In its standard matte black finish, the Six Six One Evo AM Tres Helmet is a sweet piece. Throw in MIPS and an original, eye-grabbing paint job, and you get the Six Six One Evo AM Tres with MIPS Helmet, a next-generation trail helmet that looks as advanced as it is.

The MIPS feature adds a bit to the price of the standard Evo AM helmet, but we think it's money well spent. MIPS is essentially a semi-floating inner shell that allows the helmet to travel upon impact without taking the head along for the ride, dramatically reducing the impact forces to the brain in the event of a crash, without compromising the helmet's weight, comfort, or style. The Evo's modern-looking shell is built from Contego foam, which was chosen for its energy-absorbing properties. Specifically, it’s claimed to absorb as much as 30% more energy from an impact than the EPS foams used in almost every other certified bicycle helmet. While that may be the most important detail, more subtle refinements, such as the two-position adjustable visor and the user-friendly Boa retention system, mean that you don’t have to forgo modern features in the pursuit of protection. And it’s topped off with a Fidlock magnetic buckle that takes pretty much all the effort out of strapping on your lid, despite the fact that it’s completely secure.