Giro Vanquish MIPS Helmet

I upgraded my helmet after one of my cycling buddies was hit by a car when biking. I'm glad I did. This helmet is surprisingly cool and comfortable. The goggles are a bit too snug to wear glasses under, but otherwise they helmet is excellent.

I used this helmet for a couple of months before it met its' demise this week when another cyclist turned 90 degrees in front of me (at half my speed), causing me to crash into them and then headshoulder first into a 6 diameter steel fence pole cemented into the ground at 20 mph. Fortunately for my headneck, it was a glancing blow, but the helmet did its job. In fact, the outside of the helmet looked untouched, save for a couple minor scratches. It wasn't until trying to figure out why the MIPS stuff on the inside was out of alignment, that I noticed some cracks in the foam. Oh yeah, and the helmet works well in the aero dept too compared to my Poc Octal - a noticeable difference in average speeds over a ride (although you don't really notice it while you're riding), especially when wearing a speed suit or skin suit. And, unlike many aero helmets, I can fit my sunglasses in the holes in the front (and it seems to vent well enough too, but it hasn't been over 73 degrees here to test it out in any real heat). Can't go wrong with this helmet.

The two are construction & sizing. (Confession I have ridden in it yet, but I felt you should know the following when considering this purchase.) First, the overall quality of construction is impeccable, the engineering is impressive, & the design is gorgeous. If you haven't looked at their site yet, httpwww.giro.comusenvanquish, you should. Second, even with MIPS this helmet seems sized larger than their charts. My mellon is right at 56cm at it's widest with my tailor's tape. Following Giro's size chart, I ordered a medium (55-59cm) and I've got way too much room. Even with my thickest winter cycling cap, still too much space. As it is, I'm awaiting the exchange process from the great folks at WBW to get a small. I'll amend the review with riding comments as able later.

I bought this helmet specifically because of the visor. I frequently ride on a beautiful paved bike path through fairly dense woods and frequently get hit in the face and eyes with bugs, and when I ride close to sundown there are swarms of gnats and I literally have to close my eyes for a few seconds to keep them out of my eyes. I wear prescription glasses but they don't protect my eyes well enough, and sweat does drip on my glasses when it's really hot.

My biggest concerns with this helmet were:

1) would my glasses fit behind the visor, and

2) would the visor block the wind and cause my head to sweat even more and increase the sweat dripping on my glasses making it harder to see.

When I got the helmet, I discovered I could solve both of those problems by buying plastic stick on bifocals on Amazon ($10-20, reusable). I stuck them about 1/4" from the very bottom of the visor, almost touching the nose piece, and it works great. I need glasses mainly for seeing my phone mounted on the stem - reading maps, texts and adjusting music stations. The bifocals work great for this. When riding and looking forward (95% of the time), the visor is super clear with no distortion. In fact, when looking way over my shoulder or behind me for cars when crossing a road, the visor has a huge field of vision and is much clearer than using my glasses which tend to obstruct my extreme peripheral vision. So, for the first time in many years, I can ride my bike without wearing glasses at all and still see my phone.

A few other details:

- As other reviewers have commented, I have found that the helmet is very well ventilated and no hotter than my Giro Syntax. I can definitely feel the air being directed to my face, which personally I like. Some people have complained about it drying their eyes, and I can see that happening if you are prone to dry eyes. My problem is the opposite - sweat in my eyes and drips on my glasses. I wear a headband to keep sweat out of my eyes and limit dripping but on hot days it does drip on the visor but it tends to drip on the lower part of the visor. This can make it harder to use the bifocals, but it's still way better than sweat on my glasses and it doesn't impact looking forward through the upper part of the visor.

- My glasses do just barely fit behind the visor. The visor is close to your face so this definitely depends on how big your glasses are and how far from your face they extend. But because I discovered the stick-on bifocals, I have never used the helmet with my glasses on.

- My main route takes me directly into the sun in the early morning and late afternoon, and the helmet comes with a tinted visor, which I like a lot. I'll probably buy a clear visor for night riding.

- after each ride, I clean both sides of the visor with either water or lens cleaning wipes or lens cleaning spray. I quickly pass the bifocals under the water to rinse them and this has worked well. After about six 25 mile rides I took the bifocals off and cleaned them with lens cleaning solution and put them back on, and all is like new. The soft plastic bifocals just stick to the visor naturally using just lens cleaning solution to position them and letting it dry. They have not fallen off. I'm expecting them to last a long time before having to buy new ones, or losing them.

i was involved in a 20mph accident where i hit the front windshield of a car head first, my injuries where a concision, broken scapula, deeply bruised left side of my body. this helmet is proven to perform. it was a no brainer to replace it for a new one!!! enjoy your ride and be safe wear a helmet!!!!

