Bell Stratus MIPS

What a deal this helmet is. I have much more expensive helmets but this Bell Stratus Ghost is the one I wear now as it is so light, comfortable, ventilates so well, that you really can't do much better. The fit system is very good and it meets the MIPS protection system adequately. Aesthetically I find it pretty cool and no one is going to think you are wearing a Walmart helmet. My only complaint is that the chin strap material could be more comfortable against your skin.

I've been wearing Bell helmets for a long time because they fit my oval shaped head well. This model is a step up from my old helmet, which is a Bell Drifter, with better ventilation and a slightly comfier fit. I got it in the "ghost" version, which is very bright. It gives me more confidence riding in suburban traffic. The helmet is probably not the absolute lightest option out there, but it's light enough that I barely notice it when I'm riding. The straps were easy to adjust, and the dial in the back lets me tighten the helmet exactly like I want it. I tried a couple of Smith helmets before I chose this helmet, but they were heavier and did not look as nice on my head. Since the Stratus has been rated highly for safety and has a good implementation of MIPS, I feel confident I made a good choice.

I've been wearing bike helmets since in the mid 70's. First was an MSR, which was basically a climbing helmet and very hot, followed shortly by a Bell Biker (turtle hat) in 1976. Over the years I've worn mostly Bell helmets, but over the past 10 years or so I've worn a couple from Giro. The progression of helmet technology over four decades has brought us lighter, cooler, and ultimately safer helmets. Straps and fitting have improved as well. I just returned from my first ride with the Stratus, mid-day, temp in the 80's on a route I know well. I can state without reservation that this is simply the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Ventilation is superb and the straps were hardly noticeable. I should add that the suspension system of this helmet is spot on. It's simple and it works. Technology will improve over time, but for now, in my estimation the Bell Stratus is as good as they come.

This is the best engineered helmet I have owned. First there is the MIPS technology which garnered high marks in both Consumer Reports and Virginia Tech ratings. The fit is excellent, especially the chin strap adjustments for around-the-ear comfort. Ventilation is very good too. But the best feature is subtle and missed in reviews. There are two notches on the front rim of the helmet where two vents terminate. They're pretty small but they give you the ability to look "through" the helmet rim when your head is tilted down so you don't have to tilt your head up. You can see the road ahead merely by looking up with your eyes. Pretty slick. I came to really appreciate this when I had to replace my Bell Stratus and went to another brand which offered a new non-MIPS protection system. It didn't have the peep hole notches and my neck ached after the first ride from tilting my head back. And on top of that, it wasn't as comfortable or well ventilated as the Bell. I immediately ditched it and got another Bell Stratus. The Bell Stratus costs more than the others but IMHO it is a superior product for roadies and well worth the money.

I am a long time Bell helmet wearer. Their newer MIPS helmets are light, fairly comfortable and well ventilated, but I have had some durability issues with their circumferential fit system. To start, the rubber coating they put on the adjusting wheel decomposes relatively quickly, becomes gummy and falls off. The wheel still works, but the rubber coating isn’t worth the cost of applying it. A solid wheel, as used on less expensive helmets, would work just fine. Even worse, the adjusting system can be over adjusted so that the ends of the part that encircle your head come out of the adjuster. And they can’t simply be pushed back in, the ratchet won’t engage them. The whole thing has to be pried apart so that they can be put back. The unit consists of three plastic parts pressed together. I was lucky, I got them apart, put the loose ends back in and got it reassembled without breaking it, but the potential to break something is great. If you do break it, you toss your expensive helmet in the bin for something that shouldn’t have come apart in the first place. Despite this … yeah … I bought another one. It is a good helmet. You just need to be aware that it’s figment system is “delicate”.

A great price for a great helmet. Easily adjustable and fits perfectly. Very comfortable and looks great. A great value.

Bell helmets seem naturally shaped to fit my head well and have been using them for years. This one is definitely quieter with air going by the ear area than my previous Bell helmets. My only minor complaint is the squeeze-clip to fasten the strap is small so you may have to finagle a bit to undo it.

I love this helmet. Prior helmets were universal and gigantic on my head. I measured my head and got a small which was perfect. Not only did I get a helmet with a great fit. It also had a better helmet safety rating by Virginia Tech that my other MIPS helmets.