Has anyone ever thought about why full face helmets are designed the way they are?  Well, I've been thinking about it, and it does make one wonder...

Before even getting to the issue of aerodynamics, let's consider rider comfort and performance.

Whenever I put on my DH helmet after riding in my XC gear, I feel like I'm suffocating because of the face guard.  I'm breathing my own breath.  It's hot and it's probably reducing the amount of oxygen I can get into my blood to power my muscles.

So why is the face guard solid?  Why can't it be much more open?  All it has to do is protect against impact.  They stick some token vents in there, as if they do much good...

If it were open and you could get 5% more oxygen in your blood, imagine the difference that could make on a course like Ft. William!

This looks naff, but the face guard is more open...


Imagine the fresh air!



All I can think is that full faces are traditionally designed this way because this has always been the way motorcross helmets are designed...to protect from roost, etc.  But that's not a problem in DH racing.  It's just daft.

I reckon the old full face helmet needs an redesign from the ground up for downhill racing...

for dh racing could be for falling and hitting objects e.g roots, rocks, your bike ?

 good point though but i guess there also stronger as the american football style helmet would bend easily

I have. I hate it.

Aaron, you just need to ditch the 661 and get something where your lips aren't on the chin guard.

Anything more open than a normal full face would catch on objects and abuse your neck, rather than sliding over things. Last night was bad enough in that soft crap.

The solid chin guard stops all the crap/dust getting in your mouth, Imagine the 100% decrease in performance when you start choking on dust.


Plus, Wearing a baseball helmet would look gay.

along with dust you can count small rocks, with regards to stacking it i think id be much happier with a solid object! no vents here!

the visor is to protect from roost, not the chinguard...

Well it's not like I'm podium fast, but fast enough.  I don't ride a lot of dry dusty trail I suppose (this is the UK after all) and I rarely get a mouthful of anything, perhaps because I don't fall that much.  I'd rather have some air...

Downhill at the top level is a one man sport, coming down a clear hill.  People are wearing skin suits at the world champs to get a couple of seconds.  Every fraction of a second counts.  I'm coming from the angle of having top level downhill kit designed properly.  Downhill is a 3-4 minute sprint, where you need as much oxygen in your blood as possible.  And we've got a shield in the way...

I'll admit, it's not as noticeable once up to speed, but in slow sections if you are huffing it, I'd prefer an open design.

I'm not talking Giro Switchblade here, I'm talking something completely new...carbon composites just like the best helmets...strength would not be an issue.