There’s one piece of gear that every mountain biker has, but most of us rarely think about: a helmet. That is, we rarely think about it until we really need it.

The Giro Hex is a beefy lid intended for all-mountain, trail, and marathon applications. It features an in-mold EPS liner, polycarbonate shell, P.O.V.™ visor with 15 degrees of vertical adjustment, Roc Loc® 5 fit system, and 21 vents.

According to Giro, the in-mold EPS liner allows them to create a lighter helmet with better ventilation and more durability. The special moldability allows them to create their Wind Tunnel ventilation system, which scoops air in on top and around the front of the head and pushes it out the back of the helmet along with excess heat.

The Roc Loc® 5 fit system provides easy one-handed tension adjustment as well as vertical adjustment, allowing the rider to easily adjust the fit on the go.

The Hex is available in numerous color combinations and designs (click here to check them out).

Photo credit, upper right: Sydnah Swails.

The Test

The first thing that struck me about the Hex was how rugged and no-nonsense this helmet looks. It may have something to do with the “matte brown lines” design, but the Hex just looks like it is durable and ready to protect your head, and it’s not going to be too finicky as it does it. I threw it on, adjusted the chin strap, tightened down the Roc Loc system, and I instantly felt as if I had been wearing this helmet for months. It has a natural, intuitive feel to it that takes no adjustment time.

Photo Credit: Sydnah Swails.

The 21 massive vents and Wind Tunnel ventilation system function as advertised: they will cool you down in a heart beat. In fact, during the late fall and early winter months that I have been using this helmet, the vents functioned almost too well: I had little excess heat, and I didn’t want to give it away! However, once things start really heating up in the spring, the massive scoops on top of the helmet will provide welcome relief while bombing down the mountain after sizzling climbs on the way to the summit.

The Roc Loc system worked great and it is almost as completely intuitive as the rest of the helmet. I still haven’t quite figured out what my favorite setting is in regards to vertical adjustment–probably because I’m not used to having a helmet that allows you to adjust that setting on the fly. However, the ease of adjustment allows you to play around with it even while rolling down the trail, allowing you to fine-tune to your heart’s desire!

Photo Credit: Sydnah Swails.

If I had to have a quibble with this helmet, it would be that the design and position of the vents makes it difficult to mount a head lamp or a helmet camera in the sweet spot. It’s difficult, but not impossible: with a little practice I was able to find the best vents to thread the straps through, and while I had to route them far down the sides of helmet, I had just enough strap on my mounts to successfully latch on to the helmet.

Bottom Line: The Giro Hex is an attractive looking lid that offers excellent protection, cooling, and adjustment in a no-nonsense package. MSRP is $90.

Many thanks to Giro for sending the Hex down for review!

Behold the Xar! I bet right now you’re imagining some big burly guy with tons of power and wealth overseeing his Slavic minions. Actually that would be a Czar. Even so, when you strap on Giro’s Xar I guarantee you’ll feel like an Emperor.

A while back I wrote about the release of Giro’s new Roc Loc 5 fit system which is featured in the Xar helmet. After testing the Roc Loc5 on my own noggin I’m ready to give you my thoughts on how I think the Xar fits and feels.

The Xar is the next generation premium all-mountain (AM) helmet from Giro. Taking some of the styling cues from the hugely popular Xen helmet, Giro set off to take this helmet in a slightly different direction. Sporting a bit more of an angular shape, Giro applied all their technical know-how to build the Xar for the more aggressive rider. A lot of time went into making this helmet comfortable, and comfortable it is.

The Roc Loc 5 system as I mentioned in previous articles takes up less space (making more room for eye-wear) while firmly holding the helmet in place. To me, a secure fit is the most important factor in making a helmet feel comfortable. The micro dial adjuster operates easily with one hand and is great for making sure the two rear pads position themselves evenly on the back side of your head just below the occipital lobe (back side of the brain just where the skull rounds itself towards the spine).

The pads are also adjustable up and down to ensure maximum comfort and fit (something that many lower-end models do not have and are not required by the CPSC ). The last thing mountain bikers want is a helmet that bobbles around while sailing over roots and rocks. What you don’t see in this helmet is the Dupont Nylon reinforcements molded right into the EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) liner for added protection without added bulk. So basically you won’t look like the Toad character from Mario Bro’s video games, unlike some other economy helmets out there. With the Xar you get a low-lined helmet that adds a measure of protection to the sides and lower half of your cranium. At a cost of $130 MSRP, the Xar is the top lid in the AM price range because you’re paying for the fit, finish, and technology in it.

