With the Stratus, Bell does us all a great service by offering the performance of premium models like the Z20 and Zephyr, but at a fraction of the price. For those of us with the torrential perspiration, the sweat guide pad over the brow was pretty extremely useful and very much appreciated. It adjusted really well, with the rear wheel allowing you to dial right in to fit the edges and oddities of your head while the front straps were free from tangle with the No-Twist Tri-Glides™ system. Now, we know you're not craven or vain here, but it's also worth noting that it's a sexy wisp of a helmet, so far as polycarbonate cranial coverings go.
Bell Stratus MIPS Review
A comfortable, dependable road helmet that will keep you safe out on the road.
Price: $160 List | $112.46 at Competitive Cyclist
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Lightweight, cool, moves sweat away from eyes, uses MIPS
Cons: Buckles might break, straps could loosen, less aero
Manufacturer: Bell
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Lightweight, cool, moves sweat away from eyes, uses MIPS
Cons: Buckles might break, straps could loosen, less aero
Manufacturer: Bell
By Ryan Baham ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Oct 29, 2018
RELATED: The Best Bike Helmets of 2019
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Bell Stratus MIPS | |||||
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $112.46 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 2 sellers | $119.96 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 2 sellers | $369.95 at Amazon | $100 List | $139.97 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, cool, moves sweat away from eyes, uses MIPS | Comfortable, versatile, aerodynamic, ventilation | Aero design, adjustable ventilation and aero vent, stylish, well-cushioned | Well ventilated, stylish, uses bug net, affordable, comfortable, uses CES protection | Durable, comfortable |
| Cons | Buckles might break, straps could loosen, less aero | Expensive | Heavy, warmer in summer months | Forehead padding requires visor, bulky, doesn’t use MIPS | Poor ventilation |
| Bottom Line | A comfortable, dependable road helmet that will keep you safe out on the road. | A premium road cycling helmet with a semi aerodynamic profile, with good ventilation and a drag reducing design. | An extremely unique helmet that matches its flash with slippery performance. | A playfully designed Seussian offering for the serious rider. | The Overtake is a class leading helmet with an innovative design approach, but poor ventilation hampers an otherwise excellent product. |
| Rating Categories | Bell Stratus MIPS | Giro Synthe MIPS | Kask Infinity | Catlike Kompact'o Urban | Smith Overtake MIPS |
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Style (15%) | |||||
| Ventilation (20%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Bell Stratus MIPS | Giro Synthe MIPS | Kask Infinity | Catlike Kompact'o... | Smith Overtake MIPS |
| Sizes | S, M, L | S, M, L | M,L | S, M, L | S, M, L |
| Weight (grams) (medium) | 296 g | 268 g | 350 g | 291 g | 276 g |
| Size Range | 52-62cm | 55-59cm | 52-62cm | 51-61cm | 55-59cm |
| Number of vents | 18 | 26 | 13 | 21 | 21 |
| Number of Colors | 10 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
| MIPS | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
The Bell Stratus sits right in the middle of the pack, which means it has pretty steady performance over the measures.
Comfort
This lid does a great job of covering the major contact points. It uses thick Sweat GuideTM Padding across the forehead, temples, and rear occipital region to help move sweat away from the eyes, and it does make a difference, especially for those of us that don't so much sweat as they deluge. If anything, the poor riders in the paceline behind you will appreciate the reduction in salty precipitation hitting their face. The FloatFit™ System also does a good job of cradling the head while allowing good movement, adding to the secure feel and snug fit.
The Bell Stratus is one of the more comfortable helmets out there.
If you want even more comfort than this and you're willing to pay a bit of a premium, we suggest looking at the Giro Synthe MIPS, which uses a similar floating cradle system and good padding coverage to deliver top comfort. If you are looking for near-complete padding coverage, we suggest looking at the Kask Infinity.
