mountain biking in April of '22. I started with a half shell but found myself craving more speed and intense riding so I decided to get a full face. I bought a Bell Super Air R and that thing breathes and weighs about the same as my half shell, and it's very comfortable. It's not rated for downhill but it is rated for enduro and trail. I just wear it everywhere I ride now as I never intend or plan to crash but I'll have some sort of face protection if/when it does happen. If I get into downhill riding then I'll buy one specifically for that but I do a lot of climbs right now so my Bell gives me the ventilation I need.
i wiped out over handlebars last week in a trail in florida. superglue and steristrips later at urgent care with black eye and sore face for week. i wish i had bought a full face helmet. i am buying one now. face plant hurts...
Full face looks awesome. Like motocross. If anything, people would pick on you for a half helmet that offers no protection and only sits at the very top of your head.
@@PedalingDave agreed! it can be so disappointing when you upload a video that you think will blow up only to get less than 100 views, then you have one that out of no where gains traction. I have almost given up so many times but i am on a mission!
Last weekend I was riding with a group of very fast guys with enduro rigs, in the Swiss Alps, descending over stones at warp speed while wearing a normal helmet and this in a XC bike. Everything went OK but in my way back home, I was thinking about what just happened and risks. Now I’m waiting for my IXS full face to be delivered… Is plain and simple, if I continue to ride like this, a FF is mandatory.
@@PedalingDave its heaven on earth… so much that after loosing brake power 3 times (Maguras MT8s on 180mm) and I’m featherweight at 59Kg, I ordered today MT7 and 203mm rotors to extend the fun. Starting this weekend 🤩
I have exactly same 3 types of helmets. 100% status for DH and park, Fox Proframe for regular enduro rides on my local trails, Specialezed regular 40€ open helmet when commuting or riding with my kids.
3 года назад
What about for climbing? I'm one of those sick guys who enjoys uphills just as much as going down, often for a whole day up in the mountains. So far i've been wearing an XC helmet which is obviously very well ventilated, never had an issue with cooking my head in the summer heats (30°C/86F or even above), but i know that's too little protection for some of the faster, rockier downhills i ride. Athough i never push too hard, i've been riding alone for 20 years and learned to be responsible for myself, better be too cautious than in trouble. Never had a crash on my bike that led to injury, mostly just falling over in the most awkward easy situations :D So for my riding style it would be silly to wear a fullface, yet i know very well that i have to fall only once to wish i had a fullface. We wear helmets for protection, after all. I'm thinking between the Fox Speedframe and the Fox Proframe. (One half shell and one fullface). Do you think i could survive long climbs in that fullface, or that's more for the open face design? Maybe i should buy both and decide what to wear depending on the ride... Still cheaper than liquid food. I know there are some convertible designs, but i'm not fully convinced on them. What is your experience?
Good question. I'd side with having both helmets and either selecting based on the trail, OR based on how sketchy I felt on a given day. I've never used a convertible helmet but they would be a solid option IMO
I train rock trails up and down to get ready for Thunder Man in MA with their DH rock trails. I end up and begin training on easier trails, so I' m trying out a removable chin guard for that part of the trail. But full face all day long at Thunder Man. DH. The sport is expensive no doubt, but med bills cost much more...and I'm too pretty to mess up my face. At least my wife thinks so. LOL
I've been trail riding with a half shell for about 6 years. I've had some serious wrecks over the years and feel like a full face would be a good investment. I just picked up an IXS FF w/ MIPS for 2022. Thanks for the great video.
I made the switch..atleast up to mid 80s Best 3 vented choices are Trigger IXS kali invader 2.0( suppossivly motorcycle chinbar crash tested) Dainese LINEA 01 which is the new lightest full face under 600 grams with 30 vent) I chose this one due to DH rated and MIPS
@@PedalingDave I put the most interesting to me in a list kit.co/mtbboy1993/helmet-consideration-2019 But not so sure about some of them. just a initial list.
Even just riding around roads and down step hills probably good idea also , cars are bloody dangerous . Almost been killed so many times . Esp if it's raining . Yeah it would get super hot after a while no doubt , just carry a bladder rofl . Have it poked up into your helmet like a v8 super car driver on long rides . I use to ride to work miles every day , down these massive roads . Lucky I never came off on the hills , was so scary on the way to work each day and going home . A full face would of made me feel so much more safe I think . One time I was going down this hill and it had ice on it , I didn't even know it had ice till I got half way down the hill . When I had to slow down for the corners I had to drift left and right just to stay on . And I was going so fast at the round about and this car pulls out on me and doesn't give way and I'm still sliding and I had to drift around the front of their car rofl . I thought I was going to die .
since i crashed that cause me some stitches on my mouth and a numb teeth until now, i just decided to F it and bought a motorcycle helmet that could look like a dh helmet.. it is crap for motorcycle use but overkill on a bike and im not even doing trails.. i use my hard tail bike with a rigid fork on commute and spirited rides..
