Giro Feather Helmet
Size: Small (51-55 cm)
Blister’s Measured Weight: 316 grams
Color: Matte White Galaxy
Features:
- Featherweight webbing with Slimline buckle
- Adjustable moto-style visor
- In-Mold polycarbonate shell with EPS liner
- In Form fit system
- 12 vents with internal channeling
Reviewer information: 5’2”, 115 lbs., Head circumference: 53 cm
MSRP: $75.00
Days Tested: 45
Test Locations: Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana; Salmon, Idaho; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Wasatch, Utah
After retiring my previous helmet, I was in the market for an affordable cross country helmet that offered adequate protection and ventilation. The Giro Feather helmet is a reasonably priced option that is light, comfortable, and easy to adjust.
Fit / Sizing
In order for a helmet to do its job and protect your head in a crash, it’s essential that it has a secure fit without too much wiggle room. Different companies also cater to different head shapes, so it’s probably worth trying on a helmet to see how well it works with your head shape before buying.
With a 53cm-circumference head, I went with a size Small, which fits me perfectly. I’d say that I have a fairly average, though slightly more oval-shaped head, and the Feather fits my head well.
The Feather has an easy-to-use adjustment dial on the back to help achieve a snug, precise fit. When I tighten it up, it still feels comfortable, without any pinching or pressure points.
The Feather sits a little higher on my head than other helmets I’ve tried on, and I can move the Feather around a little bit even after I’ve cinched it down. While this is not ideal, it’s not enough extra space to cause any real problems.
The Bell Super is the most comfortable, secure helmet I’ve tried on, and it provided the most coverage around my temples and the back of my head; however, the Super is also a bit more expensive than the Feather, at $125. Other helmets like the Bell Stoker ($70) and the Fox Flux ($100), are closer in fit and price to the Feather, but also sat a bit higher on my head, feeling slightly less secure.
Safety / Protection
Pretty much all helmets must be certified to meet a minimum standard of safety, which can vary slightly from country to country. While I know the Feather meets these minimum requirements, and I know that it fits me pretty well, we aren’t in a position to say whether it’s more or less safe than other similar helmets.
The Feather provides more coverage in vital areas than traditional cross country helmets I’ve worn. Compared to my older XC helmets, the Feather comes down a bit lower in the back of the helmet and around the temples.
I had one pretty good crash in the Feather, falling face-first onto a boulder. While the visor took the majority of the impact and protected my face from completely smashing the rock, I was impressed that both the helmet and visor showed no visible signs of damage.
The Feather is also offered in a version with MIPS technology ($95), which is supposed to provide additional protection by reducing the amount of rotational force transferred to the brain in a crash.
Features
The Feather’s ‘In Form’ fit system has an adjustable dial to loosen or tighten the circumference of the interior lining of the helmet, and it’s easy to use. The dial can help achieve a snug fit and, most importantly, it doesn’t loosen on its own. This feature has kept my helmet snug and has prevented it from moving around during a ride.
I’ve had no issues with wearing my sunglasses under the Feather, and the chin straps are pretty standard and easy to adjust, even with gloves on. The helmet’s visor is removable, adjustable, and it effectively kept the sun out of my eyes and off my face.
Breathability
The Feather has 12 vents with internal channeling to improve airflow. While I generally heat up on most climbs anyway, I never felt excessively hot while pedaling uphill in the Feather. The helmet is pretty light and moves air well so that I am able to cool down quickly once I start descending. My previous helmet was the Giro Pneumo from several years ago, which is a versatile road helmet that can also be used on the trail. The Pneumo has quite a few more vents than the Feather, and unsurprisingly, was cooler on climbs.
Aesthetics
Summer in Salt Lake City is hot, so I wanted a light-colored helmet that would keep me cooler. The Matte White Galaxy color looks great, and the white color never heated up too much. Plus there’s a beautiful design on the back of the helmet with some water and trees, which I think is a nice touch.
Bottom Line
The Giro Feather is a simple, good looking helmet that offers a bit more coverage than traditional cross country helmets. If it fits you well and you’re looking for a reasonably priced, comfortable helmet, the Feather is great option.