Where We Tested
Our testers rode in these helmets for hundreds of miles and hundreds of hours on terrain varying from double-track fire roads to machine groomed bike park jumps. From the slick rock and technical trails of the desert southwest to the high alpine single track of Lake Tahoe and down to the coastal redwood forests of Santa Cruz these helmets have seen it all. Casual rides, backyard laps, enduro races, and the occasional post-ride drive home, we didn't discriminate as we put these helmets through their paces. We rode in weather conditions as variable as the trails and rides we took them on, from cold rainy fall and spring rides to the heat of the day in summer.
Testing Process
Our testing procedure necessitated a significant quantity of saddle time. Real-world testing is the best method to become acquainted with how a helmet fits, adjusts, and ventilates. We gave each helmet to numerous testers and gathered feedback from trail riders of all styles and abilities. In addition, we asked friends and family to try on each helmet and provide feedback on fit and feel in order to cover as many different head shapes as feasible. To evaluate compatibility, we fiddled with all of the adjustments and features and tested all of the helmets with sunglasses and goggles.
Our testers switched between models for side-by-side comparisons whenever feasible. We ran numerous test days of back-to-back shuttle laps while wearing one helmet after the other and meticulously taking notes. We also weighedeach model on the same digital scale, reporting the weight in grams and ounces. We did our best to ensure that each helmet got a comparable amount of riding and treatment, and we used the helmet's post-test condition to inform a portion of our durability score.
When all was said and done we poured through our notes and boiled everything down for our ratings. We carefully rated each model on each of our predetermined metrics to calculate our final scores.