I've not long bought the Bell Super DH and wore it around a trail centre today, climbs followed by descends to make a loop. I kept the chin strap on the whole ride and no issues at all really. My only other previous FF was a 661 Comp and that was like sticking your head in an oven
I crashed hard on a 10 footer, and got stitches inside my mouth, I got a detachable chin-bar Full face, It works well, and feels like a heavy duty Full-face.
Guess why I am seeing this video? yes, you are right, a few days ago a loss a teeth and got problems on other tooth, and other problems on my mouth and face, because I was doing MTB at a slow speed but without the left hand on the grip and suddenly I did break by instinct because of a thing in front of me. I now have a trauma, in some way I strong wish to ride again but I am also afraid. I ride on roads / gravel and MTB. I also ride an electric small scooter. I am planning to start using a similar helmet and maybe if I like it, I may not be back a again to the open face helmets. Thanks for the video!!
If you're thinking about it... get one. If you mountain bike out there alone, get one. Suck it up, save some moolah and get one. If your trails climb incessantly to the top and it's downhill home, definitely consider a convertible. I just threw down for one and so far it's dreamy. You'll know damn well it's a good idea the next time going silly fast in the doodoo. Tailor it to you, find the right one. Ask yourself if you're worth it... the answer is clearly YES.
I am wondering how safe that magnetic buckle is, compared to double d ring buckle, and I love the double d ring buckle cus it's safe and does not go out of adjustment.
That's a good question and one I'm not sure about myself. I kinda lean toward the magnetic being just fine, especially compared to the click lock style of regular half shell helmets. That said the d ring will always be more secure. Thanks for watching!
@@PedalingDave I hated using half face helmets, double d ring is reason alone for fullface, so annoying having to tighten the strap, I see many kids riding have same issues, they say they come out of adjustment often, so I tell them about the double d ring buckle and show them how it works. I won't go back to click buckles that's for sure, but the magnetic buckle don't have anything securing the strap from slipping. but the double d ring buckle is the strap adjustment securing device.
@@CharlieHarper-d4x I’m making fun of gmbn. In their tips for beginners video they said something along the lines of “nothing says you don’t know what you’re doing more than wearing way to many pads/a full face helmet for Xc trails”. I’m like who cares? Wear what makes you comfortable
i'm getting a fatfullsix and getting back to bikes after a lot of years of and i choose to buy a TLD stage because you can even be on foot and fall and brake you jaw, of course the type of ride you have will augment the chance of you getting of your bike but in reality even of a smooth road you could fall and in that case is a dice of luck you will lunch to not brake your face. The TLD stage is light too and not very hot and i prefer getting it and be safe with my face than paying medical bill and time because i wasn't wearing it. I have a friend which is emergency doctor and more than often she have people with half helmet who arrive with face injuries that wasn't even going more than 15km/h. who care what people think or say, they don't have to live with your body when it's damaged !
With the latest trail helmets being so lite, would you consider one for the majority of you rides? Or do you already?
Thanks for the video. I wish I'd heard someone make this argument for FF on trails before August 24, 2019. I crashed and broke my jaw and hand that day, on a very tight but tame trail (hard pedal strike on a hidden root) never dreamed of sailing over the bars that fast. Two surgeries to add some nice titanium hardware to my mandible, lots of smoothies and soups for weeks, and many other slow steps to get back to sort-of-normal. Just riding road and gravel now. When the trails dry out here in the PNW, I will be donning a full-face helmet (maybe this IXS trigger ff) for my usual blue and black trails.
Holy crap man! Sorry to hear that but glad you're back riding.
Careful on that roadie. Had an acquaintance recently get hit by a car. He's ok thank God but still...
PNW, there's a place I want to visit and ride.
Yeah man. Armor up and go send it!
I'm not even from USA, but I've been to PNW three times in twelve months. Kudos to me ! Get thee to Winthrop WA. Trails are amazing, Summer or Winter.
We already do. Full face all the time, knee and shin guards all the time, elbow guards all the time. I have two kids that ride with me all the time. I’ve seen them fall flat on their face in a crash. With the guards, gloves, and full face they just get up, dust off and keep riding.
@@OurMTBJourney Think about spine protectors too. Smashing into a tree with your back first does not need a whole lot of force to send you permanently into a wheelchair.
If people are making fun of you because of the " over protection" you choose, You're riding with the wrong people! Great video!
Or they are just poking a little fun at you. Don’t take it personally.
@@misaelhallett9213 For sure I agree. But, I'm certain most can distinguish the intent of who is joking or who is just being a D bag.
Strait up! I went out with a wheelie group for Tacos and everyone was stoked to see me rocking a FF!
