I don't really wear helmets out as such and over last few years years they seem to last a very long time inc the internal pads which used to go rotten after a few years. I have always bought / worn MET helmets for the past 20+ years and never had any real problems with any of the various different road & mtb models.
I was looking at my last Met helmet which I bought a while ago which I bought in a sale as it was old stock from a shop that had stopped stocking Met helmets. I used to wear a different helmet for road and off road which extended the lifespan of the helmets but over the years I tend to wear the same helmet regardless of which bike or terrain I am riding.
It was time for a new one and I was going to go for another Met helmet but I like to try them on first as I have a funny shaped head! My head is more round ie wider than most brands cater for regardless of size. Some helmets might fit width ways but then are far too bike length wise and feel sloppy on my head regardless of how I adjust the straps / dial etc.
When we were down in Harrogate a few months ago I thought I might try on a few Specialized helmets. I have never bought Specialized helmets before so did know what to expect. The first two models were too tight on the width. I tried on this model and it was not too bad. When trying a helmet on standing up is always different to how if feels on your head when you are in your riding position. What might feel comfortable standing up might be uncomfortable when in the saddle.
The quality and feel of the helmet looks very good straight from the box. It is very light and very well ventilated. The straps cannot be adjusted under your ears as its a fixed plastic part. You can adjust the strap under your chin and is a simple and easy to use buckle even with gloves on for fastening up and unfastening. In the warmer months my head must increase in size as during a few longer / hotter rides it felt tighter on the sides. The overall comfort when in the saddle is not as good as any of my previous Met helmets and I have to ratchet the rear dial up quite tight for it to stop moving around on my head. It tends to dip down on my forehead during a ride and have to push it up now and then.
To be honest it is defo not worth the rrp and you can get a similar quality helmet by a different manufacturer in a sale with 30-40% off if you shop around. I have not looked into the MIPS system yet and this is the first helmet I have had with MIPS.
Overall I will probably not buy another Specialized helmet and try and find a stockist of Met helmets locally to try on in store before purchasing.
RRP £240 and I paid £240 from Specialized Concept Store Harrogate
Manufacturers blurb -
Cooler heads will always prevail. The new S-Works Prevail II Vent’s massive cooling power helps better regulate your body’s temperature to keep you cooler so that you’ll always be ready when your ride heats up.
We took everything that the S-Works Prevail II was doing right, and did it even better. One of the greatest benefits resulted from the removal of a total of seven foam “bridges” from the centre and sides to create more effective ventilation channels. These expanded channels move air across your head 18% faster than the original Prevail II. The faster air moves across your head, the faster heat is whisked away from your head and the cooler you remain—it’s called “convective heat transfer”. This all adds up to the coolest helmet we’ve ever made.
- The new 5th Dimension Cooling System, with its redesigned, patented, aramid-reinforced skeleton, provides internal EPS support allowing for 20% larger vents with deep internal channels and aligned exhaust ports.
- Our ultralight and supremely comfortable version of MIPS, MIPS SL, has only gotten better. We’ve added perforations, along with a ripstop mesh to maximize breathability and performance. With MIPS SL, we’ve essentially integrated MIPS technology within the helmet padding itself. MIPS SL's minimalist "watchband" attachment system provides 10 to 15 millimetres of rotation in every direction and offers the same brain protection benefits as other versions of MIPS, while also ushering in a new level of comfort and weight savings.
- Patented Energy Optimized Multi-Density EPS construction helps to manage impact energy.
- Ultralight Mindset HairPort II micro-dial fit system with height adjustability for the perfect fit.
- Thin, soft, and lightweight 4X DryLite webbing won’t stretch out with sweat or water.
- Tri-Fix web splitter improves comfort and ease of strap adjustments, while an in-strap webbing system delivers ultralight construction and security.
- Five Star Virginia Tech® Helmet Rating ™—Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University awarded the helmet its highest rating of five stars.
- This helmet is ANGi ready, with a fit system mount designed for easy integration with our ANGi crash sensor.
- Our available aftermarket ANGi sensor gives you and your loved ones peace of mind like never before. When combined with our Specialized Ride app, the ANGi sensor will evaluate the forces acting on the helmet in the event of an accident and, if necessary, send a text message to your specified contacts with your location.
Also comes in a few other colour combinations
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