The HJC Bellus 2 helmet looks and feels plush, and perhaps more importantly it feels cool and comfortable when you’re riding. I say ‘perhaps’ because, when you’re paying this much – especially for a relatively unknown rotational-impact system rather than a big hitter (pardon the pun) like Mips – you really need to feel the quality.
As the ‘2’ makes clear, this is an update of the original Bellus from a few years back, and perhaps the biggest change is the ditching of the SELFIT automatic self-adjusting and fitting system.
I couldn’t really see the benefits of SELFIT when I used it, and perhaps I wasn’t the only one. The Bellus 2 has a regular retention band, and a dial that (like most dials) is so quick and easy to use you wonder why HJC ever tried to engineer around it.
The cradle adjusts for height so you can get it comfortably under your occipital bone – you know, your head’s bum – and the straps adjust easily to meet neatly beneath your outer earflaps. (Let me say right now I am not anatomically trained.) After two minutes’ fiddling, the HJC is very comfortable.
Just in case you’re missing stridently exciting features in capital letters, the strap features a FIDLOCK magnetic buckle that’s really easy to use. Okay, non-magnetic buckles are also really easy to use and this is arguably another fix for something that was perfectly fine, but it’s chunkily easy to operate with gloved fingers without feeling at all bulky or uncomfortable. It’s also secure, and, as I’m easily swayed, it feels a bit more ‘premium’ than a regular snap-fit thing, too. As I said, at this price level, that counts.
I haven’t stopped shouting yet either, because between the COOLPATH channels lies the SLID protection against ‘rotational and linear impacts.’ This uses ‘a special GEL material’ to allow your head and the helmet to twist independently, according to HJC. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer any information on internal or independent testing, or any details on what safety standards it may or may not pass.
Poke a finger and you can see how it works: SLID consists of those six, raised, be-logoed squares, and each will squish and stretch easily. As they’re positioned on the crown of your skull, they allow a degree of movement between your head and the shell under impact, though of course that’s limited by the unyielding fit of the shell’s brim. In normal use, they’re just effective padding.
The shell was a pretty close fit on me so movement was minimal, but then I’m at the upper end for the size medium. I’d say sizing is accurate and I could fit this medium comfortably, but I could also have sized up for more room and – presumably – better airflow, too.
Not that airflow was a problem. This is pretty well vented, and I never found it too warm or sweaty despite repeated heatwaves in the UK during the test. While it’s quite slabby from the sides, look head on or inside and you’ll see it has substantial slots running through it.
The outer skin feels substantial too, and runs under the brim to protect the expanded foam innards from dents and scuffs. Everything is very crisply sculpted and neatly bonded, and despite ‘substantial’ being the word I keep coming back to for each element, it’s not too heavy at 274g – not superlight, but light enough to forget for hours.
There are ‘eyewear dock’ holes in just the right spots if you like to poke your shades into your helmet a lot, and six other colours if this one doesn’t appeal. Most are unthrilling options such as White, Oatmeal or Dust/Khaki, but there are a couple of vivid choices if you prefer.
You also get a spare set of pads and a stick-on peak to make it look like you’re wearing a cloth cap underneath.
Value
At £159.99 this is not cheap – you can get Mips-equipped lids for around £100 less. They won’t have the same plush sense of quality as this, however, and may well weigh more too.
For a little less you can get a realistic competitor such as the Lazer Sphere Kineticore, which is £119.99. It too uses a proprietary rotational impact reduction system, though for some reason the straps are unadjustable for fit around your outer earflaps.
You can of course spend more and get something very impressive, like the £229.99 Met Trenta Mips. Though it’s only a little lighter at 260g, it’s also well ventilated and of course features Mips – a long-established design whose performance has been ratified by external labs. If you want ultimate peace of mind, that’s probably its ace card.
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Overall
This HJC does what it sets out to do really well: it’s reasonably light, very comfortable and very well ventilated, and it offers the overall quality and scattering of impressive touches you expect for the price. You have to take the efficacy of the SLID system on trust, it’s true, but HJC is not alone in ignoring independent testing for its Mips-rivalling tech.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
From Road to Gravel to Bikepacking, the BELLUS 2 is the helmet you need. Wind tunnel developed, the focus is a helmet with ventilation at normal speeds. The helmet for the group ride, or the after-work loop. The helmet which allows heat to escape on the steepest climbs, at lower speeds. The helmet for gravel or bikepacking.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
• SLID (Sliding Layer Impact Distribution) pads for rotational and blunt force impacts
• COOLPATH ensures airflow over the top of the head – essential for cooling, yet prevented by so many helmets as padding interrupts this flow.
• Full Ventilation at low speeds
• Wind Tunnel developed to minimise noise
• Increased side coverage for gravel use
• FIDLOCK magnetic clasp for ease of use
• Ionic+ anti-bacterial straps with reflective detailing
• Available in 7 modern colours and 3 sizes
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
At £160 this is entering premium territory, though £200+ isn’t uncommon and £300 is hardly unknown either, so it’s not high-end.
What protection standards does the helmet conform to?:
HJC doesn’t actually say, but it must meet EN 1078 to be sold in the UK.
Does the helmet incorporate any rotational injury protection? If so, what?:
Yes – HJC’s own SLID. There’s no mention of any external testing or certification for it, however.
Does the helmet size up especially big, or small?:
Nope.
Does the manufacturer make any specific aero claims about the helmet?:
It’s allegedly ‘wind tunnel developed to minimise noise,’ but that’s as far as the details go.
Is the helmet easy to care for? Are the pads removable and washable?:
Yes. The pads are removable and washable, and there’s a spare included.
Any issues with durability?:
No.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This is easy to adjust for a good fit, and comfy once it’s on. It’s well ventilated and the magnetic buckle is easy to use, even in gloves. It looks and feels well made, too – the only real question mark is over the effectiveness of the rotational impact system, as HJC makes no mention of independent testing or certification.
About the tester
Age: 48Height: 183cmWeight: 78kg
I usually ride: Temple Adventure Disc gravel bikeMy best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 yearsI ride: A few times a weekI would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: Fitness riding, Mountain bike XC, Mountain bike Enduro, Mountain bike downhill/freeride
