You know what it's like, you buy a nice new cycling kit and then realize you've got no helmet that exactly matches it... Definitely first-world sartorial cyclist problems, but one I've encountered more than once.
So having invested in the very fetching new 2020 'Cancano' green kit from Komraid (and already having their M90 camo style Splinter kit) I wanted to find an olive green cycling helmet to match. Not an easy task, so it turns out.
But I did (through their association with The Service Course) find Sweet Protection, a new (to me, anyway) name on the cycling scene and hailing from Norway. They offer their basic low-cost Outrider helmet (£109 plus shipping for the non-MIPS version) in a matte olive green.
Perfect.
Order duly placed and helmet delivered, it confirmed that the lid is indeed pretty light (claimed 260g for the medium) and it thankfully didn't give my head that dreaded mushroom shape (many others have done!).
To my eyes it's the sort of helmet that would look equally at home on a road bike, a mountain bike, a cross bike or even an BMX. A real all-rounder. And while it's not claimed to have any aero properties, it certainly doesn't look "un-aero" (maybe the lack of the duck tail aside).
On the head it sits surprisingly high - not high off the head, but high over the ears. Maybe my recent penchant for aero lids has led me to expect a closer fit. But it's not unattractive.
Ratcheting up the simple dial-based fitting system revealed a quite a thin cradle and I have to say I was immediately worried wasn't going to be very comfortable over long rides. To their credit, Sweet Protection supply two different thicknesses of inner padding (and judging by feel, it's the thicker set that comes pre-installed). However, to get a snug fit in the cradle, I could feel the pads on the brow sitting a little more tightly against my forehead than I would have liked.
This was confirmed a few hours later when getting back home and removing the helmet to find pad-shaped marks on my forehead. I'd got about 90 minutes into the ride before the helmet started to feel uncomfortable, but by the end of the ride I was pleased to take it off (not something I would say of other helmets in the stable, like the Kask Protone or Met Manta).
Before I call a final verdict, I'll try it a few more times, maybe with the alternate pads and maybe trying to leave it a little looser on the head.
And at only £109, this isn't an expensive cycling helmet, so it's probably unfair to expect a fancier retention system.
On the plus side, I think I managed a few Strava PBs and maybe even a KOM or two wearing it, so it certainly isn't a "slow" helmet!
As well as the olive green, the Outrider is available in a number of unusual (in a good way) colors and can be ordered directly from their website.
I'd give it a definite thumbs up for sartorial style, but the jury's out currently on all-day wearability. I'll report back after a few more rides and see if I can achieve a more comfortable fit.
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