Uvex Hawk helmet

Whether navigating rough mountain bike trails or mild city streets, the Uvex Hawk helmet provides excellent protection for recreational riders. The helmet is made of Makrolon, a high-tech thermoplastic polycarbonate material that's often used in the lenses of goggles and sport glasses. The helmet also undergoes a unique "double inmolding" process, in which a protective foam is injected into a mold lined with the Makrolon outer shell. As a result, the foam is bonded to the outer shell, resulting in a much more stable helmet with larger ventilation openings (22 in all). Uvex then added a lower microshell to the mold to ensure optimum protection for the lower rear part of the helmet.

In addition, the Hawk features Uvex's exclusive Bee Stop mesh, a protective barrier in the large forward vents that keeps bugs from smacking into rider's scalps. The insect dilemma is common among mountain bikers and other cyclists who ride in wilder terrain. Plus, the Bee Stop mesh helps keep hair from sticking out of the ventilation vents--a must for riders with longer locks. Bikers will also dig the Hawk's monomatic closure, which overcomes the limitations of traditional click-lock chin straps. Old-style straps often loosen once riding and sweating, but the monomatic system features a ratcheted design--similar to the closure on a pair of bike shoes or in-line skates--that lets the rider fine-tune the fit on the fly. The strap itself is 16 mm wide and made of a non-fade, UV-resistant material that's easy on the skin. Combine the strap with Uvex's Individual Adapting System (IAS), which ensures a unique, three-dimensional, micro-adjustable fit, and Uvex has created a lightweight, comfortable helmet that's perfect for both long and short rides.