The Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips is Sweet Protection’s high-end open-face helmet that comes complete with cool protective tech. It’s a great-looking lid that offers decent comfort and coverage with a build quality that’s indicative of its price. Though, while impressive in some ways, poor ventilation among a couple of other points keeps it from excelling among the very best mountain bike helmets.
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Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi helmet – Technical details
Coming in as the latest helmet from Sweet Protection, the Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips is a helmet that the brand says is built for the speed of modern riders, whether their bikes are powered by motors or man-made watts.
Much like recent helmets from brands like Smith Optics and Endura, the Bushwhacker 2Vi uses two forms of rotational impact reduction. First of all, it’s equipped with Sweet Protection’s very own 2Vi platform that’s also found on its range of snow-sport-based lids. 2Vi uses a bunch of facets in order to offer increased protection in a comfortable form. It uses the rigidity and elasticity of the helmet’s shell to help protect during low- and high-speed impacts. Then underneath there’s a multi-density shock absorbing liner that’s said to improve impact dissipation based on the geometry of a head and there’s an internal rib structure that works in tandem with Mips to reduce rotational forces under impact.
Boosting protection further are four impact shields found at each corner of the helmet. There’s a lot going on under the lid of the Bushwhacker and it’s all cool stuff. The version of Mips found here is Mips Air which is a slimmer model that keeps well out of the way of the hat’s 13 vents.
The feature list continues as this hat gets a rather large three-position adjustable visor that leaves plenty of space underneath for the stowage of goggles. Handily, there are a couple of ports on the brow that have been included especially to store glasses, a touch I appreciate in any helmet.
Wrapping up the helmet, there’s dropped coverage towards the rear and the sides drop just over the ear. There’s then a Fidlock buckle and the Bushwhacker comes in three sizes to suit heads from 53 to 61cm in circumference. Adjustment comes in the form of a standard dial with a three-position vertical adjustment.
On test, we have the helmet in its ML size which weighs in a 438g which is a little heavier than helmets of this price and intention but not too bad.
Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi helmet – Performance
During testing, I’ve developed mixed feelings about the Bushwhacker 2Vi but one thing’s for sure, it’s rather comfy. While its shape will suit rounder heads better, I was more than happy to don this helmet for day-long rides. The padding is more than cushy enough. Its sizing is accurate, too, resulting in a secure and comfortable fit. Usually with M/L helmets, I only need to wind in the dial just a touch for it to be snug against my 58cm cranium, which is exactly the case here.
The straps are soft and I’d go as far as to say as they’re among the most comfortable I’ve had the pleasure of Fidlocking under my chin. And surprisingly, the strap dividers conform to the curves just beneath the ear. However, these particular dividers a really tricky to adjust, which is great if they’re perfect out of the box but I’ve not been able to wrestle them into the perfect position.
The Bushwhacker 2Vi, impressively but confidently stacks up to the helmet that I regard as the benchmark for helmet comfort, the Troy Lee Designs A3. But it’s extra 20 or so grams don’t go without notice.
All is not perfect though, as ventilation comes as a bit of a problem for this helmet. There just aren’t that many vents and those that are present aren’t terribly large. As their size suggests, airflow is limited which, as you can imagine, is noticeable on hotter days. It’s great to see that there are channels stretching from the vents to the exhausts, but they are rather shallow, which again, doesn’t do much to encourage airflow.
Unfortunately, the niggles continue. Even though it looks great, the visor isn’t terribly useful as at no point in its range does it block sun or rain from burning my retinas. Its range of adjustment is pretty vast, which is great to see but I would appreciate another lower adjustment. However, there’s plenty of space for goggles, if you’re partial to going full enduro but I have found that a goggle strap can block the exhaust ports at the rear.
And maybe one of the niggliest of niggles, there’s a good amount of excess strap on this helmet, 12cm to be precise. That’s a lot even for someone who’s close to this helmet’s maximum head size allowance. To keep this extra long loop from flapping about, there are a couple of rubber bands but while riding, these slip. There’s just no need for this much excess.
Getting back onto the good stuff, I love a helmet that can stow eyewear well, and that goes for the Bushwhacker. When not needed, glasses quickly, and easily slide into the two small vents, or docks that hold the arms of any spectacles securely. I’ve managed to jump, and get some pretty spicy runs in with my Memento RIGs or Melon Optics Kingpins still hanging in there.
Speaking of eyewear, there’s plenty of clearance left to keep specs from knocking against the brow of the helmet, even when using larger frames.
Where this hat really tries to earn its money is in its apparent protective qualities but also in its build quality, which is nothing short of respectable. There’s very little EPS on show and the helmet feels nice and solid. Its finish is flawless – it’s a fantastic-looking bit of kit with glossy logos set into its polymer shell.
Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi helmet – Verdict
This is where the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi really gets interesting as when compared to helmets of a similar price, it feels a little unremarkable. This price point is fierce and filled with some top-performing contenders like the aforementioned TLD A3. Unfortunately, the Bushwhacker falls short as it’s not as breathable, and its sweat management isn’t as capable. Its comfort is comparable but my money would still go on the A3 which would set you back just one pound more.
At £220 is the POC Kortal Race Mips, a super breezy lid that packs in the safety tech. For your cash, you’re not only getting Mips but it’s sorted with aramid bridges to protect against anything that may pierce the helmet but it’s equipped with a RECCO reflector and TwiceMe connectivity.
With such well-established brands offering very good helmets at this price point, the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker V2 is a bit harder to justify. Though, if it’s fancy impact protection you’re after in a comfortable package and you can forgive less-than-ideal breathability, a smidgeon of extra weight as well as a couple of other niggles, it’s a lid that’ll appeal most to those who ride quick enough to force that airflow.
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I can’t vouch for its protection but you’ll definitely need some speed to get air flowing through the helmet.
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