GIRO MONTARA MIPS

Having a great helmet is a big boost of confidence when mountain biking, and allows you to fearlessly test your boundaries, the ultimate road to improvement. Finding the right lid to keep your head protected can be a hard one for women, and I’ve found I’m not the only one who is picky about styles, shapes, colours, where your hair goes and their capacity to give you ‘helmet hair’ as soon as you take it off. The Montara MIPS, is Giro’s most comprehensive option for ‘Dirt’ and features all of their new technology, making this a really reliable helmet. It has a smaller body shape than many other women’s specific helmets I’ve tried, which makes it visibly smaller on the head, for a sleek and more refined fit. This helmet is moulded all in one, in a full-wrap polycarbonate shell that comes down nice and low on the back of the head, giving maximum protection, but still leaving enough room for a ponytail to stick through above the RocLoc Air size adjustment system. This is a great addition that allows a tailored fit, and firm support without discomfort, and the roller adjust doesn’t get caught up in your locks if you have longer hair like I do. Full goggle integration has been crafted into the helmet and the P.O.V. Plus visor rises, to allow goggles to rest on the front of the helmet when not being worn. It also has grooves along the back of the helmet that grip onto the strap, avoiding any movement while riding. The padding is hydrophilic and has an antimicrobial brow pad that can absorb up to ten-times it’s weight in sweat, creating dry, comfortable contact. The MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) technology in this helmet allows it to have superior protection for angled impact, using the Brain Protection System developed in Sweden. There is only one model for the Montara, and MIPS isn’t optional, which makes the price point for the helmet more expensive, but in my book this is worth the investment. It features a light attachment point that makes transitioning into night riding a breeze, and this has been helpful heading into winter. The same attachment can also be used for a camera, giving everyone the ability to up their Instagram content. It’s easy to take on and off, and is a real selling point for this helmet. There is a wide range of colours to choose from, and it is functional, safe and extremely well fitted to on the head. I love the way it looks, it’s user friendly design and women’s specific shape distinguishes this helmet as one I keep finding myself reaching for, no matter what kind trail or which mountain bike I’m riding.

HITS

- Adjustable elements - Great fit and room for ponytail - Wide range of colours

MISSES

- Perhaps better ventilation?

RRP: $239.99 FROM: sheppardscycles.com.au