Review: The Bluegrass Legit Carbon Helmet Is, Well, Legit

Sep 2, 2022
by Alicia Leggett  
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One of the mainstay helmets on today's downhill race tracks is this sleek-looking thing from Bluegrass Eagle, the gravity-oriented subsidiary of Italian brand MET Helmets. The Bluegrass Legit Carbon Helmet has been around for a few years now, but it just recently received its U.S. CPSC rating in addition to all its international credentials, which means distribution will now happen a bit closer to my home in the United States. And, in the nearly four years since its original release, the Legit Carbon has remained at the forefront with its timeless look and respectable weight, weighing in between 1100-1200 g throughout the generous XS to XL size range.
Bluegrass Legit Carbon Details

• DH-certified full-face helmet
• 15 vents
• Removable and washable cheek pads, liner, and strap covers
• Mips-E2 Brain Protection System
• Safety release fixed-position visor
• Weight (size M): 1100 g claimed
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Price: $550 USD
met-helmets.com

Like many high-end DH-certified helmets, this one has removable cheekpads to make it a reasonable option for pedaling to enduro stages, rotational impact protection courtesy of Mips, and a polished look - available in both slightly iridescent glossy and matte blacks - and it's accompanied by a lofty price tag.

SAFETY AND FEATURES

The helmet has surpassed the testing criteria for the CE (Europe), AS/NZS (Australia and New Zealand), ASTM (US), and CPSC (more stringent US) safety standards, so it does check lots of boxes when dropped from varying heights and hit with a range of impacts. Outside of lab scenarios, impacts are likely to be less-than-straight-on and more complex, meaning that rotational impact protection also comes into play, and this helmet includes a full-face-specific Mips liner to help diffuse those rotational forces.

There's also a fixed-position visor, which is not only quite flexible but also has a breakaway attachment system to prevent any extra twisting force from impacts to the front of the head. For those who choose to run additional protective gear, the helmet is compatible with a neck brace and with an inflatable emergency release system to help emergency responders remove the helmet. It doesn't have the emergency cheek pad removal pull tabs we see on some full face helmets, but the snap-in cheekpads aren't hard to remove regardless, should the need arise.

Looking under the hood, the helmet is made up of a composite carbon outer shell with a polycarbonate chin bar that's lined with smooth EPS foam, and there are additional polycarbonate layers alternated with EPS and the full-coverage Mips-E2 system that consists of a low-friction plastic layer tucked between two stretchy fabric components, all hidden by a removable layer of padding.

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The vents are ample...
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...and the branding is subtle yet distinctive.

FIT

The Legit Carbon is available in five sizes: XS (52-54), S (54-56), M (56-58, tested), L (58-60), and XL (60-62). I tested the medium, and the fit was spot-on for my head, which I think is a very average medium. I tend to be subject to the chipmunk cheeks in full face helmets that have narrow face openings and thick cheek pads, and while this one did give me a bit of that, it wasn't nearly as bad as in some other, narrower models. The face opening is probably the right size for most average-sized faces, and the chin bar sit a nice and comfortable distance away from my chin.

While it doesn't look it at first glance, there are numerous vents all over this helmet, including - crucially - on the chin bar, under the visor, and by the ears.

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The Legit Carbon is currently available in two versions of black.

WEIGHT

The Legit Carbon comes in at a claimed 1100 g for the XS, S, and M sizes, with another 100 g for the L and XL sizes. Its budget-friendlier sibling, the Legit, interestingly has the same exact claimed weights - which although probably not exact, could be true because the Legit lacks the Mips liner that the carbon version has.


PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The Legit Carbon is priced at €500 / £450 / $550 USD / $699 CAD / $750 AUD.

At the moment, Bluegrass does not ship directly to customers in the United States, Australia, or Russia. However, the helmet does meet the certification standards for each of those countries, so Bluegrass recommends purchasing through local distributors. In the United States, Bluegrass distributes solely through QBP, which means that customers can order it through just about any shop.


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The fit is nice with goggles on. While there's space for goggles under the visor, they do block those upper vents. Also notable, those ear vents help quite a bit with hearing.

