MX style helmet vs. full face

[Scooter02]

I tried a Yamaha MX style helmet with goggles about fifteen years ago and got some seroius frost bite on my cheeks. Since then, I have been forced to wear a full faced helmet since any cold temps will cause havoc to my cheeks. I see a lot of people wearing the MX style helmet and I was wondering what are your secrets to keeping your face warm and preventing frost bite?

 

[Lashcat]

I wear a head gator (GATOR brand). It has a neopreme face. My goggles cover the opening and no direct air hits my skin. If I feel any air I stop and adjust my gator. I have been wearing this for about 6 years without a problem. I have been out at 30 below and no problem.

 

[4x4]

The mx type is a full face because of the chin bar.

 

[sleddog66]

The mx type is a full face because of the chin bar.

I think he means like VS. a full shield or modular type. I switched to MX style 4 years ago, and never looked back. Vision is #1.....so much better with MX/goggles. I have no air gap between my helmet and goggles, so not cold. I also have a breath deflector in the helmet and wear a neck warmer. If below zero, I can put on my activa mask for warmth, but rarly do.
Now for the only issue I have ever had with mx style/goggle. During a raining,drizzing,icy morning, when everything is iceing, well so do the goggles. I bought some electic goggles to try on those mornings, but if it won't snow, then I'll never know.

 

[newfie09xtx]

I ran a motocross helmet last year but even with a belaclava I was still cold. This year I bought a skidoo modular 2 helmet. Excellent vision and you stay warm!

 

[APEX 06]

MX for 10years, only got bit once and that was because I had a gap by the goggles. I use the 509 and a klim face mask that has wind stopper in it.

 

[Yooper_Bob]

The secret to keeping your face warm is to use a No-Fog mask. http://www.nofogusa.com/NO-FOG.htm

Keeps me toasty warm down to zero...when it gets below zero, then I have more of a problem with air leaking around the edge of my goggles, and freezing my temples.

 

[4x4]

I think he means like VS. a full shield or modular type.

I know what he meant, but if it becomes common to call a full face helmet with a shield a full face helmet, and a full face helmet with goggles an open face helmet, what do we call a open face helmet?

 

[mcamzr]

I switched about 7 years ago. For the first 2 years I had a HJC mx helmet. I was not happy and was cold alot. But not wanting to give up the great vision, and also not wanting a modular helmet (Due to the plastis front, met a guy who broke his jaw on a lake wearing a modular helmet) I got a thor force helmet and have not looked back. The chin bar on it curves down so I don't need a neck gator and it has a good roost guard on it. I use a klim windstopper and smith intake googles, no breath box just a strip of duct tape on the front vent. This was my first year with the klim bu with the thor I havn been cold once even at 2deg F and 80 mph in the up. I just go a new Thor force carbon and going to try 509 goggles this year if it would ever snow!

 

[MikeWalters]

The secret to keeping your face warm is to use a No-Fog mask. http://www.nofogusa.com/NO-FOG.htm

Keeps me toasty warm down to zero...when it gets below zero, then I have more of a problem with air leaking around the edge of my goggles, and freezing my temples.

I have a MX and use a good Helly Hansen balaclava with the NO-FOG.

Warm enough.

HAVING A REAL WINDSHIELD IS THE BEST THING TO KEEP YOUR FACE WARM

Although you may not look as cool as your buddies LOL

 

[kingston phazer]

fly helmet....and 509 gogles. promblem is solved for me.

 

[HOMEHARDWARE65]

I think that you have to buy a quality helmet, not these $50 ones from crappy tire and good sized googles that fit the shape of your helmet and a really good balaclava and breath guard. I have ran this set up for 3 years and still havnt fogged up evan when the temps go down to minus 25 (celsius). also a trick is to buff in toothpaste onto your goggles and wipe it off, it keeps them from fogging up.

 

[Sevey]

Gears

I wear a MX style helmet and started with a thin lycra belaclava, but on cold days was not enough. Upgraded to a warmer Gears belaclava that was fitted around nose and mouth. Awesome, no more 'ice cream' headaches doing over 90k on a -20C day.

I find the benefit to open face helmet is to match the light condition with a the right goggle - its way easier on the eyes. Have 4 pair of oakleys. Way better than looking through clear shield all day. The right lense makes the terrain stand out. Learned that from skiing. I carry the clear lenses in my HKM pack so when you ride past sunset, I just change.

Good luck
MS

 

[yamaha1973]

i personally like a full face but want to take a stab at an mx but the ckx i have now works great

 

[RxThunder]

I only had a full face for 10 years. Last year I started riding with a mx helmet with fox goggles because I could not stand the fogging up of the full faced ones any longer. I found myself riding with the shield up 90% of the time anyways. I switched to mx and wont go back, most of the time the cold isn't that bad, and when it is I have a baclava and neoprene face mask to wear.