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Bolle Juliet Review
August 15, 2018The Good
- Lightweight & sleek, not clunky
- Easy-to-adjust chin strap
- Fun, stylish colorways
The Bad
- Did not fit some / not true to size
- Non-intuitive buckle system
- Not audio-insert compatible
The Bolle Juliet is women’s specific ski and snowboard helmet that uses an injected ABS mold for high-capacity shock absorption.
Comfort
The Bolle Juliet felt extremely comfortable from the first try on, and stayed true to that comfort as the dial-fit system was tightened and through a full day on the mountain. The fit system secured fully around the head without creating any pressure points or hot spots, and the helmet didn’t have any gaps near the top or sides of the head. It was too small for one of the testers, so it does not fit true to size in our test group. The helmet kept testers heads warm on cold days with soft ear pads and a fleece lining that felt squishy to the touch, similar to the Giro and Roxy, but more so than the K2 or the Sweet Protection. No testers reported any hindrance of hearing from the ear pads.
Weight
The Bolle Juliet is the second heaviest helmet tested, with a manufacturer’s weight of 520 grams (the Sweet Protection is 550 grams), though it didn’t feel that way when on. Rather, once tightened with the dial-fit system and the chinstrap, the Juliet helmet felt sleek and lightweight; testers reported forgetting that they had a helmet on because of its low-key feel and comfort. It never felt too large or clunky, and testers were able to move their head in all directions without any discomfort or obstruction. Aesthetically, the Bolle Juliet didn’t look as round as the Sweet Protection or as large as the Smith Virtue.
Breathability
The Bolle Juliet has an adjustable venting system, similar to the Smith Virtue. On top of the helmet, there are six adjustable vents that are easy to open and close with a front-and-back lever. The helmet has two vents in the front and two in the lower back; both that are not adjustable. The hypoallergenic inner lining felt the most soft when compared to other helmets, but didn’t feel too hot or sticky on warm days with the help of the vents. Both the lining and ear pads are easy to remove. The ear pads removed separately from the rest of the lining around the helmet, unlike the K2 Virtue, Roxy Angie, or Smith Virtue.
Ease of Use
The dial-fit system, which has a grippy outside, is easy to use with and without gloves on, even though the dial was not as large as some of the others. The vents were also easy to use, with a simple back-to-front slide of the lever, unlike the K2 Virtue vents which opened side to side and took some getting used to. The chinstrap on the Bolle Juliet was easy to adjust on the go, as was the goggle strap which was large, stretchy, and securely snapped into place. The buckle system is a ratchet-like insert, which took some getting used to, but could be opened with one hand and a pull tab. A variety of goggles fit well with no gaper gap. The helmet has a two-tone, matte colorway with designs on the lower half; neither part scuffed easily.
Features
The Bolle Juliet uses an injected ABS mold for added resistance protection and shock absorption. It has a dial-fit system, a ratchet-system buckle, a goggle strap with a snap, adjustable vents, removable ear pads and no brim. It is not audio compatible.
A runner, hiker, yogi, snowboarder, and adventure journalist, Mattie Schuler lives in Boulder, Colorado, where her apartment is slowly being overcome by gear.