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Bontrager WaveCel Review: Testing World’s ‘Safest’ Bike Helmet

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Massive claims of safety that exponentially outperform other helmets have raised controversy in the bike industry. We tested Bontrager’s WaveCel helmet through city commutes and mountain trail rides to see how it looks, feels, and performs.

With their translucent-green, wavy honeycomb shell, the new line of WaveCel helmets by Bontrager immediately stands out as something different. And the helmets also come with very bold safety claims — so much so that industry safety leader MIPS publicly took issue.

Bontrager Unveils Safer Bike Helmet: 48x More Effective Concussion Prevention

Flex. Crumple. Glide. Trek and Bontrager tout WaveCel helmet technology as the new standard in preventing concussions. Read more…

At the core of the controversy (and each WaveCel helmet) is a curving network of slime-green pleats. According to Trek, Bontrager’s parent company, these “waves” undergo a brain-saving transformation during impact. By successively flexing, crumpling, and gliding, WaveCel proves 48 times more effective at preventing concussions than standard EPS foam-only helmets, according to the brand.

But while noggin protection is a helmet’s primary function, riders also need something comfortable and, ideally, cool-looking (in as much as any bike helmet is cool-looking). So we took out two WaveCel helmets, the commuter-focused Charge and mountain bike-friendly Blaze , to see how they fit, feel, and look. We’ll peek at the safety claims and why some in the industry took exception, too.

In short:  Bontrager’s WaveCel helmets provide serious peace of mind. The brand’s bold claims, backed up by a perfect safety rating from Virginia Tech experts, add a measure of confidence when riding in traffic or over some gnarly trail. And while the WaveCel honeycomb provides noticeably improved venting — it’s actually breathable — it also results in a more dome-like helmet that docks some style points.

Bontrager WaveCel Helmet Controversy

While Bontrager makes some hefty claims, another helmet safety brand has raised concerns about the Trek-owned company’s testing. MIPS, a brand that builds a shear-reducing insert for bike, snow, and motor helmets, released a statement that it was unable to replicate Bontrager’s claims in its own testing.

“MIPS subjected the new WaveCel helmet technology to their battery of tests, with results far below WaveCel’s substantial claims of injury prevention,” the report began.

Outside Magazine’s Joe Lindsey did a solid report about the controversy and the science behind it if you’d like to learn more . We’re not going to jump into safety testing in this article but will nod to the fact that  Virginia Tech’s helmet review institution awarded the entire WaveCel line a perfect five-star safety rating.

Bontrager Charge Commuter Bike Helmet Review

The first run of WaveCel helmets comprises four models: two for road, one for mountain biking, and one for commuting. I’ve been wearing the Charge commuter option pretty much daily for the last month.

My morning/evening commute takes me right through the heart of downtown Denver and along a paved bike path. About 4 miles long, it’s a pretty representative sampling of the distance and terrain of daily commutes.

I’ve also taken it on a few longer rides — more than 10 miles — to try out how the Charge feels for an hour in the saddle or more.

Style (Or Lack Thereof)

First, the downside: This helmet looks dome-y. Particularly in the front, over the brow, this helmet protrudes over the head noticeably more than other modern helmets. Its styling and colors are sharp, but the outer size leaves a little to be desired.

That said, I’d wear a beer cooler on my head if it provided unrivaled protection against concussions.

But while it looks bulky, the Bontrager Charge WaveCel feels surprisingly light. The brand claims the WaveCel liner adds about 53 g (just under 2 ounces) to its helmets, and I hardly noticed it.

Ventilation & Fit

What’s more, the helmet definitely feels more breathable than my EPS helmets. Despite the Charge’s understated vent ports, I never sweat heavily wearing it. Even on 75-degree days in relentless Colorado sun, I never wet out the helmet’s soft liner pads. For ventilation, WaveCel definitely delivers.

The helmet fit was also great and had zero play. And the Boa closure system was light and easily accessible. As for nighttime visibility, the Charge has about a 2-inch-wide reflective patch on the back of the helmet.

BlendR Mount

Bontrager also added a magnetic slot for its BlendR light mount on the rear of the helmet. This is a nifty, modular system Bontrager developed that allows users to swap a variety of peripherals (computer, lights, action camera) on a magnetic base with interchangeable mounts.