Fitting the Xar took just a few minutes, dialing the Roc Loc 5 system and chin strap to the way I like it. Once adjusted it was a very nice fit. The sides of the Xar helmet are set in a bit so that the space is more ovalized than round (for those of you who have a very round head, try before you buy) but this suits me just fine.

Riding on the trails I found it an enjoyable experience knowing the helmet is there but not feeling uncomfortable or overly hot. I guess the time spent making sure that this helmet keeps you cool paid off. For an added measure I noticed the full width brow pad absorbed any excess sweat and moved it to the sides.

When you have a chance take a look at Giro and check out the Xar and the other helmets in the line up. They have something for everyone!

I’d like to thank the folks at Giro for providing the Xar for review.

Toby Henderson and crew have gone and done it again! For the past few years I’ve been rocking THE full face helmets on the slopes and at the parks and this year there’s a brand new lid that’s more than just another re-design. The T2 full face helmet takes some styling queues from last year’s ONE but takes things to another level entirely. As with everything Toby does, he adds his own touches to products which sets them apart from the pack.

The T2 is a fairly lightweight helmet at just under 1,100 grams (mine weighs 1025grams) and is made from hand-laid composite materials which makes it super strong. The stylish tight silhouette features a semi-integrated visor in a fixed position with custom metallic hardware. A cool padded chin strap and double D-ring arrangement with matching hardware ensures the lid doesn’t vibrate at high speeds. The T2 even comes with a second color-matched visor in case your first one gets shredded.

The liner inside the T2 is sort of a cross between Corinthian leather and suede from the interior of an exotic sports car, finished off with THE INDUSTRIES embroidery. Even around the mouth guard you have an extra touch of shock absorbing material for added protection. For heat management, the T2 sports 17 large cooling vents (11 forward facing / 6 back) and four internal air-flow channels, which combine to pull heat out the back of the helmet. There’s also an included Cordura nylon helmet bag with handles to carry the helmet around. The T2 has graphic choices ranging from mild to wild – check the site to see for yourself.

As far as fit is concerned, the T2 fits a bit on the tight side, almost like a euro racecar helmet (unlike the diving bell fit that I’ve experienced with other helmets). To put the helmet on you have to spread the bottom a bit by pulling on the chin strap since the helmet has a tapered fit to help reduce unwanted helmet movement on the slopes.

The face opening is big enough for most goggles on the market – my Oakley and Giro goggs fit great. Along the sides of the opening, THE even added hard rubber inserts to minimize wear on goggle straps. With goggles off, the shape of the T2 has also been designed to secure your strap in position which reduces the chances of your goggles slipping off.

Most of my tests of the T2 have been at the indoor park on my DJ bike. I haven’t had any big crashes yet (I did face plant once off a jump – that’s another story) but I’m pretty confident this helmet will be up to the task when the time comes. The T2 Exceeds CPSC and CE certification standards.

I had a really hard time picking a color scheme because all the choices are pretty hot. I went for the Fantasy ($229 MSRP) because I love the mix of patterns, vibrant colors, and graphics that will show great in photos this summer. The best helmet is the one you don’t mind wearing – and I can’t wait to put this one on every time I shred!

Helmets off to the folks at THE for sending the T2 down for a review!

What a handsome devil huh? Yep, that’s trek7k trying out the POC Trabec Race helmet at Interbike back in September. I managed to get my hands on one a few months ago and I’m ready to share my review. The Trabec represents a first in the XC/AM helmet market for POC which is already well known in DH/DJ circles. With a new helmet like the Trabec it’s only a matter of time before POC becomes a household name in the XC world as well.

In case you’re wondering, POC hails from Sweden and their mission is “to do everything we can to possibly save lives and to reduce consequences of accidents for gravity sports athletes, by developing and renewing what personal protection is all about.” Ok, so maybe some of that was lost in translation but clearly it’s a bold statement. The Trabec helmet is proof that POC is serious about its mission.

The Trabec helmet is made from EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) but with a twist: an embedded aramid fiber grid adds a second level of protection. Think of the construction as a mix of a skeleton with a tough outer shell. The aramid filament is the skeleton while the hard polycarbonate shell is optimized with zero seams in the most exposed areas.

The Trabec Race has a familiar singletrack/enduro style to it, with good coverage that doesn’t just ride on top of the rider’s head.  Developed without compromising functionality or performance, the inside of the helmet features a channel system with 16 vent holes for ventilation.

