Rudy Project Rebel Road Helmet

The Rudy Project Rebel is the company’s top-end road helmet, and to my eyes it certainly looks the part, and it’s comfortable too. For the price, though, it’s lacking a few options I’d expect to see, and it’s a little rough around the edges.

On the whole there is a lot to like about the Rebel. For starters, with 22 vents airflow is good, and I found the adjustable cradle very easy to dial in a comfortable fit. Weight-wise things are decent too, with this S-M option coming in at 264g. That compares well with my go-to helmet, Specialized’s S-Works Prevail, at 273g, but it’s a bit heavier than HJC’s Furion 3 at 248g.

One thing that does seem to be missing, though, is the inclusion of Mips – a safety system that is designed to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain in the event of an impact. (Find out more in our feature, All you need to know about Mips.) It’s been used by many manufacturers not only in their top-end helmets, but also cheaper lids in their line-ups.

However, Rudy Project does state that, thanks to its carbon Kevlar construction, the Rebel performs well in its RP Rotational Impact Test, which it says exceeds CE and CPSC standards (CE EN 1078 certification is needed to sell helmets in the UK and Europe), reducing brain injury risk.

The helmet uses a Fidlock magnetic closure which Rudy Project says adds to the secure fit. If you are used to a standard clip style buckle the Fidlock can feel a little faffy – fidl-y perhaps – to undo, but it soon becomes second nature.

One thing I am very glad to see is the inclusion of a bug net. A wasp or bee is not a welcome visitor when riding in the summer months, and I wish more helmets offered this. The minimal airflow trade-off is well worth it to minimise the chances of getting stung.

The padding is plush, which adds comfort, and is easily removed for washing.

There are three colours on offer, a matt black, this matt white, and a glossy red option. All of them are available in two sizes: the S/M for head circumferences of 55-58cm, and L for 59-61cm.

My only criticism with the Rebel is the finish, especially on a £270 helmet. There is quite a lot of exposed expanded polystyrene (EPS) and where it has been cut or moulded to shape there are some sharp or rough edges. It doesn’t affect you when you are wearing it, but come on – would it be too much of a hindrance to run a bit of sandpaper over it when it comes out of the mould for a more professional finish? It just cheapens the feel of a helmet that costs a chunk of cash.

Not that the price is out of whack with what many brands charge for their flagship lids. That Spesh S-Works Prevail 3 I mentioned above is currently £250, down from £275 when I reviewed it back in 2022.

The Rebel is the same price as the Fizik Kudo, a helmet that I wasn’t massively enamoured with, to be honest, especially for that sort of money. I’d definitely take the Rebel over it, and the Fizik is heavier, too, at just over 300g.

Ekoi’s Perf Crystal also doesn’t incorporate Mips, and it’s heavier than the Rebel at 297g. But it offers the same performance in terms of airflow and certification, for around £190.

The HJC I mentioned above is an aero road helmet I’ve been reviewing alongside the Rebel. It uses a rotational impact system called SLID (Sliding Layer Impact Distribution) rather than Mips, and costs £199.99. A full review will be up soon.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling helmets.

Conclusion

In many respects the Rebel is a very good helmet. It’s a decent weight, has good airflow and a comfortable fit thanks to plenty of adjustment. My only real bug bear is the overall finish quality of the EPS; for this sort of money you’d quite rightly expect better.

Verdict

Good-looking lid that focuses on comfort and airflow, although a little rough around the edges

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