Giro Aries Spherical £289.99
Weight 275g
The Aries claims to be Giro's lightest and airiest helmet in its MIPS Spherical Technology line but also the safest with the highest safety rating from the esteemed Virginia Tech University. This World Tour-level lid unseats the Aether Spherical as Giro's top road offering in terms of performance, innovation as well as price point.
Rather than being an afterthought, the Aries was designed around the now prevalent MIPS technology, which is there to reduce the rotational forces transferred to the head in the event of a crash.
Rather than the typical thin plastic cradle inside the helmet Giro integrates the MIPS cradle in the brand's own ball-and-socket 'Spherical' design, which aids in redirecting impact forces. If you've never held a Spherical helmet before, the two parts of the helmet actually move independently of one another.
While at first glance the Aries looks similar in design to the well-loved Giro Synthe or Aether helmets, the Aries is actually more compact than previous models. The frontal surface area is smaller to reduce drag while bevelled edges and internal channelling help to improve the helmet's aerodynamics.
The Roc Loc 5+ Air fit system closure, carried over from previous models, is reliable and easy to adjust and, for those of you with long hair, has enough of a gap to pull a pony tail through.
The heart of winter isn't ideal when it comes to testing the coolness factor of a helmet, but the Aries Spherical sports an impressive 24 vents in total and stands out for its unobtrusive comfort. I felt no pressure spots and encountered no sweaty brows or hair snagging. In fact, I didn't feel much of anything, which is exactly what I want out of a good helmet.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike