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review

Giro Savant helmet

9
£59.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Hard to knock a helmet that delivers pro helmet performance at an entry level price
Weight: 
238g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Savant is Giro's new one-up-from-entry-level helmet. Picking it up I thought I was looking at the new top of the range model and couldn't believe it's RRP of £59.99 (though you can find them for less online).

It just feels so well-made and light - my scales say 238 grams for the medium size test helmet. That's only 16 grams more than the manufacturer's claimed weight for the Aeon, the top of the range Giro helmet, and less than the claimed weight for the Atmos, which sits above it in the line-up.

Putting it on doesn't disappoint: it feels very comfortable and secure and is just so easy to adjust with the new Roc Loc 5 system. It gives you a micro-dial to adjust the horizontal retention system, a three position bracket to modify vertical fit (you can do this with the helmet on your head), and the usual buckles on the straps to keep them where you want them.

Giro uses a moulding system that fuses the foam inner with the polycarbonate outer using it as a sort of exoskeleton. They claim that this allows them to design better ventilation systems that keep their helmets lighter and cooler than others. For the Savant this results in 25 vents, cooling your head well.

I can't say much about how strong it is, other than that it is rated to EN 1078.

The Savant is available in 6 colour combinations and 3 sizes.

Verdict

With helmets fit is everything, and the Giro shape might not work for everyone. If it does work for you, I can highly recommend the Giro Savant. In my opinion, you get pro level performance at an entry level price.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro Savant helmet

Size tested: M

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?

Giro says: "Authentic style and performance, with unmatched value. The Savant is an amazing fit for riders who enjoy great routes as much as a swift pace. The Slim shape combines impressive ventilation thanks to 25 Wind Tunnel vents, and the comfortable convenience of the adjustable Roc Loc 5 fit and stability system. And with the light weight and durability of In-mold construction, it won't weigh you down."

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

The new Roc Loc 5 system is the newest iteration of Giros's fit adjustment system and it works really well. It's also (claimed to be) much lighter than the previous Roc Loc 4 system.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

It feels like a much more expensive helmet when you pick it up.

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

At 238 grams on the road.cc scales, it's much lighter than many other, including much more expensive, helmets.

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

Pro helmet feel at a quarter of the price of the top of the range Giro model, the Aeon.

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

It just works really well, it feels good in your hands and it feels good on your head.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The overall feel of it.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

There was nothing I didn't like.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I can't think of anything that would improve this helmet.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Cervelo Dual

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, Audax

 

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
Rodney | 12 years ago
0 likes

Mine came today - great helmet & only £38 delivered  4

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspokes.co.uk%2Fgiro-s...

Avatar
dave atkinson | 13 years ago
0 likes

To be fair to mat, movember *wasn't* over when we took the pic...  1

Avatar
The _Kaner | 13 years ago
0 likes

Movember's over...caterpillar needs to turn into a butterfly and fly away...lol  19

Avatar
arrieredupeleton | 13 years ago
0 likes

You could buy that man a razor with the money you'd save.

Avatar
seabass89 replied to arrieredupeleton | 13 years ago
0 likes
arrieredupeleton wrote:

You could buy that man a razor with the money you'd save.

That man doesen't need a razor.. He needs 'stash wax..

Avatar
dave atkinson | 13 years ago
0 likes

£59.99 is the RRP, which is what we base our value judgements on in reviews. Even at that price, it gets a 10  1

Avatar
Gkam84 | 13 years ago
0 likes

I don't know if your factoring in shipping for the £59.99 but it can be found cheaper than that

http://www.myspokes.co.uk/giro-savant-road-helmet-cheapest-in-uk-free-p-p

^^ £37.97 free postage

Avatar
James Warrener replied to Gkam84 | 13 years ago
0 likes
Gkam84 wrote:

http://www.myspokes.co.uk/giro-savant-road-helmet-cheapest-in-uk-free-p-p

^^ £37.97 free postage

Never heard of them before, has anyone on here placed an order with them yet ?

Avatar
Rodney replied to James Warrener | 12 years ago
0 likes

Yes ordered mine few days ago from myspokes.co.uk - took a few days for dispatch but was delivered next day once dispatch email was sent  4

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