Nowadays many trail helmets are nearly the same weight as stripped-down racing ones. Specialized’s 295g Tactic microshell over EPS foam creates a racy looking lightweight lid that has more protection on the sides and rear than on pure cross-country race or road helmets.
Cooling from its 28 vents is on a par with all but the best cross-country helmets out there, and Specialized have nailed the fit with their easily adjustable Pro Fit 2 system which is adjustable for both depth and circumference.
It’s easy to dial in the right fit, but as always helmet fit can be a personal preference, so it does pay to try before you buy. We’d have liked the ‘moto inspired’ visor to be half a centimetre shorter and to have some adjustability, al la Giro.