Two of the vents at the front are said to be a sunglasses port, but to be honest they are just positioned in a place that suits the width of the arms – there is no real retention there. If you are climbing that should be no real issue, but if the road is rough or you are moving around a lot you might find that your glasses are going to get acquainted with the tarmac soon enough. Value Overall, I like the look and feel of the Met Vinci MIPS and most of all the comfortable fit. It's a great helmet that doesn't really have any major flaws, although I wouldn't put a huge amount of trust in that sunglasses port. Verdict The amount of variables that are factors in a collision would make it impossible for any media outlet to give you a comprehensive review of how each helmet performed in every instance. This is why the CE standards exist, to ensure that the required levels of safety are achieved my the manufacturer prior to the helmet reaching the market. I’ve been using this helmet during the Australian summer, it been a hot one, and have definitely suffered from a sweaty head and experienced plenty of sweat dripping into my eyes and down my sunglasses while wearing this helmet. Despite it feeling as if there is good airflow passing over your head, especially at higher speeds, the Strale hardly competes with more open helmets like the Specialized Propero II, and some alternatives have double the number of vents and deeper channelling too. Ventilation came first and foremost for MET when they created this helmet – and they wanted to take a new approach to that which is seen elsewhere: namely lots of vents. Instead, they wanted to maximize the performance of the vents they did have to ensure they were working at their optimum.

Make sure your straps have been adjusted to sit around your ears and do up securely but not tightly under your chin. What is MIPS?

Smith Trace MIPS

With so few holes and its snub tail design, we’re a bit surprised there isn’t more emphasis on a possible aerodynamic advantage offered by this helmet. There are plenty of aesthetic and design similarities to other helmets like the Giro Synthe and Kask Protone, where equal emphasis is put on cooling and time saved over a 40km time trial. All helmets sold in the UK pass the required CE safety tests, so what more are you looking for in terms of endorsement? Did you ask for crash test photos or impact videos when you bought your car? If not why is it an issue here? Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, The bike is a Christmas present and so will not see any use for about 5 weeks as we are in November now.

Italian brand MET have been targeting the female audience of late, adding ‘Small’ sizes in many models that were previously only available in Medium or Large. Initially I was disappointed to hear that in the case of the Strale they’d chosen to maintain a ‘Medium’ as the smallest version. However, I was told being a compact lid designed to suit a 52 to 58 circumference, women would be catered for, and true enough a Medium did fit my genuinely tiny noggin (albeit with the retention system almost at its max).

MET Strale Helmet

What is your budget? There are fantastic helmets at all price points and you can be reassured that all MET helmets pass CE and BSI safety standards. However, if you can afford more, it does mean you can choose enhanced features, such as MIPS technology. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. the MET Rivale helmets with NACA ventilation opening, 360° head harness and openings for sunglasses