Updated on August 18, 2022
The chin bar can be removed and reattached to a convertible mountain bike helmet, making it a full-face helmet with a removable chin guard.
A convertible mountain bike helmet is effectively an open- and full-face helmet all in one.
That’s why open-face and full-face models are much more adaptable than regular helmets.
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How Do Mountain Bike Helmets Work?
The polycarbonate shell of most mountain bike helmets is sandwiched between two layers of EPS foam, with the latter serving as the lining.
The eps foam is protected by the hard plastic shell, which allows the helmet to slide along the ground rather than catch and whip your neck around.
It’s also worth noting that in the event of a heavy impact, eps foam will shatter or crush and absorb some of the force.
Helmets protect your brain by absorbing the impact of the outside world.
Are Convertible Mountain Bike Helmets Safe?
It is true that convertible mountain bike helmets are incredibly safe.
The reason for this is because, depending on your requirements, you can switch them out for a full-face helmet.
A full-face helmet provides the best protection.
Along with your skull, it also protects your face and jaw from serious injuries during an accident.
Best Convertible Mountain Bike Helmets
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1. BELL Super 3R MIPS Adult
Specifications
- Best For: MTB Ride
- Ventilation: 23 Vents
- Weight: 1.73 lbs.
- Other Specs: Adjustable Visor System
The lightweight design of this helmet makes it easy to wear for extended periods of time.
The helmet’s over brow ventilation was also a big plus for me.
The top of the helmet has a number of vents to let air to flow in and keep you cool during the ride.
This boosts the comfort of the helmet while also preventing it from becoming stuffy while you’re riding.
BELL Super 3R MIPS Helmet is my first pick for a convertible MTB helmet, and I know you’ll love it too.
My favourite MTB helmet by far is the Bell Super 3R MIPS, which I’ve used on a number of occasions.
In addition to a host of other advantages, I really appreciate the helmet’s integrated camera mount.
If you’re a fan of filming your MTB rides, this camera mount is a great option for you.
Simply attach a GoPro to it, and you’ll be able to capture every moment of your journey.
This helmet’s safety is further enhanced by the mount’s breakaway feature.
During a high-speed collision, this mount will break away from the helmet in order to minimise the risk of injuries.
With regards to protection, this helmet did not disappoint me in any way.
On impact, this accessory’s MIPS technology will protect you from harmful rotating forces, ensuring your safety.
The float fit of this helmet also allows it to be adjusted to the precise measurements of your head so that it will fit correctly.
Finally, the visor on this helmet can be adjusted so that you can use your goggles while wearing it.
What I Like?
- It is light in weight.
- With-and-without cheek pads
- fitted with MIPS
- The ability to fine-tune
- Mount for a camera that can be dismantled.
- Visor with a telescoping adjustment
What I Don’t Like?
- I’m not a downhill riding qualified expert.
- Needs to be dismantled in order to be converted
- Carrying a chin bar is cumbersome.
2. Giro Switchblade MIPS Adult Mountain Cycling Helmet
Specifications
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Ventilation: 20 Vents
- Weight: 1.1 lbs.
- Other Specs: Removable Chin Bar, MIPS, Spare Visor with Camera Mount
This helmet’s ‘Wind Tunnel’ ventilation technology has piqued my interest.
The positioning of the helmet’s ports enhances the amount of air that flows through the helmet and around your head.
As a result, you can enjoy a cool and relaxing ride.
The helmet’s hydrophilic cushioning was another feature that caught my eye.
Switchblade MIPS Adult Mountain Cycling Helmet by Giro follows.
The hydrophilic cushioning within the helmet is what drew my attention.
A lot of water can be absorbed by this cushioning.
For those who tend to perspire profusely when riding, this helmet can help you dry off quickly.
As a result, long MTB rides won’t leave you with tingling eyes from sweat.
The X-static liner of this helmet also helps decrease undesirable odours and keeps your helmet smelling fresh even after long periods of wear.
Because of its MIPS technology, which lowers harmful rotating forces on the wearer, this helmet also impresses me for its level of safety.
In addition, the polycarbonate shell of the helmet makes it extremely durable.
Despite this, the Giro Switchblade is clearly capable of absorbing quite a bit of damage before it breaks or injures the wearer, thanks to the foam layer on the inside.
Also included is an Air DH Fit system, which allows you to fine-tune the helmet’s fit to your own head.
What I Like?
- Visor with a telescoping adjustment
- Camera mount on an extra-large visor.
- Spectacular airflow.
- The ability to customise the fit is an added benefit.
- Sturdy
- the reliability of the MIPS camera system
What I Don’t Like?
- The visor is weak at best.
- Quite hefty, according to some
- The chin bar is difficult to put on because of its shape.
3. Demon United FR Link System
Specifications
- Best For: XC & Free Rides
- Ventilation: 30 Vents
- Weight: 1.8 lbs.
- Other Specs: Removable Chin Guard, CPSC
The Demon United convertible mountain bike helmet is a great option if you’re on a budget but still want a high-quality helmet.
Convertible helmets can be expensive, but this one doesn’t sacrifice safety or comfort.
You won’t get tired of it after wearing it for several hours because of how light it is.
In addition, the helmet’s strategically placed air vents provide for ample airflow into the helmet.
