First Look: Giro’s New Vanquish Aero Helmet
This new aerodynamic helmet from Giro gives you the benefits of a long-tail TT helmet without looking like an alien.
Giro’s Vanquish helmet is the California company’s newest aero offering. It replaces the Air Attack in its helmet lineup with a design that sports better aerodynamics, cooling, and fit. It will begin shipping in late fall 2017 with an early release of about 40 helmets expected to be available around the time of the Kona Ironman.
Retention and weight savings
RocLoc MIPS blends two technologies together for comfort and weight savings. Rather than including both the RocLoc retention system and the added bulky layer of the MIPs slip plane, which sometimes forced wearers to size up, Giro was able to combine both together. You still get excellent adjustability and the protection of MIPS, which has been shown in lab testing to reduce rotational forces on the brain in the event of a crash, all in a lower profile that also saves some grams.
I got to ride in the Vanquish for about four hours. While it is hard to quantify aerodynamic advantages in the real world without test equipment, one detail I noticed immediately is how quiet the helmet is. It fits like most other Giro offerings, and has impressive adjustability for fit. The straps lay very flat to the face and don’t “shimmy” in the wind. And the ventilation was admirable; you could feel air passing thorough the helmet even at slow pace, and once up to speed, the cooling effect was noticeable. When wearing the shield, there is the distinct feel of air moving over the face. When stowed on top of the helmet, the shield does block a little of the air that could get through the front vents, but not enough to be bothersome.
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The Vanquish will come in six colours, and ships with one matching eye shield. Four different-coloured lenses will be available for aftermarket purchase. Retail pricing is not yet available for SA customers. Weight for a size medium is claimed at 355grams (with shield), about 35 grams more than the all-rounder Giro Synthe model. The Vanquish will be available in small, medium, and large.
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