Specialized Search Mid-Range Helmet Review

The Search is the latest addition to Specialized’s helmet range. And as is often the case, the American brand’s product is perfectly finished. For a price of €150, it offers performance almost on par with models that cost twice as much, starting with its excellent ventilation capabilities.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr/Etienne Schoeman/Specialized

Launched at the beginning of April 2024, the Specialized Search helmet joins an already extensive range of road, mountain bike, and urban cycling models from the American brand. Positioned in the mid-range, it boasts, according to Specialized, the largest vents in its category, directly benefiting from the ventilation work done for the S-Works Evade and Prevail models, the brand’s top-of-the-line helmets.

Regarding safety, the Search also received the highest rating of 5 out of 5 stars from the independent Virginia Tech institute. It features the Mips Evolve Core system to limit the consequences of rotational impacts, a system slightly heavier than the Mips Air Node used on the S-Works Prevail, for example, but just as effective.

The Search helmet uses the FS3 fit system and an occipital adjustment directly derived from S-Works models. Simple, effective, and completely transparent in use. The dividers are adjustable, and the straps, only 10 mm wide, are very comfortable on the temples.

Finally, the Search features an innovative eyewear storage system, with rubber flaps placed in side vents that hold the arms securely and without vibration when you need to remove your glasses, whether on long climbs to prevent sweat from getting inside the lenses, in heavy rain, or when light fades. This is a really well-thought-out feature, not found on most helmets on the market, even high-end ones.

Weighed at 276 g in size S, the Search is 25 g heavier than an S-Works Prevail 3 and about 50 g more than so-called “lightweight” helmets from some competitors. But it’s not noticeably heavier in use, as long as the helmet is comfortable on the head. The helmet’s shape, the retention system, and how it adapts are much more important factors to consider than a few tens of grams more.

Available in three sizes and five colors, the Search should appeal to a wide audience. In addition to the usual matte black and white, Specialized has added two slightly more feminine colors (a light purple and a pale white/pink) and a very trendy taupe/light brown for gravel riding. Because the Search is not just a road helmet; Specialized claims its versatility and even ventilation features ideal for low speeds off-road.

Ventilation on all terrains

On the road or trails, the Search demonstrates its ventilation capabilities from the very first meters. If the weather is a bit cool, you immediately feel a cold draft on your head. I even had to put a skullcap under the helmet on some rides with temperatures around 10°C to avoid this sensation, which can quickly become unpleasant when you have rather short hair. Thanks to the adjustable head basket and occipital retention system, I had no problem adapting the extra thickness of the fabric cap under the helmet.

It’s also worth noting that above the adjustment dial, there is a wide space to accommodate a ponytail if necessary. This is an important argument for a helmet that aims to be unisex.

I haven’t been able to ride in temperatures above 25°C with the Search, but I can confirm that it is still perfectly ventilated when the temperature rises, especially after some low-speed gravel climbs, meaning with little air normally circulating around the helmet. In these conditions, I tend to want to remove my glasses to prevent sweat from running into my eyes and onto the inside of the lenses, and it’s all the more practical here that the glasses are held excellently on the helmet. But while I sweated as usual on my forehead, this wasn’t really the case on the top of my head. The large openings at the front and back of the helmet seem to work really well to ensure that air circulates quickly and doesn’t stagnate under the helmet.

In terms of comfort, I had no complaints about the Search. Well-positioned on the head, it never required excessive or uncomfortable tightening, and I never felt any pressure points around my skull. The slight extra weight is imperceptible compared to a Prevail.

It’s only on the inside that the Search feels a little less high-end, due to a less advanced Mips system than on the S-Works models. I also imagine that it is not as aerodynamically efficient, and that it hasn’t benefited from the same work in this area as the brand’s most upscale models, but that’s not the main point. It is not intended to be a hyper-performance helmet.

The Search is a helmet designed primarily for comfort and versatility of use, which can be worn for long days and doesn’t feel like wearing a cap on your head. The fine and perfectly adjustable retention system and the eyewear storage are features that make a difference at this price point. In short, it’s a highly recommendable model for those who only want one helmet to do everything.

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