The Ravel loves gravel – testing Alpina’s bike helmet for gravel roads
18/9/2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
Alpina Sports’ Ravel bike helmet is made for cycling on gravel roads and forest trails. It has almost everything that’s needed for gravel riding – except for the letter g and anti-insect mesh.
A missing letter? A typo? Neither. This gravel helmet by Alpina Sports really is called Ravel.
On my first test ride with this helmet that only weighs 290 grammes, I imagine how the marketing department of the Bavarian company were debating over a catchy name for their new gravel helmet. Through my cycling glasses, I picture the creative minds and marketing geniuses at Alpina having countless brainstorming sessions, marketing meetings, Microsoft team calls and retreats, finally agreeing on a name. Let’s just drop the first letter and, ta-da, we have our new product name.
Packed with high-tech
The Ravel is made in Germany using the Inmold process, which includes thermally bonding the helmet polycarbonate upper shell to the Hi-EPS inner shell at high temperatures and with strong pressure. This creates a broad and inseparable connection between the upper and lower shells. The helmet is lightweight yet sturdy.
It features a ceramic shell, which is made by stretching a polycarbonate sheet at high temperatures to the shape of the subsequent helmet, pressing it and finally thermally bonding the two together. This ceramic shell is break- and scratch-resistant, UV stable and antistatic.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The inner shell is made of High Expanded Polystyrene – Hi-EPS. The material features microscopic air chambers designed to absorb the forces that act on the helmet during an impact. According to Alpina, Hi-EPS provides the best possible protection while sporting extra-thin walls and a narrow shape.
The so-called Run System Ergo+ allows adjusting the size of the Ravel via a little wheel on the back. The system has two wing-shaped headrests that ensure great comfort. This helmet is quite a bit larger than my previous Giro one and feels a bit bulky at first glance, but the Ravel is very comfortable. By the way, it complies with the EN 1078:2012 + A1:2012 standards (link in German).
Source: Patrick Bardelli
(Almost) nothing’s missing but one letter
This helmet fits my head well and looks good, in my opinion. I really like the matt black version with its reduced design. Much more important than looks, however, is the fact that the sensibly arranged vents keep my head cool while cycling – even during the heat waves of summer 2023.
The antibacterial interior, as Alpina calls it, is designed to ensure the helmet stays comfortable and doesn’t smell even after many sweaty bike tours. Does it work? Time will tell.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The only thing the Ravel is missing – besides the letter g – is anti-insect mesh. While the wide vents do ensure a cool head, they also allow insects in. And trust me, I’d lose my cool head in an instant if a wasp flew into my helmet while I’m cycling at full speed. This isn’t only unpleasant, it can also be dangerous. In this respect, I’d like to see an upgrade from Alpina.
Conclusion: a real option
Is it necessary to wear a special gravel helmet on your gravel bike? I’d say no. The same goes for gravel clothing. On gravel bike tours, I often wear bib shorts, shirts and other clothing items that were originally designed for road cycling. They also work if you leave the paved roadways. Therefore, I’d say a lot of it is marketing. My previous bike helmet is also marketed by Giro for road cycling, but has served me well for off-road biking:
With the Ravel, however, Alpina now offers a real alternative. It’s only 20 grammes heavier than the Giro version, is comfortable and light and keeps the head quite cool. And it costs substantially less – only about half of what Giro’s Helios Spherical MIPS does.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
If you’re looking for a good bike helmet with a reasonable price-performance ratio that’s also made in Germany, you should consider Alpina’s Ravel. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter whether you wear this helmet on the road or in the forest.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
