Catlike 2013: New Mixino helmet

Catlike are introducing the lightweight Mixino helmet at the top of their range in September. 

The Spanish helmet brand's unique-looking lids are certainly easy to spot in the pro peloton on the heads of Spanish squad Movistar. The new Mixino is the latest evolution of their design philosophy.

The £160 helmet is their lightest yet at just 225g. It improves safety through the use of an aramid roll cage that provides high impact protection, and contributes towards the 35g weight saving over the current Whisper Plus.

Inside the new helmet is an updated retention device which is not only lighter than you'll find on previous Catlike helmets but it also offers vastly increased adjustability. A micro-dial adjusts the thin arms that wrap around inside the helmet, and two rear supports are independently adjustable.

With vertical adjustment and new lateral wings to which different thickness pads can be attached, it looks to be a helmet that should fit any shaped head. Heat absorbing Outlast padding helps to regulate temperate, which along with the 39 vents should make the Mixino a cool helmet on hot days.

The Whisper Plus (read our review here) remains in the range and sees a price drop to £99. It benefits from the same retention device and 39 Dual Flow vents as the new top-end Mixino. A new matt finish is offered for 2013 in several colours, and it's a finish that doesn't mark easily like matt painted finishes often tend to.

For time trial enthusiasts, Catlike's Chrono Aero WT was designed in a wind tunnel and the manufacurer says it is one of the most aerodynamic on the market. A transparent visor clips to the front and there's an optional air vent too – just remove the middle section of the Catlike logo to allow airflow to pass through.

That helmet costs £199, but for half the price you can get the Chrono Aero Plus. It does without a visor (although you can buy one separately) or the neat air vent solution of the Chrono Aero WT, but represents fantastic value for money.

This week, i-ride.co.uk (who can boast Eddy Merckx Cycles, Fulcrum wheels, De Rosa, Argon 18, Northwave and 3T in their portfolio) announced they'll be bringing Catlike into the UK.

“We’re incredibly excited about the 2013 Catlike range," said Tom Marchment, i-ride Marketing Manager. "The updated Whisper Deluxe - with brand new MPS eVo retention system featuring 4 separate cradle adjustments - will be a very strong seller at its new £99 price point."

www.i-ride.co.uk