Road biking helmets are a necessary evil. Ideally, we want something that provides adequate ventilation while not feeling like we have anything on our heads while we rip up the road in search of that last bit of speed. Giro comes to the table with several different helmets in their lineup for recreational to racing road bikers, and this one – The Atmos – is almost at the top of that list (3rd from the top below the Ionos and Prolight).
Specs: The Giro Atmos
From giro.com:
Atmos continues to set the standard for high performance, matchless style, and comfortable fit. It’s low profile silhouette, 26 Wind Tunnel vents, and benchmark in-mold Roll Cage make it a top choice for road, ‘cross, and XC riders alike.
- FIT SYSTEM Roc Loc® 4
- CONSTRUCTION In-mold – EPS liner, polycarbonate shell
- VENTILATION 26 Wind Tunnel™ vents, internal channeling
- FEATURES In-mold Composite Reinforcement, Roll Cage™
Starting Price: $175.00
Review: Giro Atmos Road Biking Helmet
After riding with the Giro Atmos for several months…how did it perform?
Initial Fit and Feel
At first glance, the Giro Atmos is a lightweight road biking helmet for a reasonable price. I wouldn’t call it a budget helmet by any stretch, but…for the serious road biker…it is about middle of the line in comparison with some of the other options out there. With multiple colors available (I do not see the Garmin color scheme as reviewed on the Giro website currently), you are sure to find something that fits your design needs.
The Giro Atmos is light…really light. When you pick it up and put it on your head, you can forget it is even there after a little while. Initially fitting is done with the Roc Loc 4 system which wraps around to the back of your head and tightens via a pinch style ratchet system. With plenty of engagement points, I was able to get the helmet to fit perfectly to my head. The helmet straps were easy to adjust and once everything was secure…the helmet felt great and was ready to roll.
Upon removal, you can have a little bit of difficulty loosening up the retention system, so be careful and take your time to avoid stripping or snapping the mechanism. As long as you don’t force it…it works fine.
On The Road With The Giro Atmos
Once on the road with the Giro Atmos, the lightweight construction and easy fitting really became a positive feature. The 26 vents provide adequate cooling during the hotter months and I never felt like my head was trapping heat or not getting enough air. The Roc Loc 4 system is easy to adjust as needed while riding with a single hand operation.
After logging in a lot of miles, I did notice that I was starting to get a small pressure point at the front of my forehead. A small loosening adjustment on the ride got rid of that feeling, but…that does tell me that I have a small hot spot in the fit.
One of my favorite things about this helmet (outside of general performance and fit) is the ability to place my Oakley Half Jackets securely in the front of the helmet. It is almost as if they were made for each other. Easy in and easy out without any fear of them falling off and hitting the road.
Crashing The Giro Atmos
Personally, I have not hit the ground with the Atmos yet (and hopefully I don’t), but a friend of mine nailed it at 35 miles an hour and reported back that the Atmos has incredible shock absorption. Even at higher speeds, the Atmos transfers that shock very well should the worst happen and my friend walked away without any cerebral injuries. That says a lot for a helmet that vents as well as the Atmos.
Final Thoughts On The Giro Atmos
Overall, the Giro Atmos is a great all around helmet for road bikers. It is not the cheapest lid out of Giro (or any other manufacturers offerings), but it does provide a lot of performance for that price tag.
What I Liked About The Giro Atmos
- Easy fit with high quality feel
- Multiple designs
- Lightweight
- 26 vents allow for adequate ventilation
- Does its job should you smack the blacktop
- Riding glasses fit perfectly in the front of helmet
What I Didn’t Like About The Giro Atmos
- Can be pricey for some cyclists
- Developed small hotspot on forehead during longer rides
Find the best price on a Giro Atmos by clicking here.