@@flatcoastmtb9739 Those are the type of riders who throws plastic wrappers on the trail and overtakes on the road like they own the highway. Typical D bags
Im still using a full face for my everyday trail riding in north Vancouver and whistler lol
Studies of motorcycle crashes have shown that 30% of head impacts are on the face/mouth/chin. So yeah, full face helmet for me.
A couple of days ago I had a front wheel wash out on a tame xc trail. Hit the hard dirt face first. The chin bar of my £250 Bell FF helmet split, cutting and bruising my chin, such was the force of the impact. I shudder to think what would have happened had I only been wearing a half shell. I'll never ride without a FF after that. Great video man, people need to stop caring about what others think and put their own safety first.
Wow Kriso! Glad you had the FF on!
It’s dusty here in Vancouver I just washed out and slammed into a tree falling down everything was ok but was on a easier trail than I normally do it happens anytime
Coming from a dirt bike background, I think people wearing half shells look dumb. It just does not look like it would do anything in a crash. I always wear a full face
Ever notice that the coolest guys around, are the ones who just do their own thing and don't give a f*ck what anyone else thinks...?
Great video 👍
Old hartdtail mullet xc bike and a full face. Going stoopid fast on xc trails IS downhill, especially on the downhills. Embrace your weirdness!
I like this guy, very straight-forward advice. Maybe not your typical hippie mountain biker, but still, a great perspective. Thanks for the advice on helmets!
Lol! Thanks so much!
I'm fairly new to mtb so, I was on the edge about what kind of helmet to get, but this is definitely what I needed to hear. Many thanks
Very glad it helped you
As a suicidal young man tryna get out of that mindset with mountian biking, this video Definitely helped me as well with choice on full face. Im looking into the troy lee stage.
@@stealthhelp hey I know this comment is a couple months old but I hope you're doing a bit better than when you left this comment. Stay shreddin :)
Same here. I didn't even know there was a difference between full face DH and Enduro helmet.
Personally, I think the full face helmets look way cooler than standard bicycle half helmets. If you're going over 20 mph on single track, 30 on gravel, or 40 on paved (as is case with custom e bikes now) go with a full helmet.
Yeah, half looks *ss. Don't get me started on those road bike helmets lol. Those look like douche helmets. Barely offers any protection.
Switched from half shell to TLD Stage last year after a face plant into a rock. Will never go back. No excuse not to switch other than the look. Added bonus - keeps the sun off my face and ears.
Seems many have swapped from a bad experience like that! Glad you're still riding👍
A helmet is never overkill at that moment when it protects your jaw from being destroyed, no one plans to crash but accidents and misjudgement happen.
Great insight.
I will get a lightweight Fullface helmet. Even though i ride mostly on road and few MTB rides .
Last year a friend of mine smacked her face on the pavement while riding 15-20 km/h . Two teeths gone and had problems with eating for 3-4 months .
Its for your safety do what you feels safe
Agreed! I've had nature reach out and grab me plenty of times dirt biking single track at all kinds of speeds. Starting to get back into mtn biking after a decade and wearing a half dome make me feel super vulnerable. Added to that I run clipless, all it takes is one squirrelly root + one convenient rock to knock your molars out. Besides fashion is a young(er) person's game. I'ld rather not have the downtime.
Well said Mike!
I went full face myself .. I motocross and getting into MTB'n and the half dome doesn't cut it ... good video !!!!
Thanks! I still occasionally throw on the half lid for simple stuff and it makes me jittery anymore...just got used to the FF!
Sub’d because you make a great case for safety.. Agree on the enduro style full face transition. My son and I went to Snow Summit bike park on Sunday, about 2.5 hours from our home.. After spending the day there using our 1/2 helmets my son and I went out and purchased FF enduro helmets from FOX and TLD.. The added safety makes too much sense.. At 53, I’m not worried about anyone making fun of any safety gear I use to protect myself.. Back in my ATV/off-road days my THOR full face MX helmet did double duty when riding/racing DH in Hawaii and the PNW.
Thanks Jackson! I appreciate that!
This video was super helpful I’m going a full face helmet from now on even if I look like a storm trooper! Thank you!!
My pleasure! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Haha full face looks a lot better than a halfie!
Atleast you’ll keep your teeth!
Yes really was helpful and going with full face as well better safe than sorry!!
Yep, I dont care what anyone thinks I dont want brain damage or my face messed up for life, I like it how it is. Plus ff look way better.
Full face all the time for me, its a little bit hot like you said, but when you crash, and you will eventually, we all do, you won't regret it. Went over my bars just a few days ago, all I ended up with was a sore shoulder. If I didn't have pads and a full face, I would have been much worse
Thanks for a super-good video on a controversial topic. I’m with you, changing over to full-face for every trail. Thanks for making this and sharing your thoughts. You discussed many points that encourage me to never look back. Good luck to you, Sir!
