BERN FL-1 MIPS

Construction

While the Bern’s chunky, distinctive looks give it somewhat of a retro feel (anyone remember that Etto helmet from the early days of mountain biking?), the inmould construction and MIPS system inside make it bang up to date. There are also 18 vents with some, albeit quite shallow, internal channelling to help with air flow and thin padding that skirts the entire way around the helmet. Even the FL-1’s adjustable cradle is shrouded in padding to up the comfort levels. All in, the FL-1 weighs 284g. Unlike the Smith, Bern offers this in three sizes – small, medium and large.

Adjustability

The FL-1’s cradle gets the choice of two central anchor points to adjust the helmet’s pitch on your head but, more interestingly, uses a Boa dial to adjust the fit. This precise, crisply indexed dial makes getting the fit right a doddle with nice, even tension around the head.

Comfort and venting

While the FL-1 may look bulky, the reality feels quite different once it’s on. The padding is minimal but extremely effective and, more importantly, so is the venting. Okay, the deep brow still gets a little sweaty, but overall, we were impressed with how well the FL-1 dealt with heat build-up as well as the amount of comfort and safety on offer.