buddy

I have been wanting to replace my $20 Bell helmet I have had forever. All of the padding is worn out.

This weekend I was in Witchita Falls for Hotter'n Hell. I visited the expo and thought it was a good place to try on different helmets.

I was really impressed with the Ruby Project Racemaster but not so impressed with the price.

The other helmet that impressed me was the Giro Synthe. I liked that it had the MIPS insert and the fitting of the helmet. The guy that was helping me keep pointing out the vents. I really didn't think the vents we're that big of a deal.

The price was high but they were offering a discount. So I bought it.

I wore the helmet on the 100 mile ride. The good news is I did not have an opportunity to check if the MIPS insert would allow my head to rotate during a crash.

The thing that surprised me was how well the helmet is ventilated. I could feel an airflow around my head during the entire ride.

This was the coolest (referring to temp) Hotter'n Hell but it still felt good to having a good air flow around my head. Made me wonder why I hadn't got a new helmet a long time ago.

Bottom line:
The Giro Synthe is what I consider a high price helmet (around $179) but I believe it is worth the money and I an glad I bought it.

If I have an opportunity to see if the MIPS insert works - I'll update this report, if I can.

Campag4life

The Giro Synthe is one of the best helmets on the market and has uncanny cooling relative to its drag coefficient. I didn't want to spend $180 for a helmet but I considered it because the Synthe is so excellent...one of the very best out there that offers great cooling AND is aerodynamic...with great comfort and still reasonably light. In general, venting is compromised in favor of aerodynamics...but not so with the Synthe..or as much.

To me the best value helmet on the market is the Giro Savant. I measured my head this time which measured 58cm in circumference and so ordered a M whereas I was riding a size L Bell Volt which was a pretty big and heavy helmet.

This helmet blows me a way for its price point...$80 off Amazon....great venting and I literally feel the drag reduction versus my Bell at speeds over 20mph. About 250 grams as well...very light and has latest retention system. Lots of great helmets out there but Giro are among the best IMO.

I may still pick up a Synthe at some point if I catch a deal because I agree that the design is superb.


Reviews of bike helmets for 2017:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics...ad-bike-helmet

redlude97

Keep an eye out for the cinder as well, it slots between the savant and synthe, my GF has a cinder and I have a synthe and both are great and about equal in terms of airflow. At the Savant pricepoint I'd actually look at the Foray, which is a newer design than the savant and has the same aero shape as the synthe.

Campag4life

Thanks for that tip. I wasn't aware the Foray was an upgrade of the Savant that yes has been out for a few years now. I learned about the Cinder as a cost effective alternative to the Synthe.


Redlube...to do it again would you go Cinder or Synthe? Is the Synthe worth it?...are you happy with it?

redlude97

Its not exactly an upgrade to the savant, slightly fewer vents and a hair heavier, but the aero shaping is probably more important.
The synthe regularly goes on clearance for 50% off as they change the colorways between seasons, haven't quite seen the same amount of deals on the cinder so hard to say, we both ended up paying ~$150 since she got hers in season at full price so it was a no brainer for me.

Campag4life

Didn't think the Foray was an upgrade. The price point of the Foray is certainly lower than the Savant. But no doubt a great helmet. I live in FL and cooling is essential this time of year in particular.
The Synthe and derivatives strike a great balance between cooling and aero. Giro makes nicely designed helmets.