Review: Giro Montaro Mips III and Dropline Goggles

The Montaro has loved a future as one of the well-liked mountain bike helmets in Giro’s lineup. The unique launched in 2015 and the 2nd technology updates occurred in 2021. Whereas each of the earlier iterations have been primarily the quintessential do-it-all path helmets, the Montaro was getting just a little lengthy within the tooth and had gotten just a little misplaced in the midst of the model’s mountain bike helmet lineup.

Over the summer season, Giro launched the Montaro Mips III, a very redesigned model of its well-liked half-shell that resembles its predecessor in identify solely. Whereas it’s nonetheless a flexible half-shell, the brand new Montaro III is aimed extra towards the aggressive aspect 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 main points.

Giro Montaro Mips III Evaluate

For all the main points on the Giro Montaro Mips III, take a look at 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 dimensions medium is 450 grams. 

This weight places the Montaro III on the higher finish of the burden spectrum in comparison with comparable half-shell helmets. I occur to have two different NTA 8776 e-bike licensed half-shell helmets 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 effectively and be snug on the top. 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 in the marketplace. That pattern continues with the Montaro III. 

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

Regardless, the Montaro III covers considerably extra of my head than its predecessor and suits my oval-shaped head very effectively. Like most trendy helmets, the padding is comparatively minimal however effectively positioned, and I haven’t observed any strain factors or discomfort in any way. Giro’s Roc Loc Path Air Match System is related to the Mips Evolve Core liner and provides rigidity evenly all the way in which across the head. The massive adjustment dial is simple to make use of, even with gloves on, and the entire cradle could be adjusted vertically behind the top 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, nevertheless 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 fully unnoticed in use.

Safety

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

That stated, we’re armed with the information that the Montaro MIPS III is CPSC, CE EN 1078, and NTA 8776 licensed, that means it has handed all the customary helmet testing plus higher-speed e-bike checks. In truth, 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 top than some other Giro helmet I’ve tried. The in-mold shell can also be fairly thick and maybe just a little cumbersome, however that provides it a really strong 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 impression safety. This can be a pretty primary type of Mips, nevertheless it appears efficient in making a slip airplane in my pseudo-scientific, wiggle-the-helmet-around-on-my-head checks. The one concern with this type of Mips is that it may be considerably noisy. I’ve observed just a little squeaking from the liner when shifting the helmet round on my head with my palms. On the path, nevertheless, 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 would really feel heavy on my head and end in instability over tough terrain. Fortuitously, neither of these considerations has confirmed to be a problem. The helmet’s deep match and safe Roc Loc adjustment system have stored 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 effectively, and it was on no account oppressively stuffy on the top. Whereas I wouldn’t name it a class-leader within the air flow division, the 17 vent structure and shallow inner channels do a commendable job of shifting air excessive of the top.

Visor and Eyewear Compatibility

The Montaro III has a two-position adjustable visor. The decrease place sits simply out of my discipline of view and does a good job of blocking the solar in any respect however the lowest solar angles. The visor additionally flips up greater 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 effectively 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 maintain my biking sun shades on my face once I’m driving to maintain the wind out of my eyes, so I don’t stash my sun shades on my helmet fairly often. Once I’m testing a helmet, nevertheless, I’ll look at the sunglass storage function to see how effectively it really works. The Montaro III provides 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 prefer 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 effectively collectively. Plus, I appeared 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 trendy, 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 some other in my assortment. 

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

Giro Dropline Goggles Flash Evaluate

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 possibility at $140. These goggles are available 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 effectively 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, these items don’t budge. The extensive strap with grippy silicone clings to the helmet whereas the outrigger strap connection helps promote airflow to the temples.

The massive 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 in search of 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 effectively on overcast and sunny days alike, with an important tint and a little bit of a distinction increase. The lens is flexible sufficient that I haven’t even thought-about driving with the included spare clear lens, however I recognize 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 reside, and my eyes are comparatively delicate to the chilly. Carrying 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 standard 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.

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

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