Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Bell Super 3R vs Giro Switchbade. First a bit about how I ride. I have to climb everything I go down, so trail riding, but I still hit the downhills as hard as I dare, and really need a FF for those times. I have a Sixsixone FF which is fine if I'm just going downhill the whole time, but as with most trail riding you also hit trails that go back up a ways then down again. The FF really doesn't work well for this, so I've been looking for a hybrid which I can adjust easier than taking the FF on and off constantly. I first bought the new Giro Switchblade without trying it first, as no one had it available locally. It looked great at first glance, but after trying it on I realized there were several things which weren't going to work for me and how I ride. The build and protection are excellent on the Switchblade, arguably better than even my Sixsixone, it is officially downhill rated after all. The locking mech is great as well. It also had good and very thick padding inside. However, this is where the bad came in, the MIPS dial sticks down a ways and when you bend your head back in aggressive riding stance the dial would dig into my back bone. Besides the discomfort it also seemed dangerous if you crashed head first... the dial would drive right through your backbone! I also found the Switchbade to be very hot, after just a few minutes of wearing it around the house only I was already breaking a sweat. The cheek pads were way too tight, even the thinner supplied ones. I think this helmet was probably as hot as my FF Sixsixone in fact. The MIPS also didn't fit my head well, I found there were pressure spots and loose spots insde. Lastly, I didn't like having my ear covered up as I use sound a lot for my balance. I returned the Switchbade right away as there was no way I could live with those issues. Next I took the only other hybrid choice and picked up the Bell 3R. After my Switchbade experience I was doubtful, but ended up pleasantly surprised! First off the 3R is noticeably lighter duty than the Switchbade. The 3R is not downhill rated, and it shows. The chin guard doesn't secure quite as solid as the Switchbade, and the chin guard is a lot more flexible and light duty. The padding in the 3R is also a lot thinner. On the good side, the 3R fits my head much better. The top of my ears rub a little on the helmet, but it's not too bad. The helmet seems a bit wide, and the straps come down from the outside of the helmet, allowing it to wobble a little side to side, but not bad enough I can't live with it. The MIPS dial does not dig into my spine at any angle which is what is most important for me. Being lighter the 3R also doesn't heat up nearly as bad as the Switchblade, it's actually amazingly cool. I was very surprised on the trail just how cool (temp) this helmet is, even with the chin guard on. It also felt a lot lighter on my head, which made me less distracted by it so I could concentrate on riding. I do think the 3R chin guard is a bit more difficult to install than the Grio, but after a few tries I've already gotten a lot better at it. Thumbs up on the 3R! it's not totally perfect, but close enough for me. I hope this is helpful for anyone looking at both of these. **Update** I had my first BIG crash with this helmet yesterday! These things are never something we're prepared for, it just happens. I am SOOOO glad I was wearing this helmet, and particularly in FF mode!! Had I not been I would definitely been in the hospital right now and missing some teeth/facial flesh! Long story short, I took a jump and then mistimed a second one shortly afterward, stuffing my front wheel in a 3ft hole at medium speed. I was tossed about 6ft into a rocky creek head first. I hit my face/head so hard that my eyes would not focus or stay straight for about 5minutes and my ears were ringing loudly. My riding glasses lenses broke out of the frame! When I got up and got my sight back I could not believe that there was no damage to my face/head. Today I have a good solid headache and messed up back/shoulder, but my head and face are untouched. This helmet saved my ass! That said, I had the small chin guards in.. or the inner pads removed, depending on how you look at it. While this was a lot more comfortable, it did allow my face to press more to the front of the helmet on impact and -just- slightly made cheek contact on the ground. I see the value in having those beefy cheek pads now...