REASONS TO BUY
Incredible weight
Excellent impact test results
Top-notch ventilation
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as ideal for exclusively downhill riding
Less durable exterior
Fit adjustment is not the smoothest
Specialized Gambit Review
This full face option outperforms its weight with excellent impact test scores and boasts top-notch ventilation for its class of helmet
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Pat Donahue ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ October 8, 2025
Contributions From: Zach Lovell
Our Verdict
The Specialized Gambit is among the lightest and most airy full-face helmets we've yet tested at GearLab. Despite its lightweight design, the Gambit proved to be one of our better-scoring models in impact testing, earning the ASTM downhill certification. Its minimal padding allows improved airflow, making this a full face helmet you can actually pedal in. With less cushion, the Gambit isn't the best model for day-in and day-out bike park laps, but it can handle gravity-fed riding as long as you're more careful with it in transit, given its less durable finish. The fit of this helmet can easily be tuned with its rear adjustment wheel, though it's not as smooth as some of the competition. Ultimately, the Gambit is a full-face helmet that's best for the downhill rider splitting their days between enduro trails, the bike park, and car shuttle laps.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Specialized Gambit is an extremely lightweight, well-ventilated full-face helmet with strong impact protection. It's ideal for downhill riders who mix enduro trails, bike park sessions, and shuttle laps, though its minimal padding and lower durability make it less suited for daily bike park use.
Many helmets were destroyed in the name of testing, but valuable information was gleaned from each test.
Credit: ACT Lab
Impact Test
The Gambit's impact test results are incredibly impressive, posting data at the high end of both of our impact tests. Despite its featherweight, the Gambit showed sensor data that bested over half of its competition. It's important to note that we're not assessing the safety of the helmet; the ASTM and CPSC do that. The Gambit carries a downhill-specific safety certification with the ASTM F1952 stamp. What our dual speed crash testing looks to uncover is the nuances of each helmet's crash performance.
In our slow-speed lab crash test, the sensor data showed that this helmet's performance was in the top half of our test group. In our fast impact drop test, the Gambit's performance was only bested by three other helmets in our test group.
We loved testing this lightweight, yet capable, full face helmet.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Gambit uses a polycarbonate-backed, carbon fiber shell, which may have contributed to its high score. Inside the helmet are five patches of dual-density foam to help absorb impact. A MIPS SL system lets the built-in helmet liner twist to offset forces incurred during angled hits. This MIPS system is lighter and more breathable than a traditional MIPS liner.
After the drop tests were performed, the Gambit was visually inspected to see where damage was the greatest.
Comfort
The Gambit feels different than most full-face helmets. Unlike the all-around heavy cushioning found in most helmets, this one features only two soft cheek pads that actually touch your face. The rest of the helmet fits more like a regular half-shell, using a sort of cradle system to hold it in place rather than piles of thick padding. It's a unique feel that some riders might really appreciate.
While our review team concluded that the Gambit was ultimately a comfortable helmet, the minimal padding made it a bit rattly on bumpy descents. This wasn't a total surprise for us, and the cradling system could be tightened quickly with the rear adjustment wheel. As is common with most full-face helmets, getting the fit just right with the Gambit helped keep the helmet more secure on our heads, and its low weight was a welcome reprieve for our neck muscles.
Overall, the Gambit is a comfy helmet even with its minimal padding, instead leaning on cradle suspension.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Ventilation
The Gambit is one of the more breathable options on the market today. With limited padding, airflow is bountiful throughout the helmet, and the cradle system kept our heads from direct contact with much of the interior. Simply put, the Gambit is for you if ventilation is a priority.
The Gambit features three large mesh-free vents across the chin bar and several intake vents above the brow, helping air move freely from front to back. Thanks to its half-shell-esque feel, the top and back of the head aren't pushing against heavy padding, allowing sweat to dissipate better. We pedaled for miles throughout testing, and as long as the ambient air temperatures weren't too warm, the Gambit kept us from overheating or from having to push our bikes instead of pedaling.
We pedaled sustained uphills without having to dismount, largely due to the airflow of the Gambit.
Credit: Pat Donahue
Usability
Besides its average durability, the Gambit did fairly well in this metric. The chin buckle was easy enough to use when taking the helmet on or off, and we appreciated the various cheek pad sizes that came included, along with a nice transit bag.
We're generally big fans of helmets that have a retention system, with an adjustment dial in the rear of the helmet making it easy to get the fit more precise. For the Gambit, this wheel worked well most of the time, but as we reached its tightening limits, there was resistance while turning the wheel, and it made discernible creaking noises that sounded like the cradle system was straining. We were able to use this wheel and get the helmet cradle to fit how we wanted, but it wasn't nearly as smooth as some of the competition.
While we were glad there was a suspension adjustment system, we would have liked to see it work a bit better.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Although the helmet felt less durable when not on our heads, we could have mitigated many of our concerns by using the included bag. When in transit to or from a ride, be more careful with it so it doesn't get dinged unnecessarily.
Weight
This feathery helmet came in at 26.1 ounces, making it a frontrunner in our entire lineup. This is only slightly heavier than some of the heavy-duty half-shell helmets.
The weight of the Gambit is one of its standout attributes. While its finish durability isn't as robust as others, the fact that it's a high scorer in impact testing speaks volumes to its design. To make a full face helmet this light that still offers decent protection is truly a feat of ingenuity.
The numbers on the scale don't lie, the Gambit is a very lightweight full face model.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Specialized Gambit?
If you want a full-face helmet that won't cause you to overheat, this lightweight model is a great choice. It's very happy on the enduro trail and can handle bike park laps that are only gravity-fed, making the Gambit an excellent full-face helmet for the do-it-all mountain biker or e-biker.
What Other Full Face Helmets Should You Consider?
If you want a versatile model that's a bit more downhill friendly, check out the Fox Proframe RS, which comes in at a similar price point to the Gambit. If you need something only for downhill riding, the POC Coron Air Mips is an incredible option with top impact test results.
The Gambit offers a truly unmatched pedaling experience.
Credit: Pat Donahue
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Specialized Gambit versus top competing products:
—Pat Donahue and Zach Lovell
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