It's official, gravel helmets are now a thing. MET has launched the Allroad helmet at Eurobike, with a design said to combine the sleek aesthetic of a road lid with the practicality of an off-road helmet.
Key to that, according to MET, is the compact, lightweight shell and detachable visor, which snaps in and out of the side vents without any anchor clips. Remove the visor and it shares the same shell as MET’s new Vinci road lid (more on that below).
"This concept makes the design of the Allroad cleaner and truly versatile," says MET. “The Allroad is made for those who enjoy spending time on the saddle, whether on tarmac or on gravel routes.”
The helmet’s retention system also offers vertical adjustment (in four positions) and is ponytail-friendly, according to the Italian company.
The retention dial is fitted with an integrated LED, while a couple of (very) small reflective stickers on the rear of the shell add a little more low-light visibility. Sixteen vents should keep things relatively cool.
Of course, this isn't the first helmet we've seen aimed at the burgeoning gravel scene — Kask introduced the Mojito X Peak last October, based on the popular Mojito road helmet but with... a removable peak — and we're sure it's not the last.
MET Allroad price, colours, sizes and claimed weights
The MET Allroad costs £70 / €75 and will be available in three sizes and six colours: white, grey, black, black/red, black/cyan and high-viz yellow.
- Small (52/56cm): 245g
- Medium (56/58cm): 265g
- Large (58/61cm): 285g
Mid-range MET Vinci road helmet gets added MIPS
Meanwhile, MET has also introduced the Vinci, a mid-range helmet that shares the same shell as the Allroad. It's aimed more specifically at road riders and has MIPS.
If you’re not familiar with MIPS, the yellow slip-plane liner inside the helmet's shell is designed to reduce the affect of rotational impacts (in the event of a crash) by offering 10 to 15mm of movement.
The Vinci doesn’t come with an integrated LED on the retention system, but you can add MET’s Duo light (sold separately).
Like the Allroad, the Vinci has 16 vents and MET says the two forward vents on either side of the helmet are designed to accommodate the arms of sunglasses "on longer climbs or during your coffee break".
We’re big fans of MET’s flagship Trenta 3K Carbon, which scored 4.5 stars when we reviewed it in October 2017. In fact, it's one of our favourite road helmets, but the £265 asking price is a big chunk of change. At £100, the Vinci is likely to be a more compelling package for many riders.
MET Vinci price, sizes and claimed weights
The MET Vinci costs £100 / €100 and will be available in three sizes. Colours are to be confirmed.
- Small (52/56cm): 245g
- Medium (56/58cm): 265g
- Large (58/61cm): 285g
