Name: Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS review: one of the chunkiest open-face helmets around offers plenty of protection
Item: Bell's 3Qtr-Air MIPS is one of the chunkiest open-face helmets around and offers plenty of protection
Rating: 4
Author: Tom Marvin

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The rise of eMTBs, as well as growth in the more aggressive end of the trail and enduro riding spectrum, has led to a plethora of three-quarter face-covering helmets, with the Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS one of the latest.

These helmets borrow the structure from a full-face sibling, but remove the chin bar, offering more protection than a traditional open-face helmet and far more ventilation than a full-face helmet.

The 3Qtr-Air is arguably the most protective I’ve come across, with a significant amount of dual-density EPS foam in its structure to dissipate impacts. It’s heavier than its competitors, though, and loses out on ventilation too.

Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS key stats
720g (Large) 
S, M, L*, XL options, multiple colourways 
Dual-density EPS foam, plus MIPS Evolve Core liner 
Two-position breakaway visor 

Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS performance

Rider facing the camera wearing a blue and grey Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS helmet, with thick cheek pads, an extended lower shell and a large peaked visor. — The thick cheek pads help keep the helmet secure without causing discomfort, although the substantial construction makes it noticeably bulkier than its rivals. Scott Windsor / Kelsey Media

While some three-quarter helmets tug at your ears when you pull them on, the 3Qtr’s thick jaw-line pads squish out of the way, meaning you don’t need to prise the helmet apart to slip it on comfortably.

The helmet is then secured by a magnetic Fidlock buckle, drawn from a single low-profile, non-intrusive strap on either side of the helmet. These sit between the cheek and the cheek pad. We’re pleased to say, there was no irritation or discomfort.

Two thicknesses of cheek and upper cheek pads, and neck roll, are supplied to enable you to find the perfect fit. However, it's a shame that there’s no vertical adjustment of the neck roll, as we’ve seen elsewhere, to dial in the fit.

Once on, the fit is good, with little movement on the head while riding and only the occasional plastic creak – something many mountain bike helmets suffer from.

The rest of the padding – regular helmet thicknesses this time – sits on the MIPS Evolve Core liner, to help prevent injury from oblique impacts. The pads are comfortable, removable and washable. The extension of the padding beneath the brow lip of the helmet is a nice touch that draws sweat forward and away from eyewear lenses before dripping off.

Interior view of the Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS helmet, showing black padded sections, ventilation openings and the MIPS Evolve Core label. — The MIPS Evolve Core liner is designed to reduce rotational forces during angled impacts, while the removable and washable padding provides a comfortable fit. Scott Windsor / Kelsey Media

MTB goggles sit nicely within the face opening and fit under the two-position, breakaway visor when it’s raised into its upper position. There’s no goggle strap routing, though.

Sunglasses work OK with the helmet, although low-profile glasses arms are required.

The glasses stowage isn’t the best. The easiest way is to invert the glasses and push the arms through the two holes on the top of the helmet, but you will need to dodge low-hanging branches.

There are 17 main vents in the helmet, as well as a couple of small ones in the brow to reduce eyewear misting. These do a fair job of pulling in fresh air and allowing warm air to escape, although slightly deeper internal air channels might improve air movement through the helmet.

There’s also no getting away from the volume of EPS foam around the head and the large pads that line the face opening, both of which make this 720g helmet warm to ride in – more so than the smaller and lighter Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt (571g) and iXS Trigger X 2.0 (538g) three-quarter helmets.

Overhead view of a blue and grey Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS helmet being worn, showing the large top ventilation openings and peaked visor. — The 3Qtr-Air has 17 main vents to help manage airflow, although the thick EPS foam and limited internal channels make it warmer than its lighter competitors. Scott Windsor / Kelsey Media

It’s also worth noting that the visual difference between this helmet and its competitors is stark. The 3Qtr is a much larger helmet on the head and much wider than the other two.

Bell offers the 3Qtr in four sizes, with the two thicknesses of padding, meaning there should be a size to fit most heads. Given the variety of head and helmet shapes, it’s always worth trying on a helmet before purchasing.

Riders who want to film their rides can purchase an action camera mount that clips into the front forehead vent, under the visor, for £21.99.

How we tested

The Bell 3QTR has accompanied me on a range of enduro and eMTB rides, where challenging trails have been the order of the day – with and without assistance. It has been tested against my go-to Troy Lee Designs Stage Stunt.

Bell 3Qtr-Air MIPS bottom line

The 3Qtr-Air offers considerably more coverage than a traditional open-face helmet, with a substantial amount of EPS foam protecting the sides and back of the head. Scott Windsor / Kelsey Media

If protection is the order of the day, but you don’t want the claustrophobic feel of a full-face helmet, the Bell 3Qtr-AIR MIPS performs admirably. There’s a lot of protection on offer, with thick EPS foam and a MIPS liner there to protect you in the event of a crash.

It’s a bigger, bulkier, warmer and heavier proposition than the TLD and iXS helmets. This will be of little concern to many, especially eMTB riders, but if pedalling is your thing, I'd opt for the slightly breezier options.

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