Specialized Tone

£65 Stylish MIPS-equipped urban helmet

THE URBAN-FOCUSED TONE

helmet has a certain Star Wars Rebel soldier look to it with its muted two-tone design and solid-looking outer shell. Look a little closer and you’ll find a single fullwidth vent on top and a large exhaust port on the rear. Inside the helmet, the EPS foam core has pronounced channels cut into it, which keeps the minimal air coming into the helmet moving and helps to help cool your head.

Sizing is generous and Specialized’s SX fit system combines tri-fix web straps that stay in place and don’t roll or fold, though they aren’t adjustable so it’s worth trying before you buy. The rear cradle is a simple two-point anchoring system with a nice fine-adjustment, two-way dial that made it easy to cinch up tight. The cradle can hold an ANGI crash sensor (sold separately).

The Tone also incorporates a MIPS liner, which is rare on urban helmets, especially at this price. This low-friction insert allows for a sliding motion of 10 to 15mm in all directions. Independent studies indicate that the MIPS system reduces harmful rotational forces to the brain during angled impacts. The Tone meets all current helmet standards and has achieved the highly regarded 5-star rating from the specialist helmet-testing operation at Virginia Tech.

The Tone’s 352.3g weight for a size Large is good for a full-coverage helmet of this type and on the bike the Tone works well. Its minimal but well-placed pads add comfort and dry quickly. On warmer days the Tone can get a little stuffy, but for cooler days and winter commutes I’ve appreciated the extra warmth, and the lack of vents does keep the rain out too. Subtle reflective print adds a bit of visibility but there could be more of this.