Mavic Plasma SLR Maxi Helmet review

The enlarged Mavic Plasma SLR offers great comfort for those with larger heads. There’s tons of room inside and a two-height rear cradle with the usual wheel adjuster.

• Highs: Good coverage and protection, easy to fit and secure
• Lows: Bulbous looks, a little heavy

It has comfy fit but the most rounded of heads may touch the top of the helmet, and its added mass means you’ll always know it’s there.

The internal pads are generous too – there’s one even on the inside of the lower cradle. The sides fit very low, leaving scant room for the arms of sunglasses.

There’s no getting away from the fact the round shape of the SLR Maxi is very bulbous – somewhere between Darth Vader and a British Tommy helmet – and these kinds of looks will always provoke a love-or-hate reaction. It has an attractive profile view though.

One the plus side, the neat outer shell is well finished and totally protects the rear underside of the helmet.

The straps are positioned in the conventional way, and offer all the usual adjustment – they make it easy to get the fit you want and are plenty secure.

The majority of the cooling air passes across the top the head, helped by the internal channels. The sides are less cooled (though they don’t get as hot in the first place), relying largely on the exit ports to suck heat away.