Specialized Sierra Womens Helmet

The Specialized Women's Sierra helmet meets all safety standards, fits really well, and doesn't make you look like a mushroom. While doing all of this, its price tag significantly undercuts the vast majority of the leading specialist manufacturers for entry-level helmets.

• Pros: Decent profile for an entry-level lid, great price
• Cons: Only one size, no spare pads, there are lighter at a similar price

The Sierra is the most basic women's helmet that Specialized offers, but that doesn't show in its looks or quality. Specialized offers the Sierra in three different colour options too: White/Silver Arc, Gloss Acid Pink Arc and Matt Mint Arc. It's a real plus to have choices.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Naturally, the helmet meets expected safety standards. Specialized has also added three wide reflective strips on the rear of the helmet that are ideally placed for visibility.

The helmet comes in just one size, 50-58cm. Yes, it's supposed to fit all women regardless of head size. I would say that I have a slightly smaller than average head, and it fitted me perfectly. The marginal play was eliminated by tightening the micro-adjustable dial at the rear to create a really secure fit. Specialized has used data from Retul to conclude that the differences in female head sizes are small enough that one size will indeed fit all.

The helmet straps are the simplest I have ever come across. The same Tri-Fix web splitter system is used on the race-specific S-Works Prevail that Tass reviewed last year, and the £30 Align that Stu tested more recently. There is no way of modifying the length or position of the two straps that come down from the body of the helmet, all adjustment is done with the chin strap. Thankfully, for most anyway, it just works.

Adjustment is very simple: a single pull and it tightens effortlessly. The straps are really soft and sit snuggly against the cheeks, with reflective threads neatly woven into them which is a neat idea if probably not overly visible to other road users in reality. The straps are also quite soft so possibly prone to snagging, though I haven't had any issues during the test period.

The micro-adjustment dial forms part of Specialized's 'Ponytail-ready HairPort SX fit system'; a fancy way of describing a small gap between the body of the helmet and the adjusting dial/cradle. The gap isn't overly generous and it can't be made bigger, and getting your hair through it is a bit of a faff. It works fine once you've figured out the best way of getting your hair threaded through the gap, and then helps the helmet to sit in a decent position on the head, not too far forward or too far back.

At 314g it is heavier than most entry-level helmets (Lazer's entry-level Amy is 241g; Limar's 555 is 283g; Oxford's Raven 255g). Stu found the Align's 338g noticeable, but it was less of an issue for me: it's hardly going to make your neck ache.

The Sierrra has 21 vents, which should be sufficient to prevent overheating though it's not something I've really been able to test in mid-winter. Like most basic helmets there is no mesh shielding or perforated padding over these vents, so warm weather insects may be an issue. Another noticeable omission from Specialized was spare padding; if you do remove the inserts for washing regularly, the small Velcro attachment pads are likely to need replacing at some point.

The helmet comes with a detachable visor, with just one point of contact which I was a bit sceptical about but was proven wrong. It's sturdy enough to hold the visor firmly in place while still being easy to take it on and off. (Whether you choose to attach it or not is up to you.)

Price-wise, you can't really complain at £30 for the quality on offer. Yes, you can probably still get cheaper, but it's great value and looks good to boot.

> Buyer's Guide: 8 of the best cheap cycling helmets

Overall, I'd say the Sierra helmet is perfect for commuters and newcomers to the sport, as well as more experienced riders who value a quality brand without breaking the bank for an all-singing, all-dancing, feather-light lid.

Verdict

Great quality lid from a leading manufacturer; not the lightest, but very comfortable and you'll struggle to beat the price