There’s a big difference between riding a regular bike and riding an e-bike at 28 mph through city traffic. The risk is higher, and your helmet needs deeper coverage and stronger impact resistance—especially for side hits, hard pavement crashes, and collisions at higher speeds. Most standard bike lids weren’t built for that. That’s why many e-bike riders are turning to helmets with NTA 8776 certification. And if you’ve ever gone down at an angle, you’ll know how useful a MIPS liner can be for keeping your brain from taking the full hit.
In this comparison, I’m looking at two helmets that approach safety from completely different angles: the Dainese Linea 01 MIPS, a full-face, downhill-grade helmet that’s built like armor—but surprisingly light; and the Xnito helmet, a more urban-friendly option with integrated lights, commuter styling, and the NTA 8776 stamp. Both are solid on paper, but the differences start to show when you look closer. I’ll break down their differences so you can decide. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Dainese Linea 01 MIPS vs Xnito Helmet – Which Helmet Is Better for E-Bike Riders?
- Final Verdict – Which One Is Right for You?
Dainese Linea 01 MIPS vs Xnito Helmet – Which Helmet Is Better for E-Bike Riders?
|
Feature |
Dainese Linea 01 MIPS |
Xnito Helmet |
|
MIPS (Rotational Protection) |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Full-face Design |
✅ |
❌ |
|
E-bike Certification (NTA-8776) |
❌ |
✅ |
|
BMX certification (ASTM F1952, ASTM 2032) |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Integrated LED Lights |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Magnetic Fidlock Buckle |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Adjustable Fit System |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Multiple Color Options |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Emergency Medical ID (NFC) |
✅ |
❌ |
|
RECCO Reflector |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Removable Visor/Brim |
❌ |
✅ |
Fit & Comfort
The Dainese Linea 01 was designed for aggressive trail and e-MTB use, yet surprisingly it handles all-day comfort on a commute. At 574–570 g (size M) , it’s billed as the world’s lightest DH-certified full-face helmet. Test riders note it “fitted perfectly with minimal wiggle” and that the well-placed foam “cushion[ed]…with no hot spots.” The snug fit, padded cheek inserts and extra liners give a dialed feel, and the chinbar doesn’t bounce even on rough trails. Importantly, the Linea’s ventilation is excellent: Dainese put 29 air intakes in strategic places, and testers say the chinguard and many vents funnel cooling air so effectively that the helmet is only “marginally hotter than some half-shells” and “suitable for riding in all day (even warm weather).”
By contrast, the Xnito is a semi-hardshell multisport helmet with no chinbar, but it still covers more of the head than a typical bike helmet. It comes in Medium through XL (no small), and riders report its “narrow shape provided a good fit” along with a rear dial and padded chinstrap. The Xnito weighs about 375 g, which is noticeably lighter than the Linea – it feels heavier than a simple road lid, but still not cumbersome. Its foam pads and adjustable rear cradle make it comfortable, and the Fidlock magnetic buckle snaps shut one-handed. Ventilation is decent (10 vents) and comparable to other urban helmets, though reviewers note the front LED light does occupy some vent space. In practice, Xnito’s airflow is fine for city speeds, but you won’t get quite the cooling of Dainese’s 29 vents on a hot climb.
Bottom line: The Dainese wins on ventilation and padding quality, especially for longer or faster rides. Xnito is easier to wear day-to-day but trades off breathability.
Style, Customization & Urban Visibility
Style is subjective, but here the helmets feel very different. The Linea 01 looks like a downhill race helmet – sharp lines, a rigid fixed visor, and only a few color options (e.g. white/black, gray/red) on Dainese’s site. It’s all business and has a “wide field of vision” for technical trails, but no built-in lights or blinky parts.
Xnito is more casual-urban in vibe: it comes in extensive color choices and even has a removable fabric baseball-style brim to shade your eyes. In the city, Xnito’s greatest style feature is its visibility tech. It has an integrated white front lamp and red rear lamp (90 lumens each) built into the shell. These make you pop in low light and double as brake lights (recharging via USB-C). The helmet straps are reflective too.
