Featured Image: Peter Morning, Mammoth Mountain
It's officially bike season, which means it's time to tune up your bike and pull out your protective gear. Arguably, two of the most important pieces are your helmet and sunglasses. While brain buckets tend to be a given, sunglasses aren't touted enough for their protective qualities. Not only do good sport shades protect your eyeballs from harmful UV rays, but they also protect against wind, bugs, twigs and other hazards we all encounter while out on the trails. Below, you'll find our list of the best mountain bike helmets and sunglasses for the 2026 season.
Dakine Slayer MIPS
Dakine has spent decades perfecting bags, packs and outerwear. Helmets are newer territory for the brand but you wouldn't know it from the Slayer. The in-mold construction bonds a recycled polycarbonate shell directly to the liner for a light, durable result; MIPS technology manages rotational impact forces and a one-handed adjustable visor keeps sun out of your eyes without the faff. Recycled materials throughout and a dialed fit system round out a helmet that suggests Dakine did their homework before entering the category.
Oakley Sutro
Featuring Oakley’s Prizm lens technology, the Sutro's design is inspired by the demands of daily cycling. The wraparound shape protects the eyes from wind and other trail hazards, while Prizm technology enhances contrast for a crystal-clear line of sight. The first feature we noticed when picking up these specs is the weight—or lack thereof. So light you forget you’re even wearing the Sutros, these glasses feel dainty, but the durable materials hold up to everyday use and abuse. Unique nosepads that increase grip the sweatier you get round out the Sutro for a standout pair of bike shades.Â
Giro Manifesti MIPS
One of the most comfortable mountain bike helmets on the market, the Giro Manifest not only looks and feels good on, it also features spherical technology paired with MIPS. In the event of a crash, the spherical tech allows the outer liner to rotate around the inner liner, reducing the amount of energy that reaches your brain. Some helmets can feel stifling when packed with extra technology but the massive vents on the Manifest actually vent well and add to the structural integrity of the helmet. A perfect fit right out of the box, the Manifest is ready for whatever kind of ride you’re seeking that day.Â
Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect
Sweet Protection is a Norwegian brand best known for snow helmets and goggles and the Ronin RIG Reflect makes a strong case that their lens expertise translates just as well to the dirt. The semi-frameless toric lens is notably thick at 2.2 mm, with machined edges, giving it rigidity and impact resistance you don't find in most trail glasses at this price. The RIG lenses crank up contrast and cut eye fatigue on long rides without distorting color. Three interchangeable nose pieces, grippy temple inserts and a hard case are included, all for $160. Scandinavian overachievers.
POC Cularis
Safety-conscious riders, say hello to your new favorite lid. The POC Cularis earned the top safety score of any helmet, across more than 264 helmets, in Virginia Tech's independent testing lab and it did it without sacrificing comfort. Massive vents channel airflow throughout with 13 total openings, a breakaway visor reduces rotational forces in a crash and MIPS Air Node integration is so unobtrusive you'll forget it's there. At $230, it's the rare case where the safest choice is also one of the smartest values.
POC Will Polarized
The POC Will threads a needle that most cycling glasses fumble: serious athletic performance wrapped in a frame casual enough to wear all day off the bike. The lightweight Grilamid frame stays grippy even when drenched in sweat, the rubber nosepiece holds its position mile after mile, and polarized lenses cut glare on exposed ridgelines or water crossings beautifully. Wide-lens coverage keeps debris and wind out without encroaching on goggle territory. Whether you're clicking in for a ride or grabbing coffee after, these just work.
Smith Forefront 3 MIPS
The Forefront line has always had a cult following and the third generation earns every bit of that loyalty. What sets it apart is the Koroyd honeycomb core, borrowed from aerospace applications, that absorbs impact energy in a way traditional foam simply can't replicate. Add MIPS Air Node (finally quiet, no more plastic-on-plastic squeaking) and a claimed 25-percent ventilation upgrade over the previous version and you've got a helmet delivering premium protection with premium comfort. Worth every penny of the premium price tag.
Smith Wildcat
The Smith Wildcat gives you near-goggle eye coverage in a sunglasses form factor and that's the whole pitch, delivered flawlessly. At 140mm wide, the lens shields your eyes from trail debris, wind, and sun, while ChromaPop technology amplifies color and contrast so you can read terrain faster. A swappable lens system means you can drop in a clear lens for low-light trails without fuss. Rubberized temples and an adjustable nose pad lock them in place on even the rowdiest descents. You'll forget they're on until you take them off.
