Aero Advantage
Giro Air Attack Shield; $260 without shield, $310 with shield This new helmet is fast but significantly more comfortable than the standard aero helmet. Wind tunnel testing and research showed Giro that they could maintain only the front portion of an aero TT helmet and produce a more compact, truncated back without sacrificing aerodynamic advantage. In other words, air hitting the helmet in the front acts the same way it does if there was a tail shape – it f lows around the absent shape. As Leanda Cave demonstrated while winning Kona last year in a shield-free version, the Air Attack is perfect for hot conditions. The Air Attack’s six vents and internal channelling keep cool air coming in and force hot air out. Heat affects performance, so maximizing cooling can help riders focus their energy on maximum power output. The adjustable chin strap and Roc Loc Air fit system allows you to personalize the fit to accommodate to your skull shape, but it also keeps the helmet off the rider’s head to optimize air f low. The removable X- Static comfort padding ensures a snug fit and weightless feel.
Racing in the Air Attack with tense shoulders and low in my bars, I really appreciated not having a tail aggravating my neck. My favourite feature of all is the shield attachment. The Carl Zeiss Vision lens is magnetically-anchored so it simply locks into place. The lens can be taken off and stored in your back pocket, or can be conveniently turned upside down and locked in place, while hugging the frontal surface. The wide lens allows for better peripheral vision than with sunglasses. Unfortunately, the start of my test race was very overcast. If there was rain, the shield would have been better than sunglasses, but I elected to remove the tinted lens and wear clear glasses instead. Ideally, I would have had access to a clear Carl Zeiss Vision replacement lens, but overall this is an exceptional helmet. In the age of increasing triathlon gadgets, the Air Attack is a streamlining option that can be worn as an everyday or aero helmet.