9Rank 09 of 10 · Bike Helmets
Trek Starvos WaveCel
The cheapest way into Trek's WaveCel cellular liner, in five sizes from 50 to 66 cm. The Bontrager-branded Starvos WaveCel scored 11.22 (four stars) at Virginia Tech and grade 2 at Folksam in 2021.
6.6BPR score
- €110Price
- 11.22 — 4 stars (Virginia Tech, listed as Bontrager Starvos WaveCel)Virginia Tech STAR score and stars
- 9 of 10in Bike Helmets
- 6.6BPR score 0–10
Review
What this product is
Written after the analysis, from the same sources the score is built on: the manufacturer's documentation, available studies and verified owner feedback.
WaveCel is a collapsible cellular structure that lines the helmet in place of a Mips layer. Trek's own page calls it 'a major advancement'; the independent numbers are more modest. Virginia Tech lists the Bontrager Starvos WaveCel at 11.22 with four stars, and Folksam gave the same name grade 2, an average helmet, in 2021. The helmet now sold carries the Trek name and a new model number, and neither laboratory lists it under that name, so treat both results as the closest available evidence rather than a test of the current product.
The specification is thorough. Trek states a weight for each of five sizes: 294 g (XS), 300 g (S), 335 g (M), 370 g (L) and 385 g (XL), covering 50 to 66 cm, the widest range here. The fit system is Headmaster II.
The price on Trek's Irish site is €110. The guarantee is the strongest of the ten: a free replacement if the helmet is crashed in the first year, and a 30-day return. The page had no owner reviews when we looked. Worth considering for very small or very large heads.
Technical data
Specification
Figures from the manufacturer's documentation, verified against available outside sources. Values we could not confirm are marked as declared.
- Virginia Tech STAR score
- 11.22 (as Bontrager Starvos WaveCel)
- Virginia Tech stars
- 4 of 5
- Virginia Tech rank
- 95 of 311
- Folksam grade
- 2 (2021, Bontrager Starvos WaveCel)
- Rotational system
- WaveCel
- Weight (manufacturer)
- 294 g (XS), 300 g (S), 335 g (M), 370 g (L), 385 g (XL)
- Weight (Folksam sample)
- 332 g
- Sizes
- XS 50–55, S 51–57, M 54–60, L 58–63, XL 60–66 cm
- Fit system
- Headmaster II
- Crash replacement
- Free within the first year
- Integrated light
- No
- Owner rating
- No reviews on the product page
Component scores
Where the score
comes from.
Four components, equal weight, each on a 0–10 scale and each resting on a named source. The overall score is their mean — the full procedure is in the methodology.
What we liked
- Five sizes covering 50–66 cm
- Weight stated for every size (294–385 g)
- Free crash replacement in the first year
- 30-day unconditional return
- €110 on trekbikes.com (Ireland)
Worth knowing
- Four stars at 11.22, and only under the Bontrager name
- Folksam grade 2 in 2021 (Bontrager Starvos WaveCel)
- 335 g in size M
- No owner reviews on the product page
- Marketing wording goes further than the test results
Comparison
How it compares
within the category
All values come from the same analysis and are comparable only within the category Bike Helmets.
| Product | Score | Virginia Tech STAR score and stars | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Align IITop score | 8.7 | 9.55 — 5 stars (Virginia Tech, rank 40 of 311) | €55 |
| Starvos WaveCelThis product | 6.6 | 11.22 — 4 stars (Virginia Tech, listed as Bontrager Starvos WaveCel) | €110 |
| Category average10 products analysed | 7.5 | — | — |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the Trek Starvos WaveCel rated by Virginia Tech?
Virginia Tech lists the Bontrager Starvos WaveCel at 11.22 with four stars. The current Trek-branded model is not listed under its own name, so the result may not describe it exactly.
What happens if I crash in a Trek helmet?
Trek's Crash Replacement Guarantee provides a free replacement if the helmet is involved in a crash within the first year of ownership.
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