Adjustability
The Stratus uses an integrated Float FitTM retention system to secure the head and improve fit. This includes an oversized two-way dial to loosen and tighten, easily adjusted on the road. It also employs its No-Twist Tri-GlideTM adjustable Y-straps, which seemed to be fairly standard straps - maybe a bit stiffer than regular straps. There were also reports that the fasteners might loosen after tightening, requiring more frequent adjustment.
The No-Twist Tri-Glide(TM) Y-straps aren't especially remarkable, but those who are confounded by twisted straps might find them helpful.
For those looking for more adjustability, there are a few top options. If you want to stay in the Bell lineup, take a look at the Bell Gage MIPS for a premium option or the Bell Overdrive MIPS for more of an entry option. The Best Buy Catlike KOMPACT'O also offers exceptional adjustability at a bargain price.
The Float Fit(TM) retention system with its oversized dial does a good job of adjusting to the nuances of your head and its preferences.
Durability
While the Bell does pretty well in ventilation, it sacrifices a bit of durability. To achieve its great aeration, it opens up the front vents and removes some of the supporting bridges to allow increased in-flow, which could reduce its ability to withstand or redistribute shock and make it vulnerable to cracks from lesser blows and normal wear and tear.
For those willing to pay a bit more to get a bit more, there are a few stronger options out there. The Smith Overtake uses highly engineered inner layers to improve protection while adding strong internal support structures and a hard outer layer. The Kask Protone uses a strong inner framing and a tough polycarbonate outer shell.
Style
The Bell has a thin, wispy design with nice appeal. Its profile is especially striking while the front and rear are fairly average. It has ten color options with a few primary colors and a few mix-matches. For those looking for something with a little more pizazz in its design, we suggest looking to the smooth Kask Infinity or the wild Catlike KOMPACT'O.
We assure you that you will look much better in the Bell Stratus than this guy. Plus there are all ten styles and designs to match your kit, bike, and whatever else.
Ventilation
With 18 vents, this appears to be one of the less vented helmets, but its vents are large and well designed. It uses the Overbrow Ventilation system to draw air into the front vents and circulate it about the rear of the helmet. Granted, that's the idea behind all vented helmets, this one does a good job of it.
Should you decide it's just not enough ventilation and you need tops for this measure, you'll want to check out the Catlike KOMPACT'O with its large porthole vents. If you want to go a step higher, we suggest looking at the Specialized Airnet MIPS.
Weight
The Stratus comes in at a reasonable 296g in a men's medium, putting it right around the median weight for good road helmets. It ekes out the centigrams by using lightweight materials like polycarbonate for its internal protective structures. It also benefits from its open, aerated design, which cuts down on the extra support material - granted, there's a potential durability penalty. If you want a lighter offering, try out the Giro Synthe MIPS, our Editors' Choice. If you to go straight for weight, the Giro Aeon will be everything you want in a high-performance road bike helmet.
296g might sound weighty compared to some of the high-end lids, but it's still only about 10 ounces of water, so about half of a standard water bottle.
Best Application
This is one of the more comfortable mid-range offerings with great ventilation. It will be fine in the winter, especially with a cycling cap or something heavier, but its natural environment is really the hot weather and long rides (maybe not the black version).
Affordability, broad padding coverage, and excellent ventilation make this a great choice for most mid-range riders.
Value
Outperformance in comfort, adjustability, style, ventilation, and durability. What more could you want for $160? It's as good asking price and chances are, you'll find it somewhere for a good deal cheaper.
Conclusion
The Stratus MIPS was one of the simplest helmets in the bunch and performed among the best. It excelled in comfort, making long, bouncy rides through rough aggregate more bearable. The extra Overbrow Ventilation™ improved some of those rides on the hotter days and the Sweat Guide™ padding made a noticeable difference that there wasn't sweat pouring down the glasses, eyes, and face on those days. It was well-padding and pleasing to have on the head, improved by the Float Fit™ retention system with its convenient two-way tension adjustment dial. There are certainly superior road bike helmets out there, but for a traditional model, this is a solid option.
The Stratus is a great choice for an affordable mid-range helmet, particularly suited to recreational riders and those in the lower amateur racing categories.
— Ryan Baham