RIDE IMPRESSIONS

The spot-on fit in the parking lot continued on the trail, with easy goggle integration and a wide field of vision. In the roughest stuff, I never noticed any movement and the helmet felt light enough to keep any bobblehead feelings at bay.

Although it's not an ultralight full face helmet designed to prioritize airflow and pedaling ability, the vents were well-placed enough to allow noticeable airflow through the chin bar, the forehead and top of head, and around the back. It's still a helmet that feels robust enough to commit to high speeds and jumps, and that does come with the trade-off of a bit less ventilation than some of the less protective options out there, but it's a trade I'll gladly make when in the bike park, even on the hottest days.

The cheek pads snap in and out easily for climbing or cleaning, and I appreciate that snapping the cheek pads in and out repeatedly doesn't seem to put any wear and tear on the snap system. (I've had a helmet in the past that theoretically had removable cheek pads, but removing them wore them out so much over time that they no longer stayed in securely.)

All in all, I have absolutely no complaints about the Legit Carbon's performance. You get what you pay for, in this case.



Pros

+ Very comfortable and well-ventilated
+ Looks great
+ All the safety features and certs you'd expect from a top-end product

Cons

- Pricey
- Can't be shipped everywhere



Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesThe Bluegrass Legit Carbon truly checks all the boxes for a quality full-face helmet, but the comfort, effective ventilation, and sleek looks come with a high price tag. Those willing to spend the money should put the Legit Carbon on their short list. Alicia Leggett







Author Info:
alicialeggett avatar

Member since Jun 19, 2015
743 articles

82 Comments
  • 39 0
 The perfect accessory for my $19k CAD S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL.
  • 17 0
 LMAO!! Can you please look at this cavity?
  • 18 1
 lost me at "fixed position visor"
  • 9 0
 yeah...but it seems to be in the optimal position (at least what have my visor at). Any lower it'll enter your field of vision, any higher and it just create unnecessary drag
  • 1 1
 @SATN-XC: Yeah, perfect for storing goggles, because that's what adjustable visors are really for.
  • 2 0
 It is in a perfect position
  • 11 1
 Great it passed outdated safety test that even the most basic 80€ full face can pass. What about sending it for test at Virginia Tech for instance ? That would be a lot more informative that proudly stating how a 500€ managed to pass the same test than basically any other approved helmet allowed to be commercialized.
  • 3 0
 Virginia Tech doesn't update their tests regularly so the information is outdated now unfortunately. They haven't tested popular helmets like the Smith Forefront 2 (they did the 1), Poc Kortal, etc. It would be a very useful tool if manufacturers sent them new products to test and VT was consistently updating, but that's not the case.
  • 4 0
 Legit says Leggett
  • 1 0
 @HB208: I believe it is the brands that send their helmets to be tested, if they don't have faith in their products they don't send it. New Spé and Lazer trail/enduro helmets are there, so are the Fox speedframe and such.
  • 7 0
 I don’t know where they got the information that it is 500eur, the msrp on the met-helmets website (parent company of bluegrass) is currently still 450eur. You can find it for under 400 eur (even under 300 sometimes) on the regular from online retailers, maybe not in stock all the time but still. For a equivalent TLD D4 carbon mips you’d be paying upwards of 500 eur even from online retailers. Plus i think a matt black helmet without flashy logos looks better anyway.
  • 2 0
 True, it's cheaper online.

Bluegrass also offers Crash Replacement.

Spare parts can be easily ordered from their website/-shop.

You can tailor the fit with different cheek pads from the same webshop.

Building quality is way higher then on my former D3 or the D4 I tried on.
  • 2 0
 @JohSch: It is cheaper online, as much everything is. But even ordering it through lbs from the distributer in Europe it can be acquired for under 500 as far as i know. Regarding quality it seems to much better than my late D3 fiberlite, although that model is the cheapest composite TLD fullface dh rated helmet.
  • 8 0
 It sound's like we are trying to be convinced its actually carbon. "No its Legit! It's Legit Carbon!!"
  • 11 0
 "Bro I swear it's carbon bro. See the checkerboard pattern on the outside? Only carbon can look like that bro. Can't fake the checkerboard bro"
  • 6 0
 Cool helmet - but why does this weigh as much or MORE than the lightweight moto helmets?
  • 2 0
 I was thinking the same thing. I have a Fly Werx Carbon helmet, with MIPS, from five years ago or so and it's only around 950 grams. It appears construction wise to be as protective as any other DH helmet I've looked at or worn. For me the lighter helmet is noticeable, less head bobble, and less neck fatigue. I've also heard a heavier helmet can increase the velocity of your head in crashes, not sure if that's proven or not. Either way for $500+ I would want a helmet to be under 1000 grams.
  • 2 0
 I actually bought this helmet last month for £136. At that price its spectacular and comes in a nice bag too. Mine was red and black though so maybe last season or something. I bought it after a rough crash in my fox proframe left me feeling a bit shook up and wanted a helmet with more substance.

