Test: The very name of the new enduro all-rounder from uvex suggests the adaptable character of the helmet: With a wink, reference is made to the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which should be familiar to most and in which the tame Dr. Jekyll repeatedly transformed into the angry Mr. Hyde. So how much Hyde and how much Jekyll is in the uvex jakkyl hde?
The helmet joins the still relatively young genre of enduro helmets with removable chin guards. The first such helmets appeared on the market three or four years ago and since then more and more manufacturers have been bringing their own interpretation onto the market. The idea is simple and understandable for every mountain biker with an affinity for gravity: while you can enjoy the fresh breeze of the half shell on uphills and on moderate trails, after installing the chin guard you get a full-fledged full-face helmet with which you can go downhill embarks Bargain hunters should also prick up their ears, after all, at first glance you also save yourself the purchase of a second helmet.
As interesting as the concept sounds, the demands on the helmet and thus also on the manufacturer are complex.
Safety
Of course, none of us wears a helmet because it looks great or because it otherwise gets uncomfortably airy on the head. We all want to protect ourselves from head or face injuries in the event of a fall. Especially when used as a full-face helmet, you have to ask yourself the legitimate question of whether such a hybrid helmet as the uvex jakkyl hde can replace a full-fledged counterpart. With a weight of almost 700g with the chin bar installed, it is lighter than most full-face helmets - but this does not necessarily have to have a negative impact on safety and it did not during our test.
Installation of the chin guard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu4uEMNchwE
Such a versatile helmet gambles away many of its advantages if installing the chin guard takes too much time or even requires tools. Neither is the case with the uvex jakkyl hde: the chin guard is attached to the side of the helmet with two metal straps and locked in place using two rotary knobs. The latter are a bit stiff at the beginning, but this improves over time. With a little practice, we were able to mount the bracket in a few seconds without removing the helmet.
uvex jakkyl hde: Development with Michal Prokop
uvex developed the helmet in close cooperation with fourcross and enduro professional Michal Prokop - you can feel the expertise in many small details that you learn to appreciate in everyday life. The uvex helmet harmonises perfectly with wearing goggles, the strap can be easily attached at the back and when the visor is folded up, the goggles fit perfectly on the helmet without slipping.
A system with a Boa closure in the neck ensures a secure fit without unpleasant pressure marks. In my case, it worked perfectly, but as is always the case with helmets, it is advisable to try them on before you buy them. This applies all the more to the uvex, as you can cover a large range with just two sizes (52-57 / 56-61).
uvex jakkyl hde: practical impressions
The helmet had to prove itself for a whole season, many meters of altitude and even more depth. It was my MTB all-rounder and I used it without the chin guard for all moderate rides and with the chin guard for a few days in the park. For me it was the first time that I rode an enduro helmet with a removable chin guard over a longer period of time and I don't want to do without the comfort anymore. Flexibility was worth its weight in gold, especially in popular bike regions in the Alps or in Finale Ligure. During the long and strenuous climbs, the light fiberglass chin guard stayed in or on the backpack, and at the start of the trail I had a full-face helmet in just a few steps – great. As already mentioned, the assembly itself works very well with a little practice.
Unfortunately – or actually fortunately – I was spared any serious falls this season. Nevertheless, I involuntarily dismounted a few times and the helmet reliably protected me. The chin guard also easily coped with a rather rough rock contact with a particularly unfriendly rock edge high up on the Reschenpass.
In the bike park, the helmet had to serve as a replacement for my usual full face and also cut a pretty good figure there. Especially the low weight is really pleasant. The ventilation, especially in the area of the chin guard, is great - especially if you are used to the sweat boxes of some full-face helmets. I was a little less convinced by the chin strap, which sits unusually far back when the chin guard is installed and tends to get caught in the ears when the helmet is put on and taken off.
In most cases, however, I used the uvex jakkyl hde as a trail helmet without a chin guard. Compared to "normal" enduro helmets, it is noticeable that it is a bit thicker and doesn't look quite as elegant on the head. The ventilation is still okay on hot summer days, although you start to sweat quite quickly. However, the dark surface of our test model certainly played its part. Speaking of the surface: It is matte and feels quite high-quality when touched, but is unfortunately very prone to scratches. After just a few weeks and without a fall, our helmet looked quite battered - transport in the car and branches on the trail had left their mark.