Moving further inside the helmet, the intelligently placed molded pads are comfortable and help wick moisture away. To make sure everything stays in place, POC utilizes a helmet stabilization system similar to Giro’s Rocloc . There are two pads at the back that pull your head toward the front of the helmet while the strap and buckle system holds the helmet in place to prevent rolling. The pads at the back are also height adjustable to best suit your head shape.

I found that I could wear this helmet for both trail and DJ riding. Of course the Trabec isn’t a full-fledged DJ helmet but for me it worked great on Joyride’s indoor progressive jumps and pump track. The helmet felt good – a bit snug on the sides but nothing too bad (everyone has a different head shape so you may not have the same experience). Adjusting the helmet was easy enough with gloves off; with gloves on the adjusting tabs are a bit smallish.

Since it’s still cold here I can’t say how the helmet vents perform in the sweltering summer heat, though I did get some test rides indoors at around 65 degrees. At these temperatures the Trabec felt reasonably comfortable, and when I was moving I could definitely feel some air circulation from the 16 vents. I didn’t get sweat pouring down over my eyes due to a overly soaked cushion either, so in that way that’s a big plus. The visor is adjustable and can be removed and re-attached easily. Indoors I typically rode without the visor.

So what do I think of the Trabec Race? Well for POC’s first stab at an XC/AM helmet, clearly the guys and gals did their homework and did a good job. It may not be the lightest but it certainly offers great protection and is durable – I tossed mine in and outta the car and into the house without  noticing any dings or dents.

Ok, so how much does this baby cost? Well, how much is your noggin worth? The Trabec is priced at $175 which is a premium price but in return you’re getting premium protection – just do a few searches for crash videos on YouTube to remind yourself how painful and expensive a brain hemorrhage can be.

Check out the Trabec Race and other cool gear on POC’s website. Thanks to POC for providing this helmet for review.

For 2011 POC has expanded its protective equipment and apparel line-up, adding a few extra colors plus cool new gear for the trail rider. Last year was hugely successful for POC and it looks like 2011 will be another great year.

The new Trabec helmet, a mix between a DJ and XC helmet, headlined the show for POC and offers the best of both worlds. With high strength, lightweight comfort, and adequate airflow, this one looks promising. In the photo of trek7k below you can see that the Trabec fits low on the head without that mushroom kind of look. What you don’t see is the hidden layer of Aramid filiment EPS core that gives this skid lid its strength.

Not only does POC have new helmets but they also got some bling going on for your off-the-bike times. With the addition of sun shades and an expanded clothing line, POC is starting to look like the go-to-guys for the serious rider. This year they also added a sky blue color to helmets, goggs, and clothing PLUS there’s even a new Danny MacAskill endorsed helmet.

If you notice, not only does POC have an eye for color but they are also going for texture (hard to see but some of the shorts above are made of corduroy). Check out POC for more information on the rest of their product line for 2011. I am sure there is a thing or two that will pique your interest!

Here’s some exciting news for your noggin: Giro just released the redesigned Roc-Loc retention device on selected helmets, like the Athlon MTB helmet. Roc-Loc has been around for a while so you may be wondering why Giro changed things up. Well, Giro works to provide riders with the best equipment and there’s always room for improving their products, no matter how great the original design. And with Roc-Loc, improve it they did.

Giro’s new Roc-Loc 5 promised and delivered on many key features such as a new level of comfort and fit like no other. Not only did they make the Roc-Loc 5 more adjustable by means of a new micro adjust tension dial in back, they also added 15mm of vertical adjustment to reduce pressure points. And recognizing that most mountain bikers also wear eye protection when they ride, Giro made the arms that attach the strap system to the helmet smaller, allowing for more room for sunglasses temples .

At this point you may be picking up on the word “smaller” in this review. While some may think smaller means less protection, rest assured that Giro went through a lot of testing. From what I gather, Giro ran these helmets through around 6,600 cycles which is like riding 3 times a day, everyday, for 3 years. Now that would be a lot of singletrack! Not only is the retention system smaller but it’s also 40 percent lighter than the previous version, Roc-Loc 4.

After wearing the Athlon with the new Roc-Loc 5 I have to say it is one of the most, if not the most, comfortable lid I’ve worn to this day. For one thing, this helmet feels lightweight and breathes like no other brain bucket out there. The two new pads on the inside back conform nicely to the shape of my head without that annoying feeling like something is pressing back there. On the trails of 3-Stages near Collingwood, with its mix of fast rocky singletrack and über technical switchback descents, I didn’t get any movement from the helmet. Keep an eye out for the new Giro helmets with Roc-Loc 5 which are available now!

