Review: Sweet Protection Primer MIPS

Sweet Protection recently released the Primer Mips, a solid looking but price conscious version of its Bushwacker trail helmet. After a few months with this matte green (“woodland green”) helmet, we’re impressed. It’s comfortable, with a couple small drawbacks.

If you’re less familiar with the Sweet Protection name, it’s a Norwegian brand that started around the turn of the century. It initially launched with snowsports but, since 2011, makes helmets for all kinds of biking. From Tour de France lids for Uno-X to the Primer and Bushwacker trail helmets.

Sweet Protection Primer MIPS

Sweet Protection builds the Primer around its 360 Occigrip Fit System. That uses an adjustable rear fit strap, which moves up and down in the helmet and uses a dial to tighten/loosen. Ventilation comes via a series of ports in the front and back of the helmet as well as raised areas on forehead area, to allow air over glasses. A breakaway visor is adjustable to four height settings, via a notched rack-style band on the helmet.

Inside the Primer is Mips’ Evolve system. Like all MIPS, this is designed to reduce impact of rotational forces when you crash. Sweet Protection integrates the MIPS evolve layer to work with its own eyewear, though that produces mixed results with other brands glasses. The Primer MIPS is also designed to work with a ponytail, though I didn’t get to test that feature.

Review: Sweet Protection Primer MIPS

Sweet Protection’s Primer MIPS is comfortable. Very comfortable. Even on hot days, it mostly disappeared on my head like a good helmet should. The small fit adjustments to the back closure do a good job of helping secure the Primer without pinching or causing pressure.  And the fit dial is easy to adjust on the fly, without being so easy it bumps loose. The strap system is also easy to adjust, easy to keep centred, and comfortable.

The Primer also looks good. While that’s not strictly a performance feature, it is important. There’s no garish colours. I like the minimalist design/branding and softer tones (plus black, always black).

The strap system on the Primer is very comfortable.

As is the rear fit strap

It’s vertically adjustable and padded, so it doesn’t pinch or create pressure points

The visor system is simple, but works best in the top and bottom settings.

Not so Sweet Protection: A couple quibbles

There are two issues with the Primer. The visor, and sunglasses. The it stays in the top and bottom setting well but the…