Giro Aether Spherical Helmet for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

9.0
out of 10
17 Positive, 3 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 20 Reviews
Retail Price:
$299.95
Used Value:
$179.97
Sale Value:
$269.96

When Giro set its aim at designing the groundbreaking Aether MIPS Helmet, it's goal was to create the safest road helmet it could, without making any sacrifices to weight, comfort, aerodynamics, or ventilation. In typical Giro fashion, it exceeded expectations at every objective and the Aether provides the discerning cyclist a stylish lid with absolutely zero compromises. You'll certainly notice them atop the Team BMC pros at this year's Tour, providing them with the protection they need during the chaotic sprint finishes that define the start of the 3-week race, and while plummeting down high-speed descents on exposed, narrow, hairpin roads, all the while keeping them from overheating while the sun bakes down on the French countryside. 

The most revolutionary feature on the Aether is the all-new MIPS Spherical protection system. By now, we're all pretty familiar with how standard MIPS works, using a plastic liner inside the helmet to act as a slip-plane, helping to redirect the impact energy at certain angles. With MIPS Spherical, the principles are the same, however, instead of that slip plane sitting against your head, often compromising the fit and choking off much-needed ventilation, two layers of foam on the outside of the helmet slide against one another becoming the essential components allowing for the MIPS mechanics.

The progressive layering of the multi-density EPS foam allows Giro to save weight with the impact absorbing material and its covered by a 6-piece polycarbonate shell. Its laser cut with surgical-like precision that's required for MIPS Spherical to properly work, and even the logo permanently molded as part of the shell, no cheap sticker afterthoughts. The shell has 11 vents, which on paper doesn't sound like much, but they are huge and conspire with the deep channeling inside, again afforded by moving the MIPS Spherical on the outside, to move air over your scalp, keeping you cooler while racing or doing some tempo intensity workouts during the hottest part of the day. With those massive vents, Giro needed to bolster the structural integrity of the shell and does so with the translucent, shatterproof Aura arch which melds seamlessly with the helmets aesthetics. The last shell feature worth noting is the integrated eyewear docking port letting you remove and secure your sunglasses when daylight is fleeting or on particularly stifling climbs.

Among many, one area where Giro is truely class leading is in its fit retention system and The Aether gets its latest with the Roc Loc 5 Plus. We love its ability to adjust the fit on the fly with precision and just one hand. Wore a hat yesterday but not donning one today? No problem the adjustment is made in less time than it took to read this. Further customization of fit comes courtesy of its ability to adjust the occipital contact points independently.

The Giro Aether MIPS Helmet is available in three sizes ranging from Small to Large in the colors Matte White/Silver, Matte Black/Pearl, Matte Bright Red/Dark Red, Matte Black, Matte Black Flash, Matte Blue, Matte Citron/White, Highlight Yellow/Black, and Olive/Citron.

Specifications

Brand:
Certifications:
CPSC
Fit Adjustment:
Roc Loc 5 Plus
Impact Foam:
EPS
Manufacturer Warranty:
1 year
Multiple Impact:
MIPS Spherical
Recommended Use:
road cycling
Shell Material:
in-mold polycarbonate
Ventilation:
11 vents