Riders who want more coverage than the Xnito but don’t need the downhill build of the Dainese might consider the VIRGO Integral MIPS from The Beam. It adds rear lights and MIPS protection in a city-ready shell, making it more visible than the Linea and better reinforced than the Xnito.
Safety Standards & Real-World Protection
The Dainese Linea 01 MIPS is certified for downhill and BMX use (ASTM F1952, ASTM 2032), on top of regular cycling standards like CPSC and EN1078. It has full-face coverage, a MIPS liner to reduce rotational force, and a reinforced shell with an internal exo-structure for higher impact absorption. It also includes an NFC medical ID chip that stores your emergency info and a RECCO reflector that helps rescuers locate you using a detector. It’s built for hard crashes—including hits to the chin and jaw—and holds up at high speeds.
The Xnito meets NTA-8776, a Dutch standard made for e-bikes up to 28 mph. It covers more of the head than a regular helmet and uses thicker foam around the temples and back. But it doesn’t include MIPS or any internal reinforcement. It’s solid for straight-on impacts at e-bike speeds, but in angled crashes or more serious hits, it won’t provide the same level of protection as the Dainese.
Bottom line: Xnito covers the basics well for urban speeds, but the Dainese is better suited for riders who want maximum protection and are more likely to push their gear harder or ride in higher-risk conditions.
Pricing & Value for Money
At around $129 (€120), the Xnito gives you solid coverage for the price—NTA 8776 certification, built-in lights, and a crash-replacement policy. It’s aimed at city riders who want something safer than a basic bike helmet but don’t need anything too technical.
The Dainese Linea 01 MIPS is a different category altogether. At €270–280, it’s expensive, but you’re paying for features meant for much harder crashes—MIPS, full-face protection, emergency ID tech, and a shell reinforced well beyond typical commuter use.
If you’re looking for something in between—more impact protection than the Xnito, but without going full downhill like the Dainese—Beam’s VIRGO Integral MIPS (€199,95) lands right in that middle zone. It adds a MIPS liner and rear lights. For fast urban rides, it offers more protection than Xnito without the bulk of the Dainese.
Accessories & Tech Add-ons
The Xnito packs in features that make daily commuting simpler and safer. It’s built with city riding in mind, so most of what you’d normally have to add on comes included:
- front and rear lights (three modes, USB-C charging, ~10-hour battery life)
- a magnetic Fidlock buckle
- a removable visor
- reflective straps
- crash-replacement policy
These accessories are already built into the helmet, so you don’t need to mess with external lights or extra attachments. It’s all designed to make daily riding easier and safer straight out of the box.
The Dainese Linea 01 MIPS focuses on crash protection and fit, not commuter extras. It’s designed for high-speed impacts and includes the following in the box:
- Three sets of pads
- MIPS liner
- Breakaway visor
- NFC medical tag
- RECCO reflector
- Padded chin strap
Final Verdict – Which One Is Right for You?
There’s no absolute winner – it depends on your ride and taste. If you’re mostly cruising city streets or bike paths, especially at dusk or night, and want visibility at a bargain price, the XNITO is very appealing. Its LEDs, lightweight feel, and e-bike rating give great urban confidence.
That said, if you’re the type who craves maximum protection (maybe you sometimes take dirt trails or faster descents on your e-bike), the Dainese Linea 01 MIPS is your top pick. Its DH-level cert, MIPS, and supreme ventilation mean you can commute in a full-face without overheating, all day long.
Conclusion
Both the Dainese Linea 01 MIPS and the Xnito helmet have a lot going for them. Dainese gives you ultra-light full-face protection that feels built for speed and serious impact, while Xnito focuses on everyday commuter needs—visibility, comfort, and high-speed certification—all at a more accessible price. At the end of the day, the best helmet isn’t the most expensive or the flashiest—it’s the one you’ll actually wear on every ride. Pick the one that fits your ride, your head, and your everyday life.
