Bell Tempo Mips Universal Helmet

The Bell Tempo Mips Universal Women's Helmet is an affordable, comfortable helmet. If you have a small head, this is a great option as sizing goes down to 50cm. It also benefits from the Mips (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) safety system.

• Pros: Available in small sizes
• Cons: Straps and buckle not the most comfortable

You want your helmet to be light, comfortable, well-ventilated and meet the safety standards, and this is what the Bell Tempo Mips does without costing a fortune. What I really like about this helmet, though, is that the sizing goes down to 50cm. Often the smallest adult size is 52cm, so finding a helmet that's just that little bit smaller for small-headed people like me is great.

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The helmet has an in-mould construction polycarbonate shell, and weighs in at 256g, which is pretty much unnoticeable in use. It also has a Mips layer inside – a multi-directional impact protection system (you can read more about it here), which a few companies have been adding to their helmets to provide more protection in the event of an accident. It is described by Mips as 'slip-plane' technology and is designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts.

The Tempo has 18 vents, which might well be enough to keep your head cool in the summer months, but this was a cold winter test so no ventilation was needed! There is some mesh on the front vents to stop those summer flies buzzing in, which is a nice detail. There is also removable padding for comfort, which can be taken off if you need to wash it.

The fitting system is an ErgoDial, a simple dial at the back to tighten and loosen the cradle, and this is easy enough to use with full-finger gloves on. The cradle doesn't allow for movement up or down, a feature of some more expensive models, which could have enhanced the fit. On my long rides there were no pressure points, and I really didn't notice the helmet itself, so the dial system did its job of keeping the helmet in place comfortably.

What I could feel slightly were the straps and buckle. The straps aren't particularly lightweight for a £65 helmet, but they do sit flat, while the clasp is quite large and not your normal buckle but a ratchet design. It seems clever, offering micro-adjustment under the chin, but whether that outweighs the noticeable bulk is debatable.

As for value – £65 is a decent price for the quality, Mips system and weight. You could get the slightly cheaper (£59.99), slightly lighter Lazer Amy, which offers a comfortable fit and easy adjustment, but it doesn't have the Mips system.

> Buyer's Guide: Cycling helmets – all you need to know

Overall, the Bell Tempo Mips is a good helmet, particularly for the smaller of head. It's comfortable, easy to adjust, sporty-looking and light enough.

Verdict

An affordable helmet with added Mips protection and sizing options are great for smaller-headed riders