MARCH 2018mbr 87
Verdict
All-mountain helmets have evolved a ton
inrecentyearstomatchthelevelofriding.
Different brands often reach similar design
conclusionsinareaslikeretentionsystems,
wheredial-basedtensioningbandsareby
far the most prevalent now, but there are still
plenty of unique features and technologies
distinguishing manufacturers. This meant
each helmet on test felt distinctly different,
despite sharing an extended-coverage look.
Cross-pollinationand development
in helmet technology has been great for
consumers and rewards mountain bikers
with unprecedented choice and better
function than ever. Fit is ultimately very
individualthough,sowealwaysrecommend
trying different brands and models for size,
even if our testers tended to agree on the
comfiestproductsinthistest.
Withfantasticquality,finishandfeatures,
Bell’sbrandnewtrailhelmetsreallytickall
the boxes. The cheaper model here performs
exactlyasyou’dwantfromanall-daytrail
helmet and comes with the majority of
bellsandwhistlesfoundelsewhere,
forconsiderablylesscash.It’s
super-snug and lighter than Bell’s
newtop-endSixerhelmet,but
lacksanindexedpeakthatstops
itgoingwonkyandalsorunsa
bithotterduetolessventing
and a chunkier internal
webbing. Riders with tall
heads might long for a
deeper interior from both
Bell offerings too.
We were pleasantly
surprisedbyEndura’s
MT500, considering the
brandisrelativelynew
to the helmet game.
You feel really protected
and safe in the deepKoroydshell,butit’salsolowprofileand
very comfortable. Like the Smith Forefront
helmet with similar technology, the funky
honeycomb liner dumps heat like a radiator
ifstaticatthetopofaclimbforaminute,
but for riders that never stop moving,
there’s less airflow than some traditional in-
mouldedlidsandasteepaskingpricetoo.
AnothergreatoptionisTroyLee’sslick
A2helmet,whichfitsgreat,hasgood
ventilationandplentyofprotection.It’sat
thepricierendofthescaleat£140,butthe
brand’sevenmorecomfortable,olderA1
modelisstillagreatproductandcheaper
too, so long as you’re cool with the helmet
being, err, not so cool. Giro’s Chronicle is
extremely comfortable and cosy, but runs
hotter than the brand’s pricier Montaro, so,
in common with Specialized’s Ambush Comp
that offers a really fl oaty, well-ventilatedridequalityforagoodprice,it’sjustatouch
moreofacompromisethanthebestontest.
Of the products with proprietary
protectiontechnology—likeKaliandLeatt
—weappreciatetheattentiontodetailand
each firm’s dedication to safety, but on both
theInterceptorandtheDBX3.0,thefitand
comfort wasn’t as universally well received
byourtestriders,withnonerushingto
stakeaclaimonthelidsaftertesting.This
pretty much sums up our experience with
testing helmets; whatever the technology
andfeaturesoffered,goodfitisultimately
key to rider experience and safety and there
aren’t many things more irritating than a
poorly fitting lid. If comfort and stability is
so good a helmet completely ‘disappears’
whenyou’rewearingit,there’smorechance
to focus on the fun bit, which, of course, is
shredding those trails.TEST
WINNER!
Price Price Weight Sizes Contact RatingBell 4Forty MIPS £89.99 370g S, M, L, XL zyrofisher.com
Endura MT500 £149.99 349g S/M, M/L, L/XL endurasport.com
Giro Chronicle MIPS £99.99 364g S, M, L zyrofisher.co.uk
Kali Interceptor £149.99 384g S/M, L/XL kaliprotectives.com
Kask Rex £159 326g M, L velobrands.co.uk
Leatt DBX 3.0 £139.99 387g S, M, L hotlines-uk.com
Met Roam £135 343g S, M, L met-helmets.com
Scott Vivo Plus £89.99 343g S, M, L scott-sports.com
Specialized Ambush Comp £85 367g S,M,L,XL specialized.com
Troy Lee A2 MIPS £140 386g XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL saddleback.com