Bought it in sigma sports sale if anyone is wondering where.
  • 9 5
 Great looking helmet, but realistically, not many people are spending upwards of $500 on a helmet. Especially since after any major crash to the head you're gonna replace it.
  • 17 7
 Need your head to earn a living....$500 is small change then.
  • 9 0
 @hbar314: That's very bold assuming a $75 dollar helmet won't save your head. It will, but you'll have a hard time forgetting you have a heavy helmet on.
  • 5 3
 @rideordie35: It's a lot more bold to assume a $75 helmet will save you from a permanent brain disability.
  • 2 0
 But some people will so what's wrong with having another option?
  • 4 2
 @rideordie35: True but considering all the things in life you could roll the dice on, your brain stem probably isn't one of them.
  • 4 3
 @plustiresaintdead: I run a fairly cheap helmet, in the £75-125 price bracket, and it's got all the same ratings and test results as helmets triple it's price, you are just paying for the fancy carbon look tbh.
  • 5 2
 @Jaib06: I drive a fairly cheap car, and it passes all the same basic safety and emissions tests and gets from point A to point B the same as cars triple its price. You are just paying for style, comfort and other bells and whistles. Yes.

Look, it’s a luxury helmet. I’m with you — too rich for my blood and purposes. For serious racers or guys who spend a lot of time in a full face, maybe the luxuries (weight, comfort, venting, etc.) are worth it. It’s all just an option, like any other good in life.
  • 4 0
 @Jaib06: just because it passes the same test doesn't mean they perform equally. They meet or exceed the required results. Professional racing drivers and PT Cruiser drivers both pass the same driving test, but one group is clearly superior.

A grading system would be ideal, especially if test results for each parameter were freely shared by manufacturers.
  • 2 0
 @TheR: Completely agree. It's ok to have luxuries in life, so long the "budget" models exist...
  • 1 3
 @plustiresaintdead: the idea that a > $500 helmet that meets the same standards as a $100 helmet will have dramatically different safety results is pretty funny.
  • 3 0
 @critter-redtruck-crutch: If you knew literally anything about how the test those helmets for those "standards" you'd realize that they're not exactly comprehensive. www.helmet.beam.vt.edu
  • 3 1
 @critter-redtruck-crutch: All these safety tests pass/fail test. Like qualifying in Downhill World Cup. You either qualify or you don't. That doesn't mean all riders/helmets are of the same quality.
That, and the tests aren't exactly representative of real impacts.
Strong, light, cheap, comfortable, pick two. Unless you exclude cheap.
  • 2 0
 It‘s cheaper online.

Bluegrass offers Crash Replacement.

Spare parts can be easily ordered from their website.

Building quality is way higher then on my former D3 or the D4 I tried on.
  • 1 0
 @rideordie35: It's even bolderer to assume I thought a $74 helmet wouldn't save your head.
I listed a comparison between yearly wages and helmet cost.
  • 5 0
 I thought I spent a lot on a TLD Stage helmet for the occasional park day. I was wrong.
  • 5 1
 i wear my stage on all rides. try it on an enduro day. its super nice.
  • 2 0
 @mior: Me too! First one saved me from a life changing jaw crushing injury on an XC ride. Second one hopefully will never have to do that again.
  • 4 0
 @Chuckolicious: i use mine on every ride. i considered getting an trail helmet but i dont want a busted jaw or torn ear.
  • 1 0
 @Chuckolicious:
Met (bluegrass parent) used to make an XC full face. It wasn’t the best looker and we MTBers are so vain, I wish it had an update and was still on the market (or someone else made something with a basic jaw-saver).
  • 1 0
 Stage isn't a DH helmet, these super light weight FFs aren't as safe as good ones around the 900-1000g mark
  • 1 0
 @JohSch: I think there are three major things in play: ventilation, weight, and protection. Protection increases at the expense of ventilation and weight. But we don't always need the same level of protection – I'd argue it's directly related to speed.

