The Met Trenta 3K Carbon Mips takes a few years old favourite and updates it with rotational protection. Aesthetically it's very similar, and it's impressive that Met has achieved the addition of Mips without making the helmet noticeably heavier. This is still a great choice if you're looking for a single helmet that balances aerodynamics and ventilation, but it does come at a hefty price.
The Trenta 3K Carbon is Met's top-of-the-range lid and it's this particular model that was worn by Team UAE Emirates and Tadej Pogacar at this year's Tour de France. This highlights perfectly the aim of the helmet as it was worn on all but the time trial stages, balancing aerodynamics for the flat stages and ventilation on the hilly stages during the French heatwave.
I'm lucky enough to have tested many helmets but the original Trenta 3K Carbon, which Mat tested in 2018, is one that I went and spent my own money on. Personally, I think it's a great looking lid so can see why Met has taken an 'if it ain't broke don't fix it approach' for this latest version. The Trenta is also a helmet I have happily used on hot-weather training camps, and this new version appears to sacrifice none of this ventilation by using the airiest and lightest Mips Air Node system.
Met has also minimised the amount of the head that'll be in contact with the helmet to help with keeping you cooler as you ride. Only 30 per cent will be in contact apparently, which, according to Met, allows the other 70 per cent to benefit from the optimised airflow passing through the internal cavity. The hot air is channelled out through the sizeable vents at the rear. During the testing period we've seen plenty of hot weather and for an aero helmet it has performed very impressively – it's been my go-to lid even on hot and hilly race days.
You'll find Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection) on lots of the latest helmets, but if you've not come across it before, it's a rotational management system designed to help reduce rotational energies otherwise transferred to the head during an impact or crash. There are a few brands that have their own system that does a similar job, and in my opinion it's worth having.
> All you need to know about Mips
Adding Mips to helmets can make them a little bit heavier, but at 223g the Trenta 3K is just 3g more than the non-Mips version. The low weight won't be saving you chunks of time, even on the steepest of climbs, but it does contribute to the overall comfort of the helmet. I barely noticed it in use.
Met claims the use of carbon fibre helps to keep the weight down, and is structural rather than purely aesthetic. There is a cheaper non-carbon version (£220) that offers the same aerodynamic claims, safety and ventilation, but is slightly heavier.
Unfortunately, we're not able to test the Trenta's aerodynamic credentials here at road.cc but Met's claims don't seem overly wild so I have no reason to doubt them. The helmet has been designed and tested using the wind tunnel in the Newton laboratory of Milan, so it's good to see that Met hasn't relied purely on computers to validate the claims.
Other features include a small amount of reflective detailing at the rear, and rubberised glasses grips in the outermost front vents. These securely held a variety of my glasses, and I was also happy to find that even long-armed shades played nicely with the Met's retention system.
The helmet is available in three sizes: S (52-56cm), M (56-58cm) and L (58-61cm), and five colours. It doesn't come cheap, though, at £280, which is a £15 hike compared with the non-Mips version we tested a few years ago.
Even compared with top-end competition it's still expensive. The recently released Specialized S-Works Evade 3 comes close – it aims to do a similar job, features a similar Mips system – but it's a fiver less at £275; we have the review of that coming very soon.
Though a fair few helmets we've reviewed sit around the £250-£260 mark, we've only tested one that's more expensive – the Hexr – which was £349 in 2019 and is now £299.
> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best lightweight high-performance helmets
The last lid we reviewed, the Giro Eclipse Spherical helmet, is £239.99 and offers excellent cooling, though it doesn't play nicely with some sunnies.
And if Mips isn't your priority then the Kask Protone Icon costs £245. Shaun reviewed it earlier this year and thought it was excellent.
Conclusion
Overall, the Trenta 3K Carbon Mips is an excellent helmet that's comfortable, light, cool in both senses of the word, and now incorporates extra protection. But to justify the price over some cheaper competition you are going to have to rate the looks...
Verdict
An excellent lid – light, cool and comfortable, if not cheap...
Make and model: Met Trenta 3K Carbon Mips
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Met says: "The MET Trenta 3K Carbon Mips® is the most advanced road cycling helmet we have ever made, now upgraded with the addition of Mips AIR®, the lightest and most advanced rotational management system." It's certainly light, and I found it very comfortable. This is an excellent choice for those prepared to pay the high price tag for a one-helmet solution for both aero and ventilation.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From MET:
3K Carbon Technology, embedded carbon fibre cage to enhance the performance of the shell
Mips AIR® rotational management system engineered to add protection and save weight
Exceptionally comfortable and secure on the head thanks to refined internal shape
In-mould polycarbonate shell with EPS liner
MET Safe-T Orbital Fit System
360° Head belt, vertical and occipital adjustments leave you with an individual fit
Air Lite straps with adjustable divider to maximise aerodynamic and comfort
19 Vents, engineered internal air channeling system to improve ventilation and comfort
Sunglasses ports to securely dock sunglasses when climbing or resting
Tube-shaped Kamm virtual foil tail to improve aerodynamics
Rear deflector to enable a constant airflow in riding position
Limited head contact surface to maximise ventilation
Reflective rear decals to enhance visibility in low-light conditions
Helmet soft bag included
Certifications CE, AS/NZS, US
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
No issues after 2,500km; the pads in my old one were the first thing to go but these seem more robust.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
9/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
9/10
Light, and comes quite a way down the head rather than perching on top. The retention system is also very good and I experienced no pressure points.
Rate the product for value:
4/10
It's a lot to spend on a bike helmet when you can buy one that offers a similar level of protection for a fraction of the price, but this is a pro-level lid and they never come cheap. I'll happily pay the additional £15 for Mips over the previous version.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
I found it cool and comfortable, but I can't verify the aerodynamic claims.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Easy to forget about when it's on, so comfortable.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing other than the price, if I had to buy it...
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It's more expensive than most, a similar price to other top-end offerings such as the new S Works Evade 3 (£275).
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
A proven design that's been cleverly updated to offer additional head protection without sacrificing the impressive ventilation, weight and comfort. Yes it's expensive, but if you can afford it it's excellent.
Age: 23 Height: 6ft Weight: 74kg
I usually ride: Specialized venge pro 2019 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
His election victory was covered by American Horror Story: Cult (7th season). It also has Twisty return in that series as well as having a few...
I did, in full, and find his concise conclusion valid. In addition, PCCs are (in my unfettered opinion) an utter waste of money. They're about as...
That sounds to me like you've been consistently inconsistent
The wet that's already on you tends to be quite warm (depending on quickly it's falling on you, of course), whereas when you get hit with a dousing...
Have to agree with you Woolly hat shop are good, plenty of stock fast despatch
I saw the front camera first and that didn't look too bad. The rear one was not good. ...
Those Lore One/Two shoes look like a good application of the technology. It's just a shame they're so ugly and expensive. And of course there is...
Not specific to this rack, but personally I think one of these is a better solution than p clips - https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m5b0s215p3695/SPA...
Is it just me, or have your review markings got a bit harsher recently? This feels like one of a number of reviews which recently which have got a...
Don't you be comin' on 'ere with yer "common sense"!