However, the Charge comes with a BlendR light mount that only works with Bontrager’s BlendR-compatible lights — which I don’t have. So I took it off (simply pulled it off the magnetic slot), and wouldn’t ya know it? I lost it.

For me, this accessory isn’t worth whatever it adds to the cost of the helmet because I don’t have Bontrager lights and the thing is easy to misplace. But for those who do have Bontrager accessories, I imagine this is a solid selling point.

At $150, the WaveCel Charge is certainly not the cheapest commuter helmet on the market. You could nab a basic Bontrager helmet for as little as $25. But anyone who’s serious about cycling knows that $150 is not exorbitant in the bike world.

And for the peace of mind the latest in concussion-prevention technology brings, it seems like a fair price to me. What’s more, Bontrager makes a one-year guarantee on all WaveCel helmets. If you crash in the first year, the brand will send you a new one at no charge. So basically, you get two helmets for the price of one. That’s important because these helmets are one and done — if you crash, the WaveCel tech will absorb a lot of the impact, but will also be irreparable. Of course, you should replace any helmet after serious impacts.

Overall, I find the Charge a solid buy. The guarantee is stellar, it’s very comfortable and breathable, and WaveCel adds a fair amount of riding confidence. All that more than makes up for a helmet that lacks in the fashion department.

Bontrager Blaze Mountain Bike Helmet Review

I’ve used the Blaze on both trail rides around Denver and a few commutes to the office just to get more familiar with it. Rides range around 10 miles on hilly foothills. Given that it’s been mostly cool and dry during my rides so far this spring, I don’t have much experience at hotter temps just yet. I’ll update as time goes on.

Blaze Style (Or Lack Thereof)

The Blaze also looks, well, unique. The test model the brand sent us is seafoam green, which is a very trendy, emotion-triggering color for some. It also clashes with a lot of other colors, so I’d probably choose a different one given the option.

And like the Charge, it’s very bulky. There’s just a lot of helmet here. But if you’re like me and not too worried about what other people think, added safety is worth a couple dings on the style meter.

The Blaze fits incredibly well. It’s the first helmet I could literally tighten around my head, turn upside down, and not shake it off — even without fastening it. And even hugging my head tight enough to stay on without a strap, it still feels comfortable.

The helmet also ventilates at least as well as others I’ve worn in the last few years. Again, it’s been cool on most of my rides so far this year. But I foresee a well-ventilated head when riding in hotter weather this summer.

Magnetic Action Camera Mount

This is a slick feature. A small magnetic mount holds an action camera at the top of the helmet. The beauty of the mount is that it’s instant-on, instant-off. So for those who want to grab some footy on the descent but don’t want to have a big camera on their head all day during the climbs and slower portions of a ride, just clip it on or off and stow it in a bag.

The mount seems secure. But whacking a stick would almost surely knock it loose, so watch your clearance riding through forests.

Blaze Overall Conclusions

The Blaze is much more expensive than the Charge commuter helmet at $300. And that significant price tag puts it head-to-head with some really excellent helmets.

So this is one I’d put in the “consider” category. A few plusses are that, if you damage the helmet in a fall within one year of purchase, Bontrager will replace it for free. That could be a good deal if you ride hard and crash often.

So if you like the style, or can simply get past the slightly bubble-headed look it brings, this is an excellent helmet that excels when comfort and ventilation are paramount.

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Winning Bike - Frida Ronning's Trek Session 4

Taking the w at the tennessee national..

Frida Ronning, Elite rider for the Union, earned a downhill victory at the 2024 Tennessee National at Windrock Bike Park aboard her Trek Session. The Union has moved from Santa Cruz frames and Ohlins suspension to Trek Session DH bikes equipped with  SRAM components and RockShox squishers this year. They're rolling on ENVE wheels, which is also new for them, and continue to rock Maxxis tires and Deity cockpits. The changes to the builds have proven positive as just a week earlier, Frida's teammates, Lachie Stevens-Mcnab and Ellie Hulsebosch, both won downhill races at Crankworx Rotorua in New Zealand. Enjoy some insight into the weekend and pics from Tennessee, thanks to Jack Rice.

