Not only are we graced by their new innovative cycling products but MET Helmets has also directed a new focus on women’s cycling by continuing to support the Drops cycling team and launching a Drops inspired colourway.
But let’s get back to mountain biking and the new MET Roam enduro lid which was unleashed upon us earlier this year…
MET Helmets has spent considerable time developing the Roam to be the all-mountain, enduro, trail, all…well, everything. With much hype surrounding its launch and, of course, the wild display of colours to choose from, I got my hands on a fresh one for myself.
MET Roam: the tech
The MET Roam certainly has a racy vibe to it, which is no surprise when the likes of enduro racers Isabeau Courdurier, Killian Bron and Liam Moynihan were in the development mix.
The construction of the helmet is nothing new, an EPS (expanded foam) inner casing with a polycarbonate shell over the top. There are three parts to its form which have been finished in both matte and gloss sections to give it an attractive aesthetic look.
There are 22 vents throughout the helmet which helps direct airflow over the ears and around the head to help regulate body temperature when you’re out shredding the trails.
So far, there’s nothing that really stands out about the MET Roam. It’s only when you look a little closer at the finer details and features that you really begin to appreciate its relevance to mountain biking.
The peak of the lid has been injection moulded to be more flexible than your regular peak so it becomes less flappy, less brittle and more forgiving when struck with force from an impact, let’s say. There are three positions for the peak to be in, and when you’re not wearing your goggles, the sides of the peak have a clever goggle strap clip to keep them in place – glasses also sit neatly under the peak too!
MET Roam: verdict
Having been a long-standing fan of MET Helmets, I was super excited to try out the new Roam.
Upon first inspection, the sleek black design looks awesome with the matte and gloss sections complimenting one another and then sheen of the MET logo discrete yet visible across the lid and peak.
The fit of the helmet is superb also – for my head shape anyway. It certainly inspires a sense of confidence when you can feel your cranium cuddle in the EPS mould, and the Safe-T Orbital retention system providing sufficient adjustability allowing you to dial in a snug fit.
So it looks good and feels good, but how does it fair when out on the ride?
Ok. Yes, the Roam is breathable and I certainly felt the channelled airflow come into full effect whilst out riding. The helmet overall is comfortable, it doesn’t pinch and the fit is great.
But… and I hate to say there is a but, but the MET Roam didn’t envoke the stoke feelings that I’ve come to expect from MET Helmets. Firstly, the bloody peak. Ok, so it is handy having your goggles stashed away when you’re not wearing them, but the three indexed positions are limiting. Even when in the lowest position, the peak felt too high for me, didn’t block out the sun as much as I wanted it to and I thought it looked a little daft.
The peak in its lowest position can still stash away your goggles but still sits too high to my liking.
Another area that caught my negative attention was the overall profile volume, it didn’t feel or look as low and sleek as I would have expected either. Even when fitted to my head and strapped up appropriately, I felt a little like a car bobble-head. Saying this though, the 335g (size medium) weight of the helmet didn’t contribute to the astronaut’s head feeling, as it’s surprising quite light in the hand.
To me, it feels like the MET Roam has been designed for goggle-wearers, enduro or otherwise. If you prefer to ride bare or in glasses than perhaps you won’t find a huge benefit from these specific features.
Saying this, however, the quality of the design and build certainly lives up to the prestigious MET Helmets reputation. The finishing touches, the racer features and bold innovation shows that rider performance is still at the forefront of MET’s mind, so for that, I applaud their efforts.
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