MTB Full Face Helmets / Knee Pads, etc.

[8IKERDAVE]

I'm planning a trip to Bike Park Wales later this year and realised there's a requirement for a full face helmet and knee / elbow pads.

I'm not against the idea at all - I'd rather be safe than sorry but as I'm used to a half shell helmet and no pads I thought I'd see what others recommend? I'm used to wearing a full face helmet in the motorbike world of course and so I guess it will just be a case of trying some on and seeing which fits best but when it comes to knee / elbow pads I imagine if you make the wrong choice they will quickly become a hinderance on the trials.

[trails]

Two main options with FF lids for MTB, the heavily vented Enduro type or more traditional. Even though I am a sweaty sod, I prefer the more traditional type and I have a Giro Insurgent lid as I normally ride in a Giro Tyrant.

Two main options for pads are gel types that harden on impact or hard shell. I prefer the gel types as I spent 25 odd years riding padless and lidless on a BMX so value the freedom of movement over ultimate protection. I've got two sets of knee pads now I'm approaching my mid 50's, some Rapha trail pads and some beefier Chromag Rift pads...Rapha pads are new, so not much crash feedback sorry. Chromag are a few years old and have done exactly what's required of them when needed, fit if pretty good too.

One of my friends who is a relative newbie to riding got himself some 661 Recon elbows, and they certainly saved him from some rocks after a crash last time we went to BPW. Low profile things, you can hardly seem them on under a long sleeved top.

I recently got myself some shin pads after a silly low speed slide out in sloppy conditions that ended up in my saddle hitting my shin so hard it took a big chunk out of my shin along with some of the tattoo too. REKD Energy make short shin pads that work really well with my Rift knees. Sizing comes up really small though, I couldn't get the S/M over my calfs

[JQ]

8IKERDAVE said:

I'm planning a trip to Bike Park Wales later this year and realised there's a requirement for a full face helmet and knee / elbow pads.

I'm not against the idea at all - I'd rather be safe than sorry but as I'm used to a half shell helmet and no pads I thought I'd see what others recommend? I'm used to wearing a full face helmet in the motorbike world of course and so I guess it will just be a case of trying some on and seeing which fits best but when it comes to knee / elbow pads I imagine if you make the wrong choice they will quickly become a hinderance on the trials.

BPW is pretty dangerous due to the speeds achievable on some of the runs, the prevalence of trees and the sharpness of some of the rocks. One of my lads got a trip off the hill in "Landy" their onsite ambulance to Merthyr Hospital. The medics said there's more accidents on the blues than on the other grades as the speed catches people out. Another mate headbutted a tree whilst Supermanning over his handlebars, full face helmet saved a broken nose or worse.

If you don't have the safety gear and don't need it in the future, you can rent it all there, I'm fairly certain it's decent gear. You do need to book it well in advance, although I'm not sure if you can rent the safety gear if using your own bike, worth giving them a call, they're super helpful.

[P-Jay]

FYI the only requirement for BPW is an EN1078 approve helmet, doesn't need to be FF. That said, a FF is a really good idea as are knee pads, personally I don't wear elbow pads, but I probably should.

I use a Fox Proframe helmet for BPW and the Alps etc. It's a fully certified DH Helmet (ASTM-F1952 Standard) but it's lightweight, fully vented Enduro style.

Knee pads I use Fox Enduro Pro with the Koroyd inserts, really comfortable and as long as you make sure they're on properly, they never slip, you do need to pull them up quite high though, or at least I do.

BPW is great fun, but as someone else said the speed you can reach are really high, especially on the Blue graded trails! They've put more features in now that punctuate the long smooth bits of the blues that used to let you get to crazy speeds.

Edited by P-Jay on Wednesday 18th February 13:33

[flickyspinny]

P-Jay said:

FYI the only requirement for BPW is an EN1078 approve helmet, doesn't need to be FF. That said, a FF is a really good idea as are knee pads, personally I don't wear elbow pads, but I probably should.

I use a Fox Proframe helmet for BPW and the Alps etc. It's a fully certified DH Helmet (ASTM-F1952 Standard) but it's lightweight, fully vented Enduro style.

BPW is great fun, but as someone else said the speed you can reach are really high, especially on the Blue graded trails! They've put more features in now that punctuate the long smooth bits of the blues that used to let you get to crazy speeds.

+1 on the Fox, and everything else.

Also I'd definitely recommend the shin pads. For BPW I use a set of Fox integrated knee/shin pads, and have had plenty of value out of them.

I'd actually recommend a body/shoulder protector as well - Leatt make some nice ones. They're not cheap, but I've walked away from stuff I shouldn't have due to those.

My favourite elbow pads are again some flavour of Leatt.

BPW is awesome, but even the blue trails can carry heavy consequences for an off if you're travelling.

EDIT: The various online reviews can be pretty helpful when determining size and comfort. I'd start with Fox and Leatt and work from there, but the materials and designs from most of the major brands these days are generally very good from my experience.

Edited by flickyspinny on Wednesday 18th February 13:39

[SwissJonese]

8IKERDAVE said:

I'm planning a trip to Bike Park Wales later this year and realised there's a requirement for a full face helmet and knee / elbow pads.

Full Face is only mandatory on certain courses like Jumps course etc. a certified helmet e.g. open lid is allowed. But it is highly recommended to have one and some body armor, you can rent them which are good quality.

I ride with a Fox Pro Frame, my kids used to have 7IDP, but now use Troy Lee Designs full face helmets as lighter.