Thanks Larry! Good luck to you as well😎
Only reasons full face suck are weight and heat.Why not wear the light breathable full face all the time? I mean I like riding and eating solid food lol. If people don’t like it that’s fine they don’t have to....Full face gets my vote!
Justin Griffis, agreed!
How are the light weight and breathable ones I’m using a giro disciple it’s so hot but I have had alot of concussions so i only use good helmets. It’s nice riding again after 7 years off I might not be at the same level i was but still fun
I think full face looks sick af
Totally agree👍
Great video! I don't care what people think. They aren't paying my medical bills! They aren't the ones going to be in pain with a broken jaw.
INCOMING RANT:
You know what angers me more, those lazy folks who don't even have a sport that do nothing but watch TV and facebook, but got the nerve to critique me on my safety gear decisions!
These folks never went mountaim biking, never went downhill skiing in the big mountains out west, never rode speed bikes, never rode electric skateboards at 30MPH, but yet have the audacity to tease me about wearing a full face helmet.
I'm sorry, go sit back down and eat your French Fries watching RUclips and seeing others truly living their life!
These lazy idiots will NEVER know how it feels like to feel adrenaline pumping through your body (sorry bud, video games don't count)
Preach! 🙌
Medical bills doesn’t msp cover that unless you are 🇺🇸 i guess i have just lost money not working because injuries 2 broken arms,3 torn shoulders,broken ribs,over 10 concussions,temporary nerve damage ext
Excellent video. I live in a very rural area. I ride half gravel roads and half asphalt. Full face is the way to go.
Decided to get a full face helmet because I'm fairly new to mountain biking and I like going fast despite my inexperience. I figured I would want one eventually anyway, why not get one now and avoid a potential serious injury. Plus I think it looks cool lol
Cool man! Best of luck as you continue to grow.
May you have zero crashes!
I raced motorcycles off-road in my forties now am in my early sixties and getting into mountain biking, half shell isn’t an option on motorcycles believe me. Getting a full face for MTB so I can feel safer as I learn. BTW, MTB is much more difficult to learn when you realize your lungs are needed much much more! Great video, thx!
The lungs are the worst part of starting!
Awesome that you are though! It's always such a great time!
@@PedalingDave so I’m not alone? LOL
If you really cant choose, i recommend a convertible helmet, since it allows you to put on or take off the chin bar at Any time
the algorithms must have put this video in my feed because it knows I just bought the IXS Trigger FF. Love it... It's now the helmet I use for everything.
And your point that sometimes the worst injuries happen on the "easy" trails is absolutely true. Most of my injuries have happened when I'm "screwing around" on an "easy" trail. So I have adopted a new personal policy that I will take the time to put on ALL my pads / protective gear before EVERY ride... even if I think it's gonna be a short / easy ride.
I'm about due a new full face and plan on another IXS Trigger. It's been solid
Thanks for your video. I've decided to give the full face, yet convertible Bell Air R a try. Even though I just trail ride, there are some features like stairs, a few jumps, and ramps I am doing every ride now, where I feel a full faced helmet would be beneficial. At this point in my life, broken teeth, or a busted lip is not an option.
Thank you this video has been the extremely helpful to making a final decision. The best video on the topic of full face or half face helmets. Thank you!!
So glad it helped you👍👍👍
Bought a Bell Super Air R recently for roughly 300$ and it has been the best purchase, (helmet wise), I have made for mountain biking thus far! Perfect ventilation with similar security.
I agree, these new helmets are light and breathable and are well worth to wear them all the time.
Great vid. My tire dislodged from my forks and I ate pavement at 25mph. Knocked out cold and teeth through my lips. Honestly scared sh*tless of it happening again. Why don't more people use full face on the street? What do you think?
That sounds horrible!
I suppose a full face on the street just isn't the norm or "fashionable". The regular half shell helmet is just what people go to.
Still better than nothing in the event of a crash.
With your specific accident, I'm sure you weren't expecting that to happen to your bike...ouch
@@PedalingDave I'm going full face. I could give a rat's rear end what is fashionable when it comes to safety. Thanks for your feedback.
I ride around 20MPH-30MPH on my electric skateboard and just purchased a full face helmet. Frankly, I don't care what the general public or most of my family think. I'll be damned if I can't save my jaw
@@JT-xf9sw yeah man I'm getting an electronic unicycle and a full face helmet because I only get one jaw and I've invested a lot in my head so have fun but wear protection!
Saw like hundreds of crashes on trails... I remember exactly three guys, falling really bad on their faces... So on light trails I don't wear full face.
When I want to ride on new trails or tricky trails I take my full face.
When you are only downhilling, just full face.
When you have an e bike and also want to enjoy some other trails or uphills you don't need an fullface helmet.
Also hikers are kind of afraid from badass downhillers with fullface. Just my experience.
