Review: Giro Montaro Mips III and Dropline Goggles

The Montaro has loved a long term as one of the widespread mountain bike helmets in Giro’s lineup. The unique launched in 2015 and the 2nd technology updates befell in 2021. Whereas each of the earlier iterations had been basically the quintessential do-it-all path helmets, the Montaro was getting a bit lengthy within the tooth and had gotten a bit misplaced in the course of the model’s mountain bike helmet lineup.

Over the summer season, Giro launched the Montaro Mips III, a very redesigned model of its widespread half-shell that resembles its predecessor in title solely. Whereas it’s nonetheless a flexible half-shell, the brand new Montaro III is aimed extra towards the aggressive facet of the driving spectrum, with extra protection and a daring new look to match. 

I’ve been testing the brand new Montaro Mips III for the previous couple of months on mountain bike rides all through the larger Lake Tahoe and Reno, NV space. I’ve been utilizing it for non-electric and eMTB rides, each with driving glasses and with the brand new Giro Dropline Goggles. Whereas it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than its predecessor, I’ve discovered it to be tremendous snug with a reassuring, protecting really feel. Let’s dig into the small print.

Giro Montaro Mips III Overview

For all the small print on the Giro Montaro Mips III, try our protection of its launch again in August.

Precise Weight

One of many first issues I did after receiving the Montaro III was throw it on my scale to see how its precise weight compares to its claimed weight. My dimension giant helmet weighed in at 512 grams, simply 12 grams heavier than the claimed 500-gram weight printed on the tag inside. For reference, the claimed weight of the scale medium is 450 grams. 

This weight places the Montaro III on the higher finish of the burden spectrum in comparison with related half-shell helmets. I occur to have two different NTA 8776 e-bike licensed half-shell helmets readily available for comparability. My dimension giant Smith Payroll Mips weighs 453 grams, and my dimension M/L Candy Safety Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips weighs 426 grams. That places the Montaro III round 60 – 80 grams heavier than a few of its direct rivals.

Match and Consolation

Giro has been making bike helmets for many years, they usually undoubtedly know a factor or two about designing them to suit properly and be snug on the pinnacle. Going way back to the Giro Xen and, extra just lately, the top-tier Manifest Spherical and Aries Spherical, I’ve at all times discovered Giro helmets to be among the many most snug available on the market. That development continues with the Montaro III. 

The Montaro III is available in three shell sizes, S, M, and L, masking head circumferences between 51 and 63 cm. As with most helmets, my 59 cm head falls straight on the cusp between the medium and huge sizes. Based mostly on earlier experiences with Giro helmets, I went with the massive, which inserts me properly, even when the shell is a bit roomy for my head. Given the prolonged shell protection and deep match of the helmet, I feel I may most likely match into the medium simply as properly, however I haven’t had the possibility to attempt one on to verify.

Regardless, the Montaro III covers considerably extra of my head than its predecessor and matches my oval-shaped head very properly. Like most fashionable helmets, the padding is comparatively minimal however properly positioned, and I haven’t observed any stress factors or discomfort in any way. Giro’s Roc Loc Path Air Match System is related to the Mips Evolve Core liner and provides stress evenly all the best way across the head. The big adjustment dial is simple to make use of, even with gloves on, and the entire cradle will be adjusted vertically behind the pinnacle to optimize its place on the occipital lobe.

A Fidlock buckle secures the chinstrap with its user-friendly, one-hand operable magnetic clasp. The strap splitter by the ears is nothing fancy, however it holds the straps good and flat and avoids any undesirable ear contact. General, I’ve discovered it to be tremendous snug on my head. Even that heavier weight talked about above has gone nearly utterly unnoticed in use.

Safety

I’ve fortunately prevented stuffing my head into the filth on all of my take a look at rides carrying the Montaro III, so I can’t touch upon its effectiveness in a real-world crash scenario, but. As of now, I don’t see it on Virginia Tech’s checklist of examined helmets, so we don’t have that comparative influence testing information to go off of, both. 

That mentioned, we’re armed with the data that the Montaro MIPS III is CPSC, CE EN 1078, and NTA 8776 licensed, that means it has handed all the commonplace helmet testing plus higher-speed e-bike checks. In actual fact, the Montaro III is the primary and solely half-shell helmet within the Giro lineup to get the NTA 8776 certification. 

As well as, the shell’s prolonged protection and deep match imply that it merely covers extra of the pinnacle than every other Giro helmet I’ve tried. The in-mold shell can also be fairly thick and maybe a bit cumbersome, however that offers it a really sturdy really feel — even when it provides to the heavier weight that I talked about beforehand. 

Contained in the shell is a Mips Evolve Core liner for rotational influence safety. It is a pretty primary type of Mips, however it appears efficient in making a slip aircraft in my pseudo-scientific, wiggle-the-helmet-around-on-my-head checks. The one problem with this fashion of Mips is that it may be considerably noisy. I’ve observed a bit squeaking from the liner when shifting the helmet round on my head with my fingers. On the path, nonetheless, I haven’t observed it making any noise in any respect.

