Hailing from Norway, Sweet Protection has launched two brand new MTB brain buckets: the range-topping Bushwhacker II and wallet friendly Dissenter.
- Best mountain bike helmets for trail riding
- Best bike helmets: a buyer's guide to help you find what's right for you
Highlights
- Bushwhacker II 320g / MIPS 360g / Carbon MIPS 375g
- Dissenter 300g / MIPS 330g
- Occigrip retention system
- STACC venting
- Meets CE EN 1078 and CPSC 1203 safety standards
Bushwhacker II
The Bushwacker II is a trail lid with extended rear coverage that Sweet Protection says is engineered for "high impact performance" and is the helmet of choice for three-time World Enduro champ Tracy Moseley.
With 17 vents on offer, the new Bushwhacker II features the brand's STACC ventilation. Short for Superficial Temporal Artery Cooling Channel, this system utilises a front vent, internal channeling and a connected exhaust port to draw airflow over your temporal artery while still covering the area with the shell for optimal cooling without sacrificing protection.
Based around an in-mold EPS liner, the Bushwhacker II has a five-piece, variable thickness polycarbonate shell, which Sweet Protection claims adds protection to important areas, while keeping weight to a minimum. There is also a slightly more expensive carbon version where the shell is reinforced with carbon fibre and comes with a claimed 15 percent improvement in impact protection.
The new Bushwhacker II is also available in standard and MIPS liner equipped versions too.
Equipped with the newly updated occigrip micro-adjustable retention system, the latest version gets a bigger dial and lower profile cradle, offering both reach and height adjustment as well as a soft silicone padding for comfort.
With the straps anchored directly into the shell, the updated lid sees lighter webbing and fixed strap dividers for minimum fuss. Sweet Protection has also opted for an adjustable visor over the fixed, like on the previous version.
There are three versions available, and in enough colours to match any kit:
- Bushwacker II with a standard liner: £160 / $220 / AU$TBC
- Bushwacker II with MIPS: £190 / $260 / AU$TBC
- Bushwacker II Carbon MIPS: £220/ $319 / AU$TBC
Dissenter
Hitting a much more attractive price point of £99 / $150 / AU$TBC and for MIPS £130 / $190 / AU$TBC, the Dissenter offers the majority of the same features as the Bushwhacker II, but the major difference is the one-piece polycarbonate shell.
You still get the occigrip retention system, in-moulded lightweight straps with fixed splitters, STACC venting, decent sized vents with internal channeling and plenty of rear and side coverage.