Luckily, when ventilation (and to a lesser degree weight) is key, speeds are lower (XC/Trail)
When speeds are highest, it's typically lift access, more force needs to be able to be absorbed, and ventilation (and to a lesser degree weight) aren't so important.

It gets more challenging in Enduro, though the ability to take off a helmet for the ups is maybe a reasonably compromise.

What's a bummer is that there isn't a full face that offers minimal face protection with excellent ventilation suited for XC speeds. products.mtbr.com/product/mtb-apparel-and-protection/full-face/met/parachute.html
  • 2 0
 @alicialegget did any other testers try on the helmet for fit. People with non-average heads? My head is a little flat at the back, that tends to make some helmets fit me much better than others. After reading this review, I still have no clue whether this helmet would be a candidate for me.
That is what I miss more often in Pinkbike reviews of apparel. A more precise description of the fit other than 'it fit me very well'
Also, writing a whole paragraph about claimed weights and that they are probably inaccurate, without actually putting it on a scale is a bit odd, don't you think?
  • 3 0
 Online advice on helmet fit is pointless
  • 1 1
 @thisc*nt: I disagree. I would never select a helmet based on online advice alone. But as I live in flat country, there is no bike shop anywhere near with a decent FF selection. So ordering a few from an online retailer and keeping the one that fits best is a method I've used in the past. The pre-selection of which helmets to order can be guided by well executed online reviews, in my opinion.
  • 2 0
 Umm… I’m basically a dentist according to PB and I certainly do NOT approve. The price point is absurd. ABSURD.

If the market says “Okay, I’ll take one.”, then brands will continue to put out products at these price points.

I say no!
  • 4 0
 they must LOVE having their Bluegrass helmet with a massive POC goggle strap on it haha
  • 1 0
 MET/Bluegrass don't have their own goggles, do they?
  • 6 1
 Too legit to quit
  • 4 0
 Hey Hey!!!
  • 2 2
 F ! Yes, took the words right out my mouth
  • 14 0
 Too Leggett to quit
  • 1 1
 I could have 15 slits or 15 gaping holes. Saying the number of vents is not a good metric for airflow. You could have 5 vents with 3in squared or 10 vents with 3 in squared. One of these may perform better than the other depending on the design. The number of vents, their total size, and their positioning will have an impact on protection, airflow, and... shit. Can you beat a well known brands warranty replacement?

I guess I don't get it. I am the guy guilty of taking his Fox Proframe off for every ascent. But that lid has like 30% of the surface area dedicated to vents. Why does this look like it has no ventilated area?
  • 1 0
 Seems a bit pricey to me. However, I do have Bluegrass elbow and knee pads and they are some of the best pads I have personally used.
  • 1 0
 I’m in NZ and it was still much cheaper($525nz) to buy one from an online retailer than a TLD D4.It’s super comfy,looks great and the visor sits in a good position.
  • 2 0
 If Leggett says it’s legit then you know it’s legit, maybe even too legit to Leggett.
  • 1 0
 Carbon may be very good, but the cheaper fiberglass version is shit. The shell is glued with 4 snorts of glue stick, so it disintegrates upon even slightest impact.
  • 1 0
 They obviously looked at the price point of Fox, TLD and Bell carbon FF helmets, started to salivate and said me too!
  • 1 0
 Whoa. Whatever she’s staring at in that first picture either died or will be dying very shortly!
  • 1 0
 It looks pretty ok, but a big asking price.
  • 1 0
 I don’t know why but I just can’t do that checker pattern.
  • 1 0
 You do if you're wearing Vans for riding.
  • 2 1
 Well vented??? Seriously?
  • 1 0
 Comes in any colour you like so long as its black
  • 1 0
 looks awesome
  • 1 0
 It´s Leggett...
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