Giro’s Montaro Mips Helmet is a versatile off-road skull protector that has the added distinction of being the first helmet Giro designed around the Mips system rather than adding it after. This makes fitting a bit easier, but the biggest plus of the Montaro is how well it protects and cools your head in a lightweight package. Weight is 375g for a medium.
Mips, or Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is a big deal. The technology is a means for reducing impact forces by creating a virtual sliding bowl system inside the helmet whereby your head is attached to the bowl and the bowl can slide against the inside of the helmet. You won’t notice it when you’re riding, it won’t move, it won’t change airflow, but it will reduce rotational forces in falls where you’re flipping over. The system is of a piece with Giro’s Roc Loc Air fit system, which holds the helmet, firmly yet comfortably on your noggin.
Mips is in addition to the standard EPS foam layer of protection and the polycarbonate microshell bonded to the foam. The EPS itself is made more durable by a molded internal roll cage that the foam surrounds. You’ll probably never see it, but it’s there to keep it all together when the dreaded impact occurs.
That’s the necessary stuff. But it only comes to life when things are going south. The rest of the helmet is designed to maximize the good times. The venting system consists of sixteen vents that are connected to molded internal channels. This will keep your head cool as you climb. There’s an included adjustable visor. It’s solidly attached to the helmet, but thanks to the POV+ system, it can be tilted up or down with one hand while riding. There are four positions: low, medium, high, and room for goggles. Total range of adjustment is about 30 degrees.
The helmet is designed for camera integration and the snap-on breakaway mount, with GoPro’s in mind, will save your head, helmet, and camera. If you wear goggles, the back of the helmet is designed flat and ridged to keep the strap in place.
The Giro Montaro Mips holds nothing back.
Complies with the US CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmet for Persons Age 5 and Older