Mark Heij is one of our most active explorers. He has put everything into qualifying for the Granfondo World Championships. In doing so, he is the perfect gauge for a Review of the Ekoi Stradale helmet and Ottimo Bril. In the past few weeks, he has been testing the Ekoi Stradale helmet and the Ekoi Ottimo goggles. In his words, ‘a helmet and goggles that are functional and beautiful to look at’. In this article, you will find his findings and conclusion about these helmet and goggles. He covers everything regarding safety, ventilation, and – not least – the looks. With the final question: Is the Ekoi Stradale your next cycling helmet and/or is the Ekoi Ottimo your next cycling goggles?
Text: Mark Heij, photos: Mark Heij/Sander Kolsloot
The Ekoï Stradale and Ottimo at a glance
- Stradale helmet: solid, easy to adjust with a BOA dial and a striking retro look.
- Downside of the helmet: a bit heavier than pure race helmets.
- Ottimo glasses: a lens that works well in both bright and dim light, ideal for Dutch weather.
- Tested by explorer Mark Heij during his preparation for the Gran Fondo World Championships.
Updated in October 2026. Ekoï sent us these products to test; our verdict is independent.
Safety and weight
The helmet is really top-notch. It feels sturdy, fits my head perfectly thanks to the plastic construction, and is easy to secure with the BOA strap. It is one of the few helmets where I really feel like they protect me when I fall. It feels strong and sturdy, and that is of course the most important thing. In addition, there is also a Koroyd system Added for extra fall protection. Safety first, right?
The helmet has a magnetic click system to attach it, super convenient, and you can attach it securely or detach it. But because of that magnetic system, the helmet is a bit heavier.
I don't fasten or take off the helmet very often, so for me that wasn't really necessary. But it works well and feels nice, it all fits together perfectly.
Bril
The glasses feel sturdy. The lenses are of high quality and integrated into the plastic frame. With other glasses, I have sometimes had the lens not be integrated and it come off. You don’t want that on your ride.
Ventilation
The helmet has plenty of ventilation holes, very useful on hot days or when you’re cycling up a mountain. Ventilation is super important; it helps you get rid of sweat. And where do you want the most ventilation? Exactly, on your head.
The Stradale also has a honeycomb structure that provides both ventilation and good protection. For performance purposes, this is a must.
Bril
The glasses are of course always ventilated. Because of the lens, I notice that you can see much more in both dim and bright light. That means you can keep them on even when dusk begins to set in or the sun gets less bright, which can sometimes happen in the Netherlands.
Looks
Stradale Helm
Of course, a helmet should also look good, and the Stradale certainly scores points there. What I notice is that it fits very well on my head, which also looks nice. I’ve tried several helmets that seemed just too big or too small. I have a fairly large head, so that’s handy. I have the L version of the helmet.
The helmet has a few stickers that are a nice addition. I find that quite nice; it gives the helmet a professional touch. The red and black colors match most outfits. You can expand the Stradale helmet with country stickers, which is a nice addition. You can also expand and change the back of the helmet with colors.
The helmet itself is available in 4 different colors. Red, white, black and blue. What is a beautiful choice for any cyclist.
Bril
The glasses are fast, and have a very nice chromatic orange lens. This makes them aero and also great to use during your ride. The photos speak for themselves here.
Review conclusion Ekoï Stradale helmet and Ottimo Bril
Stradale Helm
The Stradale is truly a top helmet; it fits well on my head and provides plenty of ventilation during the hottest rides. The construction of the helmet is also good and you really get the feeling that this helmet is protecting you.
The helmet looks professional with the Stradale stickers. It is a beautiful helmet that looks very well-maintained and is part of a very nice look.
The only downside of the helmet is that it is quite heavy compared to other helmets, which makes it less ideal for pure performance in terms of weight. Especially if you often cycle in the mountains. Fortunately, we don’t have that in the Netherlands 😉.
Overall, this is a great helmet that, in my opinion, offers a lot in terms of safety. The helmet is quite heavy if you're purely focused on performance and weight. The retro look with the stickers also makes it a real eye-catcher. A good buy for the current price of €126,-. The catalog price of €252,- is a bit steep.
Bril
The glasses are a real eye-catcher; the lenses are easy to use in bright and dim light, so they are perfect for the Dutch cyclist. They look fast and feel good on my nose. I definitely recommend them! The current price is €95.80. That’s really a great price for a pair of glasses of this quality.
Questions about the Ekoï Stradale and Ottimo
Who is the Stradale suitable for?
For riders who value safety and looks more than every gram. If weight is all that matters, there are lighter helmets.
How do you choose a good cycling helmet?
Look at the fit, the ventilation and a safety system such as MIPS. We explain it in our helmet guide.
More gear we have tested ourselves is under: Tested by us.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.