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Best ventilated helmet around £50?

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[#13536571]

Looking for a new trail helmet to replace an old Giro Fixture that I've never really got along with, it's boiling! I don't know if I just run hot but even in the winter the pads get soaked through in sweat, and I don't find it that comfy shape wise. So I'm thinking something with forehead vents might be good if any are around in my price range.

Don't really want to spend above £50 if I can help it, from what I gather that should still get me something with MIPS or something like the Lazer alternative.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 3:07 pm
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I've been eyeing up the poc axion MIPS at sport pursuit https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/3935280/

Reviews suggest ventilation is decent. Anyone got one?


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 3:32 pm
_tom_ reacted
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Ah that could be perfect, cheers! Off to read some reviews...

Edit - ordered, will let you know how I get on with it!


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 4:27 pm
davros reacted
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https://sportandleisure.com/products/met-roam-mips-mtb-helmet?currency=GBP&country=GB&variant=56641244692867

I have this and it's a great lid. Never felt hot or sweaty in it. £10 over budget but you might find it cheaper with newsletter sign-up/welcome discount etc.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 4:34 pm
davros reacted
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even in the winter the pads get soaked through in sweat

This has been me in every helmet ever. 

If you find a helmet based solution that would be mint. I wear a buff and wring it out under mtb helmets and cap under road helmet.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 5:05 pm
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Posted by: tall_martin

even in the winter the pads get soaked through in sweat

This has been me in every helmet ever. 

If you find a helmet based solution that would be mint. I wear a buff and wring it out under mtb helmets and cap under road helmet.

But then doesn't the buff just trap more heat then get all sweat soaked and minging instead? I suppose it's easier to chuck in the wash than the helmet pads though.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 7:46 pm
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Halo headbands are good at keeping it from your eyes without boiling your head. I use them unless it's cold enough for a buff.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 8:48 pm
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I now ride with a buff under the helmet. In very hot weather, it stops sweat dripping into my eyes. And a side-benefit is that I haven’t had to wash the padding in a helmet since I started doing this several years ago. And buffs are incredibly easy to wash, and they dry extremely quickly.

And in very cold weather, I can pull the buff over my ears. So I use a buff in all weathers now.


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 9:04 pm
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I haven’t had to wash the padding in a helmet…”

I have never done this and ride my bike in the same helmet most days!


 
Posted : 04/08/2026 11:39 pm
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I don't know about "best" but I just recently got a cheap Met Shelter and it's definitely one of the better, less sweaty helmets I've ever had while also having good coverage. The non-mips can be had from £40, the MIPS from about £60. 

(I only got it because I needed a helmet in a hurry, but I feel like I really lucked out, I like it a lot more than the TLD it replaces. Very basic, but everything essentially works and the weight and compact size is impressive. Nonadjustable visor which I know some people hate)


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 3:27 am
 FOG
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Another vote for the Roam. I have the camo one and it is very comfortable and unsweaty. Over the years I have spent loads of money searching for the helmet that suited me best and so far this is it.


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 8:08 am
 PJay
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Size depending, Banana Industries have these for £20 although I've no idea what they're like.

https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/products/giro-radix-dirt-helmet?_pos=1&_sid=ad6b0143c&_ss=r


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 8:16 am
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Cannondale Tract Mips...

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/4717583/

In a few colours, very comfy (though on my weird shaped head it's quite low on the brow, but modern helmets seem to have much more forehead coverage). Done a couple of rides with it and seems very well ventilated.

Such a good deal I bought 2 so I've got a spare in!

£18.99  😎


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 10:36 am
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Posted by: chiefgrooveguru

I haven’t had to wash the padding in a helmet…”

I have never done this and ride my bike in the same helmet most days!

I have to rinse mine after every ride. Might try one of those £50 pocs


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 11:48 am
 StuE
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A bit lighter and with  fidlock for an extra £11 over the Tract

https://share.google/wFNxc5gEfmiW4JIy 3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cannondale Terrus MIPS MTB Helmet (White) | Sportpursuit.com https://share.google/wFNxc5gEfmiW4JIy3


 
Posted : 05/08/2026 2:13 pm
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The Poc arrived today, first impressions are the shape of it fits my head much better than the Giro Fixture - going back to that feels very weird now, the Poc seems to have a rounder shape whereas the Giro is more oval and tighter on the sides for me. Vents are much bigger and more of them, so it's looking promising! Will go out for a quick ride at lunch time to see how it does with ventilation.


 
Posted : 07/08/2026 9:44 am
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@davros - my verdict is the ventilation seems pretty good! Can feel the forehead vent doing it's job when riding along and the pads aren't completely saturated. It's still sweaty but I didn't notice it much when riding which is the main thing, and I guess I'm just a sweaty headed person 😂


 
Posted : 07/08/2026 12:47 pm
davros reacted
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Thanks posters, having seen this ad I had a look at my old helmet and having seen a label stamped  Jan 08 I decided to tear myself, 


 
Posted : 07/08/2026 2:24 pm
tall_martin reacted
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Thanks for the feedback Tom. Glad it's not a head boiler!


 
Posted : 07/08/2026 7:47 pm