Giro Aeon Helmet Review

Just like my previous review on the Giro DND gloves, helmets are also very specific to the style of riding you do. You have full heavy face helmets for downhill, with the most protection, you have trail riding helmets that have less protection, and then you have a race helmet. I would like to say that race helmets have superior protection, however the goal in such a helmet is weight and ventilation with protection on the back burner.  The way a specific helmet fits the melon should be the main selling point, and for me when trying on various race helmets the Giro Aeon helmet fit me the best.

The Giro Aeon is made up of EPS foam which in general, all bicycle helmets are made of. What Giro does is add there Thermoformed SL Roll Cage reinforcement. Giro Claims that this shell is what holds the helmet together and gives extra strength in the case of an accident. The extra strength makes it possible to add so many vents, 24 of them.  The Thermoformed SL roll cage and the standard Polycarbonate shell act as a double reinforcement in the case of a tumble.

Giro also incorporated these technologies to create their maximum air flow called Wind Tunnel Ventilation. The Ventilation system combines these vents and the internal exhaust chambers. These chambers act to remove the heat out while the vents bring in cool air, creating a comfortable temperature in the warmest of days.

Giros tightening system, the Roc Lock 5 is a very easy system to tighten and loosen the helmet by very small intervals, creating just the right fit.  Giros Proprietary Three Size Super Fit system is by far one of the best features of this helmet. Because all of our heads are shaped differently Giro incorporated the Three Fit system to allow the Roc Lock 5 to move up or down on the back of your head.

Just recently I got to test out my new Giro Aeon helmet in the heat of Arizona for the Arizona Trail Race 300. I couldn't have picked a better time to test the helmet as one of Giros main selling points of the Aeon is the Ventilation. Before the race I tested out the Rudy Sterling helmet and Lazer Helium, both felt as if the helmet just sat on top of my head, rather then fitting snug around my head.

The Aeon has plenty of room for cycling caps.

Pros:

• The feature that sold me was the fit, it almost feels as if the Aeon is custom fit to my head. 
• The Roc Loc 5 and Three Fit systems combined to make a custom fit.
•  in 95* temperatures the heat on my head was the least of my worries, Giros Wind Tunnel Ventilation worked as advertised, bringing much needed air flow through the 24 vents.
• Comparing the weight of this helmet with My Giro Phase is a joke. The Aeon is the same weight as my Iphone with case.
• The X-Static pads inside the helmet are very comfortable and stay in place.
• The chin strap is very simple and light, and very easy to adjust.
• The sleek color and design is rad, while keeping it modest. Giro does however have flashy designs available if you're in to that.

Cons:

• The ultra thin Roc Loc/Three Fit plastic system seems very breakable.
• The weight is nice and all but the Aeon might be toast after a single fall.
• Price poin, one of the most expensive helmets on the market.

You can see how thin the plastic pieces are.

After wearing the ultra light Giro Aeon for 400 miles, I'm sold that it is a top of the line race helmet. Giro throws all their bells and whistles in to a relatively simple helmet. Compared to the helmets in this class, the Giro Aeon is by far the superior helmet-- that is of course if you can throw down anywhere from $250 to $175. Currently the Aeon comes in three sizes and 8 different color options. Check out Giros website to take a look.