What’s the difference between these two helmets aside from the removable visor on the latter? I was gonna buy Giro Foray but there’s no size available for me. I looked for another road bike helmet and liked the Bell Formula. But again, no size available. I kept looking at Bell helmets and saw this Drifter. It looks exactly like the Formula, except that it has a removable visor. Same number of vents. The Drifter is a bit heavier by about 15-20 grams, probably coz of the visor. It has the size i’m looking for.

Those two helmets do appear identical other than the visor. I've had the Formula MIPS for over a year. Good helmet. Excellent attention to detail, fit and finish for a helmet costing less than $100. It has more hard polycarbonate shell covering the softer EPS foam than my pricier POC Omne Air Spin, and a more elaborate harness and padding. And the sweat channels work as claimed.

The same visor is advertised to fit both helmets, which seems to confirm the design is the same.

Some folks wear short billed cycling caps under their helmets, instead of snap on visors. I don't like the way cycling caps block my peripheral vision so I don't use 'em.

I don’t wear cycling cap too, it’s always hot in here so i want those vents open to cool my shaved head. I just wear my sports eyewear. Which one do you think’s better, Foray or Formula? Are both true to size? Guess i’ll just wait until size small is available. Too bad coz both are on sale now here.

There’s Giro Isode available, universal size, 54-61, but i don’t know. Since it’s universal, i’m worried it may look bulky or mushroomy on me.

When I compared Giro and Bell helmets last year they fit and felt pretty much the same. The only significant difference was the straps -- the Giro straps were a little softer and easier to adjust with one hand. I got the Bell because it was the only model REI had in my size and hi-vis yellow at the time.

The Bell Formula MIPS is one of the closest-fitting, smallest outer diameter helmets I've worn. The Giro Foray appears to have a similar appearance.

The only really bulky helmets I've seen that look like mushroom heads are POC. Good helmets but odd looking. I have a POC Omne Air Spin and while it's a little larger in outer diameter than the Bell, it's not quite a mushroom-head looking as the Ventral and Octal models worn by several pro cyclists. The POCs have outstanding ventilation, great for summer wear.

I got my POC in large (my head measures 59cm, on the margin between medium and large), so there's room for a knit cap in winter. My Bell is medium and a tight fit with a knit cap, although it'll handle a bandana.

I'd avoid getting a helmet that's too small for the sake of appearance. I've seen people buy a POC Ventral or Octal that's obviously too small, because they wanted the helmet but not the mushroom head look. The problem with that is it interferes with the SPIN design, POC's version of MIPS, and reduces head protection.

Is Bell Formula for round-shaped or oval-shaped? I’ve read Giro helmets are more for round-shaped heads. I guess Giro’s not for me then.

Not any more. Both seem to fit my oval Frankenstein noggin equally well. That characterization about differences between Bell and Giro fit predated the merging of the two helmet makers under the same umbrella corporation in 2016. It appears Giro changed some of their designs. The comparable Giro helmets I tried at REI last year fit identically to the Bell Formula MIPS I bought. I'd have bought the Giro if it had been available in the color I wanted.

Well that’s good to know. Coz among the helmets i’m eyeing, i really wanted Foray the most. Didn’t know they’re under one company now. I emailed Giro and Bell awhile back, they affirmed both are more for oval shaped heads.

With MIPS and POC's "SPIN" system harnesses, it's difficult to say whether a helmet will fit comfortably from looking at the helmet shape. Now it's really the harness that determines fit and comfort.

My POC helmet looks rounded from the outside, and the Ventral and Octal helmets look like mushroom heads. But the harness and liner are adaptable and comfortable. POC helmets are less cluttered inside and the harness looks simplistic compared with Bell's rather elaborate interiors on their MIPS lineup. But it's darned comfortable and better ventilated due to the POC vent designs and uncluttered interior. But the Octal and Ventral are an acquired taste. The pro peloton has made them sorta acceptable but they are gooney looking lids. I'd wear one anyway. But it'd be hard to keep a straight face while cussing at a rude driver while I'm wearing a pink mushroom on my head.

With my older Bell, not a MIPS model, the harness was less flexible and adaptable so it might not have been as comfortable or secure on someone with a more rounded skull. It fit me fine.