Giro Ionos Helmet

Giro Ionos Race Helmet
$230

Giro started in 1985 with the development of a new helmet called the Prolight. Designed to offer more ventilation and lighter weight than any helmet had before, it propelled Giro to further success throughout the next decades and continuing today. Giro sponsors Pro Tour teams every year. It has also been Lance Armstrong's brand of choice since his battle with cancer in 1996, when it was one of the few companies that continued to support him after his diagnosis. Since returning to the pro peloton this year, Armstrong has ridden for Astana, who, along with the U.S. team Garmin-Chipotle and the Caisse d'Epargne team, are wearing the Giro Ionos.

This makes this review a bit like when I posted my thoughts on the Chris King NoThreadset. Again, we are talking about top-level pro quality equipment that is readily available to the consumer. In fact, all three team colors are available, if that kind of thing is your preference.

The helmet itself is incredibly well ventilated. Due to the use of carbon fiber in creating an in-molded sub-frame, the designers were able to remove a lot of material from the helmet and create huge vents and exhaust ports designed for maximum airflow. The helmet is also quite comfortable. My previous helmet was the Giro Atmos, top of the line at the time, but I find the Ionos to have a much more comfortable shape. It does not create any pressure points like the Atmos was prone to. It also features anti-microbial padding, and was one of the first helmets to offer this.

For most of the year, it really doesn't matter what helmet you have on your head. If the weather is cool and comfortable, or cold (so you have to bundle up your head under the helmet), they are all about the same, as long as they fit. All helmets sold in good quality bike shops meet the same safety standards. But when the summer months roll around, and stopping at a traffic light feels like visiting a sauna, the Ionos is a welcome piece of equipment. It also comes with a full replacement pad set and a velcro liner for winter riding. Expensive? Yes. Justifiable? I think so.