Aero helmets are designed to minimize drag—but that efficiency usually comes at the cost of ventilation. This Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips Helmet review reveals features like removable magnetic vent covers, letting riders switch between maximum aerodynamics and increased airflow. For cyclists riding in heat and humidity, that flexibility makes it more than just another aero helmet—it’s potentially a true do-it-all solution.
If you’re not familiar with Sweet Protection, they’re a Norwegian brand founded in 2000 and their design philosophy is: “Stronger. Lighter. Better.” They’re also the helmet of choice of the Uno-X Mobility World Tour cycling team. According to Pascal Herrmann, Global Marketing Manager at Sweet Protection: “Uno-X Mobility Cycling is always pushing us to get everything out of our products in terms of aerodynamics, comfort and performance.”
Magnus Cort winning Stage 2 of this year’s Volta a Catalunya
What Sweet Protection sez about the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet:
Whether you’re shaving hundredths of a second off a Strava segment or just pushing miles with your fastest friends, you know that aerodynamics matter. We designed the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips, our top of the line road cycling helmet, for you. Snap on the detachable magnetic ventilation covers to maximize aerodynamics and/or protect you against inclement weather. Pop them off and slip them in your jersey pocket on hot days or big climbs when you need maximized airflow through our STACC vent system. We know that comfort and efficiency translate to better rides so every feature of this helmet was considered including: eyewear grippers, fidlock buckle, and a wider opening in the rear to accommodate ponytails. Not only will the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips make sure you’re comfortable, stylish, and as fast as you can be, but our 2Vi® system gives you increased protection performance as well.
- 5‑Star Rating by Virginia Tech
- Featuring our 2Vi® technology platform for increased performance and comfort with Mips Air for protection against rotational forces
- Exceeds EU, US and UK bike standards
- Weight: 300g (M/L)
- Detachable magnetic aero covers
- New integrated 360 fit system with on the fly height adjustment
- Especially designed to integrate well with Sweet Protection eyewear
- STACC ventilation which effectively cools down the superficial temporal arteries
- Eyewear grippers for easy eyewear storage
- Magnetic Fidlock buckle
- Replaceable moisture absorbing front pad
- $300 USD
Sweet Protection specs 300 grams for M/L (Inset – weight without aero covers:V316 grams)
The Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet is available in seven colorways:
- Bronco White
- Burnt Brown
- Light Lilac
- Matte Black
- Misty Turquoise
- Satin White
- Silver Smoke (which is a limited edition colorway and what PEZ got)
- If you are an Uno-X Mobility fan, there is also a Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips Uno-X Mobility Team Edition Helmet
Chuck’s bottom line up front (BLUF):
If you don’t want to read all the way to the end, I’ll sum up my thoughts about the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet with one word: BRILLIANT! For my riding in the SC Lowcountry, it’s a genuine one-helmet solution for both aero gains and hot-weather comfort.. It’s not Sweet Protection’s most aero helmet (that would be the Tucker III 2Vi® Mips Helmet) but it’s plenty aero (at least for my purposes). With the vent covers in place, I get #marginalgains #aero #watts to help me hang in and hang on (I need and will take all the help I can get) on the fast Sunday group ride that I regularly subject myself to. But with the vent covers removed, it becomes a helmet with enough venting/cooling for when it’s sticky hot and humid.
Even with the covers on, the front center vent and wrap-around vent provide a good amount of air intake
More than just an aero helmet
I know style is in the eye of the beholder, but style-wise IMHO the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet is a lot like other aero helmets. Which is to to say that (to my eye) it has a more “functional” look (whereas most maximum ventilation helmets tend to have a more “sleek” look — again, that’s how my eyes see it). That’s not a criticism and aero helmets are designed to go fast, not necessarily for style points.
Especially in Silver Smoke, IMHO the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet looks like something a storm trooper in a sci-fi movie would wear
But what makes the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet different than other aero helmets are the detachable magnetic aero covers. They are easily removed (even while riding) for when you need more cooling/airflow (and stowed in a jersey pocket). And can just as easily be put back on when you need to be more aero. Brilliant, eh?