We use 7IDP knee pads, IXS elbow pads, and have moved to body armor as doing more red/black trails.

BPW is great fun, was there yesterday (we spent a lot of time at BPW as local). Start with blues and build up. Sixtapod trail into willy waver is our favorite. Also do not think Kermit is a baby trail, still excellent fun and a long trail.

[Dog Star]

I use a Bell Super DH MIPS helmet - it’s rated high enough to race with it but it’s also got a detachable chin bar so you can use it as an open face.

I’m actually on my second as the first one got damaged when I had a huge crash at Llandegla on the B Line and ended up in hospital having brain scans

Bell actually sent me a discount voucher when I ruined the first one.

https://amzn.eu/d/0e4mwX8N

[SDK]

We do BPW Wales a lot and use the following

Helmets

-> My son has a Fox Pro Frame, which is one of the more vented helmets.
-> I have an old 661 Evo helmet which has virtually no vents
Photo below

On the hot days, or times we pedal up (eMTB's) we just take them off when we are not descending.
I've tried the Fox ProFrame on and it's not very comfortable, due to the lack of extra padding. If I was replacing my helmet, or getting my son another helmet, then I would get the Fox Rampage . Which still has vents, but a lot more padding.




Body Protection
We have Leatt body armor and knee pads

My son has the Body Protector ReaFlex : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/body-protector-reafl...
I have the lighter weight Tee ReaFlex Stealth : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/body-tee-reaflex-ste...

Knee pads - we both use ReaFlex Hybrid pads : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/knee-guard-reaflex-h...

[mattvanders]

I always ride with knee pads on even if it’s a more xc ride, tend to purchase the trail pads rather than the xc or dh protection grade. They are never a problem to wear, and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had an off and carried on for the rest of the day as though nothing happened. Unfortunately it does come down to the more you spend the better they are (started with cheap £20 items and now spending £100 on them). Same applies to helmets. For anywhere new or pushing abilities well worth getting additional protection, full face, knees and elbows as a minimum with upper body as an option depending what you are going to ride

[Fluffsri]

SDK said:

We do BPW Wales a lot and use the following

Helmets

-> My son has a Fox Pro Frame, which is one of the more vented helmets.
-> I have an old 661 Evo helmet which has virtually no vents
Photo below

On the hot days, or times we pedal up (eMTB's) we just take them off when we are not descending.
I've tried the Fox ProFrame on and it's not very comfortable, due to the lack of extra padding. If I was replacing my helmet, or getting my son another helmet, then I would get the Fox Rampage . Which still has vents, but a lot more padding.




Body Protection
We have Leatt body armor and knee pads

My son has the Body Protector ReaFlex : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/body-protector-reafl...
I have the lighter weight Tee ReaFlex Stealth : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/body-tee-reaflex-ste...

Knee pads - we both use ReaFlex Hybrid pads : https://mtb.leatt.uk/products/knee-guard-reaflex-h...

Totally agree, I tried a few lids before I bought mine and the Pro frame was not a comfy helmet. The 661 is basically the same as the ONeal I bought (better colours at the time) and it's a really comfort helmet but very warm.

[POIDH]

We too had a couple of 661 lids in the household and a few more on loan from kids bike club over the years.

The move to Troy Lee Stage was well overdue, and they are superb helmets for balance of venting and protection. We have two in the household and I would probably buy another if I was back on gnarlier trails again. One of our was subject to an 'overshoot to upslope of next jump' on Dream Line in Queenstown and another to a 'Student downhill nationals showoff to a rock at 25mph' and the wearer is still with us today. Well worth the investment.

[8IKERDAVE]

Appreciate all the advice guys! I'm swaying towards the Fox Rampage but would ideally like to try one on. I know from experience of motorcycle helmets it's all about the fit.

I wish I'd thought about this when attending Peatys bike show last year as there were some serious bargains to be had!

[Fluffsri]

Look on Sportspursuit, quite a few FF faces on there at the mo.

[Chicken Chaser]

Leatt do some great armour in their proflex. It's not overly bulky and will go under clothing but works well.

They also do FF helmets or hybrid FF which can be used in 3 configurations - FF, ears covered or half shell.

[V8 Stang]

Full face and pads are only recommended at BPW, they are not mandatory, but most wear full face and i would certainly recommend.

My Troy lee design full face took a big whack there, and had zero head injury, unlike my collar bone!

[Chicken Chaser]

V8 Stang said:

Full face and pads are only recommended at BPW, they are not mandatory, but most wear full face and i would certainly recommend.

My Troy lee design full face took a big whack there, and had zero head injury, unlike my collar bone!

Wow that's some crash! Shows the importance of a decent helmet.

[GravelBen]

Agreed that how it fits your head is the most important factor, you are probably aware most helmets have a few size options as well as brands having different shapes.

When I bought a full face lid I tossed up for quite a while between a more vented enduro-style or a more enclosed DH style helmet. I decided that for my riding I'd really only use the FF for lift/shuttle riding and would generally still use an open face helmet for pedally riding (even if I had a well vented FF) so went for a DH helmet. Very rare for anything I pedal up to be serious enough downhill that I would feel the need for FF on the way back down, obviously other people's riding situations will differ so make your own choice!

I have a POC Coron Air - found a half price deal online and ignored my own advice about trying on first but fortunately it fits me well. Well vented for a DH helmet, lighter than it looks, very comfortable and came with some different thickness pads for adjusting the fit.