Slap the Prevail helmet on and the very first thing you notice is the weight, or lack of it. The helmet is light, a shade over 200grams. That doesn’t make it the lightest helmet on the market, but it does make it lighter than what you’re riding. What Specialized did was set their sights beyond the scale. They wanted light, but not at the expense of fit, aerodynamics or cooling.
The Prevail uses dual density foam, a Specialized patent,which allows them to sculpt deep channels, critical to keep air flowing, while still keeping the weight to a minimum. Fit is handled by a micro adjustable dial on the back cradle, a cradle that can also be adjusted up and down. The padding keeps your forehead off the foam, adding to the quality fit.
The most impressive feature is clearly the aerodynamics. The numbers spit out of the wind tunnel are inspiring but what is amazing is how clearly you feel their effects on the road. Typically dropping your head when descending or really hammering off the front feels more aero, but staring at your stem is not the safest way to make your way down the road. The Prevail is the only helmet that feels more aero while allowing you to keep your eyes where they belong, down the road.
The Prevail is light, cool and comfortable. It does all those things incredibly well, but what makes the helmet truly exceptional isthe fact that it is just plain fast.
MSRP: $230
Availability: In Stores Now
Weight: 218grams (MD)