Bell Zephyr MIPS Helmet Review

Relentlessly innovative is the only way to describe the Zephyr. Following years of research and feedback, Bell released the Zephyr. The result is an outstanding helmet that won’t be forgotten quickly.

Where to start with this helmet is difficult, there are so many new things to do with this helmet that aren’t found anywhere else. Bell has made this helmet with years of research, analysis and real world testing. Meaning that the Zephyr has an outstanding level of performance.

Let us start with the Eps foam liner. Normally the Eps is the same in different helmets just moulded in different shapes or has things added to it. Well, the Zephyr has 2 foam liners: a low-density liner next to your skull and a higher density covering this. You can see where the two join on the underside of the helmet. Bell Claims this helps manage impact energy better, which makes sense. The higher density will be absorbing the brute force of the impact. Allowing the low density to have a cushion effect against your skull.

This actually helps the helmet have a lower profile as well, spending some serious time in Bells wind tunnel measuring the aerodynamics has given the lid its slick design. But Bell also have a piece of kit they like to call the “Therminator”. Which is a fairly unique piece of technology. Built into their wind tunnel it blows hot air at the lid. However the head the helmet sits on is covered in thermal receptors. Meaning Bell can accurately see the cooling in effect and areas that need improvement. With 18 vents in total, and both the aerodynamics and the cooling being designed in the wind tunnel the results show themselves.

Moving onto the fit I’m going to start with the straps. Therefore Bell has even redesigned these on the Zephyr to be aerodynamic! Well almost, they have fitted “Tri Gliders” these straps help prevent twisting and hold the straps closer to your face. Simply by reducing the occurrence of twisted straps will make this helmet popular, but also reduces drag.

The Zypher has MIPS fitted if you’ve read the other helmet blogs you’ll realize how much we love this technology. In a lot of helmets with a MIPS option, it does make the fit a little more snug (1.7mm in total). Ultimately people even claim it affects cooling and has no benefit (go to their website and judge for yourself). Well in the Zephyr it has been built in or built to fit one in around the fit it is the actual fit. With only a few tell-tale yellow points and no cradle its truly the technology, you don’t notice till it is used in this helmet.

With the fit system, you get 3 height adjustments, a ‘clicky’ dial and separately adjustable occipital pads at the read. All these adjustments can be annoying setting up with a new helmet but in the Zephyr, they didn’t take long or prove any hassle to fit finding that sweet spot on your head. You can even make slight adjustments on the fly even with heavy duty winter gloves on with ease.

The Padding in the Zephyr is different to a lot of helmets. Whilst Antibacterial, washable and anti odour pads are found in a lot of lids now. The Zephyr has an extra lip of padding that wicks sweat to the lowest point of your helmet so can drip off. This help saves it going in your eyes or onto your glasses. The lip drops the sweat off your in front of your face just in front of your glasses. Whilst it didn’t eliminate the problem entirely it made a definite improvement.

With a large range of colours and a fully reflective ghost option the helmet even looks good on the road. Still, the only issues are it is fairly heavy for a road helmet (certainly doesn’t feel heavy though). Although the main issue is that the underside of the helmet isn’t protected so if you drop it or place it down fairly roughly you risk damaging the underside. Tiny little issues for an amazing helmet with some incredible solutions to problems found in a lot of road helmets.