5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect helmet...at least for now.

1. · July 1, 2017

I've been wearing bike helmets since in the mid 70's. First was an MSR, which was basically a climbing helmet and very hot, followed shortly by a Bell Biker (turtle hat) in 1976. Over the years I've worn mostly Bell helmets, but over the past 10 years or so I've worn a couple from Giro. The progression of helmet technology over four decades has brought us lighter, cooler, and ultimately safer helmets. Straps and fitting have improved as well. I just returned from my first ride with the Stratus, mid-day, temp in the 80's on a route I know well. I can state without reservation that this is simply the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Ventilation is superb and the straps were hardly noticeable. I should add that the suspension system of this helmet is spot on. It's simple and it works. Technology will improve over time, but for now, in my estimation the Bell Stratus is as good as they come.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best MIPS helmet for roadies

A.C. · November 19, 2020

This is the best engineered helmet I have owned. First there is the MIPS technology which garnered high marks in both Consumer Reports and Virginia Tech ratings. The fit is excellent, especially the chin strap adjustments for around-the-ear comfort. Ventilation is very good too. But the best feature is subtle and missed in reviews. There are two notches on the front rim of the helmet where two vents terminate. They're pretty small but they give you the ability to look "through" the helmet rim when your head is tilted down so you don't have to tilt your head up. You can see the road ahead merely by looking up with your eyes. Pretty slick. I came to really appreciate this when I had to replace my Bell Stratus and went to another brand which offered a new non-MIPS protection system. It didn't have the peep hole notches and my neck ached after the first ride from tilting my head back. And on top of that, it wasn't as comfortable or well ventilated as the Bell. I immediately ditched it and got another Bell Stratus.The Bell Stratus costs more than the others but IMHO it is a superior product for roadies and well worth the money.

5.0 out of 5 stars Comfortable, well-rated, good ventilation

S. · August 19, 2018

The short answer is that this helmet is comfortable, well-ventilated, and was highly rated by a study from Virginia Tech. Buy it.I bought this helmet because my existing one was a few years old and a Virginia Tech study was recently released that scientifically evaluated several different bicycle helmets, and this one made it into the top tier of helmets providing the best protection.I'm not certain that I believe you need to replace your helmet after 3-5 years as is recommended by the manufacturers, but it won't hurt anything but your wallet. Similarly, some believe that the MIPS system is unnecessary or even counter-productive. The Virginia Tech study suggests otherwise and most opinions seem to be that it is potentially beneficial. Of course no lab measurements can fully test for all the possible crash dynamics.My wife's measurement of my noggin and Bell's fitment guide indicated that I needed a large, which surprised me since I am not a big guy. Nor do I have a disproportionately large head. So I ordered a large and I must say that it does fit great. It easily adjusts with the wheel on the back of the head strap and the chin strap adjusts easily too. It is a noticeably better and more comfortable fit than my previous Bell which was just whatever seemed good at Target.Ventilation seems more than adequate, indeed at times with the sun at my back, I can see the vents in my shadow on the pavement.I ordered the purple one because when I ordered it that color was somehow $38 cheaper than all other colors. Go figure.If not this one, at least wear some helmet and come home safely from every ride!

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine mid-level helmet with caveats

H.B. · March 13, 2020

I certainly wouldn't pay too much for this helmet and didn't. I got it via Bolo on some type of sale, for about 60. It does not seem to be a $100 or $120 helmet.Pros: comfortable, fits my head (just like for motorcycle helmets, the first priority is fit, and only secondary/tertiary do stylistic or other features come into play), the Bell sweat guard does the job on the brow (until it doesn't, but gives a rider plenty of time to either look down/press their forehead to it/press the helmet to their forehead to drain it - and it will be an impressive stream of sweat).Cons: yes, it allows air in, which is what we want, but perhaps it either allows more air in than other super-vented helmets, or it just isn't a correct design, but I feel this helmet is less aerodynamic than my last Giro. But the helmet certainly seems a little wider/mushroom-topped than the Giro.Neutral: there is a little tab, pictured and highlighted, that is a 'keyed' tab - mine somehow came undone, and despite trying to snap it back together it just wouldn't. It wasn't until I was analyzing it today that I saw it was a keyed tab. So it didn't break, but it did come apart at some point. I feel that some less aware may either not notice this, or never figure out how to put it back together. I'll call it a better design than a snap since it floats its range freely and probably has less of a chance of breaking.Verdict: A great mid range (not upper mid-range) helmet for casual cyclists. A little less aero than we roadies who hope, and do, maintain higher speeds should expect. I'm keeping it for gravel riding, and just bought a different brand to try for my road helmet.