UVEX Boss Race helmet: surviving a crash to ride another day. Photo courtesy of Robert Annis
UVEX Boss Race Helmet Review
by Robert Annis
A crash in a mid-week crit suddenly made my review of UVEX’s Boss Race helmet a lot more thorough than I’d originally planned.
Surrounded by about ten other riders as we rounded the last corner before a long straightaway, a couple of racers went down in front of me. Having no time to react and nowhere else to go, I followed suit, catapulted into a dive that would make Greg Louganis proud. I landed on my head, came down hard on my hip and skidded about five yards or so.
But despite hitting my head hard on the blacktop, I managed to walk away unconcussed, with just a slight bruise on my forehead.
UVEX’s unique in-mold construction method bonds the lightweight shell to the high-performance polystyrene foam liner, creating an exceptionally strong helmet that weighs in under 280 grams.
The Boss Race helmet will keep your head safe, but will it keep it cool and comfortable while making you look stylish at the same time? Yes, on all counts.
The helmet has 19 vents that are a bit on the smallish-side, but do a more than adequate job of air circulation. Mesh in the front of the helmet keeps bees and other insects from entering.
The helmet has a lower profile than a lot of other helmets, so it didn’t look like I had a mushroom sprouting atop my pointy head.
The anti-bacterial padding works well and feels better than the padding found in some of the other helmets in this price-point. Best of all, the chinstrap padding kept the ratcheting clasp from pulling out my beard hair, a problem I’ve had with other helmets.
Fit was exceptionally easy to dial in; after a quick adjustment of the chinstrap and a few twists of the Individual Adapting System (IAS) dial, I was ready to roll.
UVEX Boss Race Helmet
I’ve worn several helmets over the years, but the UVEX Boss Race helmet is by far the best for about $100.
Details of the helmet:
MSRP: $119
Weight: 218 grams
Country of Origin: Germany
More info: http://us.uvex-sports.com/
