Trek Velocis MIPS helmet review

The Trek Velocis MIPS is Trek’s latest take on the lightweight road racing helmet.

It replaces the outgoing Bontrager Velocis MIPS, although the biggest update is arguably the switch from Bontrager (Trek’s in-house components brand) to Trek for its name – something seen recently with its latest shoes, too.

In use, the Velocis MIPS has proven to be an outstanding lightweight road helmet.

Importantly, it undercuts its key rival the Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 on price, with no notable drawback.

Trek Velocis MIPS details and specifications

The Trek Velocis MIPS is said to be the lightest road bike helmet Trek has produced.

On the scales, my size-medium sample helmet weighed in at 247g, 12g over the claimed weight, but 11g lighter than the Prevail 3.

Like the Prevail 3, the Velocis MIPS features MIPS AirNode technology. This is claimed to enable the padding inside to move independently of the outer shell, because it attaches to an inner liner.

In theory, this should help reduce the impact of rotational forces on your brain in the event of a crash.

Virginia Tech has given the Trek Velocis MIPS a five-star safety rating, and the helmet is ranked 15th out of 224 helmets it has tested.

The 16 holes are unobstructed by the MIPS liner, and they are said to produce channels across the top of the head to pull hot air away.

The outer EPS foam is intersected by a carbon inlay, which Trek says contributes to a 6g weight saving versus the previous helmet, while offering structural support. That's not much weight, but everyone knows carbon looks cool, so there’s that benefit to consider too.

Compared to the Prevail 3’s design, which uses cords in between the EPS foam to open up the ventilation inlets as wide as possible, Trek’s solution appears slightly more aerodynamic, at least.

That said, Trek doesn’t make any specific claims surrounding the helmet’s aero performance.

As on the Trek Ballista MIPS, the retention system uses a Boa dial, which can micro-adjust both ways and fits into three housings on the back of the helmet. This offers customisable (higher or lower) cranial coverage.

The string, which the Boa dial tightens and loosens, is attached to ports hidden under the AirNode padding, and runs around the brow of the helmet.

The helmet includes rubberised grippers to hold cycling sunglasses in place, while Trek says it has “bevelled” the leading edge to improve field of vision.

The Velocis MIPS costs £229.99 / $299.99 / €299.99 / AU$399.99, which is competitive in the UK, Europe and Australia. The Prevail 3 will cost you £275 / €330 / AU$475.

That said, customers in the US are expected to part with nearly the same money. In the brand’s homeland, then, it all comes down to performance and brand allegiance.

The Velocis MIPS is available in five colours, including Trek-Segafredo-inspired colours, alongside white, black and a striking ‘Dark Aquatic’.

Trek Velocis MIPS performance

The Trek Velocis MIPS is a very, very good lightweight helmet.

The scores on the doors don’t lie – my sample is lighter than the Prevail 3 I tested – although it’s nigh-on impossible to feel an 11g difference.

Without a wind tunnel to test them, I don’t know if the carbon inlay (and overall design) is more or less aerodynamic than a like-for-like helmet, but I like the sleek, low-profile design.

The helmet is airy too – on a par with the Prevail 3, which is about as high praise as I can level at it.

My oversized Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses impacted the lid of the helmet on occasion, but not to the same level as either the Prevail 3 or Kask Utopia Y.

The Velocis MIPS has the lowest-profile brow of all three, in fact, which is great for field of vision, and is least likely to cause annoying knocking on the rim of sunglasses as you’re riding.

Inside, the cranial support system feels very secure – more so than it first appears – and offers good adjustability and a decent fit range.

Importantly, it’s free of hot spots and pressure points and holds firmly.

My only reservation is the delicateness of the assembly, which folds away – ostensibly to protect it – when the helmet’s not in use.

That’s fine for day-to-day use, but when I travelled with the lid attached to my backpack or inside a suitcase, it needed careful packing to ensure it didn’t suffer from undue pressure or get broken.

The anarchist in me wonders how easy it would be to cut the cord of the system too, but I’ve resisted the temptation to snip away at it. I presume most owners won’t attempt this, either.

Of course, you can partially (easily) or fully (not so easily) remove it if you feel the need. Replacements are available for around £20, but it’s not an issue I’ve come across before because other fit systems I’ve come across feel somewhat sturdier.

The straps sit flush to the side of the face, which combines to create a helmet that’s incredibly comfortable to wear.

Trek Velocis MIPS bottom line

The Trek Velocis MIPS helmet is an excellent example of a lightweight road helmet thhat packs in MIPS technology.

It should come as no surprise that I’ve compared it against the Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 several times. On paper, they’re very similar and exhibit – as far as I can tell – like-for-like fundamental performance. It’s almost as if Trek and Specialized might see each other as rivals.

But, three key things separate them: aesthetics, comfort and price. The former two are very subjective, and while I find the Velocis a better-looking lid that's slightly more comfortable for my noggin, it’s the price that objectively elevates the Velocis MIPS over the Prevail 3.

Unless, of course, you live in the USA.