GiroVanquish MIPS Helmet(Return to Product Page)

Previously used Giro Air Attack helmet. I ordered the same size Vanquish (Medium) For some reason I find the Vanquish visor rests directly on the bridge of my nose. Also the visor bottom edge is into my face. Not sure if I should have gotten a smaller size. The visor does cover a wider area. I had no problem with the Air Attack.

I do like visors since the have protected my face from an occasional stone flying up.

I ordered this helmet in February after a long debate, and after a few months can say that I love it. I was really on the fence because it looks really weird in the pictures, but in real life it doesn't have funky angles or strange curves it just looks like a nice helmet. I read a few reviews stating that the back of the helmet is the strangest part (visually), but it looks no different than almost any other modern helmet.

The fit is as good and comfortable as I've come to expect from Giro, with easy-to-adjust straps that don't require much thought to figure out.

The visor fits snugly into position with I believe five magnets that are molded into the top edge of the visor, vs. three very visible magnets on the Air Attack (not visible when the helmet is in place). In the upstowed position, I've had zero issues with the visor staying in place, not even an inkling that it was going to come off going over rough spots. To stow the visor, flip it upside-down and it attaches easily using the rear-most magnets.

Cooling this is what I really worried about, since I came from a Synthe (lost that one to a crash), and I live in the south where the heat indices climb over 100 by mid-June. I've had no overheating issues at all, as this helmet has plenty of ventilation, I'm guessing ducted just the right way, to do the job. And yes, I generate heat I ride with the faster groups averaging 25-30 on the flats. Back when it was still cold, I really didn't have any complaints about heat loss, since I wore a cycling cap under the helmet, but the Air Attack is warmer in winter.

Visibility the visor give me a clear, wide view with no distortion. Along the side edges the visor isn't clear, but had a rim for structural stability which I thought would be an issue, but it isn't. There is a small gap between the lower side edges and the helmet body that allows peripheral vision to see what you need to, and looking to the sides (eyes only) still gives a good view without obstruction, so no trouble with that aspect at all. The smoke lens is dark enough in sunlight, and still good in dusk.

My only complaint is that I cannot order a clear lens for the (few) night rides that I do.

Overall, get this helmet it is comfortable, looks high-end without being edgy, MIPS, cooling, and the reliability of the GIRO name.

I debated this purchase for a while, then caught it on sale last month (still on sale now, so jump on this while you can). The fit is comfortable (medium for my 7-38 head and I have plenty of room to loosen and a few turns of the screw to tighten, so I am not struggling with a helmet that barely fits). Typical of Giro's top-end helmets (I've never had an entry-level one of theirs), the adjustments are easy and I'm expecting no slipping of the straps in their adjusters, since that has been my experience so far.

Aero? Seems to be! Since I'm not the owner of a wind tunnel, I'll have to parrot the other reviewers and say that it feels fast.

The visor..... attaches with four small integrated magnets, unlike the three prominent round ones on the Air Attack Shield. The visor goes on easily, securely, and makes a good seal. There are small ventilation holes in the top of the visor, so fogging won', I expect, be an issue (remember sitting still means no air movement, so even ventilated sunglasses can fog when you're stopped). I've seen many reviews that say the visor doesn't feel secure when flipped upside down on the helmet. There is a little truth to this in that the stowed position of the visor is higher than the regular position, so it does not into engage the channels (that exist for aero purposes and as a consequence, to help keep it securely in place), and only has the back two magnets holding it. This causes the visor to have a little travel, as it can swivel up a little, but the truth is that I've not had any trouble on the road with the visor stowed this way. I've been on one rough patch of road that I hate (the group ride took us there), and I was worried that something would give up there, but all was fine. I've not gone off-road nor done any bunny-hopping to test things, but I'm going to trust Giro's QA on this based on my very limited unintentional test.

