German sport goods manufacturer uvex offers a wide range of helmets, glasses and goggles for skiing, horse riding and cycling, covering all cycling disciplines, from road to city and mountain biking. With the revolt MIPS, they’re entering our 2023 comparison test with a convertible full-face helmet that can transform from full- to half shell with the twist of a hand. How did it fare against the competition?
Tipping the scales at 687 g in size 57 – 61 cm, the Uvex revolt MIPS is the lightest helmet in the entire test field, and at € 330, also one of the cheapest. In our 2023 full face helmet comparison test, it’s one of the few models that can be converted from full- to half shell helmet in one easy step. However, with the uvex, only the chin bar detaches from the shell, while the section around the ears remains in place, providing additional protection at the side of the head, and a casual BMX look. The revolt MIPS is by far the easiest helmet to convert in this test: simply press the lever on the inner front side of the chin guard and tilt the chin guard upwards to remove it. This can be easily done with just one hand. Attaching the chin guard back on to the shell is a smidge less intuitive, as you have to slot two small metal pins back into the corresponding small holes in the helmet – easier said than done when you can’t see the holes. That said, the process is no more complicated than with other helmets in this test.
The Revolt MIPS is only available in two sizes, 52-57 cm and 57-61 cm. The rotary dial of the retaining system can be adjusted into two positions, but is attached to the inside of the shell rather than at the back. While this makes it look a bit fiddly at first, it didn’t cause any problems on the trail. You can further adapt the fit of the helmet by using cheek pads and liners with different thicknesses. Unfortunately, these are not included in the box and have to be purchased separately. The chin strap relies on uvex’s typical ratchet closure system, which is easy and intuitive to secure and readjust.The uvex features a MIPS liner and flexible visor. The former is meant to dissipate the rotational forces generated in a crash, while the latter was designed to prevent your head from getting stuck in the process. This flexible material also prevents the visor from snapping off as easily, which is a great little detail. Unfortunately, the revolt’s chin guard doesn’t comply with the ASTM standard for downhill helmets, so the safety may be somewhat compromised compared to the other helmets in this test.
In terms of fit, our editorial team had divided opinions with the uvex revolt MIPS. While it provided a decent, comfortable fit for some of our testers, it caused uncomfortable pressure sores on the forehead with others. Despite the tight-fitting retaining system, which presses the helmet firmly against the sides of the head, the helmet is rather unstable while riding. Moreover, the revolt MIPS is pretty warm on hot summer days, one one hand due to the lack of ventilation holes at the back of the helmet and on the other, because the ears are permanently covered, both by the shell itself and the padding. This somewhat defeats the point of having a convertible helmet, which is meant to provide a more pleasant inner climate on long climbs. The most striking detail of the uvex revolt is the clever positioning of the chin straps, which prevents them from rubbing against the ears – a problem we encountered with many other helmets in this test. To achieve this, the straps are sewn directly onto the lining, meaning that they always sit in the right place without interfering with your ears.
The convertible uvex revolt MIPS full-face helmet splits opinions. On one hand, it’s super light and comes with clever features like the intuitive conversion system and strategically placed chin straps – and the price makes it a more appealing prospect compared to a lot of the other competitors. On the other hand, the fit didn’t suit some of our testers and ventilation is sub-par. As a result, the revolt MIPS is a good choice for those riders who want a casual half-shell look with the option of switching to full-face.
Tops
- Best conversion system in test
- Chin straps are strategically placed and well-integrated
Flops
- Poor ventilation at the back
- Defeats the purpose of a convertible helmet
- Cheek pads are optional and have to be bought separately
- Chin guard doesn’t comply with the ASTM standard for downhill helmets
For more information, visit uvex-sports.com.
For an overview of the group test: 9 lightweight and convertible full-face mountain bike helmets in review
All fullface helmets in test: Bell Super Air R Spherical (Click for review) | Bluegrass Vanguard Core Edition (Click for review) | Fox Proframe RS (Click for review) | Giro Insurgent (Click for review) | MET Parachute MCR (Click for review) | POC Otocon Race MIPS (Click for review) | Specialized Gambit (Click for review) | Troy Lee Designs Stage (Click for review) | Uvex Revolt MIPS
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker
