MET Parachute - Review
MET have re-designed their Parachute helmet to better suit enduro racing, which might sound odd given that it appears to be yet another full face helmet, but there's more to it than that. A helmet placed properly on the head and with the buckle closed (sorry, no full face helmets tilted up) is mandatory for most European events, and remember that full faces lids are usually compulsory for the timed stages, which leaves you with two choices: a standard DH helmet for the entire race, or carrying a half shell lid for liaisons and a full face for the descents. If you decide to race in Italy, Southern France or Spain, you'll likely be facing rising temperatures during the day and may find yourself wishing for a regular helmet when climbing to the next stage, but taking both brings with it disadvantages: extra weight and added stress when you arrive with seconds to spare and need to switch lids. Plus, many riders don't fancy heading down the hill with another helmet on their back in case of a crash - picture landing on your back and how your spine could curve over the rigid, round lump that's strapped to your pack. MET's Parachute aims to find a middle ground, though, by offering close to half face helmet ventilation and comfort, but with full face protection and rule compliance.
![MET Parachute Review]()
![MET Parachute Review]()
![MET Parachute Review]()
![MET Parachute Review]()
The Parachute has some great propaganda supplied with it. The "Homothethic Embedded Skeleton" construction is said to spread the pressure that builds up at the point of impact and then dissipate the force across the whole shell. And the front part of the retention system uses a '02 Gel' instead instead of fabric, which is claimed to be "Hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, made from thermo-stabilising polyurethane morpho-gel. Keeps the forehead cooler."
The Parachute is only available in medium and large sizes, which instantly puts a few customers out of the equation, but the sizing guide suggests these two options will cover any head size from 54 - 62cm. It's supplied with two sizes of cheek pads, and the retention system gives a wider range of fit than a standard full face helmet. There are three colours to choose from: matte black/red, orange/cyan or matte white/silver. So how much does all of the above add up to? At 700 grams for a medium size, the Parachute is the lightest certified full face on the market, and it retails for $299 USD. It also meets EN 1078, AS/NZ 2063, CPSC 1203 and ASTM F1952-2032 standards, so you should be covered anywhere you plan to race with it on. www.met-helmets.com
Pinkbike’s Take:
The short visor is always out of sight.
The huge channels and minimalist padding provide great ventilation.
A universal camera mount is included that clips into the top of the helmet.
This handy clip keeps your goggle strap in place.
The Parachute has some great propaganda supplied with it. The "Homothethic Embedded Skeleton" construction is said to spread the pressure that builds up at the point of impact and then dissipate the force across the whole shell. And the front part of the retention system uses a '02 Gel' instead instead of fabric, which is claimed to be "Hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, made from thermo-stabilising polyurethane morpho-gel. Keeps the forehead cooler."
The Parachute is only available in medium and large sizes, which instantly puts a few customers out of the equation, but the sizing guide suggests these two options will cover any head size from 54 - 62cm. It's supplied with two sizes of cheek pads, and the retention system gives a wider range of fit than a standard full face helmet. There are three colours to choose from: matte black/red, orange/cyan or matte white/silver. So how much does all of the above add up to? At 700 grams for a medium size, the Parachute is the lightest certified full face on the market, and it retails for $299 USD. It also meets EN 1078, AS/NZ 2063, CPSC 1203 and ASTM F1952-2032 standards, so you should be covered anywhere you plan to race with it on. www.met-helmets.com
0% Loaded
1/10
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | The Parachute fits snug for its size, and the retention system keeps it secure at all times, which means that it certainly won't rock back and forth on you like a bobble head when things get rough. What it doesn't do, though, is offer the same kind of comfort as a well padded full face, with the shell feeling quite hard against your skull in spots. While a more traditional full face has an all-encompassing sort of connection to your head, the Parachute differs by using channels to move air through places that would otherwise be filled with foam and padding on a standard full face. And just how well vented is the Parachute? I was pleasantly surprised during the first ride when I was thinking to myself "my head's still pretty warm in this thing," until I took it off and there was barely a noticeable change in temperature. The Parachute may be the ideal enduro race helmet, meeting all the criteria for a long day in the saddle without the need to take two helmets or face having a head hotter than the centre of the earth. As well as fitting the bill for race day, it's comfy enough for any day when you want to keep your chin intact. That said, I'm not a fan of the very Euro-centric styling, and neither were my riding compatriots - my self-esteem took a beating after much ridicule - but it's well worth the heckling when the temps are high and you still want to feel protected. - Paul Aston |
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Isn't a parachute a device made to accomplish the opposite of what you'd want a helmet to do (slow you down)?
