Giro Cinder MIPS Review - Great Helmet, Great Value

The Giro Cinder MIPS is the baby brother to the Giro Synthe. The first clue is instantly visible in the design, as both helmets look very similar. The Cinder MIPS is considerably less expensive however. Our colleague Agnes tested it out for you.

The helmet made a striking first impression when I unboxed it. The bright yellow version I tested really couldn’t be missed. Ideal for rainy conditions and dark evenings at the end of winter.

No extras with the Giro Cinder MIPS

While more expensive helmets might come with some extras such as a spare set of pads or a helmet cover, the Giro Cinder has to do without any of that. What you see is what you get then; a helmet. Let’s try it out!

When I ride my bike, I always wear my hair in a ponytail. It’s crucial for me that I can get my hair through the helmet and that it won’t get jammed under the retention system. It takes a little fiddling around to get it right with the Giro Cinder MIPS.

As I have a fairly small head, the retention system is dialed in fairly far. This leaves little space to get my hair through, but it got a lot better with practice.

The helmet instantly feels comfortable and it closes around my head nicely when I secure the retention system. All that remains is for the straps to be adjusted. Take of the helmet, adjust the straps (which was easy), and we’re good to go in about 5 minutes!

In the Real World

The first time I test the helmet is on a particularly cold day. Time to wear a bandana underneath then. Not a problem, and even when I’m wearing a head cover the helmet remains comfortable. I have no trouble with its size (I used a size S) as the retention system offers a very wide range of adjustability.

The helmet looks good on my head, and I only catch a glimpse of the leading edge when I look up. Perfect, as some of the helmets I’ve used had a clearly visible leading edge as you rode. Something I find really annoying.

A cold mountain bike ride lay ahead, but not for a moment have I experienced a cold head. I completely forget I’m not wearing my own helmet during the ride, which is a good sign really. It sure fits like a glove!

The Giro Cinder MIPS is very comfortable!

I’ve worn the helmet a few more times after that, and I just really think it’s comfortable. It might not be the lightest helmet, but I’m okay with that. Something which does strike me is the fact that it still feels nice and warm in temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius.

I’m curious to find out then how it feels on warm summer days. I hope I’m getting the chance to test that soon enough, because I really can’t wait for summer!

Great Helmet, Great Value

It’s a very nice helmet for a very decent price. Especially when you consider the fact that it features the MIPS system, making it even safer. To illustrate the MIPS system better, there’s this blog.

The helmet is easy to adjust and fits nicely, though this is a personal preference. The only downsides for me: it’s hard to get your hair out the back of the helmet, and there are no spare pads included. We’re going to have to see how it feels on a warm summer day, but for now: I like it!

Giro Cinder MIPS

£72.20

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