Charlie Allenby finds a excellent value off-road lid featuring MIPS and Koroyd protection made north of the border by the Endura clan…
Endura Singletrack MIPS Helmet
£109.99, amazon.co.uk – not available in the US
Pros:
- Koroyd and MIPS protection for reasonable price
- Great breathability
Cons:
- No reflective detailing
- Worth going a size up if between ranges
Comfort: 4/5
Ventilation: 5/5
Extra features: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Although not a legal requirement, it’s recommended you wear a helmet to help minimise injury if involved in an incident when riding regular bikes or the best electric bikes. Nowhere is this more advocated than off-road mountain biking. Technical terrain and obstacles like trees and jumps make it one of the more extreme, adrenaline-fuelled types of cycling, where the risks, like the rewards, are at their greatest.
In this environment, it’s wise to invest in a helmet that has safety at its heart. But a full-face, motocross-style design can become cumbersome and hot when not whizzing downhill. For most mountain biking, a trail helmet is the way to go, and the Singletrack MIPS from Scottish brand Endura is often regarded as one of the best around.
Endura Singletrack MIPS performance
While the safety credentials of a mountain bike helmet are paramount, it also has to be comfortable, breathable and able to handle the rigours of riding off-road. The Singletrack’s lightweight construction solves most of these common issues, and I almost forgot I was wearing it during testing. Its 15 large vents are strategically placed to keep the airflow high without sacrificing coverage or protection, while wide, moisture-absorbing padding keeps the worst of the sweat at bay.
Fortunately I wasn’t able to put the Singletrack’s MIPS and Koroyd safety credentials to the test when riding, but the fact that I had them gave me added peace of mind if anything were to go wrong. These safety features shouldn’t give you a free pass to ride recklessly. However, the energy-absorbing Koroyd located above the temples in particular would hopefully bear most of the brunt if you hit your head after sliding on a log or in a berm.
Endura Singletrack MIPS fit
Like some of the other helmets tested, the Singletrack MIPS did come up a bit small, so I’d recommend trying before buying or opting for the larger size if you fall in the middle of two sizes, as my 59cm head does.
That aside, the fit could be tweaked using the micro-adjusting dial at the rear and below the ears and buckle on the strap’s webbing.
Other notable features include a slot on the top to mount a GoPro or action camera and a goggle-friendly gripper at the rear.
Endura Singletrack MIPS value
Endura’s most expensive trail helmet in Endura’s range comes in at the midpoint in the overall mountain bike helmet market. Only Smith does comparable MIPS and Koroyd-featuring helmets, with its Engage ($130 / £109) fractionally less expensive than the Singletrack MIPS.
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