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review

Rudy Project Egos helmet

9
£169.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A comfortable, well-vented helmet that show lots of attention to detail – and the price isn't stupid
Sits low above your head
Good airflow
Bug net included
No ratchet when undoing the retention system
Weight: 
255g
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Rudy Project EGOS is more than just a good-looking helmet. It's low, sleek, comfortable and the vents direct the airflow well. Oh, and it's got mesh to keep those pesky insects out – it’s the lid that just keeps on giving! Not only that, but it has the sort of quality that will see it challenging for a place in our best cycling helmets buyer’s guide. You’re also likely to see it worn by Team Bahrain Victorious riders this year.

From an aesthetics point of view, I like a helmet that doesn't sit too high above your head, and the EGOS certainly doesn't.

Its sleek design doesn't look or feel at all bulky and I found the fit spot on for me – although helmet fit is of course very personal, so it may not work for you.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - side.jpg

Inside the helmet is what Rudy Project calls a dual-density inner shell. The lighter grey section is softer than the main EPS – expanded polystyrene – part of the shell, and according to Rudy, this softer material provides greater absorption of energy in the event of a crash.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet Inside 1.jpg
2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet Inside 2.jpg

There are also channels between the two sections, which are there to improve airflow. In fact, I'd say that airflow is very good. With 23 vents it's an airy helmet, but in addition to having a large number of vents, the vents are also well positioned. If you are follically challenged don't forget your sunblock – or sun-blocking summer skullcap – otherwise you could end up with a very interesting, and possibly uncomfortable, suntan.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - logo detail.jpg

Compared to a helmet such as the Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 that I tested last year, the EGOS isn't actually that 'open', as the multiple vents don't cover as much of the helmet's surface area.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - front.jpg

But regardless of that, the EGOS has great airflow. The front scoop sits on your forehead, with the vents above it really drawing the air in through the front, channelling it over your head and out the back, taking any excess heat with it.

I found the padding comfortable too – it's thick enough not to get compressed after hours in the saddle and soaks up plenty of sweat. It's also easy to remove it for washing.

The helmet also includes mesh to cover the front vents to prevent insects from sneaking their way in. It's a rare event, but I have been stung by wasps and bees and it hurts, so any protection has to be a positive.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - tension system.jpg

To dial in the fit you get a... dial. Rudy Project calls it 'Retention 11' and the dial tightens or loosens a thick cable that covers most of the inside of the helmet. It offers so much adjustability that it should mould itself to heads of varying shapes.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - detail.jpg

When you tighten the dial it clicks in increments, but it's smooth and click-free when you undo it, which is a very minor whinge. Sometimes I wear a cap or hat underneath my helmet, so it would be nice to know just how many clicks I've loosened the strap by, so that I can tighten it back up precisely how I like it. As I said, it's a very minor quibble.

The EGOS is available in three sizes, which is fairly typical of most helmet brands. And you get a choice of four colours: blue, black, white and cosmic blue.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet Magnetic buckle 2.jpg

Rather than a typical buckle for securing the helmet, Rudy has gone for the magnetic FidLock system to do the strap up.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet Magnetic buckle 1.jpg

It does take a little getting used to after an old-school buckle, but it snaps shut, and it's quick and easy to open with gloved hands.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - strap.jpg

The dividers for directing the straps around your ears are also cleverly designed. Rather than having the side and rear straps joining in a V-section, curved Ergo Dividers carry the straps around and below your ears.

2022 Rudy Project Egos helmet - vent.jpg

Regarding safety, the EGOS passes the European CE/EN 1078 and the US CPSC 12.03 standards. The helmet doesn't feature Mips or similar technology, but Rudy says it does its own in-house rotational impact test, which has a pass or fail criteria.

It's not a part of either the European or US standard's testing protocols, but Rudy Project says 'it takes inspiration from ECE 22.06 (a new standard for motorcycle helmets) and it is based on real accident data and scientific sources'.

Value

The Rudy Project EGOS costs £169.99. Bell's XR Spherical helmet that George recently tested offers good ventilation and is comfortable for long rides. It includes Bell's own version of Mips, but is 40g heavier than the EGOS and comes in at £209.99.

I was testing the Bollé Avio MIPS helmet at the same time as the EGOS and while I found the ventilation good for the small number of vents it had, I feel the Rudy Project EGOS is a better all-round helmet.

The Avio weighs the same as the EGOS but I think it has quite a bulky look to it, and at £235 it's also much more expensive.

Conclusion

I think that Rudy has really delivered with its EGOS helmet. It's comfortable, well ventilated and shows great attention to detail with features such as the under-ear straps and magnetic chin clasp. Oh, and I like the bug mesh too – and the fact it's not stupidly expensive.

