Alpinestars Vector Tech helmet £135

The Vector Tech features MIPS brain protection, has 19 vents and is designed to be worn with goggles, with a heightadjustable peak to store them under. Encasing the EPS foam liner is an in-moulded polycarbonate shell that extends around the lower rim of the helmet. An indexed ratchet thumbwheel lets you adjust the fit of the retention cradle, which has two height settings. The padding feels luxurious and is made from a quick-drying antibacterial fabric.

Initially, the fit felt fairly narrow and long, due in part to the plush padding. It was easy to reduce the length using the retention system, and once the side pads lost some squashiness, the narrow width became less noticeable. We found the helmet comfy, even on long rides. It worked well with goggles and didn’t interfere with the arms of riding glasses. Even in its lowest setting, the movable peak didn’t encroach on our field of view.

While the Vector’s ventilation looks promising from the exterior, the internal openings of the vents are small and there are no dedicated internal ventilation channels, so airflow can feel limited. This is further exacerbated by the large MIPS liner covering a significant portion of the inside of the lid, reducing the gap between skull and liner. This meant sweat was quick to build up. Initially the pads soaked up the perspiration, but once they got saturated it started to drip down our face. With limited blow-dry potential due to the narrowness of the vents, once the pads were wet, they stayed that way for the rest of the ride (fortunately they’re removable and machine-washable). There’s a lot to like about this lid, but it’s better for cooler weather. Alex www.zyrofisher.co.uk

The Vector’s lack of ventilation stops it from scoring higher