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review

Giro Vasona Mips Women’s Helmet

7
£69.99

VERDICT:

7
10
An affordable helmet for road and trail with added Mips protection, especially suited to smaller-headed riders
Weight: 
281g

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The Giro Vasona Mips helmet is a good looking, comfortable and affordable lid, aimed at women who cycle on road or trail. As the name suggests, it includes the integrated Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (Mips), and comes in a great choice of colours, but just the one size – 50-57cm; if you have a small head (not all women do, Giro!), you should be fine.

  • Pros: Affordable, versatile, includes Mips
  • Cons: Heavyweight straps

Helmet fit/comfort is subjective, but I found the Vasona very comfortable. It's one size but that goes down quite small, 50cm, making it a good choice for those with small heads.

[url=http://www.zyrofisher.co.uk/retailers/giro]> Find your nearest dealer here[/url]

The fit is adjusted with a Roc Loc Sport system, which worked well – a dial at the back is easy to tighten and loosen. My only gripe is that the dial needs to be a little lower for better use with gloves.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_tension_system.jpg

The helmet has an in-mould construction, polycarbonate shell with EPS liner. It weighs in at 281g, which is a little heavier than some of the helmets I've reviewed recently, but comparable to the more expensive (£199) Oakley ARO5. The £64.99 Bell Tempo I reviewed is a little lighter at 256g, but it's hardly a huge difference, and once the Giro Vasona is on your head you really don't notice it.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_side_2.jpg

Like the Oakley and Bell, the Giro has a Mips layer inside – a multi-directional impact protection system (read more about Mips here). This is a popular addition to many helmets to provide more protection in the event of an accident. It is described by Mips as 'slip-plane' technology and is designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_inside.jpg

The Vasona has 22 vents to keep the air flowing. They do quite a good job at cooling, and this combined with quick-drying padding meant I wasn't sweating much on hot days during long rides. Venting didn't feel as good as with the Oakley ARO5, but that's a 200-quid helmet.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet.jpg

The padding is comfortable, attached with Velcro so it can be removed and washed if needed. It did seem a plusher forehead pad than most, and my forehead did feel a bit warmer than normal. I could also feel the straps a little bit on long rides – they're a bit more heavyweight than some, though they sit around the ears and face neatly.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_strap_2.jpg

The buckle is one of those ratchet types which does the job well, but it's larger than your typical helmet buckle.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_clip_detail.jpg

The Giro comes with a removable visor and in my opinion looks great with it on or off. It's an easy and neat quick clip design – no ugly holes like with Giro's Venus model. It's great for sunny days and trail riding, or you can take it off to look a bit more roadie.

giro_vasona_mips_womens_helmet_-_with_peak.jpg

Having reviewed a number of helmets recently, the Vasona compares very well to the Bell Tempo I mentioned earlier – both providing a comfortable fit for small heads at a similar price. The Bell pips it for me on fit, but I do really like the bright colour of the Vasona. I would possibly choose the Giro Vasona for mountain biking and the Bell Tempo for long road rides, but try out fit for yourself as everyone has different shaped heads.

> Cycling helmets: Everything you need to know

Overall, the Giro Vasona Mips is a great helmet for those with a smaller head. It's comfortable, easy to adjust, sporty looking for a £70 helmet, with a great choice of colours.

Verdict

An affordable helmet for road and trail with added Mips protection, especially suited to smaller-headed riders

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro Vasona Mips Womens Helmet

Size tested: 50-57 cm

Tell us what the product is for

Would suit any female cyclist for road or trail.

Giro says, "The Vasona™ MIPS® helmet combines sleek, lightweight design with an integrated Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) that can redirect energy and provide more protection in certain impacts, giving you the latest in head protection on the road or trail. Made in a comfortable, Universal Fit™women's size with our adjustable Roc Loc® Sport fit system, the Vasona's fit can be custom-tuned with a simple turn of the dial to make fitting fast and hassle-free. And with a range of colours to suit almost any style, you can choose exactly how your on-bike style comes together."

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

From Giro:

Integrated MIPS® Technology

Compact shape

Full Hardbody™ shell

Reflectivity

Quick-dry padding

Quick Link removable visor

Construction: In-mold polycarbonate shell with EPS liner

Fit System: Roc Loc® Sport MIPS

Ventilation: 22 vents

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

A well made, good looking helmet.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Performed well on long rides, generally not noticeable.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10

Comes in at 281g, a little heavier than some.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10

A comfortable helmet to wear.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

£70 is a decent price for the quality and Mips system.

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

Used for rides from 1-5hrs, it performed as it should, with a comfortable fit. I could feel the straps a little bit on long rides, and the pad for the forehead is a little thick.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I liked the colour and that it fits a small head.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The thick straps and thick forehead pad.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they have a small head.

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's a good quality helmet at a decent price, with the added Mips protection. If the straps and forehead pad were better, I'd be tempted to score it an 8.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 168  Weight: 60

I usually ride: specailized dolce  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

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