With so few holes and its snub tail design, we’re a bit surprised there isn’t more emphasis on a possible aerodynamic advantage offered by this helmet. There are plenty of aesthetic and design similarities to other helmets like the Giro Synthe and Kask Protone, where equal emphasis is put on cooling and time saved over a 40km time trial. We researched other brands and found that they were appalling quality straight out of the box and often more expensive too. I’ve been using this helmet during the Australian summer, it been a hot one, and have definitely suffered from a sweaty head and experienced plenty of sweat dripping into my eyes and down my sunglasses while wearing this helmet. Despite it feeling as if there is good airflow passing over your head, especially at higher speeds, the Strale hardly competes with more open helmets like the Specialized Propero II, and some alternatives have double the number of vents and deeper channelling too.

Low in weight, the medium size tips the scales at just 255 grams. This compact helmet is both unobtrusive and up there in style with some of the industry's leading options. Italian brand MET have been targeting the female audience of late, adding ‘Small’ sizes in many models that were previously only available in Medium or Large. Initially I was disappointed to hear that in the case of the Strale they’d chosen to maintain a ‘Medium’ as the smallest version. However, I was told being a compact lid designed to suit a 52 to 58 circumference, women would be catered for, and true enough a Medium did fit my genuinely tiny noggin (albeit with the retention system almost at its max). From the Italian helmet experts, the MET Strale Road Helmet is designed to be comfortable and incredibly well ventilated for riding in a range of conditions. Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, What is your budget? There are fantastic helmets at all price points and you can be reassured that all MET helmets pass CE and BSI safety standards. However, if you can afford more, it does mean you can choose enhanced features, such as MIPS technology.

Fit and comfort is key – you don’t want a helmet that wobbles on your head or one that pinches painfully. Make sure any helmet you buy can be tightened to offer a secure but comfortable fit. If the Strale is anything like the Rival HES, that vent on the crown of the helmet should provide good airflow when your head is down Colin Levitch / Immediate Media

Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. Ventilation came first and foremost for MET when they created this helmet – and they wanted to take a new approach to that which is seen elsewhere: namely lots of vents. Instead, they wanted to maximize the performance of the vents they did have to ensure they were working at their optimum. the MET Rivale helmets with NACA ventilation opening, 360° head harness and openings for sunglasses All helmets sold in the UK pass the required CE safety tests, so what more are you looking for in terms of endorsement? Did you ask for crash test photos or impact videos when you bought your car? If not why is it an issue here? In total, the Strale contains fourteen vents – the pivotal airflow provider being a wide channel at the centre. The central cut out is so important it even has a name: the NACA vent. This has been designed around the ‘Venturi effect’ which in brief refers to the reduction in pressure when fluid flows through a constricted area. In more human terms, the idea is that cool air flows through the narrow area created, before being pushed out of the wider ducts located at the rear. There are side vents too, but all of them are directed to the large rear section, where hot air can be directed away from the rider.Size-wise, this test model is a medium, which fits a head size of 52-58cm, while a large comes with a 59-62cm circumference. There are seven colour choices.