Giro Montaro MIPS Helmet, Unisex

Product Information

Huge bump, concussion, out of work for 3 days, etc, etc. The damage from a low speed fall was a wake up for sure.

If I'd been wearing a Bell Super2R with the face guard the side of my head would have been protected. BUT that helmet doesn't have anything close to adequate ventilation for me. Yeah the facebar is removable but I was riding in a flat section when I fell. The Source also looks really good. Having a fully wrapped shell (none of the foam around the base of the helmet is exposed) not only helps protect the foam from wear and tear, it also gives it a clean and professional look.

A Very Familiar Classic

Giro helmets are developed utilizing our proprietary Wind Tunnel™ ventilation system. This elaborate design combines active vents in the helmet’s shell with exhaust channels inside the helmet that thrust fresh, cool air over and around the rider’s head while forcing heat and stale air out. It’s the most effective cooling system available, and a difference you can feel every time you ride. A key feature is MIPS integration. All Giro helmets are designed to reduce impact energy. However, MIPS also reduces rotational forces to your brain in certain impacts.

The Montaro weighs around 370g for a size medium, while the Source weighs a little less at 340g for a size medium. Considering the price and target market of the Montaro, it does weigh a fair bit more than it should. The Source, on the other hand, is reasonably lightweight, consider the additional coverage it supplies, and its price.The revolutionary Roc Loc ® Air Fit System has the same outstanding features as the Roc Loc ® 5, but in addition to that, it dramatically increases airflow and ventilation inside the helmet. The unique design creates a small air cushion between the helmet shell and the head, so that the wind can flow and cool without disturbing the ride without sacrificing fit and comfort. A new level of fit, comfort and ventilation that can only come from Giro. Where we hit differences is the adjustment system. Where the original Montaro used the Roc Loc Air 5 system with dial and ladder adjustments, the Montaro MIPS II uses the new Roc Loc Air 5 MIPS fit system (which also utilizes dial and ladder adjustments). What’s the difference? The new fit system is actually integrated into the MIPS liner, reducing the number of components and the amount of plastic inside the helmet. You might think this would translate to weight savings, but confoundingly, the Montaro MIPS II is 370 grams — identical to the original Montaro MIPS. While the Montaro is highly regarded for its protection, it doesn't provide the same level of coverage as the "full cut" Giro Tyrant or Fox Dropframe. We also found that the Montaro's less-expensive sibling, the Chronicle provides a bit more coverage at a lower price, though it doesn't include the same molded roll cage technology. The Montaro scored equally in this metric to other helmets with similar levels of head coverage and protective features like the Smith Session, Oakley DRT5, and Bell 4Forty MIPS. Comfort Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. Personally, I would go with the Montaro. It looks good, and it feels less bulky on your head. The fully wrapped shell is definitely a winning feature, as exposed EPS foam tends to deteriorate much faster.

For the more experienced cyclist, the Montaro will be more comfortable for longer rides as it is lighter and better ventilated. It is certainly the more premium helmet with the features like a camera mount and goggle grippers. The visor on the Montaro is a little longer than the visor on the Source. This isn’t really a good nor bad thing, so it is really up to personal preference as to whether you like the look or not ( see our post on visors here).The benefits of having a longer visor include having greater protection from the sun or low hanging branches, but it does catch a little more wind if you were worried about being aero! Fit Comparison For the casual cyclist, who doesn’t spend more than a few hours per week out on the bike, the Chronicle will more than suffice. All of the basic features are there, it is a very safe helmet, and you will not be unhappy with the choice!Roll Cage™ is a light-yet-tough web of reinforcement invisibly moulded inside a helmet’s EPS foam liner. It helps the helmet to hold together under impact and offers an extra measure of strength and integrity that you’ll never notice...unless you need it.

Both the Montaro and the Source are constructed using in-mold technology. What this means is the outer shell is molded to the EPS foam (Expanded Polystyrene) to increase the strength and durability of the helmet without increasing the weight.Inside the helmet, we see some similarities and some differences from the original Montaro. Pad placement remains the same, and the pads themselves are still the same Ionic+ antimicrobial pads used in the Montaro. The padding is still comfortable, absorbent, and non-smelly, even after long, high-output rides. No complaints there, from me or from my wife. The MIPS system remains in place too, and it’s just as confidence-inspiring as it was in the original. Not familiar with MIPS? In short, it’s a system designed to disburse rotational impact forces ( great article on it here), and it’s a key safety feature for a helmet like this. Mud on my face. Flashlight on my head. I’m ready for some extended hours in the dark. Looking into why one helmet’s ladder adjustment slipped while the other didn’t, I found that my original Montaro had a small amount of excess foam preventing the ladder adjustment from fully seating. As a result, the adjustment was precarious and would slip (I’ve since updated that review with this finding). It’s another quality control miss, and I’m not confident that the Montaro MIPS II is immune, based on the design similarity and the issue I experienced with the top-mount. We were surprised to find that it felt as well ventilated as the Bell 4Forty MIPS which has larger vents. That said, it still didn't hold a candle to our most well-ventilated models like the 100% Altec or Giro Manifest, our most airy models. We were also more impressed by the ventilation on the Troy Lee A2 MIPS and the Smith Session. Features Cons: I cannot come up with a con for this helmet. It fits great, is lightweight, and very breathable. I had read somewhere that in cold conditions perhaps there is too much venting, but I have not found myself yet in this position. While the Montaro is technically better (it is a higher spec model after all), I prefer the fit and feel of the Giro Source. I don’t tend to ride with goggles or a camera/light, so the additional features are a bit unnecessary for me. However, these are super handy features if you do ride with goggles or a camera!