View replies to: Winning Bike - Frida Ronning's Trek Session

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• Bontrager Blaze WaveCel Mountain Bike Helmet

Blaze WaveCel Product Overview

When you're riding serious trails, you need serious protection. Bontrager Blaze WaveCel offers the best in performance and protection on any trail, from flowy singletrack to gnarly downhills. It’s built for style, comfort, and performance, and equipped with the industry's best safety tech for whatever trails you roam.

"Changing future helmet design entirely."

"The helmet also offers comfort aspects and greater ventilation than standard EPS helmets."

"The Best Mountain Bike Helmets of 2020"

"The Blaze is a top performer for safety and comfort"

"Good news, bike riders"

"There's a new helmet on the market that's not only sleek and lightweight but proven to help protect you from getting a concussion far better than the standard foam helmets."

"New and indeed revolutionary"

"It's not the blunt impacts we should fear, it’s the oblique, angular impacts at high speed that cause so many concussion as well as life altering TBI."

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Get all your favorite apparel from over 80 of the world's best cycling brands delivered right to your doorstep or local Trek retailer when you shop our curated online collection. If you're not 100% satisfied, you can return your purchase within 30 days for a full refund.

Planet Earth is our home and our responsibility —we must do our part to preserve it. Learn how you can join the #GoByBike movement and help make a difference in the future of our planet and all who call it home.

How to ride safer

Want to do more than wear a helmet? Check out this guide to riding safer.

How to clean your bike helmet

To ensure your bike helmet looks and performs its best, it's important to properly clean and care for it. Check out our simple guide to learn how to maintain your bike helmet. It's easy to do and takes little time!

Product features

Blaze wavecel mountain bike helmet has been shown in a recent study to be 5x more effective than traditional foam helmets in protecting your head from injuries caused by certain cycling accidents.*.

*Based on reduction in rotational acceleration at impact. Probability of injury in an actual accident depends on numerous factors, including nature of impact and individual health.

What is WaveCel?

WaveCel is a revolutionary helmet technology designed to be more effective than traditional foam helmets in protecting against certain cycling-related accidents. Its collapsible cellular structure lines the inside of your helmet and is designed to work like a crumple zone to absorb the force of an impact before it reaches your head. Click below to learn more.

A TIME Magazine Invention of the Year

Our breakthrough WaveCel helmet technology was included in TIME Magazine's list of 100 Best Inventions for making the world better, smarter, and even a bit more fun. Watch the video to learn more about the science behind this revolutionary helmet technology. From TIME ©2020 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license

Virginia Tech validation

All WaveCel helmets received the highest rating from Virginia Tech's third-party testing facility. This unbiased assessment proved Bontrager's WaveCel helmets to be among the highest level of protection available to cyclists with a 5-STAR rating.

Blendr integration

Blendr is the ultimate integration system for clean and easy installation of Bontrager front lights and GoPro cameras. Start with a clean, stylish Blaze WaveCel helmet and simply add a Bontrager light or GoPro to the magnetic mount to quickly allow yourself to see and capture more on the trails and wherever your ride takes you.

Helmet buyers guide

Not sure which helmet is right for you? Check out our helmet buyer's guide to learn everything you need to know about bike helmets.

Crash Replacement Guarantee

With our Crash Replacement Guarantee, we will provide you with a free replacement helmet if it is involved in a crash within the first year of ownership. Simply contact us or your local retailer with the crashed helmet, original sales receipt, details of the incident, and a return address for your replacement.

30-Day Unconditional Guarantee

If for any reason you're not satisfied with a Bontrager or Trek aftermarket purchase, return the item, along with the original sales receipt to the original place of purchase within 30 days for an exchange or refund. Think of it as a 30-day test ride.

Helmet Fit and Sizing

For your helmet to do its job, it's important that it's sized properly and fits well. Reference our sizing guide at the link below to find your ideal size and see how Bontrager helmets are intended to fit.

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What Happened to the

Roubaix bike.

What Happened to the Roubaix Bike?

Why did a unique kind of race bike that evolved in response to a race notorious for destroying frames, cracking wheels, and crushing the ambitions of champions largely vanish?

