Updated July 1st, 2023
Biking is a lot of fun. Riding with a helmet can make it a lot safer. I’ve had a head meets tree incident before while biking and it wasn’t fun. I recently got a chance to try out the new Outdoor Master Bike Helmet with MIPS. I’ve ridden quite a bit with it now on bike paths and mountain bike trails and am very happy with it. Keep reading to learn more about the Outdoor Master GEM MIPS Bicycle Helmet.
☆ Best Value MIPS Bike Helmet
OutdoorMaster MIPS Adult Recreational Cycling Helmet
Key Features and Specifications
- MIPS – Has MIPS protection for glancing blows and angled impacts
- Safety Certifications – US ASTM F1447-18 and US CPSC
- Lightweight – only weighs 18.3 ounces or 520 grams
- Ventilation – 26 vents for superior airflow and ventilation
- Sun visor – Removable sun visor
- Goggle compatible – Can be worn with goggles
- Warranty – 1 year warranty
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What we liked:
- Great value for a MIPS helmet
- As light as much more expensive helmets
- Great ventilation
- Comfortable to wear for long rides
- Visor is big enough to block son and deflect branches and brush
What we didn’t like:
- Visor is removable but the angle is fixed
- No XL size for larger heads
Features of the Outdoor Master Bike Helmet with MIPS
The Outdoor Master MIPS bike helmet design looks like a road/cross country mountain biking style helmet. It has lots of ventilation and a removable visor. It has slightly deeper coverage on the back of your head than a road helmet. Not as much as a true trail helmet. It’s similar to a Giro Artex or Giro Register helmet. It’s good for trail riding single track and fire road adventures. I would want something more for downhilling.
I have been a long time Giro helmet user for mountain biking. I took one hard head first into a tree that left me hurting everywhere but my head. I understand the true importance of a good mountain bike helmet.
I have been wearing the Outdoor Master Diamond MIPS helmet for most of last ski season. It is a very comfortable MIPS helmet. I have high expectations for the GEM MIPS Bike helmet after that.
Price
The Outdoor Master GEM helmet is available for $45.99 from their website using discount code MIPS22. It is also available from Amazon.
Safety Certifications
The helmet complies with US ASTM F1447-18 safety standards for recreational biking and US CPSC Safety Standard for bike helmets for persons 5 years and older.
MIPS
This helmet has MIPS or Multi-directional Impact Protection System. This allows the helmet liner to have rotational motion relative to the shell when you have an angled impact or a glancing blow. It keeps the rotational force from transferring into your head, neck, and spine. It adds another measure of safety to your helmet.
As a mountain biker, I am a firm believer in MIPS. I went over the handlebars headfirst into a tree on a local trail. The tree hit my helmet on the front corner so not straight on. My head didn’t hurt afterward. My MIPS helmet had a large mark on the front corner going down the side from the tree. This was the type of impact MIPS was created to help and it worked. I won’t mountain bike with a helmet that doesn’t have MIPS.
You can learn more about MIPS here.
Construction
The GEM helmet has MIPS technology using in-mold construction with an ABS helmet shell and EPS foam liner. The molding looks very clean. I can’t find any defects in the mold. There is no visible flash or mold lines anywhere.
The visor is attached in 3 places to the shell. It cannot be adjusted up or down. The most missed feature on this helmet compared to higher end helmets is the lack of visor adjustment.
Inside the helmet, there is and integrated MIPS liner. Inside the liner is a mesh and foam liner. Some extra padding is provided so that you can customize the fit and feel of the helmet.
The straps are attached to the EPS liner. There is enough excess chin strap to fit any head size that will fit into the helmet. This is a welcome change. Most Outdoor Master helmets I have tried have had just barely enough chin strap to use and no extra. This one has several inches of excess strap for a change.
There is a size adjuster to adjust the fit of the helmet. The dial feels smooth and works well. It’s easy to adjust while the helmet is on your head. It doesn’t get buried under the shell when you put it on.
Fit and comfort
The helmet is available in 3 sizes. I use a size large. The fit feels similar to other brands size large. It feels snug when wearing it and doesn’t wobble around anymore than the Giro helmets I have been wearing. I’m confident it’s going to stay in place when I fall. It is secure enough to work with a helmet mounted light without swinging all over the place. The padding inside the helmet works well for my headshape. I haven’t put in any of the extra pieces of liner that came with it.
Ventilation
The helmet has 25 vents. It has a very nice and airy feeling while riding. My head gets plenty of fresh air and doesn’t get hot at all. Overall it has decent ventilation that won’t leave you wishing for more.
Goggle compatibility
According to OutdoorMaster the helmet is goggle compatible. I tried it on with my favorite set of Outdoor Master Ultra XL goggles. It works. The back of the helmet has the correct angle so that the strap stays in place without sliding up or down.
I’m not sure when you would wear this helmet with goggles. When you want goggles for protection, you would want a helmet with more coverage like a full face helmet. If you wear goggles because it’s cold out, you usually bike with a ski helmet to be warm enough. Goggles work with it if you want to use them.
Going for a ride
The venting on this helmet is plenty for any kind of cross country or road riding. The helmet is light and comfortable. It has a similar non-bulky feel to the Giro helmets I’m usually riding with.
The visor is long enough to provide good sunshade. It also sticks out there far enough to do a good job deflecting branches out of the way before they get in your eyes.
Overall I would say the helmet has good long range comfort with plenty of ventilation. It has great stability for staying on your head and moving around. It’s light enough with no excess bulk so it doesn’t feel like it’s weighing your head down. I think it will be great for doing some long miles.
OutdoorMaster MIPS Adult Recreational Cycling Helmet
Get 20 %OFF with code BFCM20 and more during OUTDOOR MASTER BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Outdoor Master Discount Code
Use the Coupon Code ERO2022 for 10-20% off at OutdoorMaster.com
The Verdict
I think Outdoor Master did a really good job designing the GEM helmet. It is well made and includes MIPS. It has lots of vents and a good sized visor. I have been wearing this helmet mountain biking since getting it and enjoying it. If you are looking for a good value biking helmet, check out the Outdoor Master MIPS Bike Helmet.
See our guide to the best mountain bike helmets under $100 for other great MTB helmet options.
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Doug Ryan
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
I grew up back east in Pennsylvania and learned to ski on a family trip to Killington, Vermont when I was 6. I immediately fell in love with the mountains and outdoors and have been skiing across the US and Canada ever since. I went to school for Mechanical Engineering, and have a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Reliability.
I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible.
doug@adventuregearinsider.com
