Bluegrass Vanguard Core full face helmet review

The Bluegrass Vanguard Core full-face helmet has all the features you’d expect from an enduro helmet. It’s a lightweight and well-ventilated lid with the standard Mips liner. However, it goes further by incorporating downhill levels of safety and includes a dial-adjusted cradle for the perfect fit. It’s not cheap but the performance on offer in such a well-finished package justifies the price. 

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Bluegrass Vanguard Core full face helmet – Technical details 

Safety should always be high on the priority list and, although this helmet is designed to be a lightweight enduro lid, it passes downhill specs – ASTM F1952 to be specific. The Core version comes equipped with a Mips liner to reduce rotational forces during impact, a standard affair of many top-end helmets. While on the topic of reducing rotational forces, the visor is non-adjustable but is designed to break away in a crash. 

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_7, by Ty Rutherford

Retention is handled with the use of a dial adjuster which pulls in a cradle around the head, the adjuster itself has three vertical positions to ensure it sits under the back of the skull comfortably and securely. The fit can be personalised further with two different thickness cheek pads. The cheek pads hold onto the straps keeping them in place and the C-shape design of the pads aids ventilation. A Fidlock buckle finishes off the fit. 

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_5, by Ty Rutherford

The chin guard is substantial yet open and breathable with plenty of holes for breathability. The mud grill at the very front is removable to give the option between splash protection and breathability. 

Ventilation is continued with 24 air vents and internal air channels to exhaust as much hot air as possible, the internal padding is fairly minimal which aids the cooling efforts. 

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_4, by Ty Rutherford

Goggles have been considered with plenty of space and a smooth area for the strap to sit on the helmet. 

The Vanguard Core is available in Small, Medium and Large sizes which range from 52cm to 61cm head circumference. Four colourways are on offer, white/black, blue, green and black, all of which are a matt finish. Coming in at a claimed 725g for the medium, it’s unquestionably on the lightweight end of the spectrum. 

Bluegrass Vanguard Core full face helmet – Performance

First impressions were good, it’s lightweight yet feels sturdy enough to be confidence-inspiring. The quality is spot on with some nice finishing touches making this helmet feel like a premium product. 

After an initial fit, I swapped the cheek pads out for the thicker ones for a more secure fit. The pads are a little fiddly to change out, they’re tough to pop out, and getting the chin strap routed correctly took me more than one attempt. This is only a small gripe and something you’ll only face once whilst dialling in the perfect fit. The dial adjuster is a great feature which allows for a consistent fit around the head with no pressure points. I did find this adjuster can get in the way when putting the helmet on so it does require a bit of navigating over a more traditional design that doesn’t use one. 

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_6, by Ty Rutherford

Overall the helmet is exceptionally breathable for a full-face affair. The vents let plenty of air in and the internal channels do a great job of funnelling the air through. With the chin guard being so airy already I never felt the need to remove the mud grill but it’s nice to have the option. I have had a couple of occasions where I’ve knocked the mud grill and it’s fallen out so I can imagine it could be easy to lose this. 

Bluegrass_Vanguard_Core_2, by Ty Rutherford

All the internal pads are removable for cleaning and although the outer shell has a matt finish, a quick wipe down to remove the mud has it looking fresh again. 

Bluegrass Vanguard Core full face helmet – Verdict 

Retailing at £295, the Bluegrass Vanguard Core full-face helmet certainly isn’t a cheap offering, however, given the safety credentials, airy design and lightweight nature of this helmet, the price is justified. 

For the same money, the MET Parachute MCR convertible helmet is another option which features a removable chin bar. In full-face mode, it’s reported to be breathable, comfortable and with great build quality, however, it’s on the heavier side. The Laser Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet is another option which comes in slightly cheaper at £250. It’s a lightweight option with a fixed visor, excellent airflow and comfortable fit however it lacks the adjuster dial and MIPs system which features in the Vanguard. 

The Bluegrass Vanguard Core full-face helmet proves to be an excellent lightweight enduro helmet with the safety of a downhill lid. With the adjustable cradle, Fidlock buckle and multiple cheek pad options getting the perfect fit is simple enough. The ventilation on offer is impressive for a full-face helmet thanks to the venting and internal air channels. It’s not cheap but the lightweight and airy nature of this helmet along with the downhill levels of safety make it hard to ignore. 

• www.bluegrass.com
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