Bell Variant Bike Helmet

I rode the Bell Influx helmet for many years, and found it an excellent road helmet even on hot, humid days (though it is advertised as a MTB helmet). I changed helmets every 3-5 years as is the rule, and am glad I did because the Influx possibly saved my life in a crash (I got off with a nasty concussion).So when Bell discontinued the Influx, that bugged me. I am happy to report this helmet is 80% similar. It is a bit less bulky especially in the back (occipital) area, which may be a good or bad thing depending (in a head-smacking crash, maybe bad, because your vision goes through the occipital lobe, and blindness sucks). Still it is at least as comfortable as the Influx, if not more so because of new, tilt-adjusting visor, which is a major improvement on the Influx's visor which blocked my view when tucking a fast descent.A worthy successor to the Influx, although I sure wish Bell would bring that great helmet back, with the tilt-adjust visor this time.

I've only owned the helmet now for 2 weeks. Not very long!So far the helmet is great. It fits well and is comfortable.The visor seems to fit a bit high on the front of the helmets. It's about 1/2" above the front edge rather than along it. This is different from the Bell helmet I have owned for years and not a positive thing for me.There are no internal pads provided for you to fit into the helmet to make it tighter or looser when you get the helmet so be darn sure of the size when you buy it. Mine is fine.The internal padding is a spider like thin (1/8" thick) foam pad that is held in place by small Velcro pads. I believe this will be a problem over time. It's fine now.Ask me about this helmet after about 5000 miles in October!

Really like this helmet. It has ability to adjust the helmet to fit your head securely yet comfortably. All the vents keep it cool when riding (and I live in Phoenix so PLENTY of sun). Other reviews complain of the chin straps hard to adjust and not comfortable. While the chin straps take a little extra effort to adjust because the two straps on each side run through the same adjuster and are not easy to move (which is good once they are fitted correctly) a little patience gets them to be fitted and comfortable.I used the helmet sizing from the Bell website which indicated I would need a medium which surprised me as I wear a 7 5/8 hat. So I went with a large instead and glad I did. With the adjustable fitting system inside the helmet it fit perfectly.No reservations in recommending.

The Bell Variant Helmet is one the the best helmet out on the market that I have tried without a price tag going over $60. The interior cushions are very well laid out/stay in place/durable and provide plenty of protection from sweat dripping into your eyes. I've tried the Bell's higher end helmets and it seems that the interior pads/cushion just gets thinner and flimsier as the price goes up. This helmet also has a removable visor for road use, so this is a very universal helmet. I also like the fact the color of the helmet staps that are black compared to the higher end helmets that are grey and show lots of dirt/stains after use. This helmet also has a bottom plastic shell wrap in the bottom that makes it extra durable and more protection yet lightweight. After this review, I planning to get another one just like it for backup..just in case.

I have to say I really like this helmet.I measured my head according to bell's sizing chart and as usual I measuredexactly in the overlap between small and medium. I ended up ordering the small sizeand it still fits quite well. I've ridden with this all day and have no problems with comfort.There are a few different easy adjusters on the helmet which gives you a pretty good fit.

Love this helmet. Bought it to replace a $20 helmet that was causing a lot of sweat to run down my head into my eyes. This helmet is completely worth the money. Even in 90+ degree heat, no sweat runs from my hair line. By the way, I have a pretty big head and it adjusts very easy with plenty more room for adjustment.My only minor complaint is it shows the visor to be adjustable, but you really just bend it and it does not stay. I realy get no benefit from the visor anyway, but I do notice it does not function properly.

Wound up returning it in exchange for a slightly larger size of helmet, as it felt uncomfortably small while wearing it. It might have just not been the right shape for my head, but it's hard to say. (The description seemed to indicate it would be the right size for me.)

The helmet looks and fits great, but when I opened the box, the inside pads were misaligned and not retained, and the plastic tabs on the outside were peeling up. I re-glued some places, and now it's fine.Also, the pads are very thin. If you like to feel like there is a pillow in between you and the shell, look elsewhere.