Giro Helios Spherical helmet

The Giro Helios Spherical helmet benefits from the trickling down of the company's highly praised MIPS Spherical technology – which was first introduced on its top-end Aether – to this less race-focused lid. The protection of the MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) comes on a comfortable lid with ample adjustability, at a cheaper price.

The Spherical technology powered by MIPS included in the Helios uses two separate foam liners and 'elastomeric anchors' in a ball and socket construction, with the outer one rotating around the inner, in the event of a crash. These shells absorb the harmful rotational forces to provide greater impact protection (read our full article, linked below, on MIPS to further understand these benefits).

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The exterior polycarbonate shell of the Helios Spherical is in-molded, which means that it is permanently fused with the EPS foam liner for increased durability.

The Spherical technology integrates the slip plane into the helmet shell itself – it appears as though the main body of the helmet has been split equally in half and then reattached with tightly strung rubber bands. By gently holding the helmet you can shift these two layers with just your hands – the movement isn't only apparent in a collision.

Giro says this technology eliminates the side-effects of using a plastic insert, which can be found in other conventional MIPS systems. With the Spherical lid, ventilation and sweat management has been improved, and the 'snag points' that can pull hair are non-existent. By using two separate foam liners, Giro says the density of each of these layers has also been optimised to address the differences between high- and low-speed impacts.

> All you need to know about MIPS

Tightened up, this lid provides a comfortable and secure hold, with a fit that can be adjusted with ease thanks to Giro's Roc Loc 5 Air system. To spread the pressure and to cater for varying head shapes, the system stretches the full circumference of the helmet. It's controlled by a wheel at the rear, which makes a reassuring audible click on each slight twist for accurate fine-tuning, both when tightening and clicking back down to loosen slightly.

Then there's the vertical fit tab which has the option of four positions for 35mm of up-and-down adjustment and meant I was able to accommodate my hair tied back at the height I prefer (it's not me in the photos!).

The fit was sturdy, even when detouring off the beaten track onto rougher terrain – it is suitable as a gravel lid.

Cushioning the forehead is a single interior pad which curves round the front end of the helmet. Even though the soft padding is thicker than most performance helmets, it sits flush and is incredibly comfy to wear. Moisture is also effectively prevented from dripping down into your eyes, and the pad's anti-microbial qualities have staved off any unpleasant workout odours. That said, it's not like I have been getting particularly sweaty in these current sub-10°C conditions – even when in the hurt-cave doing intervals. So, more on the performance of this sweat collector when summer hits...

Cooling is managed through 15 vents. Other than the larger central vent, the spattering of escapes are quite small. Given the size and restrictive shape of the vents on the Helios it is quite surprising that Giro says its cooling efficiency rating is only slightly behind that of the Aether, by ~2%. Deep in winter at the moment (again, sorry), it's going to be a little while until I can fully comment on the ventilation promises of the Helios Spherical in the heat. That said, the lid has felt airy as I can feel the wind blowing through my hair.

Helmets with a MIPS system do make weight sacrifices for the safety gains. The medium sized helmet on test weighs in at 274g and doesn't feel feathery (perhaps I am slightly biased because my day-to-day helmet is the Kask Valegro at ~200g), but the Helios is respectably lightweight for a MIPS helmet.

Unlike the Aether, there are no gripper pads in the forward vents to keep your sunglasses stashed in place, which is a shame.

Forty pounds cheaper than the Aether, at £229 the Helios is an enticing option with its safety benefits of MIPS delivered on a performance lid. MIPS systems can be found on helmets for as little as £64.99 with Smith's Signal MIPS helmet, but this is aimed at more casual use.

Back to performance lids, the MET Rivale MIPS is cheaper at £140, and impressed with its great adjustability and stunning looks – added to which, it's 38g lighter. With effective ventilation and an innovative closure system, the Lazer Z1 MIPS also costs less at £169.99. But the MIPS systems on both of these feature the less-well-integrated yellow plastic insert.

> Buyer’s Guide: 19 of the best lightweight high-performance cycling helmets

Three sizes of the Helios Spherical are available, fitting head diameters from 51cm up to 63cm. The 55-59cm medium I had on test came in the loudest option with the red on the inner shell blaring through the black and white outer. There other four colourways in the range, including a total stealth black, a warmer matt black, black with yellow highlights, and white with silver fade.

Overall, with its understated looks, the Helios Spherical impressed as an incredibly comfortable lid with a low-profile design that still delivers well on aero and cooling performance. Although still not cheap at £229, Giro brings its innovative and well-integrated Spherical MIPS technology to a more affordable lid, and leading brain protection technology now doesn't come with compromises. It's comfortable, well ventilated and lightweight enough.

Verdict

Incredibly comfortable performance lid with well-integrated MIPS – now available at a more reasonable price