Full Reviews

8
I really like this helmet. Very light and well ventilated. MIPS allows micro adjustments? Reason for 4-star rating: Because I’m a heavy sweater I’ll be curious to see how it works in the hot summer months since I just purchased my new one in the last month. I have a very large head and the more aerodynamic design of this helmet doesn’t look overly large on my head like my previous helmets.
Tim M., backcountry.com
November 20, 2020
6
This helmet runs smaller than described. I have owned many helmets over my 25 years of riding. I measured as usual and it was very uncomfortable without the rear lock even tightened. I would recommend going a size up if you purchase. Hopefully it will be more comfortable for you. :)
Preston R., backcountry.com
October 30, 2020
10
The purpose of a helmet is to protect your head. Giro has developed a better MIPS system, in my opinion, based on their experience with ski helmets. Their MIPS system is more robust than the method used in most other MIPS helmets. My head fits more into the helmet than the Giro Synthe I've used for the past 5 years. I do think that the Synthe is a tad cooler because the Synthe MIPS system creates a space between your head and the shell that allow air to flow between your head and the shell however the Aether is fine in hot weather and provides more protection. Have you noticed what the guys on GCN are wearing?? Recommended
Joel Berman, backcountry.com
August 3, 2020
10
I recently bought this for my wife. We ride around 50-60 miles a week and she hadn't updated her helmet in years so we felt like we could splurge on a new one. We are both fans of the MIPS system. She loves the matte blue color and it is pretty rad! Her feedback: light, good ventilation, very wide in appearance but comfortable adjustment system. She has a smaller head and could have purchased the Small but went with the Medium and was happy with her choice.
John Gibson, backcountry.com
July 27, 2020
10
Ahhh. It just sits there. Feels "just right." And I feel comforted knowing I'm better protected by the perfect fit. Giro nailed it.
Geoffrey S., backcountry.com
May 30, 2020
10
I got Matt Black Flash. Super cool. I have had multiple Giro helmets in the in the past. Love them all. This one is the most expensive but I think it is worth it. Newest helmet technology, MIPS, airflow is superb. My last Giro was Synth - the fit, weight and ventilation are great but this model is a noticeable improvement from Synth.
MishaV BCCC, backcountry.com
May 24, 2020
6
I am a long time Giro customer and have always had great experiences, including surviving a major crash that my Giro helmet was all that kept me alive. This helmet fits great, vents well and is quite light (looks great too). My gripe is with the Roc Loc fit system. It works great...for a while bus as someone with a shaved head who uses sunscreen throughout the warm months, I have had multiple cases where the fit adjust simply breaks. The tiny hinge pin is plastic and I can only guess that the combination of sweat/salt and sunscreen reacts to weaken the plastic and poof! Fit system is a goner. Very annoying and I struggle to understand why Giro doesn’t use a more robust system - BOA maybe?
Joe M., backcountry.com
May 16, 2020
10
I ordered a medium and have always fit medium helmets. The fit is probably the most comfortable helmet I've ever tried. Other reviewers say they have fit issues but I have not found that to be the case. This is a top notch helmet and excellent in all aspects. Nice forehead pad and minimal padding everywhere else which is nice. Two shell MIPS design is very cool and was the main reason I bought this helmet. Ventilation is super nice as well. Large vents on the top and the forehead even has some finer details to help with ventilation. Straps and adjustment system is also clean and comfortable. It also looks better in person that online photos as well. Super happy with my purchase and hope it never has to be used in a crash, however I'm confident this is one of the best helmets available to protect my noggin. Also the eyewear holder is a genius touch. I sweat profusely and have to take my glasses off nearly every climb to keep sweat off the lenses. I've always struggled to find a quick, easy stash location for my glasses while climbing and this feature is really nice. Glasses feel secure and won't end up falling out.
Timothy H., backcountry.com
May 5, 2020
8
The lightest and most breathable helmet I've owned. It must be more aero than my old Giro Pneumo because wind noise is reduced significantly. Also, the Giro Aether has a round shape, which fits my head. I had to return a couple POC helmets, because they have a more oval shape and the side to side size is too narrow, and the front to back size is too large. The only reason why I didn't give 5 stars are a couple of nitpicks. 1) I wish Giro would switch their strap system to one similar to POC's design where the chin strap and the ear strap are separate. I find that POC's design does not loosen over time, and does not need to be re-adjusted. 2) For a helmet this expensive, I wish Giro would include a second pair of helmet pads in the box.
Ivan H., backcountry.com
May 3, 2020
10
I guess I have a weird shaped head and I know it's right between M and L in most helmets. I'd been looking for about a year and even ordered a couple of helmets here at CS...but, alas, they went back. I ended up doing the brick and mortar route with the only requirement being that it FIT, I didn't care who or how much. Well, of course, the Giro Aether fit perfect on my malformed noggin. Didn't know how much it cost until I was at checkout. No complaints, fits, breathes and even manages to be more comfortable with my head up vs. lowered, which is a bonus.
