ABUS PowerDome helmet review

The ABUS PowerDome boasts tech originally seen on the brand's top-end and immodestly titled GameChanger aero road helmet.

This includes the lightweight fixed FlowStraps and Zoom Ace cradle system, at the lower price of £109.99 (without MIPS) or £129.99 with the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System.

Either way, it packs an awful lot of performance punch for relatively little outlay versus similar road bike helmets.

ABUS PowerDome details and specifications

Like the GameChanger, the helmet also features ABUS’ Forced Air Cooling Technology, which the German brand says utilises the Venturi effect to force air from the front to rear vents, thereby improving airflow.

The helmet is made in Italy and uses an in-mould construction, which bonds the outer shell to the EPS body of the helmet, which should improve durability.

What the outer shell doesn’t do is cover the exposed foam rim on the underside of the helmet. I would have liked this premium touch for the price point.

The finishing of the shell is tidy, though, and the PowerDome is certainly a handsome beast in the striking orange on test here.

It’s limited to only three other colours, however: black, purple and white.

The PowerDome tested here comes with a standard MIPS plate insertion, but you can buy it without MIPS for £20 less.

That plate is inserted neatly and marries well with the ventilation channels (10 at the front, seven at the rear), so there should be little compromise on cooling.

Unlike the GameChanger, there’s no dedicated eyewear port at the rear.

In terms of safety, the Virginia Tech Institute has given the PowerDome a four-star verdict (placing it 154th out of 217 road helmets it has rated, at the last check).

While this may seem low on paper relative to others, there’s nothing to suggest the PowerDome is unsafe, of course.

ABUS PowerDome performance

The tailored Flow Straps initially felt as though they were twisted when clipping them together.

Once attached, however, they offer a comfortable yet close fit alongside the jaw and cheeks, but I struggled to get them to sit flush behind the ears.

The retention dial is functional and gives a pleasing click when it’s being adjusted, but there are arguably more effective, easy-to-fasten systems out there.

It may have received a four-star review, and likely suits others better, but I never enjoyed wearing ABUS’ GameChanger – I found the fit too narrow for my round head and the internal wedges of EPS foam too uncomfortable for long rides.

Happily, helped by the MIPS plate, those wedges are missing from the PowerDome, and the fit feels wider than its more aero-focused sibling (and closer to ABUS’ climbing-friendly Aventor).

Make no mistake, though, this is still an aerodynamically profiled and streamlined helmet, with its low profile, sculpted tail and tear-off edge at the rear.

Of the many mid-range helmets I’ve tested, this was the one that felt most suitable for racing and was my pick for the UK’s National Road Bike Championships in October 2023.

The weight of 248g (size medium) is impressive for a lid that sits firmly in the aero road genre.

Questions remain over the effectiveness of the ventilation. I’d definitely go for a more ventilated lid, such as the Aventor, for days in the mountains and mid-summer events. The PowerDome isn’t alone in this regard, however.

What ABUS should be congratulated for is releasing an aero road helmet closer to the £100 mark than £200. Aero road helmets often sit north of that latter figure, making this a value-packed contender.

It even undercuts some of our favourite cheaper aero road lids, such as the Rudy Project Nytron (£199), Scott Centric Plus CE (164.99) and Endura Pro SL (£164.99).

ABUS PowerDome bottom line

A stylish, relatively lightweight and aero-focused road helmet for closer to £100 than £200? Sign me up.

I’m not convinced by the straps, however, and there are more vented options for hot days in the mountains, but the price-for-performance consideration raises the PowerDome up high.