Pryme manufacture protective gear mainly for BMX style of riding, although when it gets to protective gear is kind of difficult to differentiate among styles. Their offering covers MTB, skateboard, snowboard and mountain board.
All Mountain (AM) is a sort of new definition of mountain biking or trail riding that is somewhat halfway between cross country (XC) and Freeride/Downhill (FR/DH). It involves descending down technical sections, with some drops, but at the same time climbing as much as technical sections with the same bike.
Some suggest the pure marketing nature of this definition, as a trick to reinvent the wheel and sell more stuff. I won’t get into that debate, but my perspective is that sometimes you need more protection in the front of your face and chin and it only takes a good fall to figure that out.
| Pryme AL |
Casco Viper MX
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MET Parachute |
Specialized Deviant |
Giro Remedy | |
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Construction |
Injection-molded visor and full coverage padding |
Monocoque plus™ Inmold |
In-molding construction |
EPS foam with fiberglass shell |
fiberglass shell with eva-lined chin bar |
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Vents |
23 |
23 |
21 |
14 |
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Weight |
1060 g |
453 g 579 g (w/ chin) |
560 g |
900 g (CF) |
1050 g |
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Features |
Quick release buckle. Large opening for better peripheral vision. Mesh vent covers. Goggle grabber.Sizing shims under the padding for custom fit. |
Removable Chin guard |
Rear ventsSafe-T plus retention system Removable peak / Removable chin guard Coolmax® double front pad |
Rear vertical adjustable PRO Fit 2 retention system keeps helmet secure, and is easy to adjust.Removable washable liner and cheek pads. CPSC-certified to the bicycle standard. Adjustable visor. Carrying bag. |
3 position adjustable bolt on visor, washable internal lining |
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Sizes |
S/M 54-57L/XL 58-61 |
M 52-57 cmL 58-62 cm |
M 54-57 cmL 58-61 cm |
S 51-57 cmM 54-60 cm L 57-63 |
S 51-55 cmM 55-59 cm |
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MSRP |
£104.99 |
$350 (CF)$130 |
$120 |
Freeriders have been knowing the answer for a long time and that is a “Full Face Helmet”. Obviously that works if you are shuttling, but if you are climbing with the lid on, it is not going to be pleasant, especially when temperatures top in the 80-90s.
So the answer should be pretty simple: a Full Face helmet, pretty light with lots of vents and minimal padding on the cheek and neck area or, more simply a XC helmet with a chin guard. There have been some attempts to that idea like the Casco Viper MX and the MET Parachute (both not available in the US) and the Specialized Deviant.
A good review of the Casco is available on MTBR. Another approach would be to lighten up a freeride helmet and one good example is the Giro Remedy. There is obviously a concern in regard of safety and in fact most of these helmets may not be suitable for a freeride use.
FIRST LOOKS
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The Pryme AL ships in a regular packaging and there is no carrying or protective case with it.Inside the box you’ll find some instructions extra shims to adjust paddings and one sticker. Compared to similar Full Face helmets, the number and size of vents sticks out. The finishing is pretty good.The chin strap uses a quick release buckle. Although less robust than D-rings, this latching method makes it easier to take the helmet on and off. Compared to similar helmets, the front opening seems larger, providing, as advertised, a better peripheral vision and, in my opinion, also a better cooling on the side of your face. |
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The vents in the chin guard seem large enough, although not oversized, and provide a decent airflow. The mesh vent covers keep debris out. |
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The goggle grabber should help keep the goggles in place. I don’t wear them so I cannot comment on this feature, although I have to say it a nice touch. An additional vent on the ear provides extra air exhaust and ventilation. |
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The plastic visor is kept in place by four screws, two per side: it is pretty simple to remove and or adjust. |
RIDING IMPRESSIONS
If you are used to a standard XC helmet, the Pryme will feel a lot hotter and constraining. On the other hand, if you used similar FF helmets before you would definitely feel it lighter and more comfortable to wear, not to mention much cooler and more ventilated. It is still a full face helmet and it feels definitely hotter on your cheeks and neck area but I find it still bearable with temperatures up to the mid 70s.The chin strap with buckle is comfortable and clearly quicker to release than regular D-rings. If you push up under the chin guard the helmet will move up. I’ve seen this with every FF helmet I’ve tried so far.I haven’t tried this helmet with goggles, but peripheral vision is pretty good, where some other helmets give you the impression of a confined vision. Above that it really feels to hot to wear. Some have experimented with mods to the helmet, removing some of the cheek and neck padding. Although this would make the helmet cooler, I’m not totally convinced it is as safe: still it will be definitely safer than wearing a regular XC lid.
WHERE TO BUY
Only a few online retailers carry the Pryme AL:
You can find latest prices and where to buy on Spadout.com
The Casco Viper MX can be bought online in Europe from Chain Reaction and retails for a little over 100 UK pounds.