The Athlon retails for $135 and comes in three sizes and 6 cool color choices. Thanks to folks at Giro for sending the Athlon down for testing. Visit Giro for more information and pics on the new colors.

Cross-country and road riders are already familiar with Giro bike helmets – they’re typically high quality, lightweight, and comfortable. But did you know Giro also offers bombproof lids for those who love pointing their bikes down steep slopes? If you’re someone who steers toward massive drops and stunts while friends are on the phone speed dialing 911, a Giro full face bike helmet and goggle combo is for you.

This year Giro really turns up the heat with eye-popping graphics on helmets and gloves plus high quality optics on their newest goggs. I recently got a chance to test the new 2010 Giro Remedy CF ($270 MSRP) in white/gold/green which happens to match the singletracks DH jersey perfectly. I also got my mitts on the Root goggle (MSRP $129) in matte titanium with the Gold Boost 75 lens and the new DJ glove (MSRP $34) in white/green. These three items are a must if you’re planning on pushing your limits on the slopes or jump parks this season.

The Giro Remedy CF shell is made entirely of carbon composite and weighs a scant 910g (about 2 pounds) which makes it up to 30% lighter than similar helmets. The CF stands for “carbon fiber” and the overall shape of the Remedy CF is identical to the plain Remedy. The Remedy CF boasts 14 intelligently-placed vents to encourage proper air flow through the helmet as you’re bombing the trail. The internal EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner is molded to fit your head comfortably while channeling air from the exterior vents out the four rear vents.

The front chin bar is lined with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a great shock absorbing material for those times when you take a face-first approach to things. Just in case you’re wondering, the Remedy is only certified for pedal bikes and carries the CPSC and CE endorsements. Even though it looks and feels strong as a motorcycle helmet, it’s not actually DOT certified.

Overall, the Remedy fits on the loose side of things around the chin and cheek compared to other models I’ve tested. For those who prefer the feel of freedom inside, this is the helmet for you. Remember, it’s important to choose a helmet that doesn’t cause any “hot” spots (areas of higher pressure) on your head or face (this will depend on the unique shape of your melon).

One of the things I really like about the Remedy is the ability to remove the liner for cleaning. Just unsnap the material and rinse out your sweat – then snap things back together in a jiff. I also really dig Giro’s Super Fit system which makes pairing goggles with this helmet easy and comfortable.

Speaking of goggles, check out the Root. The Root it is a bit spendier than the popular Station MTB goggles but packs in way more cool stuff. Right off the bat you get to choose from 10 different lenses and 9 stock color ways.

The Root lenses are spherical in shape rather than cylindrical like conventional lenses. It turns out spherical lenses are shaped to match the contour of your eyes so that there is no perceivable distortion – super helpful for picking the right lines at high speed. The True Sight spherical lens is designed to rest at a constant distance from your eyes both horizontally and vertically (cylindrical lenses only keep distance constant horizontally). The lenses also offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C radiation. To top it all off, the lenses also feature an anti-fog finish and scratch resistant coatings.

The goggle surround is made of two-stage, soft foam which feels both comfortable and firm while ensuring no dust and debris may enter. The surround is also vented to allow body heat and moisture to exit which prevents fogging. The frame features extended band tabs to fit the helmet opening like a glove and keep the goggle firmly in place even on bumpy, jarring terrain. The band is 32mm wide and sturdy, though for some reason it doesn’t have anti-slip silicon strips to help prevent sliding. On a wet day it just may do exactly that.

Finally, if you want to look like a pro, your kit has to match and the Giro DJ glove offers a nice compliment to the Remedy and Root. The DJ is a durable, full-fingered glove meant to take whatever you can dish out. It’s basically a beefier version of the successful Xen glove with the major difference being the wrapped Clarino finger tips and extra padding across the knuckles. The palm features a Super Fit 3 panel and is enhanced with Clarino synthetic leather and a section of EVA padding. EVA is the perfect material for absorbing shocks and helps relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and the abductor digiti minimi muscle (didn’t know you were getting an anatomy lesson today, didya?).

Performance on the bike

Put these three together and you have a full house. The Remedy and Root are a great match: I didn’t notice more than about 15° of peripheral vision loss which is pretty solid for a full face / goggle combo. Out at the slopes and indoors at Joyride 150, I never got overheated or noticed my lenses fogging up.

