New MET Terrae Helmet on Test

With the MET Terrae, the Italian helmet manufacturer has launched a brand-new lightweight helmet for trail and eMTB riders. It’s designed to offer airy comfort at a fair price, without compromising on safety. But does it live up to the promise? We took it out for a proper test.

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1599 — **MET** Terrae | Weight: 397 g (size M) | Price: €150 | Colour: Mauve | Manufacturer’s website

For over 30 years, MET have been an integral part of the cycling world. If you’re a gravity-focused rider and the name doesn’t ring a bell, you might be more familiar with Bluegrass. As MET’s dedicated MTB brand, Bluegrass handles the gnarlier end of the spectrum. Still, that hasn’t stopped MET’s engineers from developing a trail-ready lid of their own. The Terrae is a lightweight half-shell lid designed above all to sit comfortably and securely on your head, while offering the level of protection you’d expect from a full-fledged trail or eMTB lid. It’s off to a promising start: a 4-star safety rating from the helmet lab at Virginia Tech and 397 grams in size M suggest MET aren’t just talking hot air. Priced at €150, the Terrae goes head-to-head with other mid-range trail helmets like the Fox Speedframe Pro and Giro Source MIPS. So, it’s light, it’s safe, all without breaking the bank. But the big question remains: can the Terrae really deliver on the trail?

The new MET Terrae Helm in Detail

The MET Terrae is available in sizes S, M and L, covering a total head circumference range from 52 to 61 cm. The first thing you’ll probably notice is the visor – or rather, how small it is. It’s adjustable, but so compact it almost seems unnecessary. That said, it still serves a purpose, giving you a neat place to tuck your glasses when you’re not wearing them.

To ensure proper protection, the MET Terrae comes equipped with a MIPS C2 system. Positioned between the EPS liner and the inner padding, this allows the helmet to rotate slightly around your head in the event of a crash. This movement is designed to reduce rotational forces that can occur with angled impacts. Alongside MIPS, the helmet features a polycarbonate shell to absorb and distribute the energy from direct impacts. It’s held securely in place by a chin strap with three adjustment points for a dialled-in fit. According to MET, the Terrae has been developed to meet the NTA 8776 standard and is intended for light trail riding, with or without the support of a motor.

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1614 — MET want the new Terrae to put a smile on as many faces as possible.

When it came to the design, the Italian team placed a strong focus on ventilation. After extensive testing in their own wind tunnel, MET claim the 19 vents are optimally positioned to maximise airflow and keep your head cool, even when the trail turns up the heat. The padding inside is attached with Velcro, making it easy to remove for washing and just as quick to reattach when you’re ready to ride again.

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1590 600x400

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1571 600x400

The helmet fastens in classic fashion with a standard clip buckle on the chin strap. With a price tag of €150, a magnetic buckle would’ve been a nicer, more premium touch. Our test helmets came in white and a stylish purple shade MET call Mauve. If that’s not quite your colour, or you prefer something more understated like classic black, MET offer a total of six different designs to choose from – nice!

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1633 — MET’s new half-shell helmet fits like a glove and the dial adjusts as smooth as butter.
They clearly know what they’re doing!

Pop the Terrae on your head for the first time and you’re immediately met with a good first impression. The fit is spot on – snug and secure without any pressure points. The adjustment range is generous, and the dial turns smoothly with well-defined, precise clicks. The shell wraps nicely around the head, although we feel that the EPS liner could extend a little further down the back of the head for better coverage. Out on the trail, the helmet stays firmly in place, even when things get fast and rough. The only downside is a noticeable creaking sound coming from the MIPS system rubbing slightly against the EPS liner when you move your head. It didn’t bother us much, but riders sensitive to noise might find it a bit distracting. MET’s ventilation concept works brilliantly in practice, especially when paired with the low overall weight. Even on hot days, the airflow was consistently good, keeping things cool without causing excessive heat build-up.

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1624 600x400 — Unfortunately, the goggle dock doesn’t quite work the way we’d hoped…

MET Terrae Helm Test E MTB WEB 1627 600x400 — …but luckily, you can stash your glasses on the back just as stylishly.

The goggle dock beneath the visor proves a bit underwhelming. Slotting your glasses in securely pushes the arms awkwardly against your temples – hardly what you want when you’re grinding up a climb and need a quick spot to stash your sunnies. Thankfully, there’s a better – albeit probably unintentional – solution. Flip your glasses upside down and slide the arms into the rear vents. They slot neatly between the MIPS layer and the EPS liner, holding the glasses securely in place without any pressure on your head. Plus, it still looks slick.

Conclusions about the new MET Terrae helmet

Out on the trail, the new MET Terrae impresses above all with its lightweight, comfortable fit and excellent ventilation. Some of the finer details – like the lack of a magnetic buckle or the underwhelming goggle dock (which thankfully has a clever workaround) – could have been better thought out. That said, at this price point, the Italian-made lid delivers a well-rounded package that should appeal to a wide range of riders.