One of the best helmets I have ever owned. Bought this one for my wife after I bought one. Light, strong, and airy. I ride in Florida where the temps can get high. I was concerned that this helmet would be too hot. Turns out the air flow is great. Love the magnetic shield. Work great for when I start a ride before sunrise. Just flip it down when the sun come up. Going to use this one for upcoming time trial instead of my teardrop helmet.

Giro helmets are the best. The have saved my life on two occasions after bad crashes. Will buy on other. Thanks Giro!

This is a great aero road helmet for triathlons. This is my second one since the first was cracked in a crash. The lens doesn't seem to fog in the am when you leave T1, which is why I use it versus glasses.

I was looking for an Aero helmet for my first full Ironman and this was on my shortlist. I tried it and the size small fit me like a glove. It was not as heavy as I feared and the peripheral vision was good. One thing I also liked that it didn't cover my ears and hence I had good surrounding awareness. No pressure points on head either. The Visor is very clear and good quality, the magnet is good enough (It sticks and comes off easy enough but I wish the magnet was stronger). Overall it feels fast and is well ventilated. I didnt notice much difference in ventilation to my Oakley ARO5 aero road helmet. My partner and her dad liked it and he is very happy with Medium size.

Had it for 18 months. Great aero (I've not windtunnel-tested it personally... :) Super comfy/adjustable. Visor is awesome - its position is great, doesn't touch my nose ever, full eye coverage obviously even when my head is down and eyes are all the way up. Hit a big tree branch and flew off my bike - chin needed stitches, but the rest of my head AND face were totally protected by the helmet and visor. When I ride with slower friends, I put my usual helmet & oakley sunglasses on 'cuz I don't want to show off my aero and speed obsession, but come on...just doesn't compare.

I have been impressed with how comfortable this helmet is. For once the chin strap was adjusted perfectly. The vents flow a sufficient amount of air to keep my head cool. The visor works great and is very convenient to flip upside down to stow out of the way, if wanted. The only negative for me has been the air flow that comes in between the upper visor edge and hemet. it tends blow into my eyes and dry them. I'm guessing it was designed that way to help keep the visor from fogging over.

Excellent quality helmet. I was very impressed with the comfort, weight and airflow. The lens gives a clear view of the road ahead and clicks into place with ease in both the viewing position and storage position. One con would be that the peripheral view is slightly restricted with the blackened edge of the lens when turning your head to look back, but certainly not to the point where I would consider it a problem.

I would recommend this helmet.

It is fast and very well constructed.

It has one main flaw, it is slightly heavy compared to the Bontrager and Specialized helmet. The aero lens is cool, but I wish you could get clear and yellow or a tint changing version for weather management.

I have the Bontrager too and over ll I like that helmets looks better. This feel far better made....and MIPS is safer.

Recently had a fairly high speed crash while out on a training ride. My Giro Vanquish helmet did exactly what it was intended to do- it cracked upon impact and saved me from what would have been a catastrophic injury had I not been wearing a helmet. I walked away with a mild concussion and an appreciation for MIPS technology! Just ordered another Vanquish helmet.

Also, the helmet is comfy and well ventilated!

This is my first nice and what i consider expensive helmet. Only problem is I didn't get one sooner. I can very much feel the aerodynamic gain. Great fit, very comfortable. I am a Triathlete and this shines in aero. No question this will be an advantage over an Iron distance race. The comfort gain alone makes it worth it. This does feel like it fits a little big and bulky but the appearance is good.

Great helmet. Super comfy... well ventilated, looks swaggy... and the visor, the visor, is the bomb. I hate wearing glasses, as I lose them or break them ALL THE TIME. The magnetic visor sold me on this helmet... and I love it. I also bought a clear visor for night riding. I'm well pleased with this helmet.

I replaced a Giro Air Attack with the Vanquish. The Vanquish definitely has better cooling and has great visibility too.

The helmet is cool and comfortable and as far as I understand 'aero'. I really liked the idea of the lens feature however it seems to be a bit high and the branding label partially interferes with visibility. I have no idea why they would label it that way..

I have used this helmet in cold and hot-and it really works well. I bought a clear visor to go with the sun visor the helmet comes with-so this helmet works well in any weather. Rain included.

Magnetic visor attachment system works great and also stores the visor on the helmet when you are at a rest area . Bonus is that the helmet looks good !

Bought this for long road rides and Triathlons. Great ventilation and the visor does not distort your vision. Minimal wind noise - I can hear tones and alerts from my Garmin Edge when wearing this helmet that I cant hear with other helmets.

I use the Vanquish for Time Trial practice, road races, and training. I am able to wear my prescription glasses inside the visor.