Thank you for this video. I nailed my face last week on a ride which was supposed to be just basic trail ride. My hesitation was the air flow and visibility. This is a great comparison of a very durable downhill helmet to a helmet that seems great for everyday riding. I only have one face, time to better protect it! Never know what's going to happen on those rides
Yeah man, get that face protected!
Glad you're ok and also glad you found the video useful! Thanks so much for watching!
Yup, I crash only on the dumbest stuff, never the hard stuff, I wear FF on every ride.
This is a great video thank you. I'm getting back into the sport but coming from BMX racing I feel more comfortable in a full race, recently took a spill with my cheapo trail helmet reminding me I need protection. With the bigger jumps I'm hitting now I'm going lightweight full face!
A co-worker had to have his face reattached following a close encounter with some rocks. I wear full face every time I'm on the trails.
That sounds horrible! Poor guy!
Yeah man, I'm with you. Full face pretty much always
I think full face helmets look better than the half shells, and I don't think you can overdo it on protection either, regardless of what skill level you have.
Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"
Even when there is nothing difficult in front of, maybe you even cruise along a bike lane in your city, but one mistake, one trip, or one factor outside your own personal doing and you could kiss concrete and smash your jaw. Not too long ago I saw a video of a guy doing some simple light jumps, he fucked up, and landed face first in a protruding rock in the ground. Luckily the guy did wear a full face helmet, and the chin guard protected him from a pretty gruesome outcome (he really smashed into it).
I think if we can get well ventilated helmets like this or the Endura MT500 Full Face (which I currently consider), then we probably should wear them over a half shell.
My friend lost 2 teeth on a simple trail, with just a couple of berms, nothing crazy whatsoever. Since then he has used a full face helmet, and so have I. There are tons of well ventilated full face options out there. I use a Bell Adults Servo helmet. It's lightweight and ventilated. I don't think you can find them anywhere but Academy or Walmart, but it's pretty much a Bell Sanction, which is another good budget choice. I am currently saving for a Fox Racing MTB helmet.
Seems the worst accidents are on the easiest of rides.
Thanks for making this video and encourage people to protect themselves..
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the advice! I have been progressing my riding a lot lately, and was wondering about whether or not to consider a FF. That also looks like a really cool helmet I might consider purchasing.
Good video, I use ff all the time now, summer winter even on simple trails.
I always ware full face even in heat of summer. There is no thing as overkill with a helmet. Dress for the crash not for the ride. Also how do you like the IXS helmet. I have a fox pro frame I’m selling and it’s now between the IXS trigger and TLD stage. I was leaning towards the IXS because of the rear adjuster but the Troy lee has more pads to fine tune fit.
I really like it. One thing having had it for a while now is that the pads saturate with sweat quickly and therefore drip a lot into my goggles and face.
Aside from that, it is very comfortable and light feeling.
I bought the Troy lee stage but had to return it did not fit right. I sold my fox pro frame but bought a new fox pro frame. Only reason I did not get the IXS is it did not have MIPS.
@@BH-cy9tb how do you like your proframe? I bought a size L wich was slightly too big for me and i didnt trust it. So i had to sell it. Now i only have my openface in which i smashed my nose. Id like something with mips too so ill probably get the proframe as well.
Andrei I first bought the TLD stage but returned it because it did not fit me right. But it was very light. I bought another Fox Pro frame in size large. I love it. Like I said not matter what temperature is full face all the time.
B H MIPS is a concern of mine. What did you go with that’s lightweight and has mips?
Guess i will go full face helmet even on flat road because half face helmets just wont save your face that much and accidents never choose a type of trail or road. I even think its more dangerous on the road with all the speedy and reckless drivers around you'll at least wamt to keep your head intact in case
Argh. Now you’re talking. That would be my excuse for shelling out for a cool helmet!
Had my jaw slightly chirurgicaly moved to complete my orthodontic treatment (braces) so I had to eat with a syringe for 2-3 weeks and then eat only soft things like well mashed potatoes. Needless to say it sucked and I even flipped at my sister who was helping me due to how restrained I felt.
But at least I knew what I was going into beforehand and could prepare for it. Can't imagine falling and having my summer ruined just because I look less weird with a 1/2 helmet.
I rollerblade and bike with my full face now.
I wear the IXS Trigger FF on trails and the bike park. Janky aggressive NJ trails, Mountain Creek. It’s fine in the summer.
No excuses, just get one.
I broke one at MC last year. At least I could eat while all the other bones and joints healed. Also broken a MET Parachute at MC. The Trigger is always the right choice
That's a legit reason IMO! Not being able to eat due to a broken jaw is a huge deal
You make a lot of great points, something to think about.
Yeah, in the end it's up to the rider. Having lightweight kit that doesn't smoother makes it an easier choice and I like having options.
