Review on Ultimate Protection and Comfort: BELL Stratus MIPS Adult Road Bike Helmet by Bryan Gallardo

Short answer: This helmet is comfortable, well ventilated and rated highly in the Virginia Tech study. Buy it. I bought this helmet because my existing one was a few years old and a Virginia Tech study was recently published that scientifically evaluated several different bike helmets and this one ranked in the top tier of helmets for best protection. I'm not sure if you need to change your helmet every 3-5 years as manufacturers recommend, but it just hurts your wallet. Likewise, some believe that the MIPS system is unnecessary or even counterproductive. A Virginia Tech study suggests otherwise, and most opinions seem to be that it's potentially beneficial. Of course, no laboratory measurement can fully verify all possible dynamics of an accident. My wife's measurement of my head and Bell's installation guide showed I needed a big one, which surprised me since I'm not a big guy. I don't have a disproportionately large head either. So I ordered a large one and I have to say it fits great. It can be easily adjusted with a wheel on the back of the headband and the chin strap can also be easily adjusted. It's noticeably better and more comfortable than my previous Bell, which was exactly what seemed good about Target. Ventilation seems more than adequate, sometimes when the sun is shining on my back I can see the vents in my shadow on the sidewalk. I ordered purple because that color was $38 cheaper than all the other colors when I ordered it. Understand. If not this one then at least put on some kind of helmet and return home safely after every ride!