Specialized Prevail II helmet

The Specialized Prevail helmet has long been a popular helmet with performance-focused cyclists because it's comfortable, well ventilated and seriously lightweight. This new new version retains everything that was good about original but has a much lower profile. It not only looks better but offers better ventilation and sweat management as well as reducing the wind noise of the original.

I tested the original Prevail S-Works helmet way back in 2012 and found it one of the most comfortable and well-ventilated helmets I had ever tested. That still holds true; I still frequently wear a Prevail helmet to this day. And at 190g it's still one of the lightest helmets on the market

The only criticism it was possible to level at the original Prevail was its very wide profile that looked a bit bulbous on many heads, mine included. That has been addressed with the new Prevail II. It's a much sleeker and lower profile helmet, sits lower on the head and doesn't protrude at the sides as much as before. Good job, Specialized.

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That reduction in bulk hasn't reduced the weight, as you might expect. The new Prevail II weighs 201g on my scales, compared to 190g for the original Prevail, both in a size medium. Still, it's one of the lightest helmets on the market. You might think there's little point in a lightweight helmet. And then you try one and it's hard to go back to a heavier helmet. Specialized also says the lower profile offers a small aerodynamic improvement as well.

More noticeably, the narrower profile means the straps sit closer to the face, which is not only more comfortable but has led to a reduction of wind noise that sometimes plagued the original as the straps fluttered in the airflow. As before, the straps are non-adjustable with the Tri-Fix plastic bracket securing the webbing straps in place, but I found the straps fitted perfectly, sitting a nice distance below the ear. A simple buckle fastens under the chin.

Ventilation was always a trump card of the original Prevail, and that's still the case with the new version, but marginally improved. Specialized has refined the shape and position of the 35 vents with recessed channels across the top, and a 'Mega Mouthport' at the front. There appears to be a small improvement in how well the vents scoop in cooling air when the going gets sweaty. For a hot or mountainous ride, the Prevail II is the helmet I'd go for.

Inside is the familiar Mindset II retention system. A small rotary dial easily adjusts the fit, and you can make changes on the move. There's a good range of vertical adjustment with number markers to get the fit just right. Carefully placed pads amp up the comfort and there's a new 'Gutter Action brow pad design' that cushions the retention webbing system away from the front of the helmet and really contributes to a reduction in sweat pouring out from under the helmet and into your eyes. I tend to sweat a lot even in mild weather and especially on the climbs, and I really appreciated how the new Prevail was able to minimise the amount of sweat getting into my eyes.

Despite the lower profile design, the helmet still meets the same safety standards, and as before has an 'Aramid-Reinforced Skeleton' within the EPS (polystyrene) core. (Aramids are high-strength synthetic fibres of which Kevlar is the best-known.) Obviously, I'm not going to test the safety of the helmet by nutting the road, so we'll have to assume it's up to the task of looking after you in the unfortunate event of a crash.

A sleeker design has dramatically improved the appearance of the helmet, venting and sweat management has been enhanced and all the good things of the original have been retained, making this one of the lightest, best fitting and most comfortable helmets in the high-end helmet market. It's not cheap and mid-range helmets have got so much better in recent years, but if you want the best helmet that isn't an aero optimised one, the new Prevail II is worth a closer look.

Read more: The best high-performance helmets

It's not normally our job to comment on colour, we leave that to you, but I've got to say I'm loving this faded yellow design, and I've had a lot of good comments. "A splash of colour without being overly bright and in yer face," was one positive comment. There are another four colours to choose from including plain black and white.

Verdict

Superb ventilation, sweat management, comfort all wrapped up in lower profile shell makes the Prevail II a top pick