Wise move dude. Just waiting on my Bell super DH.
Thanks for making the video. I recently smashed my face up pretty good in a high speed crash while trail riding. I think I’m leaning towards that ixs now, since I don’t want to go through that again now that I’ve healed up.
Ouch! I wouldn't want to go through it again either!
I just ordered the IXS trigger ff mips for the reasons you described. I want to start doing more jumps and drops and don’t want my comfort to deter me from wearing safety gear. I figure the IXS is the perfect helmet for a trail full face without the DH heavy hot issues. There’s some much more advanced trails with doubles and gaps I’d like to start riding but this will give me little more confidence
Awesome man! It's a sick helmet!
I remember my brother wearing knee pads and some of his buddies teased him about it. A couple of years later there were more that did than didn't.
love the Georgia accent!
Lol, that's a Kentucky accent!
I bought and returned lots of the new modern Enduro full face helmets. I kept the IXS Trigger FF despite not having Mips because it has the thickest and strongest jaw. The jaw is substantially stronger than Bell Super DH, Fox ProFrame or TLD Stage.
Def one of the selling points that closed the deal for me as well!
How big of a deal is it that it doesn’t have mips?
The Endura MT500 Full Face (520g - 680g) has those weird Koroyd straws, which supposedly does something similar to MIPS.
@@therealjeffarmstrong Moto helmets don’t have MIPS and work. I have busted a helmet without MIPS and didn’t get a concussion.
@@pjsanab MIPS is all about protecting from certain angle of hits, though, right? So a hit at an angle is the main culprit of the damage MIPS is seeking to reduce. Was the hit you took the type of hit MIPS was designed for?
Great video adn advice.
I just got into mountain biking in April of '22. I started with a half shell but found myself craving more speed and intense riding so I decided to get a full face. I bought a Bell Super Air R and that thing breathes and weighs about the same as my half shell, and it's very comfortable. It's not rated for downhill but it is rated for enduro and trail. I just wear it everywhere I ride now as I never intend or plan to crash but I'll have some sort of face protection if/when it does happen. If I get into downhill riding then I'll buy one specifically for that but I do a lot of climbs right now so my Bell gives me the ventilation I need.
i wiped out over handlebars last week in a trail in florida. superglue and steristrips later at urgent care with black eye and sore face for week. i wish i had bought a full face helmet. i am buying one now. face plant hurts...
😱😱😱 glad you're ok!
Thanks for the video. I bought the ixs.
Sick! I'm still loving mine
I use my half shell when i go on a little mtb ride in the woods for a while, but when im gonna ride aggressive or in a bike park i use a full face
I wear my half shell on occasion still.
Dress for the crash not the ride! Good video! Thanks!
👍 thanks!
Only reason I haven't swapped is that it's sooo hot in Australia, even in the winter haha
It hovered around freezing most of today...I'd take some of that warm weather you have!
Yeah, even a proframe is for DH because it’s still too hot
@@JFTM_ I haven’t ridden proframe in the middle of summer yet, but I ride as early as there is enough light & find the ventilation really good.
Whereabouts are you? (I’m QLD)
Good video. I settled on the Bell Super dh for very similar reasons.
Thanks Rob. A good friend of mine has one of those.
It's nice that there are lots of options now.
Full face looks awesome. Like motocross. If anything, people would pick on you for a half helmet that offers no protection and only sits at the very top of your head.
This video popped up in my feed this week... 67K views is pretty awesome!
Pretty much a happy accident. Never know what content will reach/help someone the most.
@@PedalingDave agreed! it can be so disappointing when you upload a video that you think will blow up only to get less than 100 views, then you have one that out of no where gains traction.
I have almost given up so many times but i am on a mission!
thanks! I'm looking at that IXS
I'm very happy with mine!
I use full face helmet for all my trips, even on plane roads. That little extra weight from the chin worth it. Prevention is the way.
Yup exactly. Only takes 1 crash to get fucked up. FF all the way
Love the ride.
Not the look.
Full face all the way!
Ps I think they look better anyway
They def make a statement, eh?
They really look better
Definitely look better. If they have good ventilation then there's not much of an excuse not to use them.
Exactly.
Open face helmets look disproportionate to your head when they just sit on top (especially with my gigantic head).
Thank you so much more making this video. Ill Def get a full face now😁
👍
Last weekend I was riding with a group of very fast guys with enduro rigs, in the Swiss Alps, descending over stones at warp speed while wearing a normal helmet and this in a XC bike.
Everything went OK but in my way back home, I was thinking about what just happened and risks. Now I’m waiting for my IXS full face to be delivered…
Is plain and simple, if I continue to ride like this, a FF is mandatory.
I'm just jealous you rode the alps!
