Earlier this year, Giro released their Regime road shoe. More than just a new shoe, sharp eyed readers noticed something else – a new helmet. Without any details, we were forced to wait. But the time has finally come for Giro to unveil the all new Helios Spherical.
Just as suspected, the Helios is the latest in Giro’s line of helmets equipped with Spherical Technology powered by MIPS. Spherical relies on a ‘ball-and-socket’ design which is exclusive to Bell and Giro. This design separates the two halves of the helmet and sandwiches the MIPS technology in the middle.
In terms of helmet construction, this has a number of advantages that make the helmet safer, cooler, and more comfortable. Since the helmet is constructed of two halves, Giro can employ their “progressive layering” which uses different density foam liners to cover both slow and high speed impacts.
The ball-and-socket design moves the slip plane away from the head and prevents any contact with skin or hair, while maintaining the redirection of impact forces from your brain.
Also, without a slip plane to design around in terms of how the helmet fits on your head, Giro is able to drastically improve the ventilation. Compared to the Giro Aether Spherical, the Helios lacks the Aura reinforcing arch, so the Aether still has the edge in ultimate ventilation. But it’s close. Very close. The Helios employs 15 vents with Wind Tunnel internal channeling to bring it within 2% of the overall cooling efficiency of the Aether. As usual, cooling efficiency is tested at ‘The Dome’, which is Giro’s own test facility which includes tools like their Therminator head form with 15 different thermocouples.
In terms of aerodynamics, the Helios actually has a slight advantage over both the Aether and the Synthe, even though it was not designed to be an aero helmet. Really, the Helios was designed to be a great all around helmet whether that means on the road or gravel. The cooling power and comfort of the Roc Loc 5 Air fit system should make it a great option for long days in the saddle, and the added protection of the design should also make it a solid options for getting after it on gravel.
Claimed weight for a CE certified medium is 250g.
Perhaps most importantly, the Helios brings Spherical tech within reach to more riders with a lower price tag. At $250, the Helios is still expensive, but it’s $50 more affordable than the Aether without much of a trade-off. Offered in three sizes and in five colors, the Helios is available now.
KEY FEATURES:
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Spherical Technology™
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MIPS® Brain Protection System
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In-Mold liners with Full lower Hardbody coverage
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Nanobead EPS Liner w/Progressive Layering
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Ionic+™ antimicrobial padding
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Reflective decals
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Roc Loc® 5 Air fit and stability system
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15 Wind Tunnel™ vents and deep internal channeling
SUPER FIT™ SIZES:
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S (51–55cm) M (55–59cm) L (59–63cm)
WEIGHT
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250g (CE certified, size M)
PRICE
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$250 / €249.95 / £229 / AU $399
