Posted on March 14, 2022 by Jessie-May Morgan

The Bell 4Forty Air MIPS overhauls the original, reasonably-priced 4Forty Trail Helmet with a new shell, MIPS liner and some premium features usually reserved for more expensive helmets. True to its name, the new shell opens up fourteen larger vents for improved air flow.

The Bell 4Forty Air MIPS is a lightweight open-face mountain bike helmet aimed squarely at trail riders. Like the 4Forty that came before it, the new Air MIPS edition maintains the three-position peak, with the larger ventilation ports underneath able to accommodate sunglasses. In addition to improved air flow, the helmet also boasts improved compatibility with goggles, now with a more pronounced ridge at the rear which should serve to hold a goggle strap more securely.

The new Bell 4Forty Air looks to offer reasonable coverage down the occipital region of the head, with no obvious improvement over the previous 4Forty. There isn’t much exposed EPS to be seen on this helmet with the fusion in-mold polycarbonate shell wrapping around the lower parts of the shell keeping it looking trim.

Another premium feature of note is the Fidlock buckle, a magnetic buckle that can be easily closed and opened with one hand. That finishes off Bell’s Float Fit system with adjustable cam dividers helping to tailor the fit of the chin strap around the ears. The retention system’s width and vertical position can be adjusted for a secure fit. A proprietary Sweat Guide system is said to help direct sweat beading around the forehead region out to the sides, away from the rider’s eyes. 

The new Bell 4Forty Air MIPS helmet is available now in sizes S-XL, covering head circumferences of 52cm to 65cm. This one retails at £139.99 and is available in a multitude of colorways, the exact availability of which differs by region. Contact your local Bell Helmets dealer to find out more.

Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all the technology that comes along with it for 3 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley, and prior to that, a Biological Research Scientist at the University of Edinburgh. Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can regularly be seen riding the Tweed Valley’s Enduro and Downhill Tracks, often with a race plate tied to the handlebar.

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I have the older model and its a good helmet aside from the sweat guide system which in my experience guides sweat right down the center of your face.

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