Most ‘trail’ helmets are just cross-country lids with a bit more rear coverage, but the high speeds of the exploding gravity enduro scene demand a bit more protection. Enter a new breed of head bucket, like the Urge Endur-O-Matic, Bell Super and, latest to join the fray, the Sweet Protection Fixer.
This lid reminds us a bit of the classic Troy Lee Designs D2 Open Face, only with XC rather than DH style padding. In fact, while that lid was essentially a full-face with the jaw-piece cut off, this is more like a beefed-up and better ventilated pisspot with a super-long, moto-style peak.
It has a similarly high pricetag – £249.99 for the standard helmet, an extra £50 to add MIPS protection – but that buys you a carbon fibre shell, dual-density foam and ‘Impact Shield’ inserts to help dissipate shocks.
As you’d expect, it’s heavier than a trail lid but lighter than a full-face, at 574g on our scales for the M/L size. Want to see it in action? Check out Jake Hood whipping his way around Glentress. More info at www.sweetprotection.com.
With its bold graphics, massive peak and carbon highlights, the Sweet Protection Fixer will get you noticed
The rounded shape should help the helmet slide in the event of a crash. That's a good thing
Vents are small but plentiful, with mesh to keep insects at bay
Padding is definitely more XC than DH but the shell is a good thickness and features softer foam in key areas
The ratchet fit system is effective and the helmet comes with two different thickness sets of pads
The carbon fibre shell is revealed around the vents but covered with paint elsewhere
The Fixer is available in 'Demon Red' as well as the 'Angel White' of our sample. The MIPS version has a more subtle carbon finish
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