Stability

Given the Montaro III’s comparatively heavier weight, I used to be initially a bit involved that it’d really feel heavy on my head and lead to instability over tough terrain. Luckily, neither of these issues has confirmed to be a difficulty. The helmet’s deep match and safe Roc Loc adjustment system have saved it very safe, even when hitting ill-advised drops or smashing over rock gardens with various ranges of management.

Air flow

I’ve ridden with the Montaro III in a variety of climate and temperatures, together with some heat, sunny days within the 80s. Throughout these hotter rides, I discovered it to ventilate comparatively properly, and it was in no way oppressively stuffy on the pinnacle. Whereas I wouldn’t name it a class-leader within the air flow division, the 17 vent format and shallow inside channels do a commendable job of shifting air excessive of the pinnacle.

Visor and Eyewear Compatibility

The Montaro III has a two-position adjustable visor. The decrease place sits simply out of my subject of view and does an honest job of blocking the solar in any respect however the lowest solar angles. The visor additionally flips up increased and leaves loads of room to stash goggles or sun shades when not in use. In most conditions, I’ve left the visor down, and that works fairly properly for me. However for the low solar angles of fall and/or driving close to sundown, I wouldn’t be unhappy if it had one decrease place to dam the solar extra successfully. 

I put on contacts, and I are likely to preserve my biking sun shades on my face after I’m driving to maintain the wind out of my eyes, so I don’t stash my sun shades on my helmet fairly often. After I’m testing a helmet, nonetheless, I’ll study the sunglass storage function to see how properly it really works. The Montaro III gives a spot to stash your glasses on each the entrance and the again of the helmet. The arms match into the outermost vents on the entrance or rear, and in both location, the maintain is impressively secure and safe with all the glasses I’ve tried.

For individuals who wish to go full-enduro, the Montaro III can also be designed for compatibility with goggles. A small rubber traction pad behind the shell provides grip for goggle straps and, as talked about above, the visor flips up excessive sufficient to stash goggles on the entrance of the helmet. I did a number of rides with the brand new Giro Dropline Goggles, they usually interfaced properly collectively. Plus, I regarded tremendous cool, proper?

Giro Montaro MIPS III: My Takeaway

The most recent iteration of the Giro Montaro is a reasonably main departure from its predecessor’s extra conventional design. With extra protection and up to date aesthetics in comparison with the earlier model, the Montaro Mips III is aimed squarely at fashionable, aggressive riders. For me, it scored excessive marks for its spectacular consolation and perceived degree of head safety. After driving in it for a few months, I belief this helmet to guard my head in addition to every other in my assortment. 

My major complaints are its comparatively heavier weight and barely bulkier profile, however neither of these issues actually offered themselves as problematic the place it actually issues — out on the path. There are many nice mountain bike helmets to select from today, and I’ve acquired no drawback recommending the Montaro Mips III to any aggressive rider who isn’t overly involved with weight.

Giro Dropline Goggles Flash Overview

Together with the Montaro Mips III, I’ve been testing the brand new Dropline Goggles. The Dropline is Giro’s newest addition to its MTB goggle lineup, and essentially the most premium choice at $140. These goggles are available in 4 body colours — matching the colours of the Montaro III — all of which include the Vivid Path lens in addition to a spare clear lens. 

I solely trip with goggles sometimes, however the Giro Dropline may change that. They match properly with the Montaro III helmet and each different helmet that’s in my present rotation. They’re very snug on my face and impressively secure, too. Critically, this stuff don’t budge. The large strap with grippy silicone clings to the helmet whereas the outrigger strap connection helps promote airflow to the temples.

The big lenses measure proper round 190 mm throughout and 100 mm tall, and the sector of view is huge. I can’t see the body in any respect until I’m searching for it. I’ve additionally been impressed with the Vivid Path lens, which has optical readability on par with the massive names in eyewear. The trail-tuned lens has served me properly on overcast and sunny days alike, with a fantastic tint and a little bit of a distinction enhance. The lens is flexible sufficient that I haven’t even thought-about driving with the included spare clear lens, however I admire that it comes with one, plus they’re fairly straightforward to swap when wanted. 

The previous few weeks have been fairly chilly the place I dwell, and my eyes are comparatively delicate to the chilly. Sporting the Dropline Goggles, I haven’t had any points with the chilly or the wind inflicting my eyes to water. It has been a notable enchancment in comparison with my typical driving glasses in the identical temperatures, however that’s additionally to be anticipated. I haven’t skilled any fogging, however with the cooler temperatures, I haven’t been sweating in them an excessive amount of, both. Regardless, they appear fairly breathable, and there’s even a silicone strip built-in into the face foam to assist divert sweat away from the eyes.

Thus far, I’ve zero complaints, and you may guess I’ll preserve placing them by means of their paces this fall, winter, and spring and report again if any points come up. You’ll be able to study extra concerning the Montaro Mips III and the Dropline MTB Goggles on the Giro web site.

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