MET Parachute MCR 2 Review: One Helmet for Full-Face and Open-Face?

Robert Wilson · 2026-10-12

### Can One Helmet Really Do It All? MET's convertible full-face enduro helmet is back for round two, and the Parachute MCR 2 promises to improve on its predecessor in almost every way. But can one helmet truly match both a dedicated full-face and a separate open-face? We headed to MET's home turf in Italy and rode it hard to find out. **MET Parachute MCR 2 | Size M | Weight 1.61 lbs | Price $400 | Manufacturer's website** Two helmets in one doesn't just appeal to enduro racers. It's just as tempting if you want full-face protection on a riding vacation without packing two lids, or if you simply want one helmet that does it all. The concept is simple: climb with plenty of airflow, then drop into those hard-earned descents with full-face protection. ### The Science Behind the Shell Weighing just 1.61 pounds, the new MET Parachute MCR 2 promises improved ventilation and even higher protection than its predecessor. To achieve this, MET takes a decidedly scientific approach to helmet development. What does that actually involve? You could simply test a helmet on your local trails, but where's the fun in that? MET invited us to their headquarters in Talamona, Italy, not far from Lake Como. Our journey was rewarded with far more than a chance to ride the finished product. We got to speak to the people behind the project, explore the development facilities, and take a closer look inside their test laboratory. And yes, we came away impressed. > MET clearly puts product functionality and quality at the heart of everything they do, with the benefits for riders taking priority. Despite their professionalism, the team has the easy-going atmosphere of one big family. ### Inside MET's Development Lab Understated surroundings, with the products taking center stage. It's an impression you get both from the surroundings and from talking to the MET team. Innovation meets heritage: this highly automated manufacturing tool dates back to when MET still produced helmets on site. The evolution of the Parachute, from an extended XC helmet to a fully fledged enduro lid, shows how far the design has come. ### MET Parachute MCR 2 in Detail MET designed the Parachute MCR 2 for enduro, where fast, demanding descents go hand in hand with long climbs and big days in the saddle. MCR stands for Magnetic Chinbar Release, and the "2" marks the second generation. With the chin bar removed and generous venting through the shell, the helmet aims to feel as close to a conventional open-face as possible. All of this has to happen without letting the weight climb, despite the added mechanical complexity. The concept makes just as much sense for eMTBs, which carry more speed on flatter terrain and are every bit as fast as enduro bikes on the descents. **Open-face or full-face? The Parachute gives you both.** ### Key Facts about the MET Parachute MCR 2 **Technology:** - EPS helmet with hard outer shell and removable chin bar **Certifications and safety:** - Helmet shell certified to NTA 8776 (speed pedelec standard, with 43% greater energy absorption than required) - Chin bar tested to ASTM standards (approximately 45% less deformation than permitted) - Mips® Air Node Pro: The lightest Mips system designed to reduce rotational forces during impacts - Targeted 5-star safety rating: The helmet is designed to reduce concussion risk by limiting both linear and rotational acceleration. Results from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab are still pending. **Features:** - Removable chin bar with magnetic Fidlock locking mechanisms (Magnetic Chinbar Release) - Fidlock magnetic chin strap buckle - MET Safe-T Heta fit system for adjusting helmet circumference - Removable and washable cheek pads (two thicknesses included) - 24 ventilation openings and 25% more airflow than its predecessor - Adjustable visor with a position for storing goggles - Visor designed to release under excessive upward force and flex under downward loads **Sizes:** S, M, L **Weight:** 1.61 lbs (M) **Colors:** White, blue, and black at launch, with more colors to follow in 2027 **Price:** $400 ### The Verdict After putting the Parachute MCR 2 through its paces on MET's home trails, we can say this: it's a serious contender for riders who want one helmet that can handle everything from pedal-heavy climbs to full-face descents. The magnetic chin bar is easy to use, the ventilation is impressive, and the safety features are top-notch. Is it a perfect replacement for both a dedicated full-face and an open-face? Almost. But for most riders, it's close enough. *Note: All prices are in USD and converted from Euro at the time of writing.*