Anyone use a MET Parachute helmet?
Discussion
Looking for a new helmet to replace my cheap Bell. Had my heart set on a 661 Recon then I read about the parachute and it got some decent reviews.
I quite fancy having a wee bit extra protection round the face without mega weight and overheating issues. Riding 7Stanes mostly.
Anyone got first hand experience?
I quite fancy having a wee bit extra protection round the face without mega weight and overheating issues. Riding 7Stanes mostly.
Anyone got first hand experience?
Ran one for a year or so when they first came out.
Never had to test is 'properly' thankfully.
I still can't really decide if they're any good.
Firstly they look stupid, but all helmets do to a certain degree and it's never a reason not to wear one, but they look really stupid.
The chin bar, being the only difference to a normal XC lid. Some say because it's plastic it'll shatter and cut your face off in an accident, I can't see that happening, it's design will mean it will break off at the point it's mounted to the lid, of course you'll get a face full of chin bar, but better that than a face full of rock at a faster rate.
But all the time I had it, even with the strap tight as it should be it never took more than a simple push to get it to slide down below your chin, of course this brings the lid further down your forehead to 'catch' the impact, but a normal lid will do that. It's not like a proper full-face that 'grips' your head and holds its position.
If you think you need a Full-face Helmet, it won’t be enough, if you don't, you probably don't need it.
Urge make a really good 'all mountain' lid which is more like a proper full-face, only has a thinner chin bar and it's set lower so doesn't restrict breathing.
Never had to test is 'properly' thankfully.
I still can't really decide if they're any good.
Firstly they look stupid, but all helmets do to a certain degree and it's never a reason not to wear one, but they look really stupid.
The chin bar, being the only difference to a normal XC lid. Some say because it's plastic it'll shatter and cut your face off in an accident, I can't see that happening, it's design will mean it will break off at the point it's mounted to the lid, of course you'll get a face full of chin bar, but better that than a face full of rock at a faster rate.
But all the time I had it, even with the strap tight as it should be it never took more than a simple push to get it to slide down below your chin, of course this brings the lid further down your forehead to 'catch' the impact, but a normal lid will do that. It's not like a proper full-face that 'grips' your head and holds its position.
If you think you need a Full-face Helmet, it won’t be enough, if you don't, you probably don't need it.
Urge make a really good 'all mountain' lid which is more like a proper full-face, only has a thinner chin bar and it's set lower so doesn't restrict breathing.
Cheers for that Pjay, I liked the idea of having my gnashers protected I guess that's what drew me to it. FWIW I don't think it looks THAT bad! I'll have a look at the one suggested. Bikes in for a service and rear shock sent away for service so i'll be looking to buy one next week some time.
I had a parachute too, and suffered with the same feeling that it would slide up pretty easily and i'd end up rubbing my chin off on the gravel. again, i never hit anything wearing it, so can't actually comment on how it would fair, but i do find it a lot cooler to wear than my new Giro Zen. so much so that i'll definitely go back to Met next time i replace my lid.
GG89 said:
I quite fancy having a wee bit extra protection round the face without mega weight and overheating issues. Riding 7Stanes mostly.
Anyone got first hand experience?
I don't have first-hand (as in testing it's capability) experience, but I have been using a Parachute for 5+ years now. I'd previously had a bad facial impact in a crash wearing a "normal" open face helmet, and combined with my having several £k's worth of dental work it makes sense for me. I wear it for everything from full-on XC, singlespeeding, Alps trips, etc and only resort to my proper full-facer for proper DH.Anyone got first hand experience?
P-Jay sums up it best above IMO:
P-Jay said:
If you think you need a Full-face Helmet, it won’t be enough, if you don't, you probably don't need it.
A proper full-face helmet is overkill for the 7stanes type trails (unless you're sessioning the freeride park at GT or the DH tracks at Innerleithen). It IS vented enough for XC - I wore it in 30degC heat on some brutal climbs in the Alps last summer.And any lame excuse for a pic - this is me wearing my Parachute (yes, they do look quite ridiculous at times):
R.P.M said:
The MET Parachute is not allowed to be sold in the USA for safety standard conformance reasons. Read into that what you will.
I have a Recon and its a nice lid.
Probably only the fact it isn't one thing or the other so may be that the American tests don't favour it. Bare in mind the state of California have found almost everything is linked to Cancer, hell they must share a research department with the Daily Mail.I have a Recon and its a nice lid.
I did test mine fully at Dalby hitting a tree and the face guard is made of a plastic that when it shatters forms very sharp bits. I wouldn't have another TBH.
I did look at the Cratoni lids briefly but in the end opted for a proper full face and a normal XC lid and moderate my riding style to what lid I'm wearing.
http://www.cratoni.de/en/bike-helmets/1291794700_m...
I did look at the Cratoni lids briefly but in the end opted for a proper full face and a normal XC lid and moderate my riding style to what lid I'm wearing.
http://www.cratoni.de/en/bike-helmets/1291794700_m...
rhinochopig said:
I did test mine fully at Dalby hitting a tree and the face guard is made of a plastic that when it shatters forms very sharp bits. I wouldn't have another TBH.
Thank you for being the PH crash test dummy and bringing the benefit some practical 'research' to the debate.PH cyclist in 'head protects body from impact' shokka.
Digga said:
rhinochopig said:
I did test mine fully at Dalby hitting a tree and the face guard is made of a plastic that when it shatters forms very sharp bits. I wouldn't have another TBH.
Thank you for being the PH crash test dummy and bringing the benefit some practical 'research' to the debate.PH cyclist in 'head protects body from impact' shokka.
Speed > Cornering Grip = Ouch
We both learnt something that day. Me: I'm not Steve Peat. Him: Don't listen to a word I say.
gradeA said:
Casco Viper?
No idea if they're any good but the detatchable chinguard looks up to a bit more than the Parachute's...
They're certainly more substantial than the MET, more geared towards the proper full-facer than a XC lid. Spoke to a bloke wearing one I met at a trail centre and he loved his but commented it was a good bit warmer than his previous MET Parachute. I believe the chin guard had a quick-release system, but I doubt I'd remove it: as soon as I did I just know I'd embed my head in a tree on a flat, easy bit of trail...No idea if they're any good but the detatchable chinguard looks up to a bit more than the Parachute's...
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