The Brain Box Noshock from SHRED makes you safely stand out from the crowd. When I decide to go throw myself off a new ledge, proper protection is high on my packing list. I need a helmet that’s comfortably tight to keep it in place in case I end up where I don’t want to be. Also, the protection system has to meet all of the safety standards that were designed by folks far smarter than I am. Lastly, it has to look good, and this point is no less important than the preceding two for me.
The Brain Box Noshock full face helmet covers all of those bases, and you’ll never get it confused with your friends’ lids when you hop out of the shuttle van. Apart from the sharp graphics, this helmet has a clean look and some well-designed features to keep your brain as safe as possible.
Fit
The Brain Box is available in two different sizes — small/medium or large/extra-large — and each shell includes two different pad thicknesses so you can make it fit your unique noggin. You can mount thicker cheek pads and a thinner inner-liner, the reverse of that, or use all of one size. I wore the size L/XL with the thick pads throughout, resulting in the most comfortable full face fit I have found to date. I have a 61.5cm skull circumference, and with the thinner pads in place, this lid should fit someone with a giant dome.
The shell covers all of my jaw and the rear of my skull, without pressing uncomfortably against my forehead like some full-face padding tends to do.
The view is spacious, easily accommodating the largest goggles I could find. The open shell has a massive field of vision, and the chin bar sits far enough from my face that it won’t smash my nose on impact.
Features
- Construction: Fiberglass Shell, Integrated SLYTECH™ NOSHOCK honeycomb
- Weight: 1236g, size L/XL
- Customizable fit system
- Adjustable visor
- 15 vents
- Rotational Energy System
- XT2 antimicrobial material
- Safety standards: EN1078 (Europe bike), CPSC (USA bike), ASTMF1952 (USA DH mountain bike)
- Buy: from $250 at Amazon or buy online from Shred
- Compare Prices: Brain Box NoShock Full Face Helmet
On the trail
The Brain Box has been a great piece of protection throughout the warming spring months, and I would certainly recommend it to a close friend. It breathes as well as any full face lid, covers all of the same protection standards as its competition, and it fits like a glove — for your head. The overall weight of the helmet is reasonable, particularly for a downhill-certified setup, which is a welcome bonus for us riders with wrecking-balls atop our necks.
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The swappable fit system gives the Brain Box a clear advantage over other helmets because you can truly make it work well for your head and face shape, which is no small feat. Finally, alongside the cozy quarters inside, and creatively clean looks, the ratcheting chin-strap on this helmet is a lovely feature. A lot of downhill-approved helmets use a traditional double-D-ring strap that is a pain to get off in a hurry, and nearly impossible to operate with gloves on. The intuitive ratchet system works identically to that on many riding shoes, and can easily be whipped open as fast as any Fidlock magnetic closure.
For a limited time, Singletracks readers can use coupon code STRACKS20 for an additional 20% off your total order at shredoptics.com.
Check out our mountain bike helmet buyers guide and our picks for the best mountain bike helmets.
