Conclusion by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
Helmets are now a dime a dozen. Many promise excellent protection, perfect ventilation and maximum comfort. In practice, however, the deciding factor is often a much more mundane question: Does this thing sit rock-solid on my head – or does it wobble like a pudding on wheels? Because even the best helmet is no use if it doesn’t fit properly when it really matters.
The Alpina Rootage 2 MIPS clearly falls into the first category. In practical use, I was particularly impressed by its excellent fit. The 3D Fit System can be precisely adjusted to the shape of your head thanks to a headband with five-position height adjustment and a wide range of circumference adjustment. The side straps also fit snugly around the ears, temples and chin. Nothing flaps about, nothing presses, and nothing gets in the way whilst riding.
Added to this are a number of well-thought-out details: the two-stage adjustable visor can be slid completely out of your field of vision whilst riding, or lowered to a position where it reliably prevents you from being dazzled by the low-hanging sun. Alpina has fitted the front ventilation openings with Mosquito nets – a small detail, but one that offers huge added value in everyday life.
Weighing 359 grams in size M, the Rootage 2 MIPS is also one of the lighter trail helmets featuring MIPS. At around 150 euros, it is not cheap, but the price is competitive compared with many rival models featuring rotational protection.
My verdict after several months: The Rootage 2 MIPS fits brilliantly, can be adjusted with precision and doesn’t get on your nerves, even on long rides. That’s exactly how a good trail helmet should perform.
Key facts about the Alpina Rootage 2 MIPS
- Area of application: Trail, Enduro, MTB
- Weight: 359 g in size M, as measured by BIKE
- Protection system: MIPS
- Fit system: Alpina 3D Fit System
- Headband: adjustable to five different heights
- Visor: adjustable in two stages
- Closure: Lattice shutter
- Ventilation: several openings, front openings with mosquito nets
- Price: around 150 euros
3D-Fit: The name says it all
For me, the Rootage 2 MIPS’s greatest strength lies not in any spectacular feature, but in its Fit. The 3D Fit system works brilliantly in everyday life.
The headband can be adjusted to five different heights. In addition, there is a wide range of adjustment for the circumference itself. This means that the helmet can not only be made larger or smaller, but can actually be adapted to the individual shape of the head.
This is exactly what you notice whilst riding. The Rootage fits snugly without causing any uncomfortable pressure. The headband sits neatly around the skull. The strap dividers and the chin strap mould comfortably to the ears, chin and temples, and are easy to adjust. No fiddling about, no flapping whilst driving. For me, this is one of the areas where the Rootage scores highest in the test.
Grid shutter? It still works
I’ll admit it: I’ve become a big fan of Fidlock. The magnetic fastening can even be opened and closed with one hand whilst riding. With the Rootage 2 MIPS’s ratchet buckle, on the other hand, you need to aim a bit more carefully.
Even so, the system has won me over.
Depending on where you fasten the buckle, the fit under the chin can be precisely adjusted once more. To this end, Alpina has padded the chin strap to make it comfortably soft. The result: you hardly notice the buckle at all whilst riding. No Fidlock – but that’s no reason to complain.
MIPS: I hope I never need it
Of course, during my test I was neither able nor willing to find out just how well the MIPS system actually protects you in an emergency. A fall onto the head is the sort of experience one would rather do without when testing a helmet.
The principle behind MIPS is designed to reduce rotational movement between the helmet and the head in the event of an oblique impact. We have previously tested the system on professional test rigs. The results showed that MIPS can reduce the impact in relevant collision scenarios and can therefore actually lower the risk of certain head injuries, including concussion – so that’s a good thing!
A visor with two faces
The visor can be adjusted to two positions. In the upper position, it disappears completely from your field of vision. This is handy if you want an unobstructed view of the trail or if you’re wearing glasses under your helmet.
In the lower position, however, the visor deliberately protrudes slightly into the field of vision. It is precisely there that it fulfils its actual purpose: It keeps the low sun out of your eyes.
In practice, it works simply and reliably. There’s no unnecessarily complicated mechanism with several undefined locking positions that you first have to find whilst driving, but rather two clearly defined positions that serve their purpose.
At last, someone’s thinking about the flies
Alpina has hidden a small but, in my view, particularly clever feature in the front ventilation openings. There you’ll find Mosquito net.
Sounds unspectacular? It is. But anyone who’s ever driven through the woods in summer heat and had a wasp fly in through the air vent will appreciate this little detail. The mesh also keeps insects and coarse dirt out. A useful detail which, surprisingly, many manufacturers still seem to overlook.
359 grams – pleasantly light
With 359 grams in size M According to my measurements, the Rootage 2 MIPS falls on the lighter side of the weight spectrum for modern trail helmets featuring MIPS.
You really notice this when out on a ride. The helmet doesn’t pull on your head when the trail is giving you a proper shake. Combined with the great fit, this makes for a comfortably unobtrusive wearing experience.
Ventilation and everyday life
The ventilation works remarkably well during normal trail riding. The Rootage prevents heat build-up, whilst the mosquito nets stop the front openings from becoming a gateway for insects.
Even after several months of use, the hardware gives no cause for criticism. The adjustment mechanism continues to work smoothly, the headband sits securely, and the fastening shows no noticeable signs of wear.
The only real point of criticism in the test
Alpina deliberately extends the helmet shell slightly further down towards the temples, to provide additional protection there. It’s a logical design, but it does have one small snag: glasses with slightly taller frames clash with the low-slung shell. Depending on the model, this means the helmet presses against the frames, or the glasses simply don’t sit properly.
The Rootage 2 MIPS is therefore a bit fussy when it comes to choosing glasses. If you already have a favourite pair of glasses, you should definitely try them on together before buying.
Editorial commentary
The Rootage 2 MIPS doesn’t try to impress with a ridiculous array of features. Its strength lies in the combination of many small things that simply work in everyday life.
For me, the 3D Fit System is one of the helmet’s biggest selling points. The five-stage height adjustment, the well-designed size adjustment and the neatly positioned straps allow for a very precise fit. Added to this are a comfortable chin strap, a functional visor and the insect net – something hardly anyone would miss on paper, but which is worth its weight in gold out on the trail.
Alpina doesn’t put a foot wrong when it comes to weight either. At 359 grams in size M, this is a very competitive weight for a MIPS trail helmet.
Although the price of around 150 euros means the Rootage 2 MIPS isn’t exactly a bargain, it seems fair given its features and the comfort it offers.
That’s why the 3D Fit System remains my personal favourite. No matter how well-ventilated, lightweight or safe a helmet may be – if it doesn’t fit perfectly, it will eventually become a nuisance. The Rootage 2 MIPS gets this point spot on.
Plus
- A highly customisable fit
- The 3D-Fit system works brilliantly in everyday life
- Headband with five height settings
- Wide range of adjustment for head circumference
- Very comfortable to wear
- MIPS rotational protection
- At 359 g, it’s pleasantly light
- Two-position adjustable visor
- Mosquito screens in the front ventilation openings
- Reliable hardware, even after several months of use
Minus
- The fastening is a bit fiddly
- Only a few types of glasses fit under the visor
- Glasses with high frames clash with the low-cut shell over the temples
Max Fuchs
Editor