Mavic Comete Ultimate MIPS helmet review

Mavic’s Comete Ultimate helmet has sharp styling, subtle tone-on-tone graphics and some neat features. At £245 / $297 it’s not cheap, but it does offer MIPS for only £20 more than the standard Comete Ultimate.

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My example weighs 282g in large 57 to 61cm size. It’s constructed from EPS-4D foam, which was developed by Mavic’s sister company Salomon, for use in ski helmets. It’s said to have up to 30 per cent greater shock absorption than EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam.

Unlike standard EPS, EPS-4D has numerous individually moulded internal blocks that can react and deform independently to minimise the effects of vertical or angled impacts. It works in conjunction with the MIPS liner, which has corresponding memory foam pads, to reduce rotational forces on the brain.

It has a wraparound polycarbonate shell, protecting all of the exposed upper surface, and base and carbon fibre reinforces the structure, permitting larger vents such as its giant exhaust.

There are 15 generous vents, all cut into the smoothly domed shell. Most air throughflow is generated by the four central front vents with the others adding more or less, depending on head orientation. The vents align with seven internal channels and those are interlinked by the spaces between the EPS-4D blocks, resulting in plenty of cranial cooling.

Mavic’s Live Fit system includes an XRD breathable memory foam strip beneath the 37.5 internal pads, from temple to temple, across the brow, which are said to wick moisture away five times faster than polyester pads.

The Ergo Hold SL retention system has a padded cradle, supported by a skinny structure that offers three height adjustments, plus rotary volume control. The Autofit webbing straps are captive at the front and freely pass through a loop inside the rear of the helmet.

They’re just under 10mm wide at the shell, but transform in to a 3mm diameter tubular lace, with a curved plastic bracket anchoring the chin straps.

Mavic claims that wind tunnel tests prove the Comete Ultimate is very aerodynamic. I can only say that it’s quiet at speed and feels very good, which often indicates decent performance.