WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE URGE TREPS HELMET
Urge Bike Products designed the Treps as the pinnacle open-face trail helmet in their range. This €159 (Appx £140 / $185) trail mountain bike helmet is made from over 90% recycled materials, highlighting Urge’s commitment to sustainability.
The main protective material utilized is EPS foam, however bolstering protection for low speed and rotational impacts is Urge’s Energy Reduction Technology (ERT). This system implements soft, flexible blue polymer pads inside the helmet shell to take the sting out of lower amplitude impacts without impacting the protection against larger hits.
Rather than focusing on a large number of vents or a particularly large frontal area, Urge instead opted to develop the channeling within the helmet to provide their ventilation. Premium features within include a Fidlock magnetic buckle, and two-position adjustable visor with Pop-off system to prevent snagging in a crash. The padding is bio-sourced, using bamboo fibers to manage temperature and moisture in an eco-friendly way.
Urge offers the Treps in two sizes: S/M for 54-58cm heads, and L/XL for 58-61cm. They weigh in at 380g and 440g respectively, and are available in a choice of five colors. There’s a two-year warranty provided and 50% off crash replacement program.
THE DIRT
Having seen Urge helmets on the head of legend Fabien Barel for many years, I always wondered how they would perform. When they approached with the offer of a helmet to test, I gladly accepted, and got to work hitting the trail in the Treps to assess its performance.
From the first time I slipped the Urge Treps on my head, I was provided an extremely comfortable fit and feeling. Combining the bamboo-lined padding that is on the thicker side; the cush of the ERT system, and a slightly oval shape that fit my head well, it was a pleasure to wear. That was until I tried to fit the long-legged Melon Kingpin glasses, which fouled on the helmet behind my ears and became a nuisance on the descents. Other more hooked legs integrated neatly without issue. The glasses storage also proved to work best short-legged and hooked glasses, with long and straight-legged glasses not sitting as well.
Initial riding was performed in mild conditions, and I had very little to complain about. The fit was very secure, and the coverage on offer provided confidence as high as the best enduro open face helmets out there. Looks were divisive, but nobody was particularly against the aesthetics. Compared with some Urge products of the past that have been decidedly “out there”, the Treps is cleaner and less offensive.
Once temperatures climbed, I became slightly less enamored with the Urge Treps for two reasons: ventilation and sweat management. The ventilation performed adequately for mid to high speed or in lower temperatures, but in steep (and therefore slow) climbs on hotter days, I found it a little hotter than some inside. This led to some serious sweat production, which would be absorbed by the padding initially until the point of saturation, beyond which point it would release into my face.
Otherwise, the duration of testing provided no more challenges. The Treps continued to provide comfortable and secure protection, with the bamboo padding doing a solid job at resisting a smell buildup. I never put the protective capabilities to the test, but I never questioned the ability of the helmet to protect me. Of course with no third party tests validating the protection beyond the CE certification it’s hard to comment on the protection on offer, but the EPS and ERT system combo feels as if it would do the job well.
The Wolf’s Last Word
It runs a little hot, but otherwise the Urge Treps is a very comfortable trail mountain bike helmet that offers a high level of coverage and secure fit at a more reasonable price point than many other premium offerings. 
Price: €159 (Appx £140 / $185)
Website: Urgebike.com
SHARE THIS REVIEW
ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
SUPPORT AND JOIN THE LOAM WOLF PACK
Did you find this review helpful? Would you like the chance to review (and keep) products? Are you interested in saving big bucks by getting exclusive Members Only discounts from industry brands all while helping support a small, rider-owned media crew? We have big plans for our members beyond big discounts and product giveaways! To learn more and help support small, independent media, visit our Member’s Page.