We rode these helmets as much as possible in as many settings as possible. From dry and dusty bike park laps to wet and humid days in Whistler, We wore them chattering down rooty trails, and we wore them gapping big jumps, heck, we even wore them while climbing. All of this in the name of finding the right lid for you, your wallet, and your budget.
Comfort
Comfort is a bit of a subjective metric. What is comfortable for one noggin may not be comfortable on the next head. That said, we can always find certain elements of a helmet's comfort that are true for every head.
To test the comfort of each model, we had our team of testers with various head shapes try them on and provide feedback. We assessed each model based on the shape of the helmet, lining material, placement of padding, and comfort of the chin straps. We often wore the helmets back to back for a direct comparison. We rode in each model for an extended period and kept note of each helmet's comfort during real-world riding conditions.
Protection
Our assessment of protection involves a combination of factors. We did not perform any scientific tests of our own, nor did we go out of our way to crash in any of these helmets. We took each helmet's materials, construction, protective features like Mips or similar, certifications, and the overall feel of each model into account in this rating.
Weight
Each helmet was weighed on our digital scale in ounces. All helmets are medium in size. Weighed while dry and clean with no dirt or excess water weight.
Ventilation
Our testers wore each of these helmets in a range of weather and temperature conditions which helped us assess their ventilation or lack thereof. On short pedals in hot temperatures, it quickly became apparent which models prioritize ventilation and which do not. The number, size, and placement of the vents on each helmet were taken into consideration.
Visor
Visors are an important feature that virtually every full-face helmet has. We assessed each helmet's visor in terms of its shape and adjustability. We also considered the attachment method of each visor, and special features like break-away capability.
Durability
Durability is a tough metric to rate without crashing in each helmet. Our durability rating is based on the condition of each helmet after months of use. This includes the exterior finish, padding, stitching, trim, chin strap, and visor attachments. Some helmets are more durable than others, and we did our best to determine that based on our experience.