Rudy Project Skudo cycling helmet

Rudy Project Skudo Cycling Helmet

Cradling you in comfort

The price of cycling gear is high these days – yes, let’s admit the obvious. Thankfully though, you can still get safety, comfort, style and performance for a great price – with the Rudy Project Skudo cycling helmet, for road and gravel. Yes, it is quite simply a cycling helmet that when asked about it, the team here who’ve been sharing use during the review period, described it as being ‘bloody fantastic!’ Well, they used even more powerful phrases – but we won’t print those! 😉

Okay then; so, what were the key points that the team liked about the Skudo, and which made it, in their eyes, one of the best cycling helmets that you can buy for the money. First of all, the shape and adjustability of the helmet cradle got a big thumbs up. Due to the adjustable retention system, the helmet can be made to fit a variety of head shapes, providing a super comfortable helmet all ride long. Often, helmet cradle shapes can be too round or too oval.

However, the cradle on the Rudy Project Skudo seems to fit neatly in the middle and has ample adjustability. It uses their latest fully adjustable miniaturized RSR11 S retention system, coupled with the new proprietary 3D AirFrame Band for improved ventilation and comfort. This cradle wraps comfortably around the rear of the head, and is super stable. It’s not fiddly to adjust and feels like it will last a long time. It’s a simple twist dial and opens and closes the attached adjustable retention system, wrapping the padded cradle around your head shape.

Don’t let a helmet bug you

The Bug Stop netting inside the front of the helmet is spot on – just ask Ben, who’s had too many wasp incursions on rides; and who loves the Skudo for its ability to stop the critters in their flight path, as they head – pardon the pun – towards those moments of rider chaos, dancing around inside the helmet cradle. The numerous and well-placed air vents allow the wind to be drawn in and across the head, as the air leaves you via the four large vents to the rear, helping to keep your head cool. And, for when you’re working super hard, the padding on the cradle helps to capture the moisture, and is removal for washing when required.
High-quality & high on style

In-Mold Technology for a perfect finish

Looking at some cycle helmet brands that are supposed to be high-end, the styling and finishing often let them down. However, Rudy Project have been ensuring excellence and innovation for generations. Their Skudo helmet, albeit mid-range – carries the Rudy Project badge of high-end finishing and styling. The molding between the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and Polycarbonate is refined and smooth, using the Rudy Project In-Mold technology, which allows them to cast the external polycarbonate outer shell directly during the injection stage of the expandable polystyrene (EPS) impact-absorbing foam. The result is a much more rigid structure which is knock-resistant and extremely light, allowing for better ventilation system. Looking closely at the helmet, the quality of the outer Polycarbonate is a match for any helmet at this price point. In terms of weight, the whole package comes in at a mere 270 gramme too. It’s not a bulky helmet at all. It simply sits quite neatly and looks really stylish. The design is functional, modern and simple.

There’s no MiPS liner on the helmet, as Rudy Project employ their own Rotational Impact Testing tech and precision engineering in their cycling helmet ranges. Yes, they’re tested to the highest industry standards, and whilst it’s not an area that we tested here, we’d happily trust Rudy Project should the need arise.

Strap in and enjoy the ride

The helmet strapping can often be an issue with some helmets. Strapping can be flimsy and not easily adjusted, and can frequently catch on the ears. Thankfully, the Rudy Project Skudo strapping is well-made and of the high-quality that we’ve come to expect from this world tour level brand. The trickle-down tech from their global experience is evident. The helmet sits nicely across the forehead and doesn’t interfere with sunglasses, allowing that room necessary to get the air flowing across the lenses. Better still, the Rudy Project Tralyx sunglasses fit nicely onto the helmet when you stop for refreshments! Yes, that’s an important style issue 🙂 .

You’ve probably gathered that we really liked testing this road cycling helmet – we did. And, whilst the Rudy Project Skudo isn’t as light, nor as technically advanced at their Rebel, road cycling helmet or as stylish as the Rudy Project Egos used by the world tour riders, it does have some of the trickle-down tech, and sits neatly in the mid-range road cycling helmet choices, being in our minds, one of the best road cycling helmets that you will see at this price-point. It’s light, comfortable, well-designed and well-made, and will look after you for many rides to come.

Cycling Helmets come in shapes and sizes, and Rudy Project excel in producing helmets across all genres of cycling. Click the link here and take a look at their latest cycle helmet ranges for road, gravel, tri and mountain bike.

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