If you can get something as utterly fvcking awesome as the Predator mask, then you win. Everything!
If you're in the market for a light fullface, decide which matters more to you: a removable chinbar or DH certification. If its DH certification, the Parachute may your next helmet.
I'll keep my Bell Super.
There's no way this will survive in the bike park. I'll stick with my TLD.
Enduro is so lame.
Something about 26HT4Life or something equally inane.
etc
etc
etc
Wearing a full face helmet for enduro is european fashion ?
I wear the MET Terra and it's a killer helmet. Vents great, feels like I'm wearing nothing, and looks pretty cool too (IMO).
Used it at the end of a hot summer and this thing is very ventilated, chin bar is solid and it's comfy on my head.
Taken one knock on it so far (head first into a tree, it jumped out at me I swear) and it worked spot on.
Haven't had a test in the chin bar yet.
I'm not going to race the World Cup in it but I feel a lot safer in it then a xc lid and half shells I just don't understand.
Climbing is warm but not hot.
The removable chin pads are not super secure but u have a beard so they aren't very important.
By doing that the helmet moves entirely regardless how tight it is strapped in your head.
I'm not syre if this is a bad thing (probably it is) but my other fullface helmets dont do this...
I'm currious if you discovered that and what is your opinion
My head only gets as hot as wearing anormal 1/2 shell but its not easy to get on and off like the 661. First you have to release the head size adjuster at the back, then try and fumble the DD clip. its also fiddly to get my glasses in too. totally recomend one though, I'll never wear a 1/2 on the trails again.
Other than that I love the idea behind this helmet and would love to give it a try (but don't want to test its safety haha).
The photo in this review is wrong.
Bought this as my old helmet was getting old and battered. Plan on doing some more uplift sessions this year as well as pushing my riding.
anyone tried it with a leatt brace??
If this ain't, is the Bell super 2r compatible?
thanks a lot! and sorry for my english
Jul 14, 2016
6 12 16 castes of your company met parachute full face mtb l size and 2 uses of the small impact cracked the 2 please not recomendet this hell((( no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My head, at least to me, is worth an extra $150.
Jul 14, 2016
6 12 16 am buy of your company met parachute full face mtb l size and 2 uses of the small impact cracked the 2 please jaw not recommend!!!! danger helmet and no guaranty ((((((shittnot buy.
www.pinkbike.com/news/bluegrass-golden-eyes-helmet-review-2014.html
Yes it's fixed by four screw, which are hidden under small caps, and MET discourage against removing the chingaurd (void warranty and helmet certification).
Possibly the most ill thought out Pinkbike forum comment I have ever read!
Haven't tried one myself yet, but it is very high on my to-buy list. Since I don't like heavy and hot full faces (I pretty much only ride DH during summer holidays), this seems a lot safer than wearing a BMX lid.
from www.enduroworldseries.com/rules ------
All riders must wear a helmet during competition, during both Liaison and Special Stages. The helmet should meet the regulations set by the EWS event organiser. The correct fitting, condition and suitability of the rider’s helmet is the sole responsibility of the rider.
A two-piece helmet (with removable jaw piece) will be accepted as a full face helmet. However, due to national insurance and federation regulations any helmet used in an event must pass the standards of that territories national regulations. Further information may be found in the Race Book for each event
------------
So Liason is Transfer stage. Special is a Race stage. and they gotta wear at all times, so some racers who only want to bring a full face, have to wear that thing the whole time if they have to pedal.
It doesn't mean they wouldn't, but without the cert you really have no idea if it would do you? At least MET was willing to get it tested, maybe those others did as well and they didn't pass.
Its approved for DH use according to the certifications, just like my own full face and many others. But I know I wouldn't chose this one over a 'standard' full face helmet. Especially not if I was racing.