For a helmet that hasn’t really changed much in the last couple of years, the Bluegrass Explicit still manages to tick most of the boxes for a full-face lid capable of making the transition from Downhill to Enduro to BMX. We had a look at some of the Bluegrass at a Eurobike past, but they keep churning out solid Euro protection gear.
The Explicit uses a well thought-out lightweight composite shell with an EPS foam impact absorption layer and breathable mesh fabric liner, and comes in just over 1kg for all sizes. The newest iteration of the helmet adds in Bluegrass’ large Airflow_2_Chin intake vents, making for one of the most ventilated full-face chin guard on the market. Drop in past the fold for a closer look, details, and availability…
The helmet’s outer V.I.D. composite shell was developed first with MET’s own Virtual Impact Data 3D modeling software and then perfected over several seasons racing the DH and BMX World Cup circuit. The end result is a compact, light, and well-vented helmet that can take gravity fed abuse.
Its EPS inner-shell uses a deep integrated network of air channels linking intake vents on the front and side of the helmet around the inside of the shell and out the other side to keep riders relatively cool. The chin guard vents are designed to both make it easy to breathe when you are pushing hard by directing air up to your nose and mouth, but also to pull air into the shell to stay cool.
The helmet gets a motocross style visor, with a Snap-Off-Release system, that makes sure it detaches from the center on impact, reducing impact force that would make its way to the neck in a crash. The release also makes the visor less likely to break in minor scrapes. Like any good full-face, the Explicit also works well with both goggles and neck braces. The shell has molded-in ribs to keep google straps in place without the need for retention straps.
The Explicit comes in 5 fit sizes, based on 3 different-sized outer shell sizes so you end up with compact shells as opposed to many competitors who use one shell for a full size run. The XS & S run 1010g, M comes in at 1033g, and L & XL top out at 1086g.
The 2016 version of the Explicit comes in four color schemes from the staid matte black with red accents to the more loud cyan, magenta, and black combo. But while the new helmet is available now for 150€ in Bluegrass Eagle’s web shop, previous versions in their outlet/sale section are available for as little as 81€.
