Bell Formula MIPS road helmet

The Bell Formula MIPS Road helmet looks, feels and performs like helmets costing double its £84.99 price tag. With plenty of ventilation, a good fit and the MIPS technology integrated into the cradle, there really is a lot to like.

• Pros: Well finished, great ventilation, comfortable
• Cons: No reflectives on the rear

While many helmet manufacturers tend to leave the EPS (expanded polystyrene) shell exposed at the base of the helmet where it is bonded to the polycarbonate outer shell, Bell is one of the increasing number of companies to cover it up with another shell. Not only does it give the whole helmet a much more expensive looking finish, it also adds protection against being dropped or impacts from things when in storage.

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Ventilation is great thanks to its 19 vents, although it's not totally down to the number, more the way they are positioned. You can feel the air flow through the helmet as you are riding, and although the extreme temperatures of summer have gone, it was still knocking around the mid-20s on some of the days while testing and I never felt overwhelmed in the Bell even when climbing hard.

The Formula comes in three sizes covering a range of 52cm through to 62cm, which should suit most.

Tweaking the fit comes down to Bell's Float Fit system. It's a lot like many other retention systems where a dial at the rear tightens or loosens the cradle as it passes around the helmet, but unlike most the Float Fit isn't actually attached to the base of the helmet anywhere apart from a small Velcro tab at the front on the back of the padding. It means you can really dial in the fit to the shape of your head.

The cradle itself incorporates MIPS technology which is good to see trickling down to the cheaper level of helmets. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System and it is basically a slip-plane which reduces rotational forces during some impacts according to the designer. (You can read more about it here.) Little yellow tabs between the cradle and helmet body let the cradle float, in effect, with the idea that if you crash and your head gets flung around you get a little bit of play there to absorb some of the forces.

Everything here adds up to create a very comfortable helmet, all backed up by some excellent padding. You only get it at the front and the top of your head towards the back, but that is plenty. It's removable too, so you can wash it.

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When it comes to value it all looks pretty good against the competition.

For a fiver more you could get the Endura FS260-Pro. It is lighter than the Bell by 60g, but isn't as well ventilated plus you aren't getting the MIPS setup.

Giro does offer some cheaper MIPS helmets, like the Vasona at just £69.99 and it scored pretty well too, apart from a few gripes about the straps.

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Overall, the Bell Formula MIPS is a very good helmet, especially for the money. It's comfortable and fits well; the only minor criticism I can come up with is that I'd like to see a few reflective tabs on the rear like you get with most other lids.

Verdict

Smart looking helmet with an excellent fit and plenty of ventilation for not a huge amount of money