When riding outside I found the Root lens to be perfectly balanced. It really enhanced the contrast of everything, especially on overcast days when trail details tend to muddle together. I also found the tint was just right even in lower light areas, like in the shadows of trees, and I didn’t need to slow down to let my eyes adjust. At the end of the day the Root goggles are far and away better than any others I own which is saying a lot!

The DJ gloves fit a bit on the tight side for size large so I needed a few days to get them broken in. Inside, the gloves felt comfortable – no stitches digging in and the glove basically stayed glued to my hand without moving around. Overall grip was great on the bars and the added silicon on the index and middle finger helped reduce the amount of grip I needed to hang onto the “chicken switches.” At the end of the day my hands felt fairly fresh and blister-free.

Giro offers a full range of DH-ready gear to protect your assets without harshing the ride on the way down. Just remember, this stuff won’t make you invincible, even though it feels like it does!

Thanks to the folks at GIRO for the equipment we reviewed. Another big shout to the guys and gals at Joyride 150 for hosting our indoor tests.

A little while back I did a review on the INK helmet from THE and absolutely fell in love. Well, Toby Henderson and the boys at THE Industries did it once again. The guys took all that was awesome about the very successful THE ONE helmet and managed to improve what was already a nearly-perfect product. The ONE still retains its great close-fitting shape but now sports an advanced silver anti-bacterial material embedded in a “Cool Dry” liner which is breathable, moisture wicking, and odor free (perfect for those who tend to neglect their equipment). All kidding aside, the liner is easily removable which makes for easy clean up.

The Picture above shows the Carbon Tiki on the left ($299 MSRP) and the Composite Celtic ($199 MSRP) on the right. Both helmets exceed CPSC and CE standards for safety and impact which, let’s face it, is easily the most important feature in any helmet.

Beyond improving the technical features of ONE helmets this year, THE has added several hot, new graphical styles for 2010. So many in fact, that I had a really hard time choosing two to write about. I finally decided on the Tiki for myself and The Celtic for Bob_the_Builder (BTB) to get his perspective.

Taking a look at the Tiki you can see the eye-popping Polynesian-inspired graphics that allow the carbon underlay to show through, giving the helmet an overall tribal pinstriping look like no other.

The venting layout provides great air flow to your face and channels the breeze around your head and out the back, doing a good job keeping your head cool for a full face helmet. They may be tough to spot but there are actually 15 external air vents on both helmets which direct flow to 4 internal channels. BTB felt like he needed just a bit more venting on his Celtic and found removing the foam filter on the front of the helmet just behind the steel mesh of the front opening improved ventilation.

THE ONE helmets boast impressively competitive weights. At 36 oz, the Carbon Tiki stands to be one of the lightest full face helmets out there. The Composite Celtic, at 41 oz, is a bit heavier but is still middle-of-the-pack as far as weight is concerned. As a comparison, most full face MTB helmets weigh between 36 oz and 50 oz+.

This year THE decided to change up the double-D chin strap rings slightly by having them treated in a black oxide treatment instead of last year’s chrome look. BTB and I both agree that we prefer like the new dark-out look. The double D ring also provides a positive no-slip solution that will not break or loosen during a bone-jarring runs.

Each THE ONE helmet comes with two visors which is something most helmet manufacturers don’t include. The last thing you want is to try to order up a new visor to match your helmet after you munch up your previous one with a face full of dirt. The front opening works well with goggles from Oakley, Spy, Fox, Giro, and Smith and your field of vision is really only limited by the style of goggles you choose. If  you decide to run without goggles (not that I recommend this for DH or FR, but let’s say you’re hitting jumps in a bike park), you’ll find the opening is not limited or obstructed by the sides or chin guard.

For most of our testing we took the helmets to Joyride 150 to get out of the bad Toronto weather where it’s been barely above zero degrees C (32° F). Both BTB and I received numerous  positive comments on the bold and unique look of the Tiki and Celtic helmets. Having been to Interbike and seeing the entire line up, all THE ONE helmets look great but I particularly love the look of these two units. The stunning red scroll work on the Celtic with its accented black and grey pin striping really sets the look apart. Likewise, the intricate blue print and highly detailed center stripe on the Tiki is really something to behold up close.

BTB on the progressive jumps doing what he does best.

Well folks, if you’re looking for a great fitting, safe and sturdy helmet, give THE ONE a try. I’m sure you too will enjoy these close, form fitting, light-as-a-feather helmets wrapped in rad graphics.  Stay tuned for other exciting products from THE!

