New Helmet time
09-24-18, 07:16 PM
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New Helmet time
It's new helmet time for me. My options for trying them on are limited. I'm looking at the Poc Octal AVIP MIPS, Giro Synthe and Kask Protone or Valegro. I'm looking for light weight and good ventilation as I live in Florida. Smith is also an option. Any advice or thoughts?
09-24-18, 07:58 PM
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MIPS is a good thing. The POC looks to be well-ventilated as well, but I have no personal experience with it.
09-24-18, 08:03 PM
#3
Non omnino gravis
Things I will not buy without trying them on: cycling helmets, and cycling shoes.
When I cracked my Smith, I went to the LBS and tried on every single helmet they had in my size. Bought the one that fit the best.
On my odd noggin, the fit of all of the POC helmets is... undesirable. Kask was the winner. The new Oakleys are nice. Came out too late, as I had already bought the Kask.
When I cracked my Smith, I went to the LBS and tried on every single helmet they had in my size. Bought the one that fit the best.
On my odd noggin, the fit of all of the POC helmets is... undesirable. Kask was the winner. The new Oakleys are nice. Came out too late, as I had already bought the Kask.
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09-24-18, 08:06 PM
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I have a Giro Synthe MIPS. I crashed at 16mph 3 weeks after getting it. Cracked the helmet and Giro gave me 50% off on a replacement,
People's heads are different shapes, so get one that fits.
People's heads are different shapes, so get one that fits.
Last edited by GlennR; 09-24-18 at 08:39 PM.
09-24-18, 08:20 PM
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Love my synthe, might be a bit “outdated” but I’ve had it for 3 years and when the times comes I’ll probbly look for another to replace it. Wicked comfortable aero and ventilated.
09-24-18, 09:45 PM
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POC fits a bit small, well ventilated, heavier (15 gms) than advertised. Kask Protone is really well ventilated and light, size is true to measurement 1-2 grams heavier than advertised . Giro Synthe fits a little big weight is 1-2 gms as advertized. Specialized Evade, true to size. 1-2 gms as advertised, exceptional ventilation over the others that I own above and the lightest. That's my noggin, I don't know how it will fit yours.
09-24-18, 10:37 PM
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I recently picked up the Bontranger Velocis w/ MIPS, coming from a Met Manta. I got for a good deal and looks similar to a Giro Synthe. Also the Velocis has a few things they did, that I like. Such as adding rubber padding, where you would normally put your sunglasses through. The paint from the shell, covering the brim part. The sizing was pretty true to size.
The only thing I would have an issue is the straps. I find that there just to much, but that not a big deal.
The only thing I would have an issue is the straps. I find that there just to much, but that not a big deal.
09-24-18, 11:27 PM
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It's new helmet time for me. My options for trying them on are limited. I'm looking at the Poc Octal AVIP MIPS, Giro Synthe and Kask Protone or Valegro. I'm looking for light weight and good ventilation as I live in Florida. Smith is also an option. Any advice or thoughts?
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09-25-18, 01:12 AM
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09-25-18, 05:40 AM
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Definitely try them on. I have a (big) oval head and while the POC Tectal MTB helmet fits me great, the Octal didn't at all. Even tightened down there was a ton of side-to-side play so it was too round. Giro's don't really fit me either.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
09-25-18, 05:48 AM
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Definitely try them on. I have a (big) oval head and while the POC Tectal MTB helmet fits me great, the Octal didn't at all. Even tightened down there was a ton of side-to-side play so it was too round. Giro's don't really fit me either.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
I am not a MIPS fan FWIW. Didn't want it.
In Florida OP, venting is a big consideration so be sure to read reviews because of aero versus venting tradeoff.
09-25-18, 05:49 AM
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09-25-18, 06:25 AM
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09-25-18, 07:08 AM
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09-25-18, 09:06 AM
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09-25-18, 09:20 AM
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The wife bough an Oakley helmet this year and she loves it. Fits her noggin well, has good ventilation, and most of all holds her sunnies on her face perfectly. Just as you'd expect from Oakley.
