Sweet Protection are well known for their class leading helmets, and the Bushwhacker really impressed our test team when we reviewed last years model.. Our only slight complaint was that we thought that the retention adjuster did not live up to the high standards seen throughout the rest of the helmet. For 2015 Sweet Protection will be using a new retention adjuster that uses a dial to allow fine adjustment of the helmet fit, a great improvement. But the changes have not stopped there!

The popular Bushwhacker Helmet is now available with MIPs, and features cool new matt colours (normally reserved for the carbon version).
The popular Bushwhacker Helmet is now available with MIPs at a lower price point (normally reserved for the carbon version), and features cool new matt colours .

Sweet Protection have added new colour options across the range. The standard model gains a new matt blue option and a metallic green for the women’s specific version. The standard model will be the same price this year, retailing for around £140. Sweet Protection are also big fans of the MIPS technology, but last year it was available only in the top end carbon model (retailing for £200 in 2015), however this year Sweet are offering a more affordable option by incorporating the important technology into the polycarbonate model also, bringing the safety advantages down to a slightly more affordable £170. As always the attention to detail is very high and the finish is excellent.

Sweet Protection have also not forgot their female fans, with this new colour scheme, that ties in with their new female clothing line.
Sweet Protection have also not forgot their female fans, with this new colour scheme, that ties in with their new female clothing line.
The MIPS system has been integrated seamlessly into the Bushwhacker.
The MIPS system has been integrated seamlessly into the Bushwhacker.
A cool new matt blue model has been added to the standard Bushwhacker, and will retail for £140.
A cool new matt blue model has been added to the standard Bushwhacker, and will retail for £140.

Sweet have also revised their Bearsuit knee pads, splitting them into the Bearsuit ‘Pro’ and the Bearsuit ‘Light’. The Pro model features the same high level of impact and side protection as the current 2014 Bearsuit pad, and is now aimed more at gravity orientated users. For Trail and XC riders, Sweet now offer a slimmer more flexible pad, the Bearsuit Light, that offers SAS-TEC protection but in a lighter, slimmer and more comfortable knee pad. The new ‘Light’ pad will retail for around £70 and the ‘Pro’ for £99.

The new Bearsuit Light pads offer SAS-TEC protection, but in a much more slimline and flexible form.
The new Bearsuit Light pads offer SAS-TEC protection, but in a much more slimline and flexible form.
We were impressed with SAS-TEC in our knee pad review.
We were impressed with SAS-TEC in our knee pad review.

For more information, check out the Sweet Protection website

Words and photos: Trev Worsey


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