Okay, so I finally decided to upgrade my helmet, and after doing a bunch of digging around, I landed on the Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS. Here’s how the whole thing went down, from start to finish.
The Old Helmet Had to Go
First off, my old helmet was, well, old. It was a cheap one I’d picked up when I first started riding, and it was definitely showing its age. The padding was getting compressed, the visor was scratched to heck, and I wasn’t even sure if it was still doing its job properly. Plus, I just kinda wanted something that looked a bit cooler. Safety and style, you know?
The Search Begins
So, I started hitting up forums and some online shops. I was looking for something that wouldn’t break the bank, but still offered good protection. That’s when MIPS started popping up. I’d heard of it before, that extra layer of protection that helps with rotational impacts. Sounded pretty important, so I added that to my must-have list.
Finding the Qualifier DLX MIPS
After comparing a bunch of different helmets, the Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS kept coming up as a solid choice. The reviews were good, the price was right, and it had that MIPS thing I wanted. I watched a couple of videos about it, read some more reviews, and finally pulled the trigger.
Getting My Hands on It
I ordered it online, and it showed up a few days later. Unboxing it was pretty exciting. It definitely looked way better than my old helmet. The finish was nice, the visor felt sturdy, and the overall build quality seemed solid. I picked the matte black, ’cause, you know, gotta look cool.
The Fit Test
This is the most important part, right? I popped it on, and it felt snug, but not too tight. My old helmet had gotten pretty loose over time, so this was a welcome change. I did the “shake test” – you know, shake your head around like a crazy person to make sure it doesn’t shift too much – and it passed with flying colors. The cheek pads were a little snug, but I knew they’d break in over time. It felt a little snug at first so I followed some advice on wearing it around the house for a while before riding.
First Ride Impressions
Finally, I took it out for a spin. The first thing I noticed was the improved visibility. The visor on my old helmet was so scratched up that it was like looking through a fog. This one was crystal clear. The ventilation also seemed way better. I could actually feel the air flowing through, which was a huge plus on a warm day. I took a few rides. The wind noise seemed a bit less. Could have been the helmet or just me being excited about the new gear.
The Photochromic Visor – Bonus!
One of the coolest features of the DLX is the photochromic visor. It automatically adjusts to the light conditions. So, when it’s sunny, it gets darker, and when it’s cloudy or you are riding at night, it’s clear. No more swapping visors or carrying around an extra one! That’s a huge win in my book.
Final Thoughts
So far, I’m super happy with the Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS. It’s a big upgrade from my old helmet in terms of comfort, safety, and features. It feels like a much more substantial helmet, and the MIPS gives me some extra peace of mind. If you’re looking for a good quality helmet that won’t empty your wallet, I’d definitely recommend checking it out.
