COMFORT
The Specialized Ambush’s key to comfort feature is the straps. The side and chin straps are composed of one thin strand of webbing that allows for only one piece of webbing under the chin instead of the usual two. 

The Tri-Fix web splitter sits well below the ear lobes and spreads the two upper lengths of webbing into a wide U-shape around the ears (instead of a standard V shape). The combination of the Tri-Fix web splitter and the thinner webbing prevents the straps from touching or chafing the ears and allows the straps to lay flat on the side of the face. 

However our tester found that there was some slack on the side straps that should have been tightened but could not be due to the Tri-Fix web splitter’s lack of adjustability. 

The minimalist padding is one large forehead piece and one separate piece at the top of the head. Though thin, they are perforated and do a decent job of preventing sweat from dripping onto the face. 

VENTILATION
The Specialized Ambush’s twenty air vents do an outstanding job of air intake to dry the pads and allow our tester’s head to breathe. Six rear vents are generous in size and easy push out warm air for optimal comfort. 

FEATURES
Safety and impact-protection is delivered via Specialized’s patented Aramid-Reinforced Skeleton for internal EPS support and Energy Optimized Multi-Density EPS construction to manage impact energy.

The Specialized Ambush measures 17.5 inches from front to back and fifteen inches from side to side, this increased surface space translates to the highest amount of coverage of all the helmets in the test.  

The visor measures four inches in length from the longest point in the center and offers the most sun shading as well as the widest range of adjustability thanks to a channel of micro-notches in the visor’s center that allow the visor to adjust via a series of micro-clicks for best position. Most often, this range of adjustability is only seen on downhill helmets.

Though the visor is not detachable, it can be adjusted to sit high enough to be out of the way or to allow a set of goggles to rest when not in use.

FIT
The Specialized Ambush’s Mindset 360 fit system is simple and fast to adjust. Out of the box, the tester had only to tighten the chin strap and adjust the rear tension dial for a secure and customized fit. These two points of adjustment allowed for quick one-handed adjustments while riding.

The Tri-Fix web splitter’s factory setting, while not adjustable, fit our tester very well. 

WEIGHT
The Specialized Ambush, despite its most generous head coverage, is the lightest helmet in the test at 293 grams. Ounce-trimming measures come from the thinner webbing of the straps and the minimalist padding.