Bell Super DH MIPS

This helmet is fantastic. Feels very solid and the fit is nice and snug. I was between choosing this helmet and the Giro Switchblade which also looks to be a great helmet. I compared reviews from here, mountain biking forums and Youtube and chose this helmet for a few different reasons. 1. Airflow - I am in Arizona so I wanted this helmet as it appears to have more vents which should help with airflow in the summer months 2. Weight - The Bell weighs noticeably less than the Switchblade which is good for extended length rides. The last thing you need while riding is a sore neck from riding. The added weight of a mount and Go Pro can add up quick. 3. Chinbar - I liked the chin bar securing method better than the Switchblade. Since there is no formal locking mechanism for the chin bar on the Switchblade there were multiple riders in forums that reported that the chin bar is rather weak and is prone to falling off during a hard crash 4. Warranty - Warranty between both companies seems rather similar. Both offer 1 year warranty for defects and both have a crash replacement program. Bell offers the crash replacement in both the United States and Europe while Giro only offers the replacement program in the U.S. All in all I couldn't be happier with this helmet and hope I never have to find out how well it performs in a crash. What mainly sold me during my research was googling both "Giro Switchblade failure" and "Bell Super DH failure". There you will find different forums with a wealth of knowledge and will see what I mean with the Giro's chin bar.

This is my second Bell Super DH as I passed my first one after 2 years onto my youngest son who is just now big enough to wear it. I put 5,000+ miles on the original and it was still in serviceable condition when I bought this new one. For those who are not familiar with this style of convertible helmet, you essentially have two helmets in one. You have a full face and when the chin bar is removed a half shell. Both breath surprisingly well and I have worn both in 90+ degree weather. Obviously without the chin bar it is much more comfortable. This particular version (compared to the Super 3R) is downhill rated which is a series of test that the helmet has to meet to gain this certification. Does it make it better than the Super 3R? Maybe not but the 3R and other convertible helmets that don't have this rating means they couldn't pass the tests ... In any case I got this originally because I was going fast and starting to hit some big jumps (doubles). When you are flying through the air at 15 mph on a 25 foot jump you start to realize how vulnerable you are! My thoughts were, and still are that if you hit your face on a tree, your face is going to lose 100% of the time. This helmet has their version of MIPs which they call spherical MIPS. Essentially the helmet and the inside straps that you head rests into are allows to slip in the event of a crash, reducing the likelihood of trauma. Most high end helmets have some version of this. If you do some reading you'll see it's a feature you should look for in a helmet. Another useful feature is the drip guard on your forehead. It actually does keep sweat from dripping down into your eyes/glasses/goggles. I think most will find the difference size cheek pads to be sufficient to find an appropriate fit. I personally run the chin bar on about 50% of my rides. When I know I'm going to ride something knarly or hit some big jumps I'll bring it. The great thing is you can carry it up on your bars or on your hip pack (as I do with a few bungie type cords) and just put it on when you get ready to drop in. In this way you get the best of both worlds, a breathable half shell on the climbs and full face protections on the descents. I don't think you can put a price on your brain but if you could it would probably be more than $300. My only complaint is the replacement pads are impossible to find now. The next time they are in stock I'm going to buy a bunch as new interior pads make it feel like a new helmet after a few thousand miles!

For the value, comfort, looks and protection, overall this is a GREAT helmet. I went to a bike park for the first time this year and feeling like I would be going back, I decided I wanted my own full face so I didn't have to rent one every time. I have actually been using the helmet without the jaw for my regular not as technical rides. Some people complained because it looks goofy without the jaw but the point of a Helmet is safety so who cares. It just looks thicker without the jaw on there which I'm fine with if I have a random fall. It's been really nice on my bigger rides I do on the weekends we usually do some solid climbing and I've been wearing the helmet and carrying the jaw piece on my backpack and then strapping the jaw foe full helmet downhill when I do longer or more technical decents. Gives me a bit more confidence and makes me feel safer when wearing it. I had another friend buy the same helmet for this purpose also. Only thing is one of the pads inside the helmet comes off randomly here and there because it's held with velcro that isn't very strong. Other than that, I've been very happy with this helmet!

Awesome helmet. Fits well, lightweight, and is well ventilated.

I bought this helmet specifically because it is convertible, includes the MIPS system, and is CERTIFIED! It is super lightweight and comes with interchangeable cushioning to get the best fit your head. The camera mount on top is a clever little add-on! *The only reason I didn't give it the full five stars is that my full face guard does not like to re-attach as smoothly as I would like - it takes a little finagling! And I usually have to remove it to get it re-attached.