Last edited by NoWhammies; 09-25-18 at 09:28 PM.
09-25-18, 12:30 PM
#18
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It's new helmet time for me. My options for trying them on are limited. I'm looking at the Poc Octal AVIP MIPS, Giro Synthe and Kask Protone or Valegro. I'm looking for light weight and good ventilation as I live in Florida. Smith is also an option. Any advice or thoughts?
FWIW, I'd not buy a helmet without MIPS or some other equivalent technology. It's a game changer in helmet design, IMO. And at this point, its available at pretty much all price points. Bell/Giro made a big investment in MIPS financially and other helmet manufacturers are developing their own rotational protection technology now. POC was the first to adopt MIPS and is now moving to their own technology. So you have to look for what they call their version of MIPS.
J.
09-25-18, 02:25 PM
#19
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It's hard to avoid Giro/Bell -- they hog all the shelf space and suck all the oxygen out of the room. I made an effort to do that, however, and got a Kali about two months ago. I had intended for it to be the helmet that I use for casual, less serious riding, but it quickly became my favorite helmet, and my Giro, which I had formerly used only for my most challenging rides, got knocked down to casual use.
I wish I could find the article, but it described the three basic head shapes that helmet suppliers design to. The head shapes looking from top down were (if memory serves): round, oval and "roval" for round-oval. So figure out what head shape works best for you and stick with it. They're all getting better on accommodating ore of the three shapes, but they still have to kind of stick with one shape to a degree in order to keep the helmet frame close to the head.
That said, I find that of the various Bell/Giro Helmets I've had, none of them had as comfortable padding as some of the other brands I've found. To date, for me, POC bike helmets are the best fit and most comfortable.
J.
09-25-18, 02:38 PM
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This. Switched from a Giro Atmos to a Synthe a few months ago, I love it. I think it'll age well too, it's a great design looks-wise, it's well ventilated, it fits me well, it's allegedly more aero than the uber-dorky Air Attack... win/win.
09-25-18, 03:10 PM
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Honestly, I couldn't tell you. If it helps, I switched to the Atmos/Synthe from a Bell Volt which also seemed to fit just fine. I guess you could say my head is "regular shaped" because I haven't noticed any particularly awkward fits from any of the various helmets I've borrowed/tried on/owned, unless they're just too small.
09-25-18, 04:19 PM
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Snell just did another test on the MIPS: https://helmets.org/mips.htm
Punchline:
- MIPS does nothing for direct impact
- MIPS may help in a glancing impact; but head movement in the helmet is more significant
- Thinner padding/foam - to accommodate MIPS - may detract from protection
- How the helmet reacts with the surface (road) is more important than MIPS, padding, etc. - smoother is better... like a skateboard helmet
Punchline:
- MIPS does nothing for direct impact
- MIPS may help in a glancing impact; but head movement in the helmet is more significant
- Thinner padding/foam - to accommodate MIPS - may detract from protection
- How the helmet reacts with the surface (road) is more important than MIPS, padding, etc. - smoother is better... like a skateboard helmet
09-25-18, 04:23 PM
#24
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Definitely try them on. I have a (big) oval head and while the POC Tectal MTB helmet fits me great, the Octal didn't at all. Even tightened down there was a ton of side-to-side play so it was too round. Giro's don't really fit me either.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
Ended up with Kask Protone which while expensive, fits like a dream and is super comfortable.
09-25-18, 04:28 PM
#25
Non omnino gravis
I'm still not sold on MIPS. The helmets cost significantly more, and no one has been able to show that they actually do any better at protecting the head.
Both of my most recent helmet purchases have been non-MIPS versions bought shortly after the release of MIPS versions, which means I saved over $100 each time.
Both of my most recent helmet purchases have been non-MIPS versions bought shortly after the release of MIPS versions, which means I saved over $100 each time.
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