Full Face - When do you decide to wear one?

[CrispyDesigns]

I'm wondering when I should be wearing a Full Face lid as opposed to a normal Open Face helmet?
I have a couple of planned trips to the Alps and have a niggling thought that A full face would be the better option.

When do you guys decide to wear your Full Face?

Cheers

Crispy

 

[A06]

20+ years of racing off-road motorcycles and military I simply don't get phased by wearing helmets or protective gear even in the heat. I'll take August in SoCal over any time of the year in Mogadishu so it really depends on what you are acclimated to.

Somebody asked about demographics so I'll chime in...49 YO/M 5'10" 175lbs, retied military and LEO currently working second career as an Mech Engineer. Married 3 sons between 10 and 3 YO. I wear FF Helmets, Leatt neck brace and full pads every ride. I ride bikepark in the summer and the rest of the time I use my eMTB to self shuttle to the non chair lift DH trails around my area.

We typically seek out new areas via trailforks to ride so very often I'm riding new trails very much blind. More than once I have been on a new black diamond and got overly comfortable thinking why is this a black only to find myself sending over a drop into a sharp switchback or something similarly sketchy.

I feel better and more confidant in pushing myself knowing I have taken every reasonable precaution. There are inherent risks for sure but I dont want to end up a vegetable because my helmet was too hot or heavy etc. At the end of the day I guess for myself its really not about me wearing this shit for me but rather being the head of household I need to take precautions...that's the concession for still doing adrenalin sports at this age.

I enjoy the conversation around this topic as its interesting to get different opinions and perspectives but at the end of the day its a personal choice and one only the individual can make. Dont like FF helmets that fine its your melon inside the thing. Not going to sway my decision either.

 

[Binhill1]

Depends on what your doing as well . I'm nearing 70 I would say the past 8 years I have become a lot more safety conscious in all the outdoor activities I do. Don't feel the need for the speed on Ebike or doing certain knarly bits I have done loads of times. Motorcycle days gone now . Some of the stuff I see people doing it could be serious injuries if you come off no matter what PPE you are wearing , or not . You take your chances. I do a lot of solo things so obviously I have to be a lot cannier.
Safe riding

 

[E-MAD MALC]

Depends on what your doing as well . I'm nearing 70 I would say the past 8 years I have become a lot more safety conscious in all the outdoor activities I do. Don't feel the need for the speed on Ebike or doing certain knarly bits I have done loads of times. Motorcycle days gone now . Some of the stuff I see people doing it could be serious injuries if you come off no matter what PPE you are wearing , or not . You take your chances. I do a lot of solo things so obviously I have to be a lot cannier.
Safe riding

I agree
Don't mind thrashing it on four wheels
But to get back on a motorbike today I would definitely kill myself
Ebike plenty fast enough for me now

 

[Binhill1]

I agree
Don't mind thrashing it on four wheels
But to get back on a motorbike today I would definitely kill myself
Ebike plenty fast enough for me now

Yes I was never a fast motor biker but when there are 4 cars in front of you the young head comes back on for a wee while and you have to do it.

 

[Rando_12345]

I don't want to re-ignite this debate (where no one agreed with me ), but just some advice:

If you are out there in a trail lid, seriously consider upgrading to either one of the top certified lids, a beefy 3/4 helmet or a full face. The difference in material quality and thickness of the helmet is huge.

I had a horrible off on my lunch ride in a rock garden, so glad I had my Fox dropframe that properly saved me from the first impact and from the second one when my 26kg bike landed on my head. Also totally unrelated but f%^& low Bottom bracket height bikes so much.

 

[High Rock Ruti]

I'm wondering when I should be wearing a Full Face lid as opposed to a normal Open Face helmet?
I have a couple of planned trips to the Alps and have a niggling thought that A full face would be the better option.

When do you guys decide to wear your Full Face?

Cheers

Crispy

High Rock Ruti

>>>>> NEXT TIME YOU RIDE <<<<<

Warm Regards Ruti

 

[Mrj35]

I'm wondering when I should be wearing a Full Face lid as opposed to a normal Open Face helmet?
I have a couple of planned trips to the Alps and have a niggling thought that A full face would be the better option.

When do you guys decide to wear your Full Face?

Cheers

Crispy

When I'm doing fast dh track laps. Or any fast technique training. Everything else I just use half helmet. Also I only wear goggles with a full face. I primarily like to ride with no goggles.

 

[Brian VT USA]

If you are out there in a trail lid, seriously consider upgrading to either one of the top certified lids, a beefy 3/4 helmet or a full face. The difference in material quality and thickness of the helmet is huge.

I had a horrible off on my lunch ride in a rock garden, so glad I had my Fox dropframe that properly saved me from the first impact and from the second one when my 26kg bike landed on my head. Also totally unrelated but f%^& low Bottom bracket height bikes so much.

That looks like it saved you a bunch of pain, or worse.
The downhill near my house is steep and mostly big rocks. I don't bomb it. Hell, there's a couple sections that I walk when I'm not feeling confident. I have had one wreck in the rocks and rode away with some pain and minor bleeding. I got a full-face helmet and wear it on all rides now. It's no more annoying than a "normal" bike helmet. And I'm used to wearing full-face on my moto. bikes anyway.

 

[Koban]

I think I need to wear a FF more often. Most of the time I wear a POC Tectal or Kortal (trail helmet) Only when I go to a bike park I wear a FF (POC Otocon) because this is mandatory.

 

[Mr Tonka]

Generally when I'm at a bike park or want to record the ride with an action camera.

Funny enough, I used to think it was the full face helmet that gave me the confidence to rider faster to hit bigger jumps. That was until I rode my full face with just glasses rather than goggles. Dropping the goggles down really reduces the sensation of speed and I guess, kinda tricks me into being ok with going faster. LoL