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review
Helmets
Giro AmareGiro Amare

Giro Amare

8
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 27, 2012

0
£119.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A comfortable, well featured helmet with a refreshing "barely there" fit
Weight: 
238g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

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The Amare from Giro is no cheap and cheerful beginner's lid, it's a properly technical, super light and highly ventilated helmet, aimed at demanding riders.

Most helmet manufacturers will (often somewhere in the small print) admit that there's little difference between a man's head and a woman's. Therefore, you'd think there was little requirement for female specific helmets? In reality, it's mostly a matter of styling, colours and also addressing the not-to-be-underestimated power of the term 'women's specific' for making some sectors of the female cycling market feel better catered to.

And yes, the Amare is for women. Giro claim they 'offer women's specific models to keep up with the fashion forward kit found on the mountain. Finishing details and a sophisticated colour palette set these models apart.' The Amare does indeed offer some colours that might be more attractive to women (although certainly wouldn't put off men) and feature some subtle graphic decoration too, but there's nothing too girly going on, and all the options should be safe enough to please even the most picky of riders.

Available in two sizes, the Amare is adjusted using a small dial at the back, and features slimline straps, with an adjustable buckle. 26 vents take care of channeling air to keep the head cool, no matter how much hair. This extra ventilation doesn't compromise the helmet's safety thanks to the In-Mould Composite Reinforcement polycarbonate construction, and it's certified to EN1078 as you'd expect.

On the head, it was really extremely comfortable, light and with a low profile fit that meant it didn't stand out on top of the head like some. The straps were easy enough to adjust and the fit was secure without being vice-like once I'd dialed it in. There was plenty of airflow, thanks to the vents.

At £120 it's up there in the higher price bracket for helmets, but doesn't stand out for being radically bad or good value for that, when compared with other helmets at a similar price, with similar features and weights.

Verdict

A comfortable, well featured helmet with a refreshing "barely there" fit.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro Amare

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at demanding female cyclists

Ideally suited to women riders looking for a low key high performance helmet.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

In-Mould Composite Reinforcement construction

26 vents

Adjustable straps

Replacement/additional pads supplied

Suitable for all types of riding

EN1078 certified

Available in 2 sizes S (51-55cm) and M (55-59cm)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Good quality materials and well made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Extremely comfortable and very light to wear.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

It'll last the same length of time as most helmets.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very light (lighter when weighed than the manufacturer's quoted weight).

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very comfortable and unobtrusive to wear.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Around the same price as most helmets with a similar spec.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, fit, low profile, venting.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Price.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Pleasantly feminine styling without being over girly, and an excellent fit and performance.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

women's
Helmet
Giro Amare
Giro
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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