Mountain bike helmets
The Canyon Deflectr RLS has the best STAR score of the 90 mountain helmets Virginia Tech has rated: 6.819, where lower is better, at $160 when tested. The best-scoring one we found listed on Amazon US is the POC Cularis (7.096, $240 at test). At $100 or less, the Endura Hummvee MIPS scored 9.647 at $90.
By Virginia Tech’s STAR score, the Canyon Deflectr RLS is the safest mountain helmet it has tested: 6.819, where lower is better, at $160 when tested. The best-scoring one we found listed on Amazon US is the POC Cularis (7.096, $240 at test). A STAR score is a lab impact result, not a promise of protection in every crash.
The Endura Hummvee MIPS has the best STAR score among mountain helmets that tested at $100 or less: 9.647 at $90. We found it listed on Amazon US. The ABUS Motrip MIPS is next at 10.624 and $100.
Judge the STAR score, not the label. Virginia Tech’s tests measure rotational as well as linear head motion, so any benefit from MIPS or another rotational system already shows up in a helmet’s score.
For downhill riding and bike parks, check the park’s rules and consider a full-face helmet. Virginia Tech rates full-face helmets on a separate scale, so their STAR scores can’t be compared with trail helmet scores.
Lower STAR scores are better. We compare scores only within the same Virginia Tech style. The cards show the lowest-scoring models with an Amazon US listing found in our checks, plus the lowest-scoring option at $100 or less where one exists. Prices are the price at test, not today’s price. A listing check does not confirm stock, seller trust or a current offer.
Mountain: best STAR score on Amazon
Lab impact score: 7.096 (lower is safer)
Compared with 90 Mountain helmets in this catalog. Tested 2025.
The lowest STAR score among the mountain models we found on Amazon.
$240 at time of testing, not a current price
Mountain: best value
Lab impact score: 9.647 (lower is safer)
Compared with 90 Mountain helmets in this catalog. Tested 2025.
The lowest STAR score among our Amazon-listed mountain models tested at $100 or less.
$90 at time of testing, not a current price
At $100 or less, the safest mountain helmet Virginia Tech tested, by STAR score, is the Endura Hummvee MIPS ($90 price at test).
Pick how you ride and how much you want to spend. Lower STAR scores are safer. We only compare helmets within the same style.
Each dot is a helmet. Dots nearer the top have lower, better STAR scores. Orange is the pick, teal fits your budget, gray is over budget.
This table is the full ranking, ordered by Virginia Tech STAR score alone, where lower is better. Prices are the price at test, not today’s price. A dash under “Where to buy” means we have not confirmed an exact Amazon US listing for that model. Amazon links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission; they never change the order.
Need chin coverage? See our full-face helmet picks. Fox helmets for MTB are also in the comparisons below.
Browse all helmet ratings or read how Virginia Tech tests helmets. No helmet can prevent every injury.
Source: Virginia Tech Helmet Lab bicycle helmet ratings.
TestedHelmets