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I crashed my bike, hard, the other week.
I brushed myself off and assessed the damage as I watched blood pour down my leg.
I was relatively unscathed, except for a nasty gash under my right eye, but my beloved helmet had taken a serious beating. Scratched, dented, and looking worse for wear, the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS that I had owned for three seasons had taken its last ride.
I wore that helmet in sweltering heat, pouring rain, and driving snow. Its signature blue colorway had become my unofficial calling card amongst my bike friends. It was my helmet, and I loved it.
Determined to try something new, for whatever reason, I visited the various bike shops around Truckee, California, in search of my next helmet. I tried on nearly every big-name brand, but something always seemed off. The fit was weird, the style was bulky, or it just wasn't as comfortable as the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker that I donned for thousands of miles.
After a week or so of searching, I accepted defeat. The Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS is the only half-shell mountain bike helmet for me. Here's why.
Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS Specs
- Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
- 5‑Star Rating by Virginia Tech
- Protection: 2Vi® technology platform for increased performance and comfort, including Mips Air for protection against rotational forces
- Weight: 430g (M/L)
- Integrated adjustable fit system
- Adjustable visor
- Eyewear grippers
- Exceeds EU, US and UK bike standards – and the NTA 8776 (e-bike) standard
- Price: $275 USD
How Does the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS Perform?
I have a huge head. It's one of the first things people notice about me. It is what it is.
Finding suitable headwear, whether for skiing, biking, or just a comfortable baseball cap, has always been a struggle. That's why the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS was a winner from the moment I placed it on my head.
I own the L/XL size, and I actually have to tighten the adjustable fit system slightly to rest comfortably on my head. Translation: my head isn't too big for this helmet, and I can wear a sweatband or a skullcap when needed, something I'd never been able to do with previous bike helmets.
Sweet Protection doesn't provide a ton of information on how the 2Vi MIPS system creates such a comfortable fit, but it does, and I can't live without it. The helmet doesn't move around when I'm riding, and it doesn't squeeze my head like a watermelon attempting to burst. It's secure, looks good, and gives me confidence.
The Bushwhacker is extremely well-ventilated for how much protection it offers, too, another feature my sweaty self can't live without.
I've worn this helmet in 90+ degree heat for multiple hours and never felt my head overheating or the helmet preventing me from cooling down.
As far as protective performance goes, my head was cradled like a newborn during the aforementioned big spill I recently took. The helmet was dented afterward, meaning it needed to be replaced, but it did its job.
My only wish is that I had been wearing a full-face helmet on that particular crash, but that comes with the territory of wearing a half-shell on gnarly skidders in Tahoe. Lesson learned.
Who Is the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS for?
The Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS is for the mountain biker who is tired of replacing their half-shell helmet each season. With extremely high-quality and durable materials, the Bushwhacker will last until you crash hard enough. That being said, Sweet Protection (like other helmet brands) suggests you should probably replace it after 3 years no matter what due to normal UV-caused material degradation and cracks you might not notice.
The sticker price of $275 is jarring in comparison to cheaper models, but when you consider the fit, comfort, and protection standards of the Bushwhacker, the nearly $300 investment is easier to swallow.
So, if you're looking for a half-shell helmet that you can rock on 95% of your rides, look no further than the Sweet Protection Bushwhacker 2Vi MIPS.
Just don't come crying to me when you can't live without it, I warned you.
Related: This Incredible E-Mountain Bike Should Be Twice the Price: Aventon Current ADV Review
