Interbike 2010: New Helmets, Gloves from Giro

In addition to their new shoes, Giro had a few other new goodies on hand at Interbike’s Outdoor Demo.

Above is the new Surface helmet, designed for urban, dirt jump, bmx and related activities. The graphics are subtle (note the floral in the white, more detail shots behind the jump), and vents seem minimal, but compared to some other similar style helmets we’ve seen, these have pretty good holes on top and in back.

For the mountain bikers, we grabbed a photo of all the first run colors available on their new Xar helmet, and for the roadies there’s a new aerodynamic time trial glove worth peeping, among other things. Hit ‘more’ to see ’em…

Note the subtle gloss graphics against the matte color. The small visor is a bonus.

The Surface has Giro’s RocLoc retention mech and some models get color-matched straps.

Internal vent channels and front sweatband padding should minimize overheating…or at least be slightly better than other helmets in this category with no such features.

Good color selections, too.

The new Xar full coverage all mountain helmet gets some decent color and pattern choices, too, and might be the first time I’ve NOT seen a red/black/white option.

The new LTZ is a very light, very minimal glove with extended wrist coverage, which is apparently all the style now that everyone’s cycling socks have crept five or six inches above the ankle.

They come in white, too.

The LT now has a full Pittards leather top and bottom with terry cloth snot wipe on the thumb and padding throughout the palm. The center section of the palm has a few vent holes to help air flow through a bit. We’ve tested the non-leather-upper version and they’re super comfortable, but the non-gel padding transmits a bit more road vibe than a gel pad does. If you’re used to minimal padding, then it wouldn’t be an issue.

The Giro DND (Down ‘n’ Dirty?) gloves are minimally padded, full finger gloves for the DJ/Freeride set and come in five colors.

There’s a large terry cloth section on the thumb with Clarino palms and grippy sections on the fingertips.