After the shoe durability test published in the last issue of our magazine, we turn to the helmet that Giant designed for hiking. A helmet that also uses mips technology, designed to better absorb and distribute impact shocks.
WHAT IS MIPS?
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is a sliding plane system, designed to rotate inside the helmet. The goal is to reduce and slow down the amount of energy transferred to the head, with the aim of decreasing injuries caused by rotational impacts.
It took several years of experimentation with the collaboration of Karolinska Hospital and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
THE FIT.
The helmet is comfortable and enveloping, the lightness of the whole is a pleasant sensation especially when worn for long tours. Despite the minimal size of the padding, it was found to be comfortable and able to give the fit a soft feel. These are the first impact impressions.
VENTILATION
An all mountain helmet must protect the head in the best possible way, allowing optimal breathability. Imagine hiking for several hours, with many meters in altitude, if the helmet did not have good comfort, your head would boil, as well as the pleasure of spending time on your bike. We got to use the left rail in various conditions, including outings with temperatures above 30 °. The result is a helmet that does not feel on the head and that does not overheat our skull. So excellent ventilation, both while traveling, but above all excellent heat dispersion even in very slow uphill sections or during portage moments, where the effect of the air is reduced to a minimum, but thanks to the correct distribution of the d 'inlets. air the heat however tends to leave our head.
IN TIME
But what happens after a year of outings in all kinds of weather conditions, from the scorching summer heat to the autumn rain. All with more than 100.000 meters in altitude, hours of riding and some sudden crash test? Beyond the normal signs of wear, related to a few falls, impact with branches and anything that can happen during intensive use, the helmet has retained the qualities described initially. It remains enveloping, the protections maintain their comfort characteristics and the fit adjustments have not suffered any damage. The inner linings have been regularly washed without undergoing any alteration. It can therefore be said that the left rail Mips he passed the stress test he was subjected to with flying colors.
PROJECTED IMPACT
As anticipated just above the Rail left it proved to be a valid helmet, with considerable comfort, which did not show signs of abating over time and which satisfied all the needs we expected from a product of this range. There is only one note to make and it concerns the front flap, the too soft material with which it is made often causes the flap to be twisted and bent, giving a messy look to the helmet and giving an incorrect sensation of a band product low, also although it is possible to lift it a lot, there is no space to house the mask, which would allow it to be worn more comfortably.
