ABOUT THE MAVIC DEEMAX PRO MIPS
SAFETY | The Deemax Pro features the Mips Evolve Core system. This is a thin plastic layer between the shell and padding that rotates on impact to help reduce force. At the front of the liner, there is a piece of XRD foam which provides additional vibration absorption beneath the main padding. Keeping this lid on your head is a Fidlock buckle, making for easy one-handed fastening.
FEATURES | This helmet has a total of 21 vents both bringing in fresh air and expelling heat out the back. The front vents are given a mesh screen, helping to keep bugs out without disrupting air ingress. There is a 3-position visor that is longer than most other half-shell visors. This 3-position visor allows for both glasses and goggles storage. Should you want to store your glasses out back there is a dedicated spot with a rubber slot to help keep them in place on rough descents or climbs. Coolmax pads are fitted to help with heat management and sweat wicking and can be removed for easy washing.
FIT | The helmet is offered in sizes Small, Medium, and Large. Each size has Mavic’s Ergo Hold SL+ adjustment system. This system features a BOA-like dial wheel to adjust tightness, and a 3-position height adjustment for the entire rear section of the helmet. The helmet straps transition from a flat to rounded shape with the portion that sits around your ears being in a fixed position.
SPECS & INFO | The Deemax Pro weighs in at 400g for a size medium. There are three colors to choose from, all black with a yellow graphic, tan with a black graphic, and our model that is half yellow and half black with a black Deemax graphic. A 3-year warranty backs each helmet, and if the helmet has been registered and you damage it in a crash, Mavic offers a crash replacement at a 40% discount which is pretty cool. At $220, this is certainly a premium lid, but packs the features to go some way to justifying it.
THE DIRT
FIT | Overall, the size medium struck a nice balance of fit for my head shape. I have a more oval than round skull, and the Deemax Pro helmet produced a bit of a hot spot on my forehead on long rides over the 2.5hr mark. Loosening the adjustment dial did help with this. The front pad on this helmet is quite thin when compared to the Fox Speedframe or Smith Forefront. Those with a round head shape should expect no hot spot issues.
I enjoyed having the 3 position height adjustment to the fit system. I landed on the middle setting, giving the ratchet system plenty of hold to eliminate helmet bounce. I liked the fixed ear loops, and never had any tangles or the feeling of them being uneven. The mix of flat and rounded webbing was comfortable and proved to be issue-free.
FEATURES | The 3-way adjustable visor for me lived in the lowest position at all times. While I did ride the helmet with goggles, I opted to store them around my neck on climbs. The visor is a bit more noticeable when riding than other helmets, but was not obstructive to my vision. The rear glasses storage zone was great, even when snagging on tree limbs during a climb they did not pop out, something that can’t be said about other helmets in this category. The rubber retention pieces do make it a bit more tricky to place glasses in, but the trade-off is much worth the learning curve.
RIDING | When smashing down the trail, the Deemax Pro helmet did not move around on my head. It stayed secure, even when the adjustment ratchet was not fully cinched down. The biggest thing I noticed about the Deemax Pro was how well it dissipated heat. The 6 front-facing vents above the brow did a great job at letting air in, paired with 3 side vents and 4 out back allowing the heat build-up to be flushed out. This would not be my winter half-shell pick as a result, since it does such a good job with cooling. But with summer fast approaching, it will be a lid I continue to grab on hot days.
FINISH AND VALUE | The overall quality of the Deemax Pro is top-notch, as to be expected with a $220 price point. The helmet’s gloss yellow and satin black finish looks great and has fared well against the abuse. I set my helmets on the ground a fair amount when we are out filming, so this is easily noticeable right away. While some may feel $220 is too much to spend, I do not entirely disagree. But, if there is one area not to pinch pennies on it is a helmet. Add in the 40% discount should you take a digger and need a new lid, and I think for something of this quality it is acceptable.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
For me, my baseline for helmet comparisons is the Smith Forefront 2, a helmet I have purchased with my own money. The Forefront has a bit more of an oval shape which works well for me. When it comes to weight they are separated by just 25 grams, with the Deemax Pro being heavier. But I would say that 25 grams is indistinguishable on the trail, and I would have thought the Forefront 2 is heavier. Both helmets have rear storage for glasses, but the rubber on the Deemax Pro is far superior to that on the Forefront 2. Lastly, heat. The Deemax is a clear winner here. My biggest gripe about the Forefront 2 is how hot it runs during the summer, this is not even a close comparison in my eyes.
The Wolf’s Last Word
The Deemax Pro is a quality helmet that you can run all summer long. With the 3-way height adjustable ratchet system finding a perfect fit for your head is quite easy. If you have an extra oval head shape (you know who you are) take time to test fit to make sure it works for you. 
Price: $220 – £170 – €201
Website: Mavic.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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