Covers on for more #aero
Covers off for more venting
Channeling on the inside to pull air through the helmet
Three exhaust ports to vent air out
Mips
As you would expect for a high end cycling helmet, the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet incorporates additional protection (beyond what is required by certifying organizations) for rotational impact, which is intended to help reduce the risk of brain injury. In this case, Mips®. If you want to know more about how Mips works, here’s their FAQ page. And here are a couple videos:
Sweet Protection further incorporates Mips with it’s 2Vi technology:
- Variable Elasticity Shell: Combines hard-shell reinforcement with in-mold elasticity to optimize strength-to-weight performance and impact management.
- Multi-Density Liner: Features a complex geometry design that provides superior impact absorption and distribution across different impact speeds.
- Dual-Layer MIPS: Incorporates a unique two-layer MIPS system (or MIPS Air Node) specifically designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during angled impacts.
- Impact Shields: Four distinct impact shields embedded in the EPS foam corners for additional localized protection.
5-star rating
Of course, the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet meets European, UK and US safety standards. It’s also a 5-star rated helmet by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. As of this writing, it’s number 15 in their rankings. It’s worth noting that helmets ranked higher by Virginia Tech may offer better protection that those that are ranked lower and their independent testing results offer an additional perspective on any purchase decision. But as Virginia Tech points out:
No helmet is concussion-proof. Any athlete can sustain a head injury, even with the very best head protection. The helmet ratings identify the helmets that best reduce your chances of sustaining a concussion.
Sizing
Size-wise, my head size is at the large end of S/M and the small end of M/L per Sweet Protection’s size guide. With other helmets where I could go either way, I’ve always gone up in size so that’s what I did, i.e., M/L, with the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet. The M/L fit my head well (another reason for me to size up is that the larger size has more room to accommodate a thermal beanie in winter — plus even in hot weather I wear a thin skull cap, which makes my head size marginally bigger).
The rear basket can be adjusted up and down for fit and to accommodate a ponytail
NOTE: Try before you buy is always a good idea, if you can. If you can’t, make sure you are good with the retailer’s return/refund policy. If you buy directly from Sweet Protection:
- Return period: You can return items within 30 days of receipt.
- Condition: The item must be in the same condition as when you received it, with all tags and original packaging intact.
- Refund: Once we have received and inspected the return, we will process your refund within 5-7 business days. The refund will be issued to the original payment method.
One thing I really like about the Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips helmet is the Occigrip 360 adjustment system. Like many other helmets, there’s a dial at the back of the helmet to adjust fit/tightness. The system uses an adjustable cradle that moves up and down the rear of the helmet, tightening or loosening a strap that wraps completely around your head on a horizontal axis. So instead of must making the helmet tighter at the back of your head to snug up the fit, it tightens more evenly around your head for a better — and more comfortable — fit.
With Occigrip 360, tightening or loosening the fit adjusts all the way around
Fidlock buckle uses a strong magnet to hold the chin strap in place
I don’t have a ponytail, but prefer the rear basket in its lowest position
A do-it-all helmet
Definitely an #aero profile
My wife gives me a hard time about all the different helmets I have (that are taking up valuable space in our closet). I have aero helmets. And I have vented helmets. More than enough helmets for any occasion. Not that I’m going to, but if my wife forced me to downsize to just one helmet, it would be “easy” to do with the Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips. It really is a do-it-all helmet. It’s aero for when I need to go fast (I need all the help I can get). And — at least for me — with the aero covers off it provides more than enough ventilation for riding in hotter weather. We’ve already had a few days in the high 80s/low 90s (F) here and in vented mode, the Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi® Mips didn’t feel too hot on my head. I think the only time I might want/need a more vented helmet is if I was doing long rides in the mountains (but we don’t have those here in the SC Lowcountry).
What it lacks in numbers, it makes up in size for venting. Chuck styles the Tifosi Moab XC sunglasses that he reviewed here.
To aero or not to aero … that is the question
The bottom line
If you want a helmet that can handle fast group rides, hot summer days, and everything in between, the Falconer Aero 2Vi Mips delivers a rare mix of aerodynamics, comfort, and versatility—making it a compelling one-helmet solution.
Pros
- Dual aero + ventilated design
- Easy magnetic vent system
- Excellent safety credentials
- Comfortable for long rides
Cons
- Premium price
- Not the absolute fastest aero helmet
- Styling leans functional
We hope you’ve enjoyed this Sweet Protection Falconer Aero 2Vi MIPS review, check out our Tech N Spec section for more gear reviews
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
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