Raleigh Extreme Pro Helmet

Raleigh's Extreme Pro helmet, tested here in its Black and Blue guise, is an okay option if you want a budget lid for pootling around town or fitness riding, but even compared with others at this price point it's a bit weighty and doesn't have the best venting for quicker riding.

• Pros: Meets the same safety standards as helmets five times the price, easily adjustable fit
• Cons: Bulky, can get hot

One of the main comments or questions we see about helmet prices is, 'What's the point in spending hundreds on a helmet when a cheap one will do the same job?'

> Find your nearest dealer here

True, all helmets to be sold in the UK need to pass the same safety standard, EN1078, so in the event of a crash your bonce is still going to be protected to the same degree. But the Raleigh here highlights what the benefits can be in buying a more expensive lid: you can get lighter – some even half the weight – and much better controlled airflow through the vents.

At 362g the Extreme Pro is noticeably heavy when you wear it – you can feel it on your head and the transfer of weight as you tilt your head or lean the bike. Okay, for the price it's not completely over the top – the recently tested Specialized Align tipped the scales at 338g – but B'Twin's 500 is a claimed 270g in medium (we tested an older version, then called the 700, which was 282g for a large), and Oxford's Raven is 255g for a tenner more; Dave was pretty impressed with its venting, too.

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

The Raleigh has 22 vents dotted around the helmet so I was expecting it to be much cooler than it actually is. There is no real cohesion between the vents to create airflow from the front to the rear, so if pushing on a bit I actually found some aero helmets cooler.

If you are looking at dropping just 30 quid on a helmet, though, these things are probably not at the top of your wishlist, and I'd say the Extreme Pro is best suited to those who likes to take things a little easier.

It has a simple adjustment system by way of a ratchet at the rear – you just push the tabs to release it to make the helmet larger or push them together to make for a tighter fit.

You get plenty of padding, which is all removable for washing, and the straps are easily adjustable to get the best fit under your chin.

It also comes with a visor which clips into the front of the helmet and provides protection from the sun or rain, plus will help if you fancy a bit of a foray onto the tracks and trails.

This large model covers 58-61cm, but there is also a medium which covers 54-58cm. There are other colour choices available too.

Overall, the Extreme Pro is a decent enough helmet for what it is, but it does look and feel quite bulky in use. I'd take the Specialized I mentioned earlier – it's a much smaller looking helmet which looks more like its expensive models too.

Verdict

Not bad for the money, but too hot for performance riding and quite heavy even for the fitness market