Briko Arrow - £89.99
Helmet design has come a considerable way since my first experience of helmets (the venerable Tuff Top no less), but thankfully for the fashion police most now provide much more style for your head, as well as boasting light weight and high levels of safety.
Briko's Arrow is the same model as used by the Italian Liquigas pro team (if you're at all swayed by what the pro riders race in) and is a sleek, good looking helmet that is light enough to compete with other top-end helmets. It hits the scales at about 280g, and the use of a Carbon Cage System - an external shell of carbon fibre - and In-Moulding technology allows 25 large vents to funnel air over your scalp. It's noticeably less vented than the breezy Ionos, but not enough to find complaint with.
The Arrow's retention device looks and feels a little clunky in use, but adjustment is quick and easy and holds the helmet in place well, with barely any movement detected while riding. I'd like to see softer material used for the straps as they can irate on the skin and ears a bit, but this is a minor grumble in what is otherwise a top performing product.
Available in small, medium and large.
Verdict
Briko's helmet offers all the ventilation and the lack of weight that other top-end helmets offer, while managing to stand out from the usual choice of helmets. Its price also undercuts that of its rivals quite comfortably.
Looks great, comfortable, easy to adjust
Straps, ventilation not as good as others
www.wiggle.co.uk
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