Alpina Valparola RC helmet

The Alpina Valparola RC is the German brand's top-end road racing helmet, aimed at 'ambitious cyclists' and a wide variety of riding, from 'gentle Sunday rides' to 'high-level competition'. I'd say for recreational riding it's a good option, if pricey, but for faster speeds and racing there are better lids for the money.

Fit-wise, the medium was spot on for my head and felt very comfortable, though it had a bit of a 'mushroom' look, sitting quite far out from the sides of my head (it's not me in the photos). The adjustment system and strap aren't as sophisticated as other helmets in this price range, either.

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It comes in small (51-56cm), medium (55-59cm) and large (58-63cm), and with a little crossover of each size, finding one that fits you well shouldn't be an issue. I have a slightly wide head, and would say the Valparola has more of a round shape than my Lazer Helium.

It's well proportioned and I was able to move the retention system down to cradle the back of my head nicely. The movement isn't as extensive as others, and there are set positions that make it awkward to reposition, though it does mean that once you get your fit sorted, it'll remain there.

The dial provides positive clicks and I've had no issues with de-tensioning. It also has small rubber sections, which makes use with big gloves very easy.

The plastic cradle is moulded within the shell, making the finish look very neat. In fact, the Valparola is well finished internally. There's nothing special inside, but the padding is comfortable and soft.

The straps are a bit basic for a helmet of this price, and because of their thickness they quickly become saturated from sweat. I'd prefer a thinner material or a mesh construction for hotter weather.

It's not helped by the integrated fly net, which sits against the forehead, creating quite a bit of sweat. To be honest, this was one feature that left me scratching my head – not from any insect bites, it's not that it doesn't work! – it's more that I'm not convinced it's something an 'ambitious cyclist' would necessarily want. Even during gentle rides I was wishing for more airflow at the front.

According to Alpina, the Valparola RC has a 'ceramic shell', which appears to be a traditional plastic shell – all Alpina's 'helmet technology' page says is: 'Ceramic is the name for the outer shell of all Alpina helmets featuring Inmould manufacturing technology.' (It's plastic; I asked.) It certainly wipes clean very easily, a must with all that white. (Other colours are available.)

It also features Alpina's 'Edge Protect' system – essentially, the shell extends over the edges of the softer polystyrene inner, protecting the helmet from chips and scratches.

Alpina also claims that the Valparola is "a masterpiece of aerodynamics", although there's no data to support this.

> Buyer's Guide: The best performance cycling helmets

The helmet comes in at 252g, which is slightly heavier than I'd expect. Compare this to the likes of Kask's Mojito at 220g or eKoi's Corsa Light at 216g and it's not great – especially when both of these helmets can be found slightly cheaper online.

Alpina markets the Valparola RC to a wide variety of cyclists and riding situations. I'd suggest it's a comfortable helmet that will suit leisure riding, but for £100 there are better options out there for faster riders. As it is, I think the Valparola RC is overpriced when compared with lighter and more refined helmets such as the Mojito and Corsa Light. It's a good fit, which counts for a lot, but needs a few improvements here and there and a slightly lower price to warrant a higher score.

Verdict

Fits well, but airflow, weight and strap could be improved, and the price is too high