About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the helmet, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.

My Take

The Giro Ledge MIPS Helmet is simple, low-profile, and reasonably priced. The skate style is a plus, and the design seems to match up really well with most goggle styles out there. It’s comfy and is a great choice for beginners to experts.

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Giro Ledge MIPS Helmet
• Size: Medium

About me

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 175lbs
• Head circumference: 58cm
• Goggles: Smith IO MAG
• Experience: 25 years

Test conditions

• When I bought this helmet: November 2021
• Days tested: 100
• Where I’ve used it: Vail, Colorado; Copper Mountain, Colorado; Colorado backcountry.
• How I’ve used it: Park riding, resort ripping, backcountry endeavors.

How it performs

What I was looking for

I had an old Bern helmet that was getting a little beat up, and I didn’t love how the brim didn’t sit flush with goggles. So, I was on the hunt for a replacement that was simple and stylish. I was looking for a basic, low-profile helmet that fits well with my goggle style, which is generally a bigger frame with a more linear upper frame, as opposed to having a more curved/rounded frame style. I wanted to keep the price under $100, ideally as low as possible while still getting a quality helmet that I liked. My last helmet had very simple tech, so I was interested in trying out the MIPS technology because it seemed worth it to invest in this important piece of safety equipment.

Why I chose this gear

This helmet is in my price range, has good safety tech, and I like the simple rounded skate style. I went to the shop to try it on and decided it was the one. I also like the Giro Jackson helmet, but it is almost $100 more expensive. The Giro Emerge is another good option, but once again it has a higher price point at over $50 more expensive. The Ledge has the style and protective quality I was looking for, all at a reasonable price.

What I love about it

• Protection: This helmet is durable. I ride a lot and am not shy about taking slams, and through my abuse, it has held together just fine. The MIPS tech gives me that little bit of extra confidence and seems to do a good job helping take a little bit of oomph off of the impact.
• Comfort: The padding in the helmet is comfy and stays secure on my head when out riding. It has an average amount of foam protection, keeping me protected without feeling too bulky.
• Sizing: I seemed to be right on the cusp of large/medium size. I went with medium and it fits perfectly snug.
• Liner: The tough outer shell is molded and then attached to an EPS foam liner, providing a strong, hard shell helmet with lightweight foam underneath.
• Earpads: I tried on the helmet with ear pads and it is comfy and snug. They are removable which is nice since I decided to take them out and rock them without the ear pads.
• Goggle compatibility: It has a flatter, slight curve to it in the front that fits great with goggle frames with that same type of straight, slightly curved frame. I have Smith IO MAGs and Dragon PXVs and they sync up great.
• Weight: At 500G, it is fairly lightweight and doesn’t weigh me down.
• Built-In Features: This helmet is compatible with aftermarket Giro audio systems. I don’t use them but it is a nice plus for sure.
• Durability: I take falls regularly and my helmet smacks branches from time to time when ripping trees. So far it has held up really well to my abuse, showing no signs of impact or discoloration.
• Quality of Materials: The buckles, padding, and other features all have worked really well. They aren’t that bulletproof, heavy-duty quality, but I’ve been happy given the price.
• Style: This helmet has a low-profile, brimless, skate style that I am a big fan of.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Breathability: The vents are great for airflow, but it is a downside that they aren’t closeable to keep out wet weather or to keep users extra warm on a cold day.
• Fit system: It doesn’t have the most high-tech adjustability, but it is enough to get it snug and secure.

Favorite moment with this gear

This is a little embarrassing, but I was riding in the trees one time and did not duck low enough. I took a fat branch to the head and was knocked off my feet backward. It was a jarring slam that shook me up, but my helmet took the brunt of it and I was super thankful to be able to get back up and keep going.

Value for the money vs. other options

For a basic helmet with simple features, this helmet is a great choice that helps winter sports enthusiasts stay safe in style for a reasonable price. I was looking for a helmet ideally under $100 but didn’t want to sacrifice quality, and that’s why I went with this model. The Jackson and Emerge caught my interest, but the extra cost did not seem worth it for what I was looking for.

Final verdict

For those who are looking for a simple helmet that they can trust to take a beating, this is a great choice. It doesn’t have all the fancy bells and whistles, but it looks good and has all the necessities to protect the head when taking a spill.