OutdoorGearLab

The Bontrager Velocis MIPS is shockingly comfortable all day long, and its ventilation is some of the best we've found, keeping your head plenty cool on long, hot rides. The chin straps are easy to adjust and you can easily center the adjustment buckle. We love the simple BOA dial to adjust the fit around the head, too. It allowed us to evenly tension this helmet around our heads and create a snug yet comfortable fit. The minimalist 37.5 fit padding has fewer contact points than many helmets. This makes you feel like the helmet is floating just above your head. This helmet has a full-coverage polycarbonate shell that doesn't leave any of the vulnerable EPS foam exposed to potential dings or dents. Plus, it has MIPS technology to add extra protection to that noggin if you crash. This helmet has a velcro visor and sunglasses port, which we found extra handy for evening rides. With all of these features, this is still one of the lightest helmets we tested. We also think the duotone color design looks fast, and don't we all want to look faster on our bikes?
While the internal recessed vent design adds some extra bulkiness to this helmet, we all loved the cooling effect that the ventilation system creates. Even our sweatiest testers noticed a significant difference in the cool channels of air. They reduce wind roar, too, so we can live with the added bulk. The Velocis is pretty pricey, but the innovative ventilation design is worth the price for long rides in the heat. 
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The Bontrager Velocis MIPS astounded us with its all-day comfort and superb ventilation. The straps are easy to adjust, and centering the chinstrap buckle is a cinch. We love the easy-to-use BOA dial adjustment that creates equal tension around the head for a snug and comfortable fit. It also includes a velcro visor and sunglasses port, and we liked the duotone color design.  The minimalist 37.5 fit padding has fewer contact points to create the feeling the helmet is floating just above your head. The polycarbonate shell wraps around the entire exterior, leaving none of the EPS foam exposed to inadvertent denting or damage. With all of these features, this helmet still has one of the lowest weights in our lineup while including MIPS technology.
Although the internal recessed vent design adds a little additional bulk, this is more than offset by the wonderful cooling ventilation from maximized airflow. Even our testers who are more prone to sweating experienced a profound difference with the cool channels of air that also reduce wind roar. The Velocis is a little on the pricey end, but its exciting new design in ventilation proved its worth on long rides in the high-elevation heat of the Eastern Sierra. This is a product that reinvents ventilation and is bound to change road bike helmets for the better.
Read more: Bontrager Velocis MIPS review

powerreviews

For an inexpensive, classic, high-quality helmet, check out the Retrospec CM-1. This is a straightforward, "skate-style" bike helmet that will protect your head while you ride. We like this because it's incredibly versatile. It works for commuting, skating, biking, and much more. After rigorously testing this option, we concluded that it provides a lot of value for those looking for a basic, reliable helmet to keep their head safe. It has plenty of interior padding and a thick EPS foam shell attached to a scuff-resistant ABS outer liner. The simple design means there isn't much that could go wrong with this. The CPSC-certified EPS shell is the thickest in our testing, so it should do well to protect your head during impact. It comes in small, medium, and large sizes that fit heads from 51-63 centimeters in circumference. It comes with interchangeable pads to customize the fit for your head size and shape, too. The chin buckle adjusts easily to get a secure fit, and the straps come with sliding adjustable ear-splitter clips to dial in the fit around your ears and sit flat on the side of your face. Our testers all thought this was one of the most comfortable helmets because of the thick padding. 
While we think the CM-1 is an excellent value, we did find some drawbacks to the design. With a massive EPS shell, thick padding, and few air vents, this helmet can get hot on long rides or on warmer days. We found ourselves avoiding it on the hottest days since it made us sweat so much on longer rides. Short morning and evening commutes were never a problem, but we avoided this for more intense cycling. We have some concerns about the ABS outer shell separating from the EPS foam over time. Although we didn't see any evidence of separation during testing, this is an issue we've had with this style of helmet in the past. Most adhesives will eventually stop working over time when exposed to heat. But if you avoid leaving this in the sun when you aren't wearing it, you can minimize this risk of separation. Despite those concerns, we think this skate-style helmet is an excellent value that will serve anyone, from aspiring BMXers to commuters. 
Read more: Retrospec CM-1 review

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