Bell’s all-mountain/enduro helmet is a shop favorite.

A helmet is a helmet right? I mean its a pile of plastic and foam that straps to your head. They all pass the same sort of safety rating, most include Mips these days too. Well, the Sixer is the exception to the helmets are helmets rule. The Bell Sixer Helmet is hands down the go-to mountain bike helmet for the shop. It ticks all the boxes — it’s light, breathable, comfortable and it keeps sweat out of your face better than most. It doesn’t look too shabby either.

The Sixer is Bell’s flagship MTB helmet. It comes with all the bells and whistles — goggle grippers, forehead vents, camera/light mount, Mips, no-twist straps, sweat guide pad… the list goes on. In short, the Sixer is the most comfortable helmet that does everything you want it to do and nothing you don’t.

 

Bell Sixer Helmet Comfort & Weight

The Sixer isn’t the lightest helmet. It does come in at about 10-20 grams heavier than most other similarly priced helmets (Giro Montaro, Troy Lee A2, Smith Session) . You don’t notice the extra weight, though. It’s one of the more comfortable helmets I have used. It kind of disappears on your head. Helmet comfort can vary quite a bit from person to person. What fits me might not fit you. The Sixer seems to have a pretty wide range of heads that like it. The retention system and the straps are very comfortable. I haven’t noticed any pinch points or hot spots, even when going full endur-bro with goggles and a half shell.

Bell Sixer Helmet Fancy Features

Speaking of going full enduro-bro, the Sixer comes with goggle grippers in the back that hold goggle straps securely in place. Even in the rain when the strap starts stretching out. There’s also a light/camera mount vent right on top. It comes with a GoPro style mount making it work with most lights and cameras. The adjustable visor stays right where you leave it too. It doesn’t work its way back down when things get bumpy.

Bell Sixer Helmet Sweat Management

I get sweaty — like pretty sweaty when riding a bike. I have to stop every 20 minutes to squeeze out the pads against my forehead — you know the move. I’m not proud of it and it’s not something I particularly enjoy. The Sixer might be the first helmet I’ve had without this problem. The forehead vents do their job and the sweat guide at the front is genius. Instead of sweat dripping into your face and glasses, it drops away from you— you can watch it in action. No more having to stop and wipe the inside of your lenses when the trail gets bumpy. The Sixer comes with 26 vents in addition to the four “brow ports.” It’s nice and breezy. I know this is way more than you ever wanted to hear about sweaty heads, but it’s got to be my favorite feature of the helmet.

Well there you have it. You just read an entire article written by a guy nerding out pretty hard about a helmet. The nerding is merited, though. If you’re looking for a new lid, you should take a peek at the Sixer, you won’t regret it.