Words Liam Friary
Images Cameron Mackenzie
RRP $349
Distributor Wide Open

Let’s be frank, there’s no shortage of cycling helmets in the current market. However, all is not equal when it comes to safety, ventilation, comfort, aerodynamics, cost and, perhaps most importantly, style. Sweet Protection aren’t strangers to current trends and have been at the forefront of the style game in recent times.

The company has only existed as an idea since 1988, and officially it’s just shy of 25 years old. It’s also not a cycling-first company but rather a company that grew from skateboarding, snowboarding, and freestyle kayaking.

The Fluxer MIPS Helmet has been made for long rides, steep climbs or wherever the road takes you. Unlike other MIPS helmets, there’s no more yellow liner associated with MIPS. Sweet Protection is using MIPS Air which mostly looks like a standard set of pads. What provides the rotational impact protection in an MIPS Air helmet is a low friction backing to the normal-looking pads. In the event of an impact, that backing can slide across the inside of the helmet without any need for an extra layer. To allow MIPS Air padding to shift, the pads aren’t attached directly to Velcro. Instead, loops capture the padding at specific points and those attach to the rest of the helmet. The combination introduces movement and the low friction backing completes the circle. Sweet Protection have added a second set of pads; instead of using the integrated pads at the front of the helmet, the MIPS layer flattens out and turns into a backing. On top of it is another pad that attaches via Velcro, which can be removed for washing. And, if you sweat like me, you want to get that washed every few months!

To assist with those long days in the saddle where the heat is a factor, this lid is equipped with multiple large vents strategically placed for maximum airflow. Sweet Protection’s unique STACC (Superficial Temporal Arteries Cooling Channel) ventilation system ensures that you stay cool and comfortable even on the hottest rides. Simply put, the ventilation system pulls air to the head in critical areas for optimal temperature regulation. This helmet is equipped with the MIPS® Air Node technology where the low friction layer is laminated to the comfort padding providing exceptional comfort, and reduces rotational forces to the brain. The integrated 360 Occigrip Fit system ensures the helmet fits snugly and securely on your head and allows for on-the- fly height adjustment. As Sweet Protection also make eyewear, they have designed the helmet to integrate with their shades seamlessly. They’ve also included some eyewear grippers to help the eyewear stay in place. It should be stated that it does work with other brands sunglasses as well.

I’ve been wearing the helmet for a few months now. The first thing to note is that the fit is super comfortable for my head. I like the ease of on-the-fly adjustment, especially as I tend to tinker with fit on the longer rides. For me, the helmet feels lightweight and well vented. It doesn’t feel heavy and whilst you know it’s on your noggin, it’s not overly noticeable due to its low bulk. The changeable weather often means I’m faffing with my eyewear, taking them on and off. Their eyewear easily integrates within the helmet which meant I could keep doing this over and over as the weather and mood changed. On the road, I simply flipped the sunnies upside down and pushed them into the helmet. Locating the spot was simple, and much easier than other helmets I’ve used. You can push them all the way in until the nose pads rest against the front. The little bit of rubber ensures they will not move even if you drop your head. Perhaps, more importantly, they stayed securely in place even whilst bouncing across graveled roads. There’s nothing worse than having sunglasses come loose and go flying when riding on anything but tarmac. I also liked the subtle understated style of the helmet, with minimal logo placement. The Sweet Protection Fluxer MIPS Helmet does a very fine job on all fronts and delivers it with a sleek package.