REVIEW: Scott Centric PLUS MiPS, one of 2021’s most comfortable, classic looking road helmets

Seen above: our previous and primary reference to all things Scott (until maybe three weeks ago). Aero designs turned Dark Helmet memes. Happy days for the Internet, indeed. We’d test-ridden a Foil once, but ya, otherwise a cycling brand to which we’d had limited exposure.

With the receipt of the Scott Centric Plus with MiPS, all that has changed. All past perceptions, out. We are so impressed with the classicism and weightlessness of this design. More importantly, any gripes about the fit of the old Centric (which we’ve seen discussed online) can now be tossed out: this is one of the best fitting performance road helmets available in 2021. Full stop.

Scott graciously sent a large for these pages. It weighs in at a feathery 270 grams, comes high-vented in the traditional sense, has a rear rubber dial to customize fit millimetres at a time, features MiPS’ latest rotational impact protection, lots of latitude in helmet strap adjustability and perfectly placed vents for sunglass caddying.

Very feature-rich for a helmet that’s sold in most LBSs and online for about $200 EUROs (22OCHFs).

Stock pic from the Scott catalogue: a variant of the Centric in faded violet.

This is a complete redesign of the Centric design for 2021, and it shows. There’s an incredible amount of consideration and rider feedback that has gone into it, primarily from athletes on company-sponsored SCOTT SRAM and others. (For background, the original Centric hit the pro peloton in 2016; at release, both it and the Cadence (aero) were heavily touted as windcheaters. The fit and design however did not satisfy a select few.)

There are 18-ish vents on the new design and some refinements made to the Centric’s overall aesthetic. These are not minor changes; moreover, they are statements of the company’s design capabilities and their commitment to creating one of the simplest and best updates for 2021. A helmet that will satisfy both the road and cross-country market in spades.

The Centric Plus as sent: crisp and clean in matte white.

Ride feel From amongst the many helmets we see in the office, we very often struggle with the fit across sizes. A large is not a large across brands, with many helmets not catering to the fringes, the big-headed, to satisfy demand for lighter-weight helmets that still feature MiPS or an equivalent.

Not the case with the Centric Plus. There are no sacrifices made here: there is depth in the helmet to ensure an ample amount of protection and customization to ensure an excellent fit on the bike. I liken the functionality to early iterations of POC’s Octal (which have since changed); a design that was previously atop our podium but might just have been usurped with the Centric. No easy feat.

Generally speaking, this a low-weight, breathable and classic looking helmet that’s distinct enough to add a dash of style and weightless enough to barely feel it on when riding. Given that you’ll never want to test a helmet’s impact protection personally, this is ultimately the best measure of any road helmet’s appeal. Highly recommended.