Verdict

A comfortable, well-vented helmet that shows lots of attention to detail.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Rudy Project Egos helmet

Size tested: M

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Rudy Project says: "EGOS will be a new milestone in the Rudy Project performance collection. Featuring a dual-density EPS core and an innovative internal structure designed to improve ventilation and shock absorption capacity, EGOS blends safety, comfort and performance. Lots of technology and a dynamic, lightweight design in an all-new product!"

The EGOS is a great all-round helmet that performs well and is comfortable.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Gender: UNISEX

Dimension: S (c51-55cm/20.8-21.7in) - M (55-59cm/21.7-23.2in) - L (59-63cm/23.2-24,8in)

Certifications: CE/EN 1078, CPSC 12.03

DUAL DENSITY

The inner shell of the Egos is distinguished by the presence of its main feature, DUAL DENSITY, which provides the helmet with a dual function. Its shape allows greater ventilation at the top of the head, thus ensuring great comfort feeling for the rider. Its structure, on the other hand, is characterized by a softer density than the inner shell, thus ensuring great shock absorption and lowering the weight of the helmet.

ROTATIONAL IMPACT TEST

At Rudy Project we are committed to develop products aiming to the highest level of safety, exceeding the current requirements set by international Standards, such as the CE or CPSC norms. Today more than ever our goal is to go even further by overpassing also the RP ROTATIONAL IMPACT TEST. The RP ROTATIONAL IMPACT TEST is an internal protocol adopted by Rudy Project, in cooperation with accredited and notified bodies, to test and measure the performance of the helmets against rotational impacts; it takes inspiration from CEN, from ECE 22.06 (a new standard for motorcycle helmets) and it is based on real accident data and scientific sources. The RP ROTATIONAL IMPACT TEST 'pass-fail' criterion is based on the BRIC (Brain Injury Criterion) value, an algorithm that defines the level of brain injury. This value must be less than 0,68. *The RP ROTATIONAL IMPACT TEST is a RUDY PROJECT internal protocol to test and measure the performance of the RUDY PROJECT helmets against rotational impacts. This test has not been adopted by CEN or by its Working Group CEN TC 158 / Working Group 11

FIDLOCK

Another important innovation is the Fid Lock magnetic attachment system that goes beyond the standard Fastex System consisting of the classic snap buckle. A solution designed to be faster and safer and become a trend for future Rudy Project helmets. The compact magnetic industry-leading FidLock® buckle is intuitive, pinch-free and one handed use even wearing your gloves on. This reliable, comfortable and secure system ensures secure protection in a snap.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A comfortable helmet with great airflow.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Details like the bug mesh, magnetic clip, etc.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really without being very picky.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

For a helmet with this level of technical detailing I'd say that it is well priced.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

There really is very little to criticise when it comes to the EGOS. It's comfortable, the finish quality is excellent and all of the little design cues just make it an enjoyable helmet to use.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the Tech Hub here at F-At Digital, our senior product reviewer Stu uses the knowledge gained from putting well over a 1,000 products through their paces (including hundreds of bikes) to write in-depth reviews of a huge range of kit. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 160,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. Although, as he spends a fair bit of his time reviewing ebikes these days he's becoming an expert in letting the motor take the strain. He's also waiting for 23mm race tyres to make a comeback!

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
Steve K | 10 months ago
0 likes

Is it actually possible to buy this in the UK?

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to Steve K | 10 months ago
1 like

Looks like you can buy direct from this website: https://www.rudyproject.co.uk/collections/egos/products/rudy-project-ego...

I was a bit sceptical at first but I think it's legit - the returns address given matches the address given for Rudy Project's UK distributor.

Avatar
Steve K replied to OnYerBike | 10 months ago
0 likes

Thanks. For some reason I couldn't find that on their website. Also the website for the distributor (under the name Yellow Limited) doesn't seem the exist.

Avatar
cyclisto | 11 months ago
0 likes

You could buy a legal bicycle helmet for 5$, https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/odd-vending-machines/index.html , how on earth is a price of 170£ not stupid?? Ok this price is subsidized but there other helmets at 20£ or eponymous at 40£...

Maybe "less stupid price" would be a nicer description.

Avatar
Destroyer666 | 11 months ago
0 likes

Hi Stu, can you give any hints about the shape - more round than oval, or vice versa, for example ? I am looking for a new helmet, and always found for example Giro helmets to fit me well. Any opinion with regards to that?

Avatar
Spammercial replied to Destroyer666 | 2 months ago
0 likes
Destroyer666 wrote:

Hi Stu, can you give any hints about the shape - more round than oval, or vice versa, for example ? I am looking for a new helmet, and always found for example Giro helmets to fit me well. Any opinion with regards to that?

Hello
I have Giro and Rudy...same fit...amazing products, talking about quality and details. Far better than Met

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