P aris-Roubaix is an event steeped in cycling history , lore, and tradition, held annually in April, often on Easter Sunday, it's the second-oldest men's one-day race on the professional calendar, with the first edition running in 1896. (The women’s edition began 125 years later, in 2021.) The race presents a unique, almost mythical, challenge for the racers that contest it each spring. And it’s also a notoriously brutal test for cycling equipment.

Starting in Compiègne for the men and Denain for the women, with both races finishing on the velodrome in Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix’s challenge—and the biggest draw for cycling fans—is the cobblestone roads of northern France.

Some of these roads (or sectors) have been made famous by the race, including Trouée d’Arenberg, traditionally considered the first decisive point in the men’s race. Along with the fearsome duo of Mons-en-Pévèle and Carrefour de l’Arbre, these three sections are considered Roubaix’s most difficult.

The countless cobblestones (also called pavé) that make up these roads aren’t the typical brick pavers used in suburban driveways or to line city streets. For starters, at about 8 inches by 8 inches, the pavé are larger and bulkier. Years of weather have swept away the dirt that once smoothed over the gaps between stones, making for a jarring and uneven surface. It is perhaps the worst road surface imaginable for a road bike.

But it’s the cobbles that define Paris-Roubaix and have made it the best-known single-day bike race and perhaps the most famous cycling event outside the Tour de France. The pavé’s unique demands give Paris-Roubaix its character, but they also create a technical challenge for the racers and modern road-racing bicycles.

The special Roubaix bike is a relatively modern invention. As the late French racer and co-winner of Roubaix’s 1949 running, André Mahé told Procycling magazine in 2007: “[Back then], we rode the same bikes as the rest of the season. The frames moved all over the place. When I attacked, I could feel the bottom bracket swaying underneath me.”

Still, even in the early days, riders would experiment with their bicycles for Roubaix, looking for a more comfortable ride over the stones. Although aluminum rims replaced wooden ones in the 1930s, some racers would still compete with wooden rims at Roubaix into the next decade. Francesco Moser of Italy, a three-time Paris-Roubaix winner, is said to have wrapped his handlebar with foam strips in the 1970s. American cycling legend Greg LeMond was among the first racers to use a RockShox suspension fork at Roubaix in the early 1990s—a product LeMond’s French teammate Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle used for his 1992 and 1993 Roubaix wins.

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Instead of technological tricks, some riders experimented with the bicycle’s geometry. Into the 2000s, many racers (especially the sport’s top names) used custom-built frames for Roubaix with modifications that provided more stability and added comfort. In 2005, Belgian Tom Boonen used a custom Time bicycle with a longer wheelbase to capture his first of four Paris-Roubaix wins.

These modifications and frame geometries not only helped sponsored professionals tackle the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, they were features sought out by many riders who never considered themselves racers. Cyclists needed bikes to ride over many different road surfaces, not just smooth asphalt—and the all-road or endurance bike came to life. Competing brands soon followed Specialized and launched road bikes with similar features. Cannondale’s Synapse , Trek’s Domane , and Giant’s Defy are all examples of endurance-category bikes with Paris-Roubaix roots.

Peter Sagan raced the 2014 Paris-Roubaix on this Cannondale Synapse.

The mid-2000s marked another significant shift for Roubaix race bikes. After the wild suspension experiments of the ’90s and the custom frames that came after, the widespread use of endurance bikes mostly returned the special Roubaix bike’s form to a traditional bicycle silhouette. Instead of over-the-top technological solutions, manufacturers went all-in on maximizing carbon fiber’s material capabilities. These bikes—with a combination of robust wheels, tweaked geometries, a set of top-mounted brake levers, larger-volume tires with top-secret pressures, and double-wrapped handlebars—were the machines of choice for a generation of Roubaix racers.

Fast-forward to 2023 and these unique bikes for Paris-Roubaix are gone. Mathieu van der Poel won the men’s race on a Canyon Aeroad; except for wider tires and gearing, the bike was virtually identical to the Aeroad his Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen used to win the green jersey in the Tour de France four months later. Similarly, in the women’s race, Canadian Alison Jackson won on an unremarkable (by Roubaix standards) Cannondale SuperSix Evo—the same bike she raced for the entire 2023 season. In less than 15 years, the Roubaix bike simply vanished from the race that had shaped it for a hundred years.