Your ride won’t be as sweltering as it would have been otherwise.
I really like how simple it was to take off and put back on the helmet’s chin-bar.
Many other convertible helmets need you to remove the chin bar before you may attach or remove it.
This one, on the other hand, uses a simple click mechanism to secure the face bar in place.
The cinch-tight dial on the back of the helmet allows you to fine-tune the fit of the helmet to your specific head size.
This helmet’s visor can also be adjusted.
You can rest your goggles on the helmet without having to raise the visor, but if you need to, you can do so.
I was blown away by this helmet’s polycarbonate outer layer and soft, shock-absorbing padding on the interior.
This, along with the well-built chin-bar, ensures your safety and complete protection in the event of a collision.
What I Like?
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Great airflow
- Adjustable visor
- Easy to remove chin-bar
- Sturdy
What I Don’t Like?
- Not a lot of sizing options
- Not rated for downhill
- No MIPS
4. BELL Super Air R MIPS
Specifications
- Best For: Mountain Bike
- Ventilation: 30 Vents
- Weight: 1 lbs.
- Other Specifications: GoggleGuide Adjustable Visor
Adding to my list of the best convertible mountain bike helmets is the BELL Super Air R MIPS helmet.
This helmet’s comfort is one of the primary factors for my opinion.
In addition to being lightweight, this helmet is built to withstand the rigours of combat.
Reduces the wear and tear on the user and improves their level of comfort.
In addition, this helmet has a lot of air vents, so it’ll keep you cool even on hot days.
A specific sweat guiding design is also included in this helmet’s cushioning.
Sweat is guided away from your eyes by the sweat guide design, which keeps your eyes dry.
As an added benefit, the x-static cushioning helps keep your helmet fresh by cutting down on sweat-induced odour.
As a result, wearing it for extended periods of time is a pleasant experience.
This helmet has a surprising fit.
This is possible because to the helmet’s float fit technology, which allows you to fine-tune the fit to your specific head size.
This helmet exceeded my expectations in terms of safety.
First and foremost, this helmet features spherical MIPS technology, which is superior to normal MIPS in terms of protection.
A sequential layering system allows it to absorb a lot of shock when struck.
In addition, the helmet includes a camera attachment with a breakaway mechanism.
This means that in addition to recording your journeys, you may do it in a way that is both convenient and safe.
This is due to the fact that the mount breaks away in high-impact situations in order to limit the wearer’s injury.
What I Like?
- Lightweight
- Great ventilation
- Breakaway camera mount
- Adjustable visor
- Float fit
- Flex Spherical MIPS
What I Don’t Like?
- Chin-bar bulky to carry around
- Not DH and ASTM certified
5. BELL Super DH MIPS Removable Chin Guard Mountain Bike Helmet
Specifications
- Best For: Mountain Bike
- Ventilation: 25 Vents
- Weight: 0.25 lbs.
The BELL Super DH MIPS Adult Mountain Bike Helmet is another excellent convertible mountain bike helmet option.
This helmet has a lot going for it, but one of the most important is the superior level of protection it provides.
This helmet’s Flex Spherical MIPS technology protects you from any rotational forces you might experience during a collision.
Fusion in moulding, which involves fusing the outside polycarbonate layer with the interior EPS foam liner, gives the helmet its sturdiness and strength.
In addition, the helmet’s progressive EPS foam layers allows it to absorb shocks rather well.
This helmet is also quite comfortable to wear.
The helmet, visor, and chin-bar all feature strategically placed air vents to help circulate air around your head and keep you comfortable while riding.
To further protect your eyes and eyeglasses, the padding on the helmet is contoured to travel away from your face.
An X-Static liner in the padding helps keep the helmet smelling fresh.
To speed up drying time after washing, the cushioning is comprised of quick-drying materials.
Additionally, the helmet’s fit is extremely impressive.
With the fidlock buckle and float fit technology, this helmet’s fit can be precisely dialled in.
What I Like?
- Lightweight
- Adjustable visor
- Flex Spherical MIPS
- Float fit
- Great ventilation
What I Don’t Like?
- Expensive
- Bulky chin-guard
What is MIPS helmet?
“Multi-directional Impact Protection System” is the acronym for MIPS.
Helmets with MIPS and a low-friction layer between the helmet and the wearer’s head.
Using this method, the helmet can move in response to an impact without also moving the head.
Helmets equipped with MIPS technology protect the wearer’s head from harmful rotational forces that can result from an angled impact.
Wrapping Up Convertible Mountain Bike Helmets Review
When you’re mountain biking, you need to make sure your head is protected.
It’s also a good idea to wear a convertible helmet for mountain biking because you can remove the chin-bar for more leisurely rides and put it back on for more intense ones.
In order to make things easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 convertible mountain bike helmets on the market today.

Hey, all I am Joe Marino I love to ride bikes and teach others how to ride them. Most of my articles are about which bike is best for others. I am passionate about cycling and it shows, whether I am writing about a $25 bicycle from any random website or a $5000 Santa Cruz.
I have always been the guy who gets calls from friends while at work asking which bike they should buy. I have written about the best city bike for commuting, the best folding bike for use on public transit, and even what to keep in mind when shopping for kids’ bikes.
You can follow my blog and read all of my other articles on my website.