MET’s all-new range-topping Revo helmet has been awarded five stars in Virginia Tech’s coveted testing programme.
Using MET's new in-house wind tunnel to help influence its design, the Revo is claimed to be 23.5 per cent cooler than the brand's Roam lid.
Designed to meet the stringent NTA 8776 safety certification, it should better dissipate crash forces compared to mountain bike helmets with an EN 1078 rating.
The NTA rating was devised to replicate the increased forces riders of electric bikes or electric scooters may experience in a crash.
Simply, it proves an NTA 8776-rated helmet is safer than one with an EN 1078 award.
Costing £169.99 / $230 / €200, the Revo isn't cheap, but it's filled with a host of premium features to help justify the cost.
These include MIPS Air padding, a Fidlock magnetic buckle and a 360-degree adjustable retention cradle.
Safety first
Any helmet awarded the EN 1078 standard is suitable for cycling, skateboarding and skating.
But there are tougher tests brands can opt in to, such as NTA 8776.
For NTA testing, a line is drawn around the helmet’s circumference close to its lower rim – anything above that line falls within the test’s remit, anything below it doesn’t.
NTA 8776’s line is around 10 per cent lower than EN 1078, meaning the lid offers more coverage and is more robust overall.
To ensure the lid stands up to the NTA testing close to the line, the whole of the helmet has to be reinforced.
But it doesn’t stop there.
According to MET, compared to EN 1078, helmets with an NTA 8776 certification must endure a 21 per cent increase in impact speed, a 43 per cent improvement in impact energy dissipation and see impact speed testing upped by 21 per cent.
These are all positive things for the lid-wearer.
Increasing testing stringency by passing a tougher test means MET is almost entirely replicating Virginia Tech’s six-impact testing protocol, boosting safety.
The Revo is also fitted with the MIPS AIR liner. This moves the MIPS friction-reducing material from between the cradle and comfort pads to the comfort pads' backing.
Any helmet with MIPS must pass the brand's own safety testing – further boosting impact force dissipation and rider safety.
This could be how the new Revo gets its five-star rating.
Blowing in the wind
Investing a great deal of cash in its own wind tunnel – dubbed The Tube – MET has managed to increase airflow and ventilation on the new Revo by 23.5 per cent compared to the Roam.
Here, 23 vents with deep, internal channelling are key to keeping cooling air flowing over your head.
Air is funnelled in from the front of the helmet, getting directly blasted onto your head to cool it, before exiting out of the rear.
As a bonus, the outermost upper front vents double up as storage for your sunglasses, but the lower ones remain open to continue their purpose of cooling.
Even more features
The main buckle uses a Fidlock attachment for speedy fastening.
A full-circumference retention cradle – with three vertical positions – should increase fit adjustability and comfort.
The height-adjustable visor – which is flexible – also has a quick-release function so it detaches in the event of an impact.
Thanks to a polycarbonate wrap – that extends over the helmet’s lower rim – the EPS foam is less likely to get damaged.
The MET Revo is available in three sizes, from small to large, catering for head circumferences from 52cm to 61cm.