T he disappearance of the Roubaix bike did not happen overnight. In 2009, Tom Boonen won his third Paris-Roubaix on a Specialized Roubaix featuring custom geometry to accommodate Boonen’s preference for a very long and low fit. This victory marked the first step in the disappearance of the Roubaix bike; it was the last time the race winner used traditional box-section aluminum rims. The following year, Boonen’s rival, Fabian Cancellara, was the first rider to win Roubaix on a carbon-fiber wheelset, Zipp’s 303.

The next domino fell in 2015 when Germany’s John Degenkolb became the first rider to win using electronic shifting. Then, in 2016, another bell of doom rang for the Roubaix bike when Australian Matt Hayman won aboard a stock aero bike. At the time, racers considered aero bikes too harsh for all but sprint stages in a Grand Tour, much less a race like Roubaix. Three years later, France’s Philip Gilbert became the first rider to win Paris-Roubaix using a disc-brake-equipped bike.

The 2021 edition of Paris-Roubaix saw Sonny Colbrelli of Italy become the first winner to use tubeless tires . Colbrelli was also riding his team’s aero bike, the Merida Reacto, equipped with disc brakes and electronic shifting. In other words, it was the first time in the modern era that Roubaix—the race long considered one of the harshest technological challenges for cycling equipment—was won on a bike almost identical to the ones used for races contested over normal roads.

So what happened? Why did a category of bikes that evolved in response to a race notorious for destroying frames, cracking wheels, and crushing the ambitions of champions just go away? I contacted the product teams at Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale to find out. All three supply equipment to men’s and women’s teams racing Paris-Roubaix this year. They’ve also provided bikes to past Paris-Roubaix winners over the years, some on many occasions.

The brands all pointed to the adoption of disc brakes as the fundamental shift in tech that gave road bikes the versatility and capability to handle the demands of Roubaix. Disc brakes removed space constraints (usually 28mm maximum width) of traditional rim-brake calipers and allowed frame engineers to design bikes with sufficient clearance for higher-volume tires. Even road models purely developed for on-pavement performance and speed—like Trek’s Madone , Specialized’s Tarmac , Cervélo’s S5 , and Cannondale’s SuperSix Evo —can now safely fit tires as large as 32mm.

The added clearance enables increasingly wide rims and tires on road race bikes. Only five years ago, riders contested Roubaix on 28mm-wide tires (riders were on 23s or sometimes 25s for most other races on the calendar). But in 2023, the narrowest tires of podium-finishing riders at Roubaix were labeled 30mm, with van der Poel riding to victory on 32s . It’s hard to measure the comfort improvement provided by the increase in tire volume.

But brands cited larger tires as the number one reason for the disappearance of more traditional Roubaix tricks like double-wrapped handlebars. Jonathan Geran, Global Director of Sports Marketing for Cannondale, explained that “tire clearance on the bikes has been a game changer. The riders love that they can use their normal bikes. They don’t have to deal with any fit issues. And it’s much easier for the mechanics, as well.”

Alison Jackson won in 2023 on this nearly stock Cannondale SuperSix Evo.

Another factor in the pivot away from Roubaix-specific bikes is how teams and riders race Paris-Roubaix. “There would be an early break, and the peloton would mosey along for the first 100km or then catch the break shortly after Arenberg,” noted Trek’s Director of Road Bikes, Jordan Roessingh. “Now they’re basically racing from the gun with splits and potential race-winning moves from favorites happening before they even get to Arenberg.”

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why the men’s race now unfolds more aggressively, but there are some likely reasons. Since 2016, the men’s race has been broadcast live from start to finish, tempting riders to try early attacks to gain exposure for their teams. After COVID-19 canceled the 2020 running, the race’s pace only increased. The 2022 and 2023 editions were the two fastest-recorded Paris-Roubaix races, with van der Poel’s average speed in 2023 a ludicrous 29.1 mph.

