Despite being on the cheaper side of things, TSG's Substance 3.0 is a more than capable lid.
The front of the helmet features six generously sized vents that suck plenty of fresh air in, but performance would be enhanced without the bug netting. Inside, the air channelling is relatively basic and not particularly deep, but it still keeps temperatures under control.
The short visor has some limited adjustability, which is nice to see on a lid at this price. Likewise, the double in-moulded shell is a great addition, giving the EPS foam around the rim of the helmet some extra protection.
The back of the helmet drops further than a cross-country lid, and the styling shows that the helmet is designed around more descent orientated riding. The mini-spoiler on the top splits opinion as well as airflow – we can’t say we felt any extra traction from the rear wheel…
There are sturdier retention systems out there, but the range of adjustment available is more than adequate. The cradle is padded, which feels a bit odd to start with but we soon got used to it. The cradle has a pronounced curve inwards, but we feel that it would be more comfortable if it were a bit straighter.
