I have a Bontrager Velocis MIPS and would buy it again. It’s warmer than my POC Octal, but it’s non-MIPS. I always liked the fit of S-Works helmets too, but haven’t worn one for a few years now so don’t know if they’re still the same fit.
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I’ve been riding in the Manta and the Rivale for a couple years. Any specific q’s?
Exactly. Although practically speaking, you may not want to go to too many LBS to try them all on.
I was a Giro user for 15 years. They make great products.
4 years ago, I switched to Specialized - better fit for me. I have and use both the Prevail and Evade II. Prevail has more ventilation and great for really hilly (80+ feet/mile) routes particularly on warm/hot days. Evade II is for pure speed (e.g. road races). Plenty of ventilation for most conditions, but not at the level of Prevail.
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I’m really surprised that Rudy Project helmets haven’t been mentioned here. Full disclosure, I ride for a Rudy sponsored team - HOWEVER, I love the way their helmets fit, and they’ve saved my head a few times.
I just got the new Volantis with visor - it’s a superb aero helmet, with great airflow (for an aero helmet), and terrific visibility. Probably the lightest aero helmet I’ve ever worn.
Totally worth checking Rudy helmets out! (Also, they have fantastic glasses!)
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Another vote for the POC Ventral Spin. It’s aero, it looks good (to me) and it’s well ventilated, which is a huge thing for me since I live in Houston.
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I own one. Used it for a year. Its fast, light and has good airflow. However doesn’t seem very safe, no mips or anything. Pretty sure i got a mild concussion from a low speed cx crash last year wearing the manta. Since then i swapped to a giro vanquish and now a wavecell helmet.
I wear Rudy glasses already - cool brand. I was also surprised no one brought them up sooner.
THANKS everyone. Heaps of stuff to check out there. Looks like I need to just get out to a bunch of stores to try them on… I have a few mates telling me I could jump on the new Wavecell bandwagon as well, but haven’t actually spoken to anyone about how comfortable or aero it is in comparison to others. I’m getting the impression this is the kind of thing you figure out over years, rather than getting quick answers on a forum. Will try a few on soon - thanks for the tips!
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@PeterYock Have you seen the thread on the WaveCel? Thread below if not.
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I’ve only ever owned Rudy helmets (and riding glasses, as it were) because I can usually get them at some kind of discount, currently an older Windmax (my second one) for my road riding and a Wingspan for TT. I was just looking at their aero road options last night. The Wing fits great. The Windmax isn’t quite as perfect a fit, but as you mentioned, Rudy helmets have saved my noggin twice.
The Windmax is also a damn airbrake on my head, so I may look at the Volantis or Boost.
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I currently use the Met Manta, it is a very aero helmet and therefore very low on ventilation. I have used it in temperatures north of 25 deg C and have cooked my head if I’m going moderately hard.
I am currently looking for a helmet that I can use in the hight of summer that has great ventilation and is still fairly aero. I have looked at the Protone the Prevail 2 and the Synthe.
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If you’re a bargain hunter, the original Evade can be had online (particularly in L) for about 50% of original retail right now as shops are selling off inventory with the Evade II in stock. I nabbed one for about $130 as my aero road helmet along with my Rudy Windmax and Wingspan TT helmet, I’m all set for awhile.
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Opinions on Giro MIPS helmets for 50/50 road/xc?
i.e. Just a well ventilated road helmet.
Cinder, Savant, Atmos, Synthe, Foray
Tried the bargain Foray which felt great but not sure on ventilation
I guess that’s the one good thing about Specialised and Bontrager you pretty much have 1 or 2 options.
The one that fits your head best…Couldn’t agree more with this, forget what looks like the mutts nuts, fit is way more important. There can’t be many worse things than an uncomfortable helmet.
I was using a Kask Protone for a couple of years and was totally happy with it.
I got my head turned by the Giro Aether MIPS, mostly for the safety features (MIPS and flash finish). Tried it on in the store, it felt good, so I pulled the trigger.
However, after a couple of rides, I realized it wasn’t as comfortable as my Kask Protone (it just didn’t fit as well), so in spite of really wanting the Aether to work, it just didn’t. Ended up selling it at a loss. Now back to my Kask and it’s happy days again.
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I’ve bought a MET Manta a couple of months ago. I have limited experience with only a few rides so far. Like the others say, it’s probably not the safest without MIPS etc, but it’s definitely the lightest and (subjectively) most comfortable helmet I’ve ever used.
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I know the correct answer is the one that fits best first, then everything else, but I am going to throw my choice out there as well. I picked up a Smith Trace after many years wearing Giro helmets. Fits great, comfortable, light, Koroyd, MIPS and all the other good stuff. I will disclose that my son gets Smith on pro-deal so it was also 60% off retail. Great deal on Smith Range sunglasses too but they are definitely not riding glasses lol.
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Giro helmets have always fit my head well (I’ve been using a Montara MIPS as my trail helmet for a while), and I just picked up a Synthe MIPS for primarily XC riding/racing that I also am using as a road helmet (although I admittedly don’t ride road very often). Haven’t tested the ventilation too much yet since it still hasn’t gotten very hot here and I recently got the helmet, but I’ve been finding the Synthe pretty well ventilated so far. I was in the market for a new XC/road helmet that specifically had good ventilation, and people were generally pretty positive on the Synthe in that regard, so that plus knowing Giro helmets fit my head well pushed me in that direction.
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I have a Kask Protone and love it, but if Kask fits your head well (as others have said, fit is most important) and you want aero, the new Kask Utopia would be my pick over the Protone.
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+1 for Rudy riding glasses!
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+1 for Specialized Evade II.
Pretty good cooling and I like the fact it’s quite short so doesn’t turn into a sail if you look down from time to time.
It’s also noticeably quieter than any road helmet I’ve tried.
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