Mountain Biking - Good helmets for mountain biking?

First off, in order to avoid any confusion, this is not like the other thread on here that is debate on whether you should wear a helmet or not or if you're a hack for not wearing one.

So, what is a good helmet for mountain biking? Someone has already suggested the Urge Endur-O-Matic. What else is out there? Thanks!

For urban, I've got a cheapie Bell Faction Mirra.
http://lakecentral.colinhoernig.com/img/products/Bell_Faction_Dave_Mirra_Multi-Sport_Helmet.jpg

For trails, I'm using Bell Influx. Cheap Light Tough! (I have two actually...bought them on closeout for $15)
http://www.capitalcycles.co.nz/images/medium/2010_bell_influx_m_blk_olive_med.jpghttp://www.halfhelmets.info/images/20110831/Bell-Influx-2.jpg

Right now I have a cheap Bell MTB helmet that I can't seem to find to remember the name up. But it was a $20 helmet from Wally World.

It's actually been missing for a few weeks now & I'm starting to wonder if it didn't actually get left at the old house when we moved in March, & for this reason I've been looking into AM helmets. I can't afford two helmets right now & AM helmets are well-vented like XC helmets, but offer more back-of-the-head protection like the first one Ed posted. I've had my eye on a high-quantity ebay listing of the SixSixOne Recon for $56. But I may just go the Ed route & get two cheap/closeout helmets for the two kinds of riding I do.

But as far as I've been able to tell, the only advantages to high dollar helmets are weight, comfort, & design (aerodynamics & such). The short research I've done has turned up that the protective qualities of low- & high0dollar helmets are more or less the same.

Probably a stupid question, but is there any real difference between road and MTB helmets, other than the visor? I'm a roadie looking to pick up my first mountain bike, just wondering if I should spring for a MTB helmet or if my road helmet is fine.

All CPSC certified. Some MTB/Urban helmets have more coverage behind the head.

Probably a stupid question, but is there any real difference between road and MTB helmets, other than the visor? I'm a roadie looking to pick up my first mountain bike, just wondering if I should spring for a MTB helmet or if my road helmet is fine.


a lot of mtb helmets will have a bit more coverage around the back of your head than your typical road helmet. And as far as some good mtb helmets go; Had the 661 recon and it was great, the urge is also pretty nice, giro hex is another decent one and lastly i just picked up a Poc Trabec and that this is hands down the best helmet that ive ever worn. The new fox striker is pretty sweet too, though i havnt tried it on.

All CPSC certified.

Good enough for a 5 year old, good enough for me.

Thanks for all the input. I think I'll just get a regular Bell or something for now until I can save up for a nicer helmet. I really like how the sixsixone recon looks. I'll have to look around at some stores and see who has one that I can try on.

Good enough for a 5 year old, good enough for me.

I wouldn't put a Jennings or Raven in a nice gun safe. I generally have to decide if what I'm securing is worth saving.