Rob S., backcountry.com
March 1, 2020
6
Been riding with Giro helmets for years and always happy. My Atmos was favorite helmet ever. When it was time to upgrade the Aether was really all that seemed to make sense from Giro so selected based on past history. I ride about 500 miles per month, mostly road in very hilly area. My specific complaint is that the helmet is weighted to the front which causes it to slip forward and down unless it is tightened to the point of discomfort. I have tried adjusting and wearing different weight sweat bands and ear warmers and hats and the situation is the same across all. I will keep as a back-up but now in the market for a new "primary" helmet. I have had the helmet for about 6 months so plenty long to have a good idea of comfort and options.
Si B., backcountry.com
November 18, 2019
10
Alright Giro, you've got me! I previously have really hated MIPS, it's hot, hair pulling, and makes your helmet look like it's a size too large for your head (which it sort of is to make room for the soda bottle thing). But this design is really excellent. It's similar to my 6D trail helmet in function but looks really nice and without the hair pulling. Best Giro helmet yet I'd say.
Robert Johnson, backcountry.com
September 17, 2019
10
I wanted the matte black/pearl helmet but they were unavailable for months. Ian my Competitive Cyclist "gear head" was able to help me get one. I'm very satisfied with the helmet. I feel better protected. I've used the helmet more that 10 times, and am very pleased with it.
David C., backcountry.com
July 21, 2019
10
I had a couple of the Giro Synthe MIPS. I crashed and broke one a few weeks ago. Originally tried another brand that has some new technology. The helmet was unbelievably uncomfortable. Bought this helmet and I am very happy with it. The Synthe MIPS is slightly more comfortable but this one is still great. I've done several 3-4 hour rides with it and have no complaints.
John H., backcountry.com
June 23, 2019
10
I just recently decided to update to Mips technology after happily using the Giro Synthe for the last few years. The cost of the Aether was a bit of a deterrent so I first tried the Bell Z20 Mips in Ghost (reflective silver). I found/confirmed that Bell is more suitable for round heads...where Giro favors my large, oblong head. I ponied up and exchanged for the Aether in matte black/ flash (reflective). I should say that the Bell was impressive, and comfortable... particularly the padding design. Also kudos for including a second set of pads with Z20 (take note Giro!). The reflective qualities of the "Ghost Z20" were inferior to the "Flash" of the Giro. So the fit and finish of the Aether impresses, as do the reflective qualities of the Black Flash color. It is a bit less bulky then the Z20. The fit and comfort (to my primarily bald head) is similar to the Synthe. I took a good deal of time getting the straps set up just right for me. Ventilation is comparable or a bit better than the Synthe. Due to the slightly increased depth of the vents (due to Mips design), crosswinds don't seem to penetrate into the helmet quite as well. Unique to this review, I fortunately/unfortunately can attest to the safety of the helmet (what we spend the money for, but hope not to use). On my fourth ride in the helmet, at the back of a 3 man pace line, I caught a bad rut/pothole on a cruddy stretch of pavement that dropped me onto my bars. I almost recovered but went into rider #2's back tire, and I went down/ "tomahawked" very hard at 20+mph onto the left side of my head. In my particular circumstance the Mips did an amazing job of buffering a violent impact. I never lost consciousness or was concussed (did sustain road rash, torn Assos bibs, and numerous breaks in my clavicle requiring surgical repair). The attached photo shows the result. So the Aether is obviously spendy. Is it worth it? In my case...Absolutely (although I wish I had been left to wonder).
David M., backcountry.com
May 24, 2019
10
Fits great, nice and light as well. I like the way it looks and it is vented very nicely.
Ryan J, backcountry.com
May 23, 2019
10
I've worn the Aether for the past 6 months and had the Giro Synthe before. The Synthe saved my brain in a crash in Lamb's Canyon on my road bike which made me a loyal Giro fan. I replaced my cracked Synthe with the Aether because of it's sleek look and updated MIPS tech. It is my #1 helmet of choice each morning when I ride because of the fit and aero design.
STUART ANDERSON, backcountry.com
May 23, 2019
8
Love the idea of this MIPS. The two parts of the helmet really do move. I wanted to like the helmet but it fits really low on my head, barely clearing my ears and barely leaving room for my sunglasses. I also found the retention band in the front scratched my forehead. It's likely my head as the helmet looks different in pictures. Hopefully the technology will trickle down to less costly helmets and Giro will address some of the fit issues in v. 2.
Anonymous, backcountry.com
February 21, 2019
10
Fit: true to size Great, comfortable fit and ventilation. Highly recommended for true protection for your noggin.
Eugene Jung, backcountry.com
December 21, 2018
8
I have ridden Giro helmets since their inception. After crashing back in June, I replaced my Atmos II with this helmet (had to wait until August to get it!). Overall it is a great helmet. Fits well, adjusts easily and is really light and airy. I really like it but only hold back one star because of sweat management. I would like to see Giro do a better sweatband - or build in a channel/groove. But I sweat a lot, so maybe that's more my problem.
Scott, backcountry.com
December 11, 2018

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