Bontrager’s new Wavecel technology Specter cycling helmet ticks two very big boxes for me. First, being mildly allergic to bee stings, after a decade of riding with some form of cycling cap under my brain bucket to protect from the wayward bee flying into a vent, I can finally, safely go without. That little bit of freedom alone was worth the reasonably priced Bontrager Specter helmet ($149.99 at your local Trek bike shop).
The second, I’ve got friends who’ve crashed wearing them and escaped serious head injury. And each friend who crashed wearing a Wavecell helmet bought another to replace the damaged brain bucket. Better than all the BS taglines a company can come up with is a person who has crash-landed on their melon and purchased another of the same helmet.
Now, that’s just the main two boxes. I bought my wife a Specter last year because she’d crashed and I wanted her to have the best replacement I could buy. I bought mine so we could match on the tandem. A little corny, yes, but I can live with that.
Now that I’ve worn mine a couple of times, I have to get into the things that were done right with this helmet, and there’s a lot to crow over. First, the chin strap system and clasp are fantastic, infinitely adjustable, and easy to get the straps to lay perfectly flat against your face… simply, and without much fuss. Just follow the instructions in the manual for a perfect fit. Next, the Boa closure is vastly superior to the old ratchet style fitting systems. The pad system takes a page from Kask sweat pads that actually retain sweat so you’re not dripping sweat into your glasses. Simply remove said glasses and push the helmet to your forehead to squeeze out the sweat. Having owned a half-dozen Specialized helmets, everything from the cheap to S-Works, Specialized wishes their sweat pads were this good. Finally, is the fit. It’s a rare day I’ll crow about how a helmet fits, but the Specter’s fit is exceptional. Wonderful, even.
Without question, the Bontrager Specter helmet with Wavecell Technology is one of the best cycling helmets I’ve ever worn. It is a bit on the heavy side at 330 grams, but the weight is the only thing I could think to complain about – and even at that weight, it didn’t bother me a bit over yesterday’s 52-miler.
If you’re in the market for a new helmet, I happily recommend the Bontrager Specter.
Fit Recovery 
Good to know! I’ve got a Bontrager Ballista helmet that I love, but it’s getting old now so I’ve been considering replacing it (they’ don’t make it any more). Might look at this one.