Buying advice for jet helmets: Now there's something for your ears: Jet helmet - lifestyle or safety plus?

Immediately in front of the ear, just above the cheekbone, you can clearly feel the pulse on the superficial temporal artery. It is the last outlet of the external carotid artery and one of the reasons why the new genre of jet helmets exists. If you ask Felix Druschel, Product Manager Helmets at Alpina, this lateral temporal area, which is not covered by conventional half-shells, needs special protection. At least that's what studies by the GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study), which is intensively involved in accident research, show.

Jet helmet: ear cover partly only limited protection

The integration of the ears into the helmet is particularly complex, explains Druschel. While Giro and Limar only cover them with an internally padded polycarbonate shell, Alpina foams the ear section with EPP, a material with low density and good damping properties. On the outside, the additional protection is connected to the helmet via the polycarbonate shell. However, there is no official confirmation of the protective effect - the test line for the bicycle helmet TÜV standard is above the ear section, which is therefore not tested.

Jet helmet - a sensible option for enduro bikers

Druschel is nevertheless certain: "The jet helmet is a good choice, especially for bikers who are looking for increased protection compared to a classic open-face helmet. It is much lighter than a full-face helmet and is also better ventilated. This means it can also be worn on long tours where a full-face helmet would be oversized.

The look itself also plays a role: while full-face wearers with goggles are often off-putting simply because of their brute appearance, bikers with a less brutal-looking jet helmet remain a rather friendly presence.

The question of wearing comfort remains: the temple area reacts extremely sensitively not only to a hard impact, but also to constant light pressure. It is therefore essential to try them on thoroughly before buying. Because regardless of whether you like the new breed of jet helmets or not, a helmet is only a good helmet if you actually wear it.

Interview with Feix Druschel: Product Manager Helmets at Alpina

BIKE: A jet helmet is much heavier than a classic open-face helmet, but at the same time doesn't offer nearly as much protection as a full-face helmet. So what are the advantages of this type of helmet and who is the target group?

FELIX DRUSCHEL: In other words, a jet helmet is much lighter than a full-face helmet, but at the same time offers increased protection compared to a classic open-face helmet. It is also much better ventilated than a full-face helmet. The jet helmet is therefore a good choice for anyone who wants a little more protection than a half-shell helmet and is travelling on trails for which a full-face helmet is oversized. The helmet is also comfortable to wear when climbing and does not need to be attached to the rucksack or handlebars. We also think that a jet helmet makes a friendly appearance on the trail. So it's no wonder that you see it on more and more riders.

By extending the helmet shell over the ears, the helmet should presumably offer more protection in the event of a side impact. Are there any accident studies that indicate that many injuries occur in this area, especially when biking?

The GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study) study provides good information about the impact areas on the skull. We have worked closely with our R&D department to design the areas to be protected with the best possible integration of material, position and size of the ears. The lateral forehead area, for example, is particularly vulnerable and can be additionally protected with a jet helmet. The keyword here is the superficial temporal artery, which needs to be covered first and foremost.

The ear cover is not directly integrated into the EPS shell of the helmet, and the material thickness is much thinner than the rest of the helmet. To what extent does this area have any protective effect at all? Are there any measured values?

The ear piece is made of EPP on the inside and integrated into the PC shell at the rear on the outside. EPP is foamed with lower densities than EPS, its cushioning properties can be used sensibly here and it should protect the covered area (temple, jaw, cheekbone) in the best possible way. We also need to ensure a certain degree of flexibility in order to optimise wearing comfort and simplify use, e.g. putting on and taking off the helmet. Small channels in the shell also reduce pressure on sensitive areas of the head. This makes the helmet comfortable to wear, especially when worn for long periods at a time, e.g. on a tour with many metres of uphill climbing.

Does the lateral impact in the area of the ears play a role in the TÜV test?

As the test line for the bicycle helmet TÜV standard is above the ear section, this is not included in the test.

You use a fairly long visor on the Root Mips, which is firmly attached to the helmet shell. Couldn't this lead to problems in the event of a frontal fall? E.g. a hyperextension of the neck?

The visor is designed and constructed in such a way that it breaks away in the event of an impact. This is to prevent overstretching the neck or getting stuck. A small side note: From my own experience, this works very well with the "predetermined breaking point"!

Five current jet helmets in a quick check

Alpina Root Mips

Price 189,95 Euro
Weight 558 g (52-57 cm)
Sizes 51-55cm, 55-57cm, 57-61cm
Equipment MIPS, long visor without adjustment, ratchet closure with chin pad, rubberised dial, height adjustment

The Bavarians launched a jet helmet quite early on with the Rootage - initially without the MIPS system. However, Alpina has also recently started using additional rotation protection. With its rubberised dial and automatic height adjustment, the Root Mips is particularly easy to adjust to the head. Despite its bulky appearance, at 558 grams it is still one of the lighter representatives of its kind. The ratchet fastener is an Alpina speciality and can also be adjusted while riding. Its long visor is firmly attached to the helmet shell, which in the worst case could lead to the head being stretched out in the event of a fall. Comfortably padded and easy to put on.