@@PedalingDave its heaven on earth… so much that after loosing brake power 3 times (Maguras MT8s on 180mm) and I’m featherweight at 59Kg, I ordered today MT7 and 203mm rotors to extend the fun. Starting this weekend 🤩
I always use a full face my everyday trail riding is north shore,whistler,woodlot ext the joys of living in bc 🇨🇦
I envy your trails! For sure a full face on those sweet trails!
7:59 - omg, you look so much like Tom Cardy when you put on that helmet.
😅🤣
If I just had the skills he does!
@@PedalingDave you and kara could shred with the best of em!!
I have exactly same 3 types of helmets. 100% status for DH and park, Fox Proframe for regular enduro rides on my local trails, Specialezed regular 40€ open helmet when commuting or riding with my kids.
What about for climbing? I'm one of those sick guys who enjoys uphills just as much as going down, often for a whole day up in the mountains. So far i've been wearing an XC helmet which is obviously very well ventilated, never had an issue with cooking my head in the summer heats (30°C/86F or even above), but i know that's too little protection for some of the faster, rockier downhills i ride. Athough i never push too hard, i've been riding alone for 20 years and learned to be responsible for myself, better be too cautious than in trouble. Never had a crash on my bike that led to injury, mostly just falling over in the most awkward easy situations :D So for my riding style it would be silly to wear a fullface, yet i know very well that i have to fall only once to wish i had a fullface. We wear helmets for protection, after all.
I'm thinking between the Fox Speedframe and the Fox Proframe. (One half shell and one fullface). Do you think i could survive long climbs in that fullface, or that's more for the open face design?
Maybe i should buy both and decide what to wear depending on the ride... Still cheaper than liquid food.
I know there are some convertible designs, but i'm not fully convinced on them.
What is your experience?
Good question. I'd side with having both helmets and either selecting based on the trail, OR based on how sketchy I felt on a given day.
I've never used a convertible helmet but they would be a solid option IMO
mee to, i own several helmets and choose based on terain. whats your brain worth?
Good on you Dave for the vid. Need a new helmet big hi from Australia!
Thanks! Man, Australia is another place I'd love to come visit and ride. Hopefully one day!
I hope there's some black friday deals for the IXS Trigger FF. Can't wait to own one of these.
Hopefully there will be! I still love mine.
I train rock trails up and down to get ready for Thunder Man in MA with their DH rock trails. I end up and begin training on easier trails, so I' m trying out a removable chin guard for that part of the trail. But full face all day long at Thunder Man. DH. The sport is expensive no doubt, but med bills cost much more...and I'm too pretty to mess up my face. At least my wife thinks so. LOL
Gotta listen to the wife!
I've been trail riding with a half shell for about 6 years. I've had some serious wrecks over the years and feel like a full face would be a good investment. I just picked up an IXS FF w/ MIPS for 2022. Thanks for the great video.
I just got a full face helmet because I tend to ride solo a ton
Solid choice man!
I made the switch..atleast up to mid 80s
Best 3 vented choices are
Trigger IXS
kali invader 2.0( suppossivly motorcycle chinbar crash tested)
Dainese LINEA 01 which is the new lightest full face under 600 grams with 30 vent) I chose this one due to DH rated and MIPS
I'll have to check those out, particularly the Dianese.
Full face only for me. but not sure which helmet I should get this time.
It's always hard for me to pick too. Lots of good choices available!
@@PedalingDave I put the most interesting to me in a list kit.co/mtbboy1993/helmet-consideration-2019 But not so sure about some of them. just a initial list.
Youre never overdoing on tires brakes and helmets
Truth!
Even just riding around roads and down step hills probably good idea also , cars are bloody dangerous . Almost been killed so many times . Esp if it's raining . Yeah it would get super hot after a while no doubt , just carry a bladder rofl . Have it poked up into your helmet like a v8 super car driver on long rides . I use to ride to work miles every day , down these massive roads . Lucky I never came off on the hills , was so scary on the way to work each day and going home . A full face would of made me feel so much more safe I think . One time I was going down this hill and it had ice on it , I didn't even know it had ice till I got half way down the hill . When I had to slow down for the corners I had to drift left and right just to stay on . And I was going so fast at the round about and this car pulls out on me and doesn't give way and I'm still sliding and I had to drift around the front of their car rofl . I thought I was going to die .
since i crashed that cause me some stitches on my mouth and a numb teeth until now, i just decided to F it and bought a motorcycle helmet that could look like a dh helmet.. it is crap for motorcycle use but overkill on a bike and im not even doing trails.. i use my hard tail bike with a rigid fork on commute and spirited rides..
I've not long bought the Bell Super DH and wore it around a trail centre today, climbs followed by descends to make a loop. I kept the chin strap on the whole ride and no issues at all really. My only other previous FF was a 661 Comp and that was like sticking your head in an oven
I would wear this in the city
I'm a get a full face for riding in the city, I'm a little scared to hit the streets on my face.
