The uvex Renegade MIPS is a German made trail helmet aiming to combine striking design with maximum safety. According to uvex, it’s light, well-ventilated, and extremely high-quality. And it promises to look cool too. Can it strike the perfect balance?
If you want to look good, you would usually take your MTB helmet off rather than put one on for posing. Traditional brand uvex, who are about to celebrate their 100th anniversary, are out to change that, promising the perfect trail side look – with a helmet! This is thanks to the newest member of the German brand’s helmet family, the Renegade MIPS. Renegade? In other words, a nonconformist? Yup! A renegade according to its competitors, which don’t make you look quite as good? Be that as it may, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not on the beholder’s head. First and foremost, helmets are about safety. And here, too, the uvex Renegade MIPS promises to deliver. With a suggested retail price of just under € 200, the new uvex helmet certainly isn’t cheap, though it’s in the ballpark of what you can expect to pay for a good helmet.
uvex Renegade MIPS – Hi-tech protection!
The helmet consists of a polycarbonate shell with the protective EPS foam injection moulded into it (uvex Multi Inmould). This should make the helmet more impact-resistant while simultaneously reducing its weight. This is combined with the well-known MIPS technology (Multidirectional Impact Protection System), which is said to mitigate rotational forces by allowing the helmet to rotate independently of your head in the event of an impact, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuring your brain. uvex rely on the MIPS Evolve Core technology, which has become the most common version you’ll find on the market. Just as important as impact protection are fit and comfort. Even the best protection is useless if the half-shell helmet doesn’t sit securely on your head. And you’re much more likely to wear a helmet if it’s comfortable, so you’ll hopefully never ride without it. For this, uvex rely on their in-house anatomic 3D IAS Pro system, which allows you to adjust the harness depth and circumference. Unfortunately, it just offers two depth settings. To adjust the circumference, there is an easy-to-reach dial at the back of the head.
While the new uvex Renegade MIPS helmet isn’t the most adjustable, we’re big fans of the in-house uvex Monomatic buckle. It uses a kind of ratchet, which allows you to dial in the fit without having to fiddle with the strap length. You can do so on the fly with one hand. We’d like to see other brands follow suit. The 3-step adjustable visor offers plenty of protection from low hanging branches, though it can’t replace your sunglasses.
On the trail – Good fit, modern look, high comfort
We had two different models to test: the classic black version in 57–61 cm, and the black and white version in 54–58 cm. The uvex Renegade is available in a total of 6 different colours. All of them have a combination of a matte and glossy finish, which gives the helmet a more structured look. Weighing in at 410 and 384 g, it’s impressively light for a trail helmet, and it doesn’t doesn’t come at the cost of workmanship. Once correctly adjusted and put on, you barely notice it’s there. Ultimately, however, the fit depends on the shape of your head. We found the helmet to sit comfortably and very securely on rough and bumpy terrain. Furthermore, it doesn’t look too big, even if you’ve got a small head.
The front cutout plays well with most eyewear. However, it doesn’t accommodate oversized sunglasses and goggles, colliding with the helmet and pushing it up, thereby making it press on the back of the head. We recommend test-fitting the helmet together with your favourite eyewear before buying. In addition to the low weight, we were impressed with the ventilation, remaining comfortable even on warm days. The pleasantly soft Coolmax padding is touted to be quick-drying, breathable, and moisture-wicking. We certainly had nothing to complain about in this regard. Nor about the comfortable padding on the chin strap. The pads are easy to remove for washing, and the helmet also boasts a convenient sunglass docking station.
The extensive protection at the back of the head qualifies the uvex Renegade MIPS for demanding trails and tours with enduro sections. A version with an integrated Tocsen crash sensor would certainly be an interesting option, but it no longer seems to be on uvex’s list of priorities. Too bad.
Our conclusion on the uvex Renegade MIPS
The uvex Renegade MIPS is a stylish looking trail helmet with a wealth of safety features. Despite a variety of adjustment options and MIPS technology, the helmet remains impressively light. The Renegade MIPS stands out for its comfort, and also scores well in terms of ventilation, design, and workmanship. That said, the Monomatic buckle is our highlight, making it easy to adjust the chin strap on the fly, with one hand. Brilliant! Other helmet brands could learn a thing or two here.
Tops
- Monomatic buckle
- stylish design
- good ventilation
- secure sunglass docking station
- lightweight
Flops
- cutout at the forehead doesn’t accommodate oversized eyewear
- just two depth settings
For more information, visit uvex-sports.com
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Words: Patrick Gruber Photos: Antonia Feder
