Gear Review | Sweet Protection Trooper 2Vi

Tester and test conditions

I've been testing the Trooper 2Vi® Mips in the Special Edition in Candy Pink with the Boondock RIG® Reflect Goggles for about two months now. It has been with me on a wide variety of adventures and has therefore been used for everything from freeriding in the resort to touring in the backcountry. I have a small head with a circumference of about 53cm and my skull is more oval than round. I wear several earrings and have a few piercings in my ears.

The Sweet Protection Trooper

When I held the helmet in my hand for the first time, I thought: "Oh wow, it feels really high quality but also oh hmm, it feels heavier than my old helmets." I weigh the helmet (with my kitchen scales) and the Trooper weighs 695g with the lining and ear pads and 590g without the lining and ear pads. I turn the Trooper in my hands and look at it from all sides. Graphite in colour, matt surface with carbon elements. The ears are padded with cut-outs so that the helmet does not press on the ears and with the option of integrating headphones. The cut-outs on the ears worried me at first, I don't like cold ears at all! I'm also looking forward to the unusual weight, as my last helmet was extremely light, but in retrospect it didn't fit well.

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The "normal" trooper also cuts a fine figure

Sarah-Louise Schaary

Klara Stang

The Trooper is equipped with the innovative MIPS system - a rotation management system that has been specially developed to minimise the rotational forces that can act on the head in the event of an impact. It is also equipped with an adjustment wheel at the back of the head that enables individual size adjustment. Unlike some other helmets, where the adjustment mechanism surrounds the entire head, the two straps on the Trooper, to which the adjustment wheel is attached, are fixed on the left and right at ear level. This means that only the rear section of the helmet is pulled towards the head. This is not a disadvantage for me, as the helmet fits my head shape well anyway.

Test Report

I put the helmet on and WOW: it feels like my head has been wrapped in a ball of cotton wool. The fit is perfect for me, and in a strangely reassuring way, I immediately feel "safe". The helmet sits firmly without slipping forwards or backwards and remains stable even when I shake my head - it doesn't pinch anywhere uncomfortably. I immediately understand the purpose of the recessed ear pads. Now I'm looking forward to skiing.

I hardly notice the weight when I'm driving. But what I do notice is that I have a warm head, can hear well and, tadaaa, keep my ears warm. Thanks to the magnetic fastening, it's also very easy to put on and take off, even with bulky mittens. For me, with constantly cold fingers, this is an absolute must. The chin buckle is also padded, so it sits comfortably and doesn't scratch my chin. The helmet has two vents at the front and two at the back. The front can be opened or closed manually, while the rear is always open automatically. So far I've had a warm head even at temperatures well below -17 C. Whether the helmet might be too warm in spring is something I can't judge for the time being. So far, however, I have the feeling that the two vents plus the cut-outs on the ears work well and the head doesn't overheat even in warm temperatures.

The inner lining and ear padding can be easily removed if you prefer to wear a beanie instead of an inner lining (this option reduces the weight a little for skitours). However, this is recommended for at home before you go up the mountain, as it can be a bit of a fiddle. But I don't think that's a bad thing, as you usually know how you need your helmet before you set off for the day. As the ear pads are quite stiff, I sometimes remove them on tours so that the helmet fits better in the helmet net of my Mammut avalanche backpack. This is also possible with the pads, but very much at the limit, so that the pads bend a little, but this doesn't harm the helmet.

The Candy Pink Sweet Protection Trooper 2Vi

Sweet Protection

I also received the matching goggles for the Trooper, the Boondock RIG® Reflect Goggles in size S. The goggles came with three RIG lenses in R1, R3 & R4 for sunny to cloudy days. The goggles and helmet fit well together and there is no sign of the dreaded "Jerry gap". I have now worn the combination for a good 20 days, the goggles have never fogged up on the inside or given me the feeling that the helmet might pinch or not fit. Changing the glasses is best done before skiing or during a break, as it can be a bit awkward when wearing gloves. There are systems that make changing the lenses quicker and easier, but with a bit of practice you can now do it quite quickly.

The vision with the lenses is good and I have the feeling that the R3 & R4 lenses in particular are good for my eyes, i.e. the UV protection works. Contours are also more or less easy to recognise, although I have to say that poor vision is poor vision and no lenses have yet "opened my eyes". In other words: they do their job and fit well without fogging up once. Goggles can be attached to the back of the helmet with a buckle. This can be opened and closed easily with one hand, even when wearing gloves.

My Conclusion

The helmet has an excellent fit and conveys a feeling of safety that I haven't experienced with other helmets. It's very easy to put on and take off and I also like the style. The helmet is very comfortable, especially with goggles. A small disadvantage of the Trooper for me is the weight and that the helmet only fits comfortably in the helmet net without the ear pads, as these are very stiff. However, this hasn't stopped me from taking it on tours. I haven't had a crash yet, but I have a lot of confidence that the helmet would prevent anything worse;

Another highlight is the trooper is in candy pink. At first I thought, well, it won't be quite so pink - but it is PINK. As I don't normally wear bright colours that often and my ski outfit is currently all cappuccino, I needed a bit of courage to wear the helmet. But after the first day with a pink trooper, I got used to the colour straight away. Precisely because the rest of my colours are more natural, the helmet fits in well as a contrast and my companions always find me in my favourite deep snow or between trees without any problems. I'm getting used to standing out and I'm enjoying the contrast more and more.

Compared to the Trooper in graphite, the Candy Pink Special Edition stands out with its bright colour - not only the helmet itself, but also the chin fastener is pink. The buckle of the goggle holder is dark blue, while the adjustment wheel is baby blue. Apart from the colour scheme, however, all the technical features and details of the helmet are the same.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ very good fit

+ Colour

+ Haptics

+ Feeling of security

+ Closing mechanism on the chin

- Relatively high weight

- / + stiff ear pads

Details

319 EUR

2Vi - a high-performance helmet technology platform developed by Sweet Protection especially designed to increase safety and comfort.
New modern mono shell construction with variable thickness
TLC: Thermoplastic Laminated Carbon Fiber
Complex geometry multi-density shock absorbing liner
2-Layer Mips brain protection technology
Snap-in lining – provides incredible comfort while being easily removable and washable
Turn dial Occigrip fit system with height adjustment
Adapted goggle fit – will provide the best possible fit with all our goggles
Internal Goggle garage with goggle vents
Adjustable ventilation
Fidlock Magnetic buckle for safety and ease of operation
Listen to your favorite music with our Audio Ready system (Sound Chips are sold separately!)
Removable earpads
Easy to fasten hook goggle retainer
SM / ML / LXL
Here is the link to the Sweet Protection website with further information. Here you can purchase the Trooper from our partner shop Sport Conrad.
The helmet was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. You can find out how we test them in our test statement.