Road Helmets

Giro Aether MIPS $420

The Giro Aether mips provides all the standard features you would expect in a highend road helmet: it’s light, it uses in-mould shell construction, it has exceptional ventilation, it’s ponytail compatible and has dedicated sunglasses docking ports. Where it really shines, however, is in the overall comfort it offers. Unlike most helmet manufacturers, Giro uses a proprietary mips construction with the mips “liner” sandwiched between the eps foam layers (conventional helmets place the liner next to your head). Giro’s construction approach allows significantly greater comfort and cooling without compromising safety. This is a truly innovative helmet from one of the industry’s leading makers. ( ogc.ca)

Specialized Propero III with ANGI $170

The Propero iii is a light, comfortable and well-ventilated helmet with mips, but what really sets it apart from other helmets (especially at this price point) is Specialized’s angi technology. angi is a proprietary sensor that mounts on the back of the helmet and tracks you via gps. It’s also able to sense when you’ve had an impact/ accident and can send a distress message to an emergency contact via the angi phone app (for both Android and Apple). The system also offers a premium service that can send messages even when riding in areas without cell service. angi will provide piece of mind to anyone who enjoys epic solo rides (and to the rider’s family and friends), but is just as useful during less-adventurous riding, such as daily commuting. ( specialized.com)

Bontrager Circuit MIPS $200

The Bontrager Circuit mips offers a wonderful blend of ventilation and protection (thanks to its new in-mould composite skeleton construction), making it versatile enough for almost any riding situation. The addition of a genuine Boa retention system also improves fit by allowing for adjustments even when riding. But what makes this helmet stand out in an ocean of expanded polystyrene and mips liners is the Bontrager crash replacement guarantee and the Blendr mount system. The guarantee provides the rider with a new replacement helmet if it’s in a crash during the first year of ownership – nice! The Blendr system employs a series of integrated magnetic mounts that allow for the quick and easy addition of Bontrager lights and an action camera. This last feature will be particularly useful for anyone commuting or wanting to document epic rides. ( trekbikes.com)

Abus Airbreaker $360

Based on the successful Abus Gamechanger shape, the new Airbreaker ups the ante by offering significantly improved ventilation. Abus achieves this feat by packing in 11 front vents and three exist ports ensuring that you remain cool in even the warmest conditions. Yet even with all this ventilation, the Airbreaker provides solid aero performance thanks to the honeycomb shape in the helmet’s Multi Speed design. Other notable features include an easy-to-use dial retention system, a sunglasses dock and ponytail-compatibility. ( abus.com)

POC Ventral Air Spin $350

The new Ventral Air Spin combines exceptional aerodynamic performance with similarly high levels of high- and low-speed cooling. The result is a helmet that is ideally suited for long rides in warm conditions. For safety, poc employs its patent-pending silicone pad technology, which the company believes offers superior protection when compared with traditional mips liners. Other less technical, but much appreciated, features include an easily adjustable retention system, relatively low overall weight and an integrated sunglasses dock. ( pocsports.com) — Gusalexandropoulos