Yep. I ride mostly street too and full face gives me protection that i need. And ofc, it looks lit
I ride full face every ride, I dont have a problem with it, but I do have to admit, I hate any other protection. especially the elbow pads.
I crashed hard on a 10 footer, and got stitches inside my mouth, I got a detachable chin-bar Full face, It works well, and feels like a heavy duty Full-face.
Ouch Diamond! Hope you went back and got redemption on that jump!
Not yet, going to take a bit, happened two weeks ago so, got to get used to biking again
Good video man. I agree that with the evolving helmet tech, our attitudes and habits will change. I am in process of switching over.
Thanks! Wore my IXS today and totally comfortable!
Thanks for the video. I'm kind of new to MTB (trails) and don't feel comfortable wearing open face helmet.
And thankfully, we have nice light full face options!
Guess why I am seeing this video? yes, you are right, a few days ago a loss a teeth and got problems on other tooth, and other problems on my mouth and face, because I was doing MTB at a slow speed but without the left hand on the grip and suddenly I did break by instinct because of a thing in front of me.
I now have a trauma, in some way I strong wish to ride again but I am also afraid. I ride on roads / gravel and MTB. I also ride an electric small scooter. I am planning to start using a similar helmet and maybe if I like it, I may not be back a again to the open face helmets.
Thanks for the video!!
I'm so sorry to hear that! Heal up quick 🙏
No one plans to crash, but we all do sooner or later!
If you're thinking about it... get one. If you mountain bike out there alone, get one. Suck it up, save some moolah and get one. If your trails climb incessantly to the top and it's downhill home, definitely consider a convertible. I just threw down for one and so far it's dreamy. You'll know damn well it's a good idea the next time going silly fast in the doodoo. Tailor it to you, find the right one. Ask yourself if you're worth it... the answer is clearly YES.
This is on point! Thanks Brian! 🙌
I am wondering how safe that magnetic buckle is, compared to double d ring buckle, and I love the double d ring buckle cus it's safe and does not go out of adjustment.
That's a good question and one I'm not sure about myself.
I kinda lean toward the magnetic being just fine, especially compared to the click lock style of regular half shell helmets.
That said the d ring will always be more secure.
Thanks for watching!
@@PedalingDave I hated using half face helmets, double d ring is reason alone for fullface, so annoying having to tighten the strap, I see many kids riding have same issues, they say they come out of adjustment often, so I tell them about the double d ring buckle and show them how it works. I won't go back to click buckles that's for sure, but the magnetic buckle don't have anything securing the strap from slipping. but the double d ring buckle is the strap adjustment securing device.
Ouuu where did you get that blue Troy Lee helmet? I cant find those
I bought that a few years ago so I guess it was a specific design for that year.
Maybe 2018 or 2019?
Good common sense. Thanks.
What's the name of the helmet?
0:10 lmao idk why but i found this part so funny
Probably cause I'm funny looking🤣
I wear a full face helmet when I'm riding my MTB even on the roads or gravel paths. A normal helmet leaves your face fully exposed
GMBN made a video of mountain bike etiquette. They said you should not wear a full face helmet on regular trails as to not offend the other riders.
m.ruclips.net/video/81TcL94WMTc/видео.html
A four old old video? Times they are a changing!
How would that offend other riders ?
@@CharlieHarper-d4x I’m making fun of gmbn. In their tips for beginners video they said something along the lines of “nothing says you don’t know what you’re doing more than wearing way to many pads/a full face helmet for Xc trails”. I’m like who cares? Wear what makes you comfortable
Looking into getting the ixs trigger as my only helmet. Was wondering how it looks like with sport glasses (I use one because I need prescription)
Go for it! It'll look just fine.
Question: what size are you on a half shell and what size did you go for on this IXS?
Medium on both
i'm getting a fatfullsix and getting back to bikes after a lot of years of and i choose to buy a TLD stage because you can even be on foot and fall and brake you jaw, of course the type of ride you have will augment the chance of you getting of your bike but in reality even of a smooth road you could fall and in that case is a dice of luck you will lunch to not brake your face. The TLD stage is light too and not very hot and i prefer getting it and be safe with my face than paying medical bill and time because i wasn't wearing it. I have a friend which is emergency doctor and more than often she have people with half helmet who arrive with face injuries that wasn't even going more than 15km/h. who care what people think or say, they don't have to live with your body when it's damaged !
Agreed. The TLD Stage is a sweet helmet. I was torn between it and the IXS.
@@PedalingDave TLD had me with their - 40% on their website. You don't get the last color scheme but 2019 models are sexy anyway :)
I ride a Catrike Trike and wear a full face helmet and would not ride without one.
Love it! Full face FTW!
I'm wearing a big DH helmet All the Time because I had money for one helmet and I brought a full face to be safer.
I totally understand that!