Spherical Technology
There’s nothing more important than the human brain. Your brain is everything you are, and you only get one. A pretty heavy way to start off this piece we know, but when you consider these facts, it seems crazy that we sometimes overlook the importance of safety when riding our bikes.
If you’re reading this, there is a very high chance that you have heard of MIPS, the company on a mission to make the world’s safest helmets. It’s likely the helmet you have at home has some form of MIPS technology in it, whether in the form of an internal liner or integration with the overall structure of the helmet. MIPS offers a low-friction layer inside the bike helmet which allows multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head. Spherical technology has emerged from an exclusive partnership between Giro and MIPS, using facilities in the Giro Dome to take this concept one step further.
Spherical technology has been developed using a ball-and-socket design that helps redirect impact forces, bringing market-leading design, performance and brain protection together without compromising comfort, ventilation, weight or style.
That sounds all well and good doesn’t it, but rather than just leaving you with the marketing jargon, let’s understand what it means by ‘Ball-and-Socket’ design. Essentially this means that a helmet with Spherical Technology is two helmets in one - an outer liner and an inner liner, which Giro dubs as Progressive Layering. These dual-density EPS liners are designed to address high and low-speed impacts for more comprehensive energy management. The outer liner rotates independently to the inner liner on impact, enabling the helmet to mitigate rotational force as well as direct impact forces.
Every crash is different and as we all know, you can never claim that a helmet will completely protect you in every possible crash scenario. However, with the ability to diminish rotational forces, helmets with Spherical Technology can provide protection in certain scenarios where non-spherical helmets cannot.
In addition to safety, performance, comfort, and style are also synonymous with Spherical helmets. Thanks to the seamless integration between the MIPS Spherical layer and the first EPS layer of the helmet, ventilation is unrestricted and the helmet's wind channels can reach maximum cooling power. This integration of the technology also allows more luxurious and plush padding to be added to the inside of the helmet. For most Spherical models this is also cool fit antimicrobial padding, helping to cool your head when you sweat and protect the helmet from the bacteria that this causes.
Spherical Technology is becoming more widely available and can now be found in four Giro bike helmet models in our market, across both Mountain and Road disciplines. Most notably Giro’s flagship race helmet, the Aether. Worn by roadies and XC riders alike, the Aether pioneered spherical technology in a comfortable, super-light and stylish package. A standout feature for the Aether is its Aura reinforcing arch, a shatter-resistant and translucent support beam bolstering the structural integrity of the helmet while also enabling deep internal channelling without increasing overall weight.
The Giro Tyrant and Manifest are mountain bike helmets with Spherical Technology that may have flown under the radar in the last 18 months. The Tyrant has extended coverage without going into the realm of a full-face helmet, perfect for aggressive trail riders pushing themselves headfirst (literally) to hit bigger jumps and crush faster trails. The Manifest is, according to Giro, the most premium trail-riding helmet available. Spherical Technology, Aura reinforcing arches and 19 wind tunnel vent (yes, 19!) makes the Manifest a force to be reckoned with on the trails.
The most recent edition to the Spherical Technology lineup is the Giro Helios. Released this month into our market, the Helios is currently available to purchase in store only so contact your local My Ride store for availability before you head in. Giro Australia is running a competition to support the release of this helmet, where a purchase in the month of July puts you in the draw to win a custom Giro Chrono Expert kit for you and your cycling team. You and up to nine of your mates get a fresh matching kit to pair with your new Helios Spherical helmet. Competition landing page and information here. The Helios is the younger brother of the Aether, coming in only 7 grams heavier and with a more competitive price point, this high-performance head protection is perfect for core road cyclists, gravel enthusiasts and adventure riders alike.
Giro’s new venture with Spherical Technology creates a real point of difference for the brand in the market. If you were daunted by the higher price tag, we hope a deeper understanding of the technology and a breakdown of each Spherical model will help position these helmets as investment pieces. An investment to protect your brain could be the smartest investment decision you ever make, because you only get one brain.
If you have any questions about Spherical Technology, reach out to your local My Ride store who will be happy to assist. Remember, if you purchase a Giro Helios before the 30th of July, you can go into the draw to win a custom Giro kit. Now it’s time to test out Spherical Technology for yourself
