Uvex Revolt MIPS – In our big comparison test of lightweight and convertible full-face helmets 2023

The German sporting goods manufacturer uvex offers a wide range of helmets, glasses and goggles for skiing, riding and cycling, covering all cycling disciplines from road to city to mountain biking. With the revolt MIPS, you are entering our 2023 comparison test with a convertible full-face helmet that can be transformed from a full-shell to a half-shell with just a flick of the wrist. How did it compare to the competition?

At 687 g in sizes 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 is one of the few models that can be converted from a full-shell to a half-shell helmet in one easy step. With the uvex, however, only the chin bar detaches from the shell, while the area around the ears remains in place, providing additional protection on 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 inside of the chin guard and tilt the chin guard upwards to remove it. This can be easily done with just one hand. Reattaching the chin guard to the helmet shell is a little less intuitive, as you have to put two small metal pins back into the corresponding small holes in the helmet – easier said than done if you can’t see the holes. However, the process is no more complicated than with other helmets in this test.
The Revolt MIPS is only available in two sizes, 52-57cm and 57-61cm. The rotary knob of the holding system can be adjusted in two positions, but is not attached to the back but to the inside of the shell. This makes it look a bit fiddly at first, but it didn’t cause any problems on the trail. You can further customize the fit of the helmet by using different thicknesses of cheek pads and liner. Unfortunately, these are not included and must be purchased separately. The chin strap is based on the typical uvex ratchet closure system, which can be attached and adjusted easily and intuitively. The uvex has a MIPS liner and a flexible visor. The former is intended to dissipate the rotational forces created in an accident, while the latter is intended to prevent your head from getting stuck. This flexible material also prevents the visor from bending easily, which is a great little detail. Unfortunately, the Revolt’s chin guard doesn’t meet the ASTM standard for downhill helmets, so safety may be slightly compromised compared to the other helmets in this test.

When it comes to the fit, our editorial team was divided on the uvex revolt MIPS. While it provided a good, comfortable fit for some of our testers, it caused uncomfortable pressure points on the forehead for others. Despite the tight-fitting holding system that presses the helmet firmly against the sides of the head, the helmet is rather unstable when riding. In addition, the revolt MIPS is quite warm on hot summer days, partly due to the lack of ventilation holes on the back of the helmet and partly because the ears are permanently covered by both the shell itself and the padding. This somewhat defeats the purpose of a convertible helmet, which is supposed to provide a more pleasant interior 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 on the ears – a problem we had with many other helmets in this test. To achieve this, the straps are sewn directly to the inner lining so that they always fit in the right place without affecting the ears.

The uvex revolt MIPS convertible full-face helmet divides opinion. On the one hand, it’s super light and has clever features like the intuitive conversion system and strategically placed chin straps – and the price makes it more attractive compared to many other competitors. On the other hand, some of our testers didn’t like the fit and the ventilation is subpar. This makes the revolt MIPS a good choice for riders who want a casual half-shell look with the option of switching to full face.

Tops

• Best conversion system in the test
• Chin straps are strategically placed and well integrated

Flops

• Poor ventilation at the back
• Meets the purpose of a convertible helmet
• Cheek pads are optional and must be purchased separately
• The chin guard does not meet 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 tested

All full-face helmets tested: Bell jar 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 here to read a review) | POC Otocon Race MIPS (Click for review) | Specialized Gambit (Click for review) | Troy Lee Designs Stage (Click for review) | Uvex Uprising MIPS

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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker