There have been many helmets that claim to bridge the gap between trail and downhill using a removable chin guard but the Giro Switchblade was the original and now the best. It’s probably most suited to enduro racing, where the chinbar can be removed on the transitions and fitted for the stages, but this helmet has all the necessary accreditation to be raced downhill too.

Giro’s quality and detail really shine through (as it also does on one of our favourite trail lids, the Montaro). Equipped with MIPS technology, the Switchblade is triple-certified to CPSC, EN-1078, and ASTM-1952 Downhill safety standards – and that’s with or without the chin guard.

The helmet and chin-bar attachment in a very reassuring manner but don’t require any tools – you can shove the bar in your pack and just bring it out when needed. Some people have commented that it looks a bit goofy without the chin bar but we actually think it brings some moto cool – just look at Cody Kelly in it and tel us it’s not a good look.

Want to pack one helmet in your bikepark or road trip kitbag? This new design from Giro is definitely worth checking out.

Price: £249.99

giro.com

zyrofisher.co.uk

Read a full review here

[monetizer101 search=’Giro Switchblade’]

With over 50 years of helmet experience, it’s safe to say Bell know how to keep a rider safe. BMX vert riders were using their moto 9 MX helmet in the noughties but needed something lighter – the Full 9 was born and put Bell firmly back on the full face map for downhill mountain biking.

It is quite simply as near perfect as we can imagine a full face mountain bike helmet getting, and it just reeks of quality. Comfort is second to none, and with no fewer than six sizes on offer everyone should find an agreeable fit. Bell have even managed to do a good job on the venting front without the helmet feeling like it won’t stand up to a big impact.

The features like a removable helmet cam mount, integrated speaker mounts and cheek pads that can easily be removed in a serious crash just make you realise how Bell have thought about every single aspect of this lid. While this helmet isn’t exactly cheap the good news is that Bell are also now making the Transfer–9 which shares a very similar design, but is whole lot cheaper at £159.99. The choice is yours.

Price: £424.99

Zyrofisher.co.uk

[monetizer101 search=’Bell Full 9 helmet’]

Fox Rampage Carbon

Poc Coron

You can never mistake when you’re looking at a POC helmet. Clean lines, monotone and very cool, the Coron is definitely a product from the Swedish style-masters.

POC have always had a no compromise approach to design, with premium materials, well-developed technologies and safety taking a priority. Their products are far from cheap but rarely disappoint, and can be seen as a good long-term investment if you can afford it – plus, if you’re going to spend on anything, it may as well be protecting your noggin.

In 2016 POC introduced a new shell material called M-Forge. This has advanced fibre technology said to outperform previously known shell materials and has benefits in terms of multi-impact performance and durability. In terms of weight, there is no penalty either with the Coron weighing in from 1050g depending on size.

The Coron may look hotter than a Swedish sauna but there are essential brow and jaw vents to keep sweat to a minimum.

Price: £385, £425 (SODERSTROM EDITION)

www.2pure.co.uk  0844 811 2001

www.pocsports.com

[monetizer101 search=’Poc Coron helmet’]

100% Aircraft

100% is making the hop over from being a legendary motocross brand and into the world of downhill. They’re doing it the right way too and now sponsor Specialized, Cube, Giant and Commencal teams on the World Cup circuit. As first helmets go, we think they’ve smashed it with the Aircraft – we absolutely love the styling and it backs it up with plenty of tech too.

Weighing in at just over a kilo with 25 vents and plenty of fitting options you can be assured of fit and comfort and there are plenty of colour options to keep even the tartiest rider happy.

Price: £299.99

ride100percent.com

[monetizer101 search=’Aircraft full face helmet’]

Urge Down-o-matic

The Urge Down-o-matic was updated last year and, although it’s lost the iconic circular vents, the performance and comfort remain. They styling is still unique too and at £180 it’s probably a contender for the best value full face on the market.

You won’t find a carbon version of the Down-O-Matic anywhere, but what you do get is their ‘Veggie’ compound. This is a linen fibre construction, similar to that of carbon fibre, but much kinder to the environment. Just like linen, you don’t need to iron this lid either.

Price: From £179.99

Decade Europe 01792 469 811

www.urgebike.com

[monetizer101 search=’Urge Down-o-matic’]

O’Neal Fury

It doesn’t get much better for value than the O’Neal Fury. In fact, we reckon you should probably cough up for this even if you only do a handful of uplifts a year. There aren’t many noticeable sacrifices here for the money and, in fact, we reckon it has the most ingenious fastening system out there. It looks good for a budget option too!

Price: €139.95

oneal.eu

[monetizer101 search=’O’Neal Fury RL’]