Tl;dr: Giro manufactures helmets for biking and snowsports and stands out in both industries when it comes to comfort and safety. Giro makes helmets for all types of riding, whether it’s freeride, all-mountain, or race. Finding a helmet that fits well will provide maximum safety on the mountain.

I grew up skiing on the East Coast in elementary school and moved to Salt Lake City after graduating high school to chase some powder. I have taught skiing in New Zealand and Park City and have assisted many customers in fitting Giro helmets while working in a local ski shop at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I love helping others find their perfect ski gear and sharing my passion for being outside with family and friends. Contact a Curated Winter Sports Expert for more help finding the right Giro helmet to fit your needs and your head!

Who Is Giro?

Giro is an American manufacturer that has been making ski and bike helmets for over 30 years. The company was founded by Jim Gentes, who had an obsession with improvements and helmet design. Giro claims their attention to detail sets them apart from competitors, manufacturing the perfect helmet for each rider’s fit and needs. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California.

What to Consider When Buying a Giro Ski Helmet

How Do I Measure the Circumference of My Head?

Grab a tape measure and position it just above the ears and about 1in above your eyebrows. Measure around the largest part of your head and refer to the circumference chart above to see which size will work best for you.

How Do I Know If the Helmet Fits Correctly?

A well-fitting helmet is extremely important so as not to jeopardize your safety on the mountain. Even if you aren’t a reckless skier, you can’t control the actions of others on the mountain, and accidents unfortunately can — and do — happen.

Luckily, a well-fitting helmet can be lifesaving. The helmet should feel snug to your head but not so tight that it hurts. It should cover a large portion of the forehead, and you should not have a gap between the helmet and your goggles. The chin strap should not be so tight that it is uncomfortable, but you will want it touching your chin to reduce the chances of the helmet flying off on impact. When in doubt, you can always ask a Curated Winter Sports Expert to help with fit and sizing.

What is MIPS? Is It Worth Buying a Helmet with MIPS Technology?

MIPS stands for “multi-directional impact protection system” and is essentially a low-friction layer that sits between the foam and helmet liner to allow for a sliding motion in all directions upon impact. While there is often debate on whether you need MIPS, my thought is that added safety is never a bad idea, especially now that rotational technology has become an industry standard in both biking and winter sports.

What Materials Are Giro Snowsports Helmets Made of?

Most Giro snowsports helmets are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, which is a crushable foam that dissipates energy to add maximum protection. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is another material that Giro sometimes uses instead of EPS, the difference being that EPP is a bit more elastic and will bounce back into shape after a crash.

It is always recommended to purchase a new helmet after any type of crash that involves a head bang, but EPS will likely show it more visibly than EPP. Polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are two other strong outer shell materials that are used in Giro helmets, usually in the more traditional models.

Are Giro Helmets Gender Specific?

Giro helmets are either women’s specific or unisex, but there are no functional differences between the two. Sizing is the same as well for unisex and women’s helmets. The only difference may be the overall design or style. Often you will see women’s helmets have fuzzy or plush chin straps or ear pads, while unisex helmets do not. This is common in ski boot liners as well. Women’s helmets may also be offered in different colors than unisex.

What Are the Different Types of Giro Ski Helmets?

All-Mountain Giro Ski Helmets

Most of Giro’s ski helmets are all-mountain, excellent for anyone who skis or rides at the resort.

Benefits:

• A variety of options in features, color, fit, and price
• Lightweight, comfortable, and equipped with the newest safety features and technologies

Be Aware:

• May look the same at first glance but added features and safety technologies will be included in the pricier models
• Technology changes from year to year, so make sure to ask a Curated Winter Sports Expert about the latest safety technologies

Freeride Giro Snowboard Helmets

Freeride Giro ski and snowboard helmets are the same as all-mountains but usually have a more minimalist or classic design.

Benefits:

• Often a lower price than other ski and snowboard helmets
• Available in lots of trendy colors

Be Aware:

• May not have additional features such as air vents or BOAs for fit adjustment (also known as a dial-adjustable fit system)
• May not have the same advanced safety features as other all-mountain helmets

Giro Ski Race Helmets

Benefits:

• The hard outer shell covers more of the head, including over the ears
• Helmet material may differ from other types of helmets to be longer-lasting

Be Aware:

• Since most people buying race helmets are only using them for racing, there aren’t nearly as many options available
• You can wear a race helmet if you aren’t a racer, but it may not feel the same as an all-mountain helmet

Features to Look For When Buying Giro Ski Helmets

Below is a list of common features to look for when buying Giro ski and snowboard helmets. Giro offers a variety of features, with plenty of designs and fits for a broad base of customers.

Added Safety Features

Just about all of Giro’s 2024 ski and snowboard helmets are sold with MIPS, but some offer safety features even beyond MIPS that buyers should be aware of. While the MIPS brain protection system redirects rotational forces away from the brain, spherical technology uses two separate liners to help manage impact forces for added safety. Some helmets also use progressive layering, which optimizes the material and density of both outer and inner liners to add to the head protection.

Benefits:

• Uses advanced technology to protect your brain
• Safety features are lightweight and don’t hinder performance or comfort on the slopes

Be Aware:

• Generally the more safety features, the higher the price of the helmet
• A helmet that fits well is a safety feature in itself

Additional Features

When shopping for a helmet, the most important aspect is safety. Therefore, I always find it worthwhile to pay a bit more for the added safety features. With this being said, there are many additional features that you will likely come across when helmet shopping. A few of the most common are an adjustable fit in the form of a BOA dial on the back, a venting system, removable ear pads, and a visor.

Benefits:

• A BOA system is highly recommended for growing kids but is often found on adult helmets as well to offer a more precise fit
• Venting systems and removable ear pads are nice to have for spring skiing when it gets warm out

Be Aware:

• All new Giro helmets are sold with an adjustable chin strap and some form of goggle strap on the back to keep your goggles from falling down
• Features like speakers in the earpads can make a helmet pricey

How to Choose the Right Giro Ski or Snowboard Helmet for You

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of what to look for when shopping for a new Giro ski or snowboard helmet. Below I’ve described two different personas and highlighted what they should look for in a new Giro helmet based on their preferences.

Joel

Joel is a 17-year-old park skier whose head is mostly done growing. He likes the color black and is looking for a helmet under $150. He mostly skis in the spring. His mom works in the outdoor industry and insists that his helmet has MIPS technology.

Features Joel should look for:

• Removable ear pads to keep him cool in the spring
• A helmet with a price point below $150

Giro helmet examples: Giro Ledge FS MIPS, Giro Trig MIPS

Lena

Lena wants a top-of-the-line helmet with all of the newest safety features. She snowboards around 60 days a year. She does about 20 of these days in the backcountry on her split board but doesn’t necessarily think she needs a backcountry-specific helmet.

Features Lena should look for:

• A lightweight design
• Spherical safety technology
• Ventilation

Giro helmet examples: Giro Grid Spherical Helmet, Giro Tenya Spherical Helmet

Find the Best Giro Ski Helmet for You

With Giro being one of the most seasoned brands to specialize in helmet technology, it is no wonder that they make some of the safest and most high-quality ski and snowboard helmets out there. In the event of a crash, Giro helmets have the most up-to-date technologies, providing additional protection to go along with MIPS. If you need any help finding the perfect Giro ski helmet for you, don’t hesitate to ask one of our Curated Winter Sports Experts for free and personalized advice.