Mavic Cosmic Ultimate LTD Edition Road Helmet Review

Mavic are traditionally a wheel manufacturer but over the last few years have branched out, producing a range of helmets, shoes and clothing.

Staying safe on your bike is all about being seen and being protected. The arrival of the bright yellow Cosmic Ultimate LTD Edition Road Helmet from Mavic therefore ticks both these boxes.

Lifting the helmet out of the box, my first thought was that there was no way I was going to be missed this lid! In a dazzling Mavic signature yellow and matte black colour scheme this was one eye-catching helmet.

The LTD Edition version only comes in this colourway but the identical non LTD Edition version comes in a range of colours, should yellow not be to your liking.

For me though the brighter the better and I was immediately taken with the sleek, streamlined design and dynamic Cosmic graphics. Other than the bold colour, the helmet has reflective detailing, a big positive for many who commute early morning, in low light or at night. This helmet looked fast, so it is no surprise that it is currently being worn by a number of professional cycling teams.

A brand with a rich history and keen to shout about it, Mavic has added subtle, high performance, SSC graphics and the iconic Mavic logo to the lid. I think this is just the right amount of detailing, not too in your face yet clearly showing this company’s race pedigree.

The attention to detail continues with neat Mavic logos on the helmet strap. Holding the helmet in my hands I could tell this was a premium, well made piece of kit.

Feeling solid yet also incredibly lightweight, my large version tipped the scales at 237 grams putting it comfortably in the same league as Giro’s Aeon, POC’s Octal and Specialized’s Prevail.

Next, to try the Cosmic Ultimate on for size. I opted for the large version as from prior experience I have found Mavic helmets to come up slightly on the small side. Loosening the Ergo Hold Retention System, three height positions are available to really tailor the fit. It felt snug, yet perfectly level and planted on my head.

The dial was easy to adjust and as I later found out on the road, could be operated one-handed whilst on the move. The helmet strap was simple yet effective; a large buckle and neat under ear clasps meant I had soon adjusted the strap to my desired tightness and was ready to hit the road.

Now to really put the helmet to the test.. As the temperature for my first ride was a not too tropical 12 degrees I opted to wear a cap under the helmet as I was wary of quite how much ventilation the 26 Clima Vents would allow for!

For an aero option Mavic have produced the CXR Ultimate. The Cosmic Ultimate’s vents felt like they channelled the air through and out of the grill-like rear of the helmet. I also took this helmet out to Majorca where temperatures were in the 20’s and I found the vents performed perfectly, keeping me cool and comfortable even after over 9 hours in the saddle on the Mallorca 312 sportive.

The only gripe I had was they didn’t accommodate my Oakley Radar sunglasses too well. Maybe a slight oversight on Mavic’s part but definitely not a deal-breaker for me.

Comfort is added to the inside of the helmet via Cosmic Fit Pads. This progressive padding with X-static technology felt soft against the skin and helped to eliminate any pressure points. Importantly when the hammer went down and the temperature rose it helped to rapidly wicked away sweat. From a practical point of view the padding is washable and felt durable.

Conclusion

Over a month now of using the Cosmic Ultimate LTD Edition Road Helmet and it has become my ‘go to’ choice. The styling, although not to everyone’s taste, is bold, a little different and definitely highly visible. The fit and overall coverage is spot on. The ventilation is second to none and the performance features make it a serious contender for race days or sportives.