What do you get when you spend just £25 on a helmet? In the case of the Raleigh Extreme III, quite a lot.
Despite its low price it gives little away to its more expensive competitors, with a good-looking angular design, lots of vents and a fully in-moulded shell with removable visor. The shell doesn’t wrap around the base though.
Adjustment is easy thanks to the quick-release cradle at the rear and flip-lock junction buckles. It’s not over-padded, so sweat build-up shouldn’t be a problem, and all the pads are removable for easy washing.
The overall finish isn’t as tidy as on some costlier helmets, but remember that the 334g Raleigh passes the same EN1078 standard. For general trail riding duties that makes it a bargain.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.