Specialized Ambush 3: Testing the New High-End All-Mountain Helmet
Gone are the eccentric design features, the Specialized Ambush 3 embraces rationality and bases its evolutions on objective elements relating to comfort, ease of adjustment, safety, and ventilation. How does the new high-end all-mountain helmet from the American brand measure up? We put it to the test.
The Specialized Ambush is the all-mountain MTB helmet in the American giant’s range. A strategic model that Specialized wanted to reposition.
Remember, the previous generation (in black, the new one in green) played the card of originality with a “bio” design full of curves and not very consensual. For the Ambush 3, Specialized returns to the fundamentals with a more consensual design and, most importantly, many evolutions focused on user comfort and safety, with the main goal of being forgettable.
Specialized explains what guided them: “As cyclists, we always notice what’s wrong with the helmet: I’m too hot, my head is too tight, my glasses vibrate, I can’t attach my ponytail, the sun blinds me, where can I attach my camera… The list is long, so we started from the problems cyclists face and wanted to design a practical helmet that has the ventilation of a cross-country helmet, while benefiting from the protection and integration required for today’s technical terrains.” Quite a program! Let’s see what the brand has implemented to achieve this.
Ventilation
Specialized has developed a structure called AirCage to create large openings in the helmet without compromising safety.
Comfort and Safety
To combine comfort and safety, Specialized included the Mips Air Node inside the helmet. This system, also found in other brands, limits the effects of lateral impacts and helmet rotation on the skull in case of impact. In this high-end version, it is custom-made and integrated into the internal padding for more comfort and to not hinder ventilation work.
Specialized also collaborated with other leading brands for closures, such as Fidlock for the chin strap, a system placed on fairly thin straps.
For the occipital adjustment system, Specialized turned to Boa. The dial is no longer integrated into the rear of the helmet as before but is placed more conventionally a bit lower, on the part in contact with the skull. It is simpler and easier to access.
For a perfect fit, the occipital adjustment can be adjusted in height. All this aims to ensure a perfect fit on the skull and excellent retention.
Specialized also claims to have refined the internal shape of the helmet to better match a wide variety of head shapes.
Adjustable Visor (Finally)
Until now, the Specialized Ambush had a fixed visor, a practical flaw that the brand corrected in this third version.
The visor is now adjustable in four positions, with a quick-release system in case of impact to avoid injuring the rider.
Specialized also designed a system to securely hold a pair of glasses under the visor.
The visor also has a flat space (at the “S” logo level) designed to accommodate most action camera mounting systems.
Weight, Price, and Versions
We weighed the Specialized Ambush 3 at 390 grams in size M on our scale. This is 40 grams more than the Ambush 2, but still under the 400-gram threshold and well within the average of current trail helmets, which are more coverage and protective.
It is available in three colors (white, black, and green) at a price of €199. A high price but in line with the competition for this type of high-end helmet.
Specialized Ambush 3: Field Test
We had the opportunity to wear and test the Specialized Ambush 3 for several weeks before its official release. The design is more consensual than its predecessor, which is a positive change. The Ambush 3 is less polarizing and will find its place more easily on all heads.
There are also noticeable improvements in adjustments and how easy it is to adjust the helmet. The occipital tightening buckle is much easier to handle, the Fidlock closure on the chin strap is very practical, and the helmet adapts very well to different morphologies. However, in this regard, Specialized has rather caught up than overtaken or truly innovated. Let’s not be disappointed, the result is convincing, and that’s what matters.
Riding, it’s impossible to find fault with the fit. Specialized hasn’t lied, the helmet is forgettable on the skull. It doesn’t move a millimeter, and even though it’s actually heavier, it gives the impression of being lighter than its predecessor because the weight is better distributed and the retention improved. As for ventilation, the progress is noticeable, to the point that we would recommend it more for riding in hot weather than in the depths of winter.
We also greatly appreciated the adjustable visor. The “clicks” between each position are smooth, making it easy to handle, but they are also distinctive enough to securely hold the visor and let you know in which position it is. The device to place glasses is also very well designed and perfectly holds your frame when you don’t want to wear it.
Verdict
After seeking originality in design, even if it meant losing sight of functionality, Specialized returns to a more consensual but above all more effective and convincing path in practice. The Ambush 3 doesn’t revolutionize anything, but the simple and accessible adjustments, partnerships with recognized players such as Boa, Fidlock, or Mips, work on ventilation, and attention to detail allow the Ambush 3 to return among the references in high-end all-mountain helmets.
For more information: Specialized Website
