Specialized S-Works 2D Helmet

The Specialized S-Works 2D boasts racey looks in a comfortable and airy lightweight helmet. It's expensive, though and we had niggles with the straps and flimsy pads. One for riders who want a pure mountain bike race lid and can put up with the quibbles at this price.

Specialized has used two different foam densities around a Kevlar skeleton in the S-Works 2D to reduce weight and increase space for vents while maintaining strength and protection.

Available in three sizes, aggressive styling is clearly race-day inspired and the pointy peak is unobtrusive.

A ratchet mechanism keeps things snug, and the radiator-esque exhaust system combines with the low weight to make this one we were happy to wear in all weathers. 

Straps are unusually thin nylon, which are comfy but also have a habit of escaping their rubber band keeper and then flicking your ears with the thoughtfully capped ends – as most people will trim the straps to suit, these are wasted pennies on a sky-high price tag. 

The Camlock buckles also tended to pop open unnoticed and pads are fragile, not surviving more than a couple of washes before disintegrating.