Full Face Helmet For Every Day Trail Riding - Modern Tech Makes the Choice Easier!! 

With the latest trail helmets being so lite, would you consider one for the majority of you rides? Or do you already?

If people are making fun of you because of the " over protection" you choose, You're riding with the wrong people! Great video!

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.

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 👍

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

I went full face myself .. I motocross and getting into MTB'n and the half dome doesn't cut it ... good video !!!!

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!

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

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.

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

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!

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

Great video adn advice.

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!!

Good video, I use ff all the time now, summer winter even on simple trails.

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.

Excellent video. I live in a very rural area. I ride half gravel roads and half asphalt. Full face is the way to go.

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.

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!!

Thanks for making this video and encourage people to protect themselves..

Thanks for the video. I bought the ixs.

I think full face looks sick af

this video made me buy a full face helmet

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 RU-vid 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)

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 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!

You make a lot of great points, something to think about.

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

Thank you so much more making this video. Ill Def get a full face now😁

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.

Good on you Dave for the vid. Need a new helmet big hi from Australia!

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 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.

Wise move dude. Just waiting on my Bell super DH.

thanks! I'm looking at that IXS

Good video. I settled on the Bell Super dh for very similar reasons.

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

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.

Thanks for the perspective you provide in this video. I visited a downhill park for the first time recently and couldn't help but think that my local backcountry trails aren't that much safer than the DH trails I rode (in some ways, the DH trails were safer). I was wearing a full face during the DH ride and loved the sense of durability/safety it provided. I'm going to consider adding a helmet like the iXS to my arsenal.

Arrrrrgh. Now that winter is here, it’s becoming harder to resist getting a full-face helmet for flat rides across intersections on the way to my favorite paved bike path.

I agree, these new helmets are light and breathable and are well worth to wear them all the time.

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.

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

It's becoming more common to see full face on a variety of trails, and my wife really likes my good looks. 😜 Thanks Dave.

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

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.

Good common sense. Thanks.

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.

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.

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 hope there's some black friday deals for the IXS Trigger FF. Can't wait to own one of these.

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

This video popped up in my feed this week... 67K views is pretty awesome!

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

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?

Dress for the crash not the ride! Good video! Thanks!

love the Georgia accent!

Thanks for the video. I'm kind of new to MTB (trails) and don't feel comfortable wearing open face helmet.

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

Good video man. I agree that with the evolving helmet tech, our attitudes and habits will change. I am in process of switching over.

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.

Hi bud, not sure if you'll see this, but question about the IXS? What size do you have & what CM is your head? Im looking to get 1 but not sure if they run small or big.. im 57cm so im considering a S/M. But don't want it so tight I get headache. And it comes with different size cheek pads if not mistaken? TY

I always use a full face my everyday trail riding is north shore,whistler,woodlot ext the joys of living in bc 🇨🇦

fair play man, who cares what others think! just be safe ! don't wanna be eating on a straw for months ;-)

I was looking to get a POC Coron Air Spin after having a chat with someone on the trail with one... then I realized I can’t even do a bunny hop properly, so why attempt air or drops? Priorities.

0:10 lmao idk why but i found this part so funny

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 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.

...When you look over your shoulder after making that statement 🤣🤣🤣

7:59 - omg, you look so much like Tom Cardy when you put on that helmet.

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...

I would wear this in the city

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 .

Love the ride. Not the look. Full face all the way! Ps I think they look better anyway

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

Thx, im very interested about this helmet! How many distance can you make with ?

Question: what size are you on a half shell and what size did you go for on this IXS?

What size do you recommend I ware M but in some cases M is it feel really thought but I guess I always opt for safety over comfort, however, this time I would like both. Any suggestion on sizing

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.

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..

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)

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.

I watched your video, and many others before I purchased the IXS FF Trigger. It arrived to my house tonight. I have 30 days to return it if I decide not to keep it. My question to you is, did you ever consider a Fox Pro Frame? I just found out the Pro Frame is on sale at a place for $209. 00 right now. after i ordered , geez....I got a deal on my Trigger, but it was still $50 more than the Pro Frame. MiPS....how has the Trigger been working for you. Would you choose the Fox over the IXS? just asking your opinion.

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.

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?

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!!

Ouuu where did you get that blue Troy Lee helmet? I cant find those

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.

Only reason I haven't swapped is that it's sooo hot in Australia, even in the winter haha

So what would you recommend for someone who basically only rides downhills in the south but has to always pedal to the top (example would be Bakers Creek)

What full face helmet would be recommended for a night of heavy drinking? Just curious.

No one plans to crash, but we all do sooner or later!

What's the name of the helmet?