Two complaints first, there are still no other colors of visor available other than what comes with the helmet, nor are replacements available. Second, and this ties in a bit to the first, is that the visor sits very close to the face and allows no room to wear glasses underneath without the two touching. I understand why, and love the functionality, and no, I don't wear prescription glasses, but those that do will potentially have a problem, depending on the size of their frames. My personal issue is that with the old Air Attack Shield, if my ride was going to last until after dark, I could wear the dark visor and clear glasses underneath, then stow the dark visor as he light faded and already have on glasses without having to worry about scratching them in a pocket (or using pocket space better left to calories on a long ride).

T

Great upgrade. I seldom use the wind shield on group rides.

Great helmet. One small complaint. I cant figure out how to properly secure the visor in the stowed position. It feels like it will fall off easily. This is very easy and very secure on the Aerohead.

Visor is very secure in the down position though.

Adjustable 100%, Aerodynamics Advantech felt when going over 25 mph, everything flows. Good quality as always with Giro products.

Great fix , aero

Great fix , aero

I really like the fit and feel of the helmet. I haven't tried the visor yet, but the fact that it's magnetic is really convenient.

This is a bada** helmet. Very aero , very lightweight, fits true to size, and looks awesome as well.

Most comfortable helmet I own.

Great helmet. Super comfortable and very versatile between road cycling or time trial (Triathlon).

I am bummed that when descending or riding in the wind it is like having a fan pushing air directly at my eyeballs. It is comfortable otherwise

So I was riding with a Giro Aether for the past couple years for reference. I wanted an aero helmet because I'm doing a lot of faster rides and I'm looking for free speed. This helmet feels like the future. With the integrated eye shield I don't ever get watery eyes from the wind at high speed. The airflow is at least as good as my Aether so that's not a compromise. The fit is perfect for me (I have an oval head shape). And with this helmet I went about 1mph faster over a three hour endurance ride (22mph vs 21mph). I was initially thinking that I would keep my Aether for warmer days or slower rides, but somehow the Vanquish keeps my head just as cool and I don't think I'll need my old helmet anymore.

Had it for 18 months. Great aero (I've not windtunnel-tested it personally... :) Super comfy/adjustable. Visor is awesome - its position is great, doesn't touch my nose ever, full eye coverage obviously even when my head is down and eyes are all the way up. Hit a big tree branch and flew off my bike - chin needed stitches, but the rest of my head AND face were totally protected by the helmet and visor. When I ride with slower friends, I put my usual helmet & oakley sunglasses on 'cuz I don't want to show off my aero and speed obsession, but come on...just doesn't compare.

Recently had a fairly high speed crash while out on a training ride. My Giro Vanquish helmet did exactly what it was intended to do- it cracked upon impact and saved me from what would have been a catastrophic injury had I not been wearing a helmet. I walked away with a mild concussion and an appreciation for MIPS technology! Just ordered another Vanquish helmet.

Also, the helmet is comfy and well ventilated!

I upgraded my helmet after one of my cycling buddies was hit by a car when biking. I'm glad I did. This helmet is surprisingly cool and comfortable. The goggles are a bit too snug to wear glasses under, but otherwise they helmet is excellent.

I used this helmet for a couple of months before it met its' demise this week when another cyclist turned 90 degrees in front of me (at half my speed), causing me to crash into them and then headshoulder first into a 6 diameter steel fence pole cemented into the ground at 20 mph. Fortunately for my headneck, it was a glancing blow, but the helmet did its job. In fact, the outside of the helmet looked untouched, save for a couple minor scratches. It wasn't until trying to figure out why the MIPS stuff on the inside was out of alignment, that I noticed some cracks in the foam. Oh yeah, and the helmet works well in the aero dept too compared to my Poc Octal - a noticeable difference in average speeds over a ride (although you don't really notice it while you're riding), especially when wearing a speed suit or skin suit. And, unlike many aero helmets, I can fit my sunglasses in the holes in the front (and it seems to vent well enough too, but it hasn't been over 73 degrees here to test it out in any real heat). Can't go wrong with this helmet.

I had serious dry eye issues using this for a long time the cutting for air flow funnels the Air right into the eye