This Carve helmet from Canadian manufacturer Louis Garneau is the latest in a line of lids delivering top-flight construction, materials and design in a budget package.
The 245g Carve is a cross-country/trail lid with good all-round head coverage. Unusually (at any price) it features full coverage in-moulding of the outer shell, meaning there’s no exposed soft EPS liner on surfaces where it can be knocked, bumped or scraped. This keeps the helmet looking newer for longer.
The remainder of the lid is on par with the best of the rest, with a dial-in rear retention strap that’s usefully wide to spread the load. The peak isn’t adjustable, which is a shame, though it is short enough not to obscure your view or require you to manually tilt the helmet.
There’s an air of durability and permanence about the Carve that we like. It’s one that makes the asking price seem even better.