The steadily increasing pace combined with more intense racing early in the race (where there are no cobbles) means that aerodynamics plays a more important role in rider performance than in years past. The speed has caused teams to reach for aerodynamically optimized (or full-on aero) bikes from their equipment sponsors versus more comfortable endurance models.

Trek’s men’s team chose the aero-focused Madone (which can clear a 32mm tire) despite having access to the Domane, Trek’s compliance-focused road model. Roessingh said this was entirely due to the team doing the math on how much more efficient the Madone would be at that speed over such a long distance.

Interestingly, the Trek women’s team opted for the Domane. Roessingh explained that the women’s race is 111km (69 miles) shorter than the men’s version. “Because the women hit the stones earlier in their race, and the sectors make up a larger percentage of the kilometers they race, the women’s team opted for the Domane,” he said. “However, we could see this changing in the future if the women’s race continues to evolve similarly to the men’s,” he added.

Meanwhile, most athletes on the Specialized-sponsored Soudal Quick-Step and Bora-Hansgrohe squads opted for the brand’s Roubaix endurance model for the 2023 race. Stewart Thompson, Road and Gravel Category Leader for Specialized explained that the Tarmac SL7 (the race bike option for Specialized’s teams in ’23) was simply too stiff, and most of the riders preferred the comfort provided by the Roubaix platform despite the aerodynamic penalty.

However, with the dynamics of the Paris-Roubaix changing and Specialized’s new Tarmac model offering more tire clearance and rider comfort, the era of the Roubaix racing Paris-Roubaix might be over. “We will likely see more riders switch from the Roubaix to the Tarmac SL8,” Thompson conceded.

The days of riders racing Paris-Roubaix on special equipment are likely behind us, but so are the days of high-end race bikes ignoring comfort as an important metric for rider performance. For its part, Specialized is not renaming the Roubaix anytime soon, even if the bike will likely see far less use in its namesake race. “The current version of the Roubaix is more capable than ever,” said Thompson. “We see the Roubaix as the gravel racers’ road bike or perhaps the perfect bike to tackle lighter gravel events like Steamboat Gravel.”

As stock race bikes became capable enough to tackle Paris-Roubaix, they also became better suited to the demands of everyday riding—and this benefits all road cyclists, not only professional racers. A set of 32mm tires can transform an unforgiving race machine into a comfortable, all-day-riding bike. As someone who loves both nerding out on bike tech and the classic look of box-section 32-spoke wheels on a modern race bike, I am genuinely sad that the era of the special race-day Roubaix bike is behind us. But it’s a testament to how great modern bikes have become when the only thing needed to transform a bike from a Grand Tour racer to a cobble-ready machine is a simple tire swap.

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. 

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Cycling routes in

Find and create the best cycling routes in Germany thanks to the Bikemap bike route planner: Germany is known for its pittoresque landscape and dynamic cities. Cycling paths along the  or the  offer historic sights and interesting cycling routes. While the maritime atmosphere dominates the North, the regions in the republic’s South - with their often deserted hills and forests - provide space for long cycling tours. The pleasant temperate climate, the efficient infrastructure and castles as long as the eye can see make Germany an ideal destination for adventures by bike.

Find cycle routes in Germany:

Flat routes | Hilly routes | Uphill routes | Downhill routes | Quick rides | Long tours | Top rated routes

Take a bike tour through Bavaria and discover the fairytale castles of King Ludwig ll., Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.

Those wanting to enjoy something cultural after cycling in Berlin can take a walk through ancient Babylon, meet an Egyptian princess or dive into Caspar David Friedrich’s romantic paintings on the Museum Island - all in one day.

Germany’s maritime heritage, Hamburg, is easily explored by bike. Afterwards, you can enjoy a fantastic evening at the fish market which offers a lot more than “just” food.

Don’t walk on cycling lanes.

Helmets are not mandatory in Germany - not even for children.

When taking a break from cycling and enjoying a beer, one should say “Prost” and look the other person in the eye when drinking to someone or something.

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Routes from germany.

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• 180 m

Heinsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

• 147 km
• 349 m
• 287 m

Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

• 139 m
• 352 m

Korbach, Hesse, Germany

• 463 m
• 462 m

Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany

Routes to Germany

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Bike Rental in Ulm

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