Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet: REVIEW
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to check out the Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet. Endura claims that this is the lightest full face mountain bike helmet on the market. The medium/large is only 640g and is fully downhill certified. It uses the Koroyd construction, which makes it super ventilated and safe. Here is what I thought of the Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet.
Why the Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet?
The way enduro racing and riding is going these days, riders require more protection. Many enduro riders wear downhill helmets, but with the increased protection they give, they also get pretty hot. This is a problem, especially when it comes to big climbs. Many enduro race series (including the EWS) have a strict “full-face helmet” rule. Therefore, manufacturers are developing lighter, well ventilated and safe full face helmet options.
The Details
Weight
I fully believe that Endura when they say the MT500 is the lightest full-face helmet on the market. It is a full 50g more lightweight than the Troy Lee Designs Stage helmet with MIPS. It is 95g lighter than the Fox Proframe.
When I picked it up, I was amazed, but I was concerned about how something so light could give enough protection.
Construction
The MT500 uses Koroyd construction. This looks like a honeycomb structure within the helmet. It is made up of lots of co-polymer tubes. This structure absorbs shock more linearly, intending to reduce head injuries. Not only that, it allows maximum airflow over and around your head. This is probably the most ventilated full face helmet around too. The image below isn’t the clearest one, but it shows how the Koroyd construction performs during an impact compared to standard foam you find in conventional helmets. It shows how the force is more efficiently dispersed with the Endura system.
The chin bar is fixed, unlike the removable one you will find on the Bell Super 3 R. It joins the helmet with an in house designed skeleton that adds strength without adding excess weight.
Comfort
Lightness aside, this is a very comfy helmet. This is mainly thanks to the adjustment you get with it. It has a dial on the back to ensure the perfect fit and anchor points that you can finely tune. There are different sized foam pads that you can put inside the helmet to get it to your liking. The Endura representative told me that you don’t actually need the foam to keep the helmet secure around the chin bar, but it is up to the rider’s preference for comfort. I really like the magnetic fastener on the strap. It is similar to the one I have on my snowboard helmet. It allows you you do it up and undo it with one gloved hand with ease.
The level of ventilation improved comfort even more. You do get a whistle when you get some speed up, but not enough to be a problem.
The shape of the helmet allows for good goggle integration. However, the fixed means you can’t just flick it up and rest your goggles under it.
Protection
The MT500 is a light and breathable option for mountain bikers that ride enduro, downhill and in bike parks. Therefore it should provide the necessary protection and versatility to cater for these types of rider.
The Endura MT500 is fully DH certified and satisfies both the ASTM F1952 standard and CE Standard EN1078:2012 + 1 A1:2012.
My Verdict of the Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet
This helmet lives up to its claims for lightness and comfort. And with its downhill standard certification, it should provide the necessary protection riders need. The MT500 has been well thought out with some nice little touches. Touches like the magnetic fastener and adjustability. I currently ride with a Bell Super 3R, although I love it and rave about it; I think I may consider buying an MT500 when it comes to replacing it.
Thank you for this interesting and very informative Endura MT500 full face helmet review, it’s very important to be protected when travelling at speed on bikes of any kind and not just on busy roads which obviously have many dangers with other road users etc, but also when on purpose built tracks, this helmet looks very sturdy and tough, thank you for promoting safety and bringing this product to my attention, keep up the good work.
Hi Russ,
Thanks for your comment. Riding technical mountain bike trails requires a bit more protection than you would normally get form an open face helmet. This is a super light and very safe full face item.
Hey Tom:
Thanks for a look at the value of full face biking helmets. I’ve seen pictures of riders using the things and wondered why they needed them. It makes sense for biking trips that are hairy downhill race routes and such, I am thinking.
I do wonder, though. Do the helmets interfere with peripheral vision? Is that not as important a thing on downhill mountain rides as it is for riders on regular roads?
Hi Netta,
No the helmets don’t really interfere with vision. You can get restricted peripheral vision from poor goggles though.
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