Limar Etna jet helmet

Price 189,95
Weight 444 g (53 - 57 cm)
Sizes M (53-57 cm) / L (57-61 cm)
Equipment height-adjustable visor; magnetic lock with chin pad; height adjustment; MIPS Air Node

Limar's brand new Etna is probably the lightest jet helmet in the range. At 444 grams, it is barely heavier than some classic helmets with a large cover. The MIPS system integrated into the helmet padding also contributes to the low weight. A goggle can easily be stowed under the generously adjustable visor. Although the Etna has the clever Fidlock magnetic lock, the adjustment system is less successful. The dial is small and fiddly, the height adjustment is awkward. When putting on the helmet, you literally have to peel yourself into the tight-fitting helmet and then adjust the folded ears.

Giant Realm Mips

Price 229,90 Euro >> available here
Weight 655 g (51-59 cm)
Sizes S/M (51-59 cm) / M/L (59-63 cm)
Equipment Double-D fastener; Mips; adjustable visor

The Realm has a strong downhill leaning - it is the only helmet with a double-D fastener and a very long moto-style visor. In addition, its helmet shell is pulled particularly far downwards and the earpieces are only constructed separately to a small extent. Although this increases protection, it unfortunately also increases the weight. 655 grams weigh heavily on the head on tour, and ventilation also suffers due to the small openings. Due to the rigid construction, the earpieces press heavily on the cheeks, slipping them in is a feat of strength and only works with the fastener open - quite impractical. Because the Realm covers a wide range per size, it fits less snugly than the competition.

Giro Tyrant Spherical

Price 190 Euro >> available here
Weight 632 g (55-59 cm)
Sizes S (51-55 cm) / M (55-59 cm) / L (59-63 cm)
Equipment Mips Spherical; infinitely adjustable visor; height adjustment

Giro equips its jet helmet with the elaborate Mips Spherical. Here, two EPS shells separated by a liner slide over each other. In our last helmet test, we were unable to attest to the system's clearly higher protective effect. However, the weight definitely increases. This is despite the fact that Giro is the only manufacturer to completely dispense with an EPS layer around the ears. The rest of the features are standard: simple clip fastener, large rubberised dial and height adjustment with a push button. On the other hand, the Giro scores points for comfort. It's easy to slip on without tearing your ears half off, and the padding provides a comfortable but not overly tight fit.

Leatt MTB Enduro 3.0

Price 298 Euro >> available here
Weight 583 g (55 - 59 cm)
Sizes S (51-55 cm ) / M (55-59 cm) / L (59-63 cm)
Equipment Removable chin guard / ear clips; adjustable visor; 360° turbine technology; magnetic lock; automatic height adjustment; rubberised rotating wheel; spare padding

With the Enduro 3.0, Leatt has designed the all-in-one helmet. The MTB Enduro 3.0 is a half-shell (460 g), open-face and full-face helmet (725 g) in one. Its ASTM certification makes it fully suitable for downhill riding - which also explains the slightly higher weight. A slot on the temple and a hole behind the ear are used to attach the chin guard or ear defenders - with a little practice, this can be done quite quickly with a press stud. Despite its rounded fit, the Leatt sits firmly and comfortably and can also be adjusted using interchangeable pads. Top features: the magnetic lock and automatic height adjustment. If you're looking for a helmet for everything from trail tours to park visits, this is the helmet for you.

Want to know more about helmets? Then why not read here our test of Enduro helmets.

Jet helmet - pros & cons

We asked our colleagues from the test team what they thought about jet helmets. Opinions differ greatly in some cases. There are absolute supporters but also clear detractors. What are the pros and cons of this new type of bike helmet?

Pro jet helmet

I attach great importance to perfect head protection when biking. In the park, I have to wear a full face. On tours, I rely on jet helmets. Mine sits firmly on my head and encloses it well, even at the temples. Yes, it looks strange. But I prefer the look of a Lord helmet, so it stays where it's supposed to be when I'm going down a scree slope. And it works, I've tried it several times. Less is more? Not for me when it comes to helmets. Well-ventilated models also work on trail tours.

Contra jet helmet

I don't see any advantage in jet helmets. They are heavier and less well ventilated than half-shells. The actual protective effect of the ear pads is also not documented in any certification. If I want more protection than with a conventional helmet, I go for a lightweight full-face like the Abus Airdrop. It fulfils the ASTM F1952 standard and is therefore fully suitable for downhill riding. It also weighs only 770 grams and is just as well ventilated as the Jet helmets.