The Radavist

Each week, Giro is opening up their custom helmet configurator with something they’re calling the Tuesday 25. The first twenty-five people will be able to design their Aether MIPS helmet, down to the straps, fitting system, and colors, choosing from a variety of patterns as well. This is the opportunity to design a truly unique helmet.

Check out more information at Giro!

While I don’t plan to be “twistin my body from side 2 side” anytime soon on my road bike, it’s comforting to know that like technology, cycling safety design is progressing at a – pardon the analogy here – breakneck speed. I’ll be honest, I don’t often do helmet reviews but I’ll admit I was really upset when Giro canceled the Atmos helmet. As a guy with a large dome, the Atmos fit me quite well, didn’t look obtuse, and felt great, even after long, hot days in the mountains. Later, Giro launched the Synthe, which I liked enough to make a Radavist edition, which I still stand firmly behind. So I’ll be honest with 100% transparency here. I really didn’t feel the need to talk about Giro’s new Aether MIPS when it launched today but upon my second ride in the helmet this morning, I was sold on both the comfort and the safety features of this revolutionary design…

If there is one piece of technology that can save your life, it’s a helmet. But that doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice fit, functionality, and yeah, fashion in the process. Giro’s new Aether MIPS looks to solve all three. Check out more at Giro and tech specs below.

This is a very informative video on helmet testing and the results might surprise you! See the results at IIHS.org.

After dominating the cycling eyewear market for decades, Oakley has decided to throw their hat, err helmet into the apparel and accessory ring. With multiple cycling kit designs, gloves, packs and three helmet designs, Oakley hopes to bring something for everyone with this new launch, from the aero-roadie to the all-day endurance road bike dirt rider. This entire collection will be available in February 2018. Check out more colors and helmet designs below and see more at Oakley.

I love clean and simple design, especially when it’s applied to something like a helmet. These look great! See more information at Rapha.

It’s tradeshow season and for companies like Bell, it’s one of the most important times of year for new product launches. Helmet design has changed a lot over the years and since the implementation of MIPS, helmets can now shed some layers on the inner lining making them lighter, safer and ultimately, more comfortable. That’s the case with the new Zephyr road helmet. Coming in 2017 and available in seven finishes, including a reflective “ghost” coating. See more details at Bell.

Brooks England may be known best for their saddles, yet over the years, they’ve developed various other products including apparel, tools, bags and now helmets. They just announced two helmets for 2017: the Harrier, a road and the Island, a commuter. Currently, Brooks is looking for 300 “Brooks Boomers” to help in the R&D of these helmets. Head to Brooks to see more details.

If you ride downhill or race enduro, chances are you spend a lot of time in a full-face helmet. The Giro Switchblade is a throwback to their first removable chin bar helmet. Back in 1998 they created the first mainstream mountain bike helmet with a removable chin bar and now, the design has been updated to include ASTM Downhill Certification…

Now to answer everyone’s pressing question: no, this will not make you shred like Aaron Bradford, but it’ll keep your smile pretty when you eat shit trying to!

Our good friends at LAND, the design duo who branded the Radavist, have teamed up with Smith to infuse the Maze Bike helmet with their artwork. It’s a classic example of ‘less is more’ when it comes to collaborations. The helmet has a matte tan base and is then overlaid with the LAND jaguar design. I wish this came in a road or mountain design because it’s one of my favorite illustrations of theirs. See more of LAND’s work at their Instagram and check out the Maze Bike helmet at Smith.

Anyone have a better shot of the artwork?

Two new, sub-$200 MIPS helmets have just landed in the Smith lineup. The Route road and Rover mountain helmets are designed with the everyday rider in mind, while not compromising in terms of looks or functionality. Check out the new product video above and see more information at Smith.

For those who want to stand out a bit more with a designer helmet, check out this collaboration between Paul Smith and Kask on their Protone Cycling Helmet. These ombré helmets are made in Italy and have landed at Paul Smith’s webshop.

Helmets provide a lot of real estate for technology but with all the action camera mounts, you end up with a lot of “bobble” weight. This week Bell Helmets announced a new 360-degree video integrated “smart” helmet, utilizing 360Fly. This helmet allows a 360º, 4K video capture and with the 360Fly app, you can edit and share before you even leave the trails. All this within Bell’s Super 2R design, which I would argue is one of the best on the market today.

Details at this time are limited and availability is estimated for fall. Pricing has not been set, so stay tuned. My only question: does it or will it come in black?

Camo and fluoro make for a strange dichotomy, especially with road cycling. The joke’s been made in the past: “why do you want a camo jersey on your road bike? Don’t you want to be more visible?” Is it fashion? Or function? Whatever it is, Lazer helmets tackled it in one of the more successful treatments I’ve seen on a helmet with their new Z1 color option.

Need a new trail or bikepacking helmet? Check out the new Giro Montaro™ MIPS. With looks to kill and great details, these helmets will be hitting dealers in October for a retail of $150, something we can all afford. Check out more information at Giro and see the product details at their web shop.

Last year at the Tour, Giro unveiled the SYNTHE helmet. A lightweight, aerodynamic, well-ventilated helmet with a clean, minimal profile. This year, the SYNTHE got safer with MIPS, or multi-directional impact protection system. MIPS is the by-product of the science behind safety, which in my opinion is more important than any speed or aerodynamic efficiency testing you’ll read online. Another factor to consider is looks. There are colors to match your desired look, from black to fluorescent. The SNYTHE looks good, which will make you want to actually wear your helmet more.

See more on the SYNTHE with MIPS at Giro and check these out at your local dealer in the Fall.

Bell continues their coverage of the Spring Classics with E3 Harelbeke, a race often described as a warm up for Flanders. Don’t be mistaken, this is far from a walk in the park. See more information at Bell!

During the rapidly-approaching Spring Classics, Bell Helmets is running a give-away for each of eight races, starting with Milan San Remo and team LottoNL-Jumbo. Head over to Bell to find out how you can enter for the give-away, featuring Bell products and team gear.