Price: $265
Sizes: S-M (51-56cm), M-L (55-59cm), L-XL (58-63cm)
Weight: 400g (S-M & M-L); 480g (L-XL)
# of Vents: 14
Eyewear Integration: Yes
Visor: Removable and has three adjustable positions
Colors: White, Black, Sulfur, Olive Green, Mushroom, Blueberry,
Safety Technologies: MIPS Brain Protection System and full Koroyd® core
Safety Rating: Virginia Tech 5-star rating
Accessory Mount: Yes, clip-on headlight or GoPro
Availability: Online
How Obtained: Company Sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Trail or MTB: Safety, Style, and Comfort
Whether you’re cruising the trails or mountain biking, Endura’s MT500 helmet meets all the criteria for safety, style, and comfort. For safety, the MT500 features MIPS and Koroyd. During angled impacts, the MIPS Brain Protection System reduces rotational forces on your brain, while the full Koroyd core increases energy absorption. There’s also plenty of coverage to protect the back of your head in the event of a fall.
The increase in safety doesn’t come at the expense of comfort or breathability. I found the MT500 very comfortable to wear, with a snug fit that wasn’t too tight. The rear dial tightens the helmet for a secure fit. Although the side straps weren’t adjustable, they sat flush against my face, reducing wind noise, and were perfectly positioned under my ear. While testing this summer on 90-degree days, the large 14 vents and Koroyd hollow cores kept airflow over my head.
A removable, three-position adjustable visor blocks branches, debris, and the sun from your face. To use the sunglass docking feature, the visor must be in the top position. If you wear goggles, there’s an indentation on the back of the helmet that functions as a strap gripper.
Another notable feature of the MT500 is the accessory mount, which comes standard with the helmet. The clip-on mount lets you attach a headlight or camera.
Bottom Line
The $265 Endura MT500 helmet with MIPS and Koroyd delivers where it matters most—proven protection backed by Virginia Tech’s 5-star rating, combined with genuine comfort and exceptional ventilation. If you’re a trail or MTB rider and are in the market for a new helmet, consider adding the MT500 to your holiday gift list.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.