The Specialized Search helmet debuted alongside the Recon 3.0 shoes earlier this year as part of a new line of more gravel-focused gear. What really makes a gravel helmet though? I look at these gravel items as more of a set of cross-over pieces for XC and gravel riders, or anyone that likes to ride fast on dirt, with an emphasis on efficiency, light weight, and aerodynamics. The Search is aimed more at the mid-tier customer, who wants quality and features, without the premium price tag, because everyone knows that’s where the best value lies.
Specialized Search helmet specs
- MIPS Evolve Core rotational impact protection
- 3 sizes and 5 colors available
- Weight: 318g (size medium, tested)
- Price: $160
- Buy from Specialized
Styling
The Search helmet errs toward the road side, with more classic rather than ultra-modern styling, and I mean that in a good way. It has a familiar look, with a modern cleanness about it. It’s a road helmet that wouldn’t look out of place on an XC rider, with less aggressive aesthetics than more high-end, race-ready Specialized helmets like the Prevail and the Evade, and with a smidgen more coverage.
The Search has the sort of styling that you could get away with on a fast gravel or road ride, XC mountain bike ride, or a casual jaunt to the pub, and I appreciate that. The color palette for this helmet is pretty subdued, with this one on test being the wildest of the bunch. But to my eye, it’s not too out there. It matches colors slightly with the Specialized Recon 3.0 shoes I tested, with the same shade of grey splatter color, which also happens to be matched with the slimline chin strap, a feature that I really like.
Features
Despite the mid-range price tag, the Search does come with a pretty decent feature list. Priced at $160 USD, it comes in three sizes, S-L, and five colors. Dune White/Vivid Pink is on test here in a size medium for my 58cm head.
The feature list includes MIPS Evolve Core rotational impact protection, sunglasses storage, a Virginia Tech 5-star safety rating, a set of huge intake and exhaust vents with ‘4D Brow Cooling technology’, and an FS3 fit system, allowing easy adjustment to fit most heads, with a standard buckle for retention. The brow cooling tech is a cut-out channel around the brow, allowing for more air-flow, and seems like a smart idea. The vents are quite large, and there are essentially 3 x 3 large vents that line up front to back, with a clear path for air flow, with a couple of extra vents on the sides.
Talking safety, which is the helmet’s primary function, Specialized designers have seemingly put a ton of work into making ultra-safe helmets accessible at all price points, because pretty much all of their helmets, the Search included, have received the highest safety rating from Virginia Tech. They score safer than pretty much anything else out there, and if that isn’t reason enough to buy one, I don’t know what is. As for MIPS Evolve Core, their website isn’t entirely clear how this differs from other versions of MIPS, but we all know what MIPS does by now. Given the 5-star safety rating, it seems to be doing what it needs to, so I’ll leave it at that.
Fit and Comfort
In terms of fit, the retention system does a good job of making things adjustable for most head sizes. The rear cradle can drop down or be moved up depending on preference, and the dial at the back has a positive click that allows the tension to be dialed in with precise increments for a comfortable fit. The piece of plastic that joins the straps is clean and makes for a mess-free arrangement, but it’s not adjustable, which some people may not like. For me it sits in just the right place. The straps come out from between the MIPS liner and the EPS shell, meaning they play nice with the retention system and don’t tend to get in the way. Overall, the Search helmet is one of the more comfortable options I’ve tried.
Performance
Out on the trail, the Search is a helmet that I often forget I’m wearing, which is exactly what I look for in a helmet. The cooling system isn’t immediately obvious, unlike some helmets where you can feel the air flow immediately, ie Koroyd. The cooling is a bit more subtle, but still very effective. Worn on some of the hottest days this summer, the venting worked well for me. I tend to run hot, and collect a lot of of sweat on my brow, which I found to be less of a problem than normal with the Search. The helmet stayed at a comfortable operating temperature most of the time.
I thankfully did not get a chance to test the safety of the helmet, keeping things rubber side up while wearing it, but the MIPS liner does audibly creak just a little while riding. Not enough to bother me, but it is there. The comfort and fit of the helmet held up well, with no weird pressure points.
Finally, the eyewear storage on the Search helmet is pretty neat. The ports at the front of the helmet have a little rubber tab on the inside which grips the arms of the glasses when inserted, helping retain them snugly, and keeping them rattle free. I rarely ride with sunglasses, but on the occasion that I did need to stash them, they were super secure, and I didn’t feel any risk of them disappearing, which is not something that can be said about a lot of helmets.
Pros and cons of the Specialized Search helmet
Pros
- Affordable
- 5-star safety rating
- Comfortable fit
- Good venting
- Classic style
Cons
- Side straps are not adjustable
- MIPS liner makes noise
- Classic styling is not for everyone
Bottom line
The Specialized Search helmet is a reasonably priced, mid-tier helmet suitable for a wide range of riding from cross-country to road and gravel. Sensible styling, a comfortable fit, and a price tag half that of an S-Works helmet make it a smart choice. And a 5-star safety rating makes it a really smart choice. The styling is not for everyone, and it’s geared more toward the more casual rider who isn’t interested in the ultra-high performance look. For me, the jury is still out on whether the shape of it works for my head, but aesthetics aside, I’m a big fan of everything this helmet is about.
- Price: $160
- Buy from Specialized
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Sep 4, 2024