ABUS HIDROP FULL-FACE HELMET REVIEW

HI COMFORT, LOW PRICE

Words by Robert Johnston  |  Photos by Max Rhulen

A solid-value and highly protective full-face helmet could be considered an essential item for general downhill and bike park duties. ABUS continues to expand their range, with the recent addition of the Hidrop to the aggressive end of their full-face helmet collection. Could the Hidrop be the best helmet on the market at this price point? We were stoked to find out as we put together this review.

ABOUT THE ABUS HIDROP FULL FACE HELMET

The Hidrop is a mid-level Full-Face Helmet by ABUS, designed to protect against crashes during Enduro and Downhill mountain biking. An ABS outer shell is used to keep the price low but protection high. Inside, a combination of EPP and EPS is used to offer multi-velocity impact protection. This protection ensures it can be rated to all major downhill helmet testing standards.

On the top of the ABUS Hidrop is a fixed visor, which is designed to break away in a crash. Fixing the helmet is the classic double D-Ring closure system – the choice of most downhill helmets. The helmet liner and cheek pads are independent, letting the cheek pads be removed to increase ventilation on sustained climbs. All pads are removable for washing.

ABUS offers the Hidrop in four sizes – S-XL – fitting heads from 55 to 62cm. There’s a choice of four colors, which will run you $199 /£180.

THE DIRT

Placing the size Medium ABUS Hidrop on my 56cm head for the first time, I was met with an extremely comfortable fit. With a head on the large end of the size range for the medium, and no adjustability offered, it should come as no surprise that the fit was quite tight – especially for entry and exit. This led to a little discomfort on the cheeks after fitting and removing the helmet for every chairlift in the park. However, this is my preference for a non-adjustable helmet. It ensured that once my head was in, the fit was secure and offered reassuring feelings of safety.

Speaking of safety, I’m thankful to say that I didn’t have to test the protective capabilities of the Hidrop during testing. This thanks is of course because I don’t ever want to crash and hit my head, but also because this ABUS helmet is absent of any rotational impact protection systems due to its lower price point. I was surprised to learn that this was the case following multiple days of charging hard in the Hidrop. It’s a helmet that exudes high quality notions, and so I had wrongfully assumed that it’d be equipped with a Mips system or an equivalent. Though I have no anecdotal evidence to quantify the importance of such a system, I’d much rather have one in my helmet if given the option.

Aside from the absence of a rotational impact protection technology, the Hidrop was a helmet that I trusted to protect my head on some of the gnarliest riding I’ve done so far this year. When up to speed on a downhill, air moved through sufficiently well to keep things comfortable up to the maximum 20C / 68F temperatures that I faced. However, the Hidrop does run hot on climbs and traverses – the thick, cushy padding ensures your head is well insulated. For this reason, it wouldn’t be my enduro pick, but then you’ve got the excellent Abus Airdrop for that.

The Wolf’s Last Word

A good looking, comfortable downhill full face helmet at a reasonable price point. The ABUS Hidrop is a solid offering for downhill and bikepark riders on a budget.

Price: $199 /£180
Website: ABUS.com