Thanks to the folks at THE Industries for providing the Celtic and Tiki helmets for reviews and Joyride 150 for a place to ride and do our tests.

A mountain bike helmet is the type of thing that you expect to do its job but really don’t want to think about too much. In the case of a helmet, its “job” is to protect your head and a poor fit or uncomfortable design can limit its effectiveness (as in, if you don’t wear it because you don’t like it, it won’t work). Fortunately I found a helmet almost any competitive mountain biker can love in the Giro Athlon.

Design and technology

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know I’m into lightweight bike gear and up until now I’ve been wearing an expensive road-specific helmet on the trails because it was the lightest lid I could find. The Athlon (without visor) is a scant 8 grams heavier than my fancy road helmet and would probably weigh the same if my old helmet still had all its padding. At 330 grams with visor, I barely notice the Athlon is even on my head.

The Athlon features something Giro calls “In-Mold Technology” which means the outer shell is fused with the liner. This exo-skeleton design makes the helmet more durable than helmets with similar weight and ventilation characteristics. There are 3 sizes to choose from which makes it easy to find the right fit (some manufacturers only offer 2 adult sizes).

Speaking of ventilation, the Athlon has 23 vents and internal channels to route air flow. If you look closely at the inside of the helmet you can see the internal channels that route hot, stale air away from the head and out the back of the helmet. Even riding in the hot desert outside Las Vegas I found the ventilation to be more than adequate and my head and hair were virtually sweat free after taking off my helmet.

The Athlon sports a removable “low profile” visor that can be adjusted 15° up or down to adjust for changing lighting conditions. Giro uses a unique mechanism that limits rattle no matter what position the visor is in and in my experience the visor stayed put even through rough terrain. I’m still not completely sold on the utility of a helmet visor but the good thing is that it’s easy to pop on and off.

Performance on the trail

I’ve been wearing this helmet for a couple months now and I have to say it’s the best fit I’ve probably ever had. The Roc Loc 4 fit system can be adjusted with one hand and felt super comfy even on long rides. My old helmet felt like it fit well but after reviewing helmet cam footage I could clearly see the difference in stability between the two helmets (more on that later).

Padding inside the Athlon is strategically placed and did a decent job at sweat management. Fortunately the pads attach with velcro and are removable making them easy to rinse out after a particularly hot ride.

In addition to protection and comfort, mountain bike helmets these days need to serve as a mounting point for various electronics like lights, cameras, and for some, MP3 players. Although I don’t think the Athlon was designed with this in mind, I found that mounting my Stella 120 light & battery on top was a breeze. Mounting the VHoldr Contour helmet camera was not quite as smooth since the included mount is designed for helmets with flat surfaces. I’m hoping helmet designers will keep these types of uses in mind for future revisions – perhaps a simple flat mounting surface could be added to one side?

Appearance and replacement

On the surface it might seem like a helmet’s appearance shouldn’t matter but if you think your helmet is ugly, you’re less likely to wear it. The Athlon is offered in 6 color schemes including “lime green flames” and “gloss titanium” so there’s really no excuse for not finding a style you like.

Helmet manufacturers like Giro recommend replacing cycling helmets every 3 years, even if they’re not involved in a crash since the protective properties of the helmet can break down over time. And just so you know this recommendation isn’t some clever marketing ploy to get us to buy new helmets, Giro offers a free helmet inspection for your old lid (for details contact Giro at 800-456-2355 or Feedback@giro.com).

Overall impressions

The Giro Athlon is a solid choice for anyone who likes to ride light and fast. I found the Athlon to be stable and comfortable in a variety of conditions and give it high marks for aesthetics. Although I didn’t crash test this one (yet), I rest assured knowing this helmet is durable and meets or exceeds US CPSC Safety Standards. A helmet you don’t even notice wearing is the most effective helmet of all!

Thanks to Giro for providing this helmet for review.

Just a couple quick shouts on new 2009 MTB products we’ve seen (and liked) at Interbike:

Giro Athlon Mountain Bike Helmet

Giro Phase Mountain Bike Helmet

Camelbak elixir – We sampled a couple new flavors at the outdoor demo (Berry and Lemon Lime) and the stuff tastes really good. It’s not very sweet at all, more like ‘flavored water’ and I’m guessing it’s just enough to cover up the plastic/vinyl taste from your Camelbak on hot days. Bonus: electrolytes included