At Circles Tailored, we've started carrying, from among GIRO's helmets, the Spherical series with Asian Fit.
There are a great many helmet makers, so why, among them, have we started carrying GIRO?
The answer is clear: because I like them myself and have been wearing them for years.
The big reason I was drawn to GIRO and keep using them is how comfortable they are to wear.
Of all the helmets I've tried, their fit stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Of course, this is just my own impression and won't hold true for everyone.
That's why a defining feature is that they're easy to wear even for people with wide heads or heads that flare out at the sides.
I've said this a few times before, but I'd like to take this opportunity to go over it again.
Among the many overseas makers, GIRO's Asian Fit is roomy in width, and what's more, the crown is deep and rounded in shape.
You're less likely to have the sides squeezed hard, or to have the widest part of your head catch so the helmet won't go all the way on.
Say, for example, someone has a head circumference of 57cm.
Going by circumference alone, the 55–59cm size is the right one.
But what if that person's head is wide and flares out at the sides?
Even if it's right according to the size chart, when they actually put it on, the widest part of the head may catch partway, or it may feel tight across the width alone even though there's room front to back.
Then they have no choice but to go one size up, to 59–63cm.
If sizing up means they can wear it without trouble, that's still fine, but with some makers it won't fit even with the adjuster tightened all the way, and the upshot is that that maker's helmets simply don't suit them.
In fact, this is something I felt myself for many years.
Back in the day, I could only wear a size L in GIRO's regular models, but with Asian Fit I found I could wear a size M naturally.
That gives you a fit that seems to wrap around your whole head, and it looks neater, too.
Once you know that feeling, there's no going back to other helmets.
That's exactly why I've kept choosing GIRO for years.
Of course, a helmet isn't something you choose on comfort alone.
What matters above all is safety.
But however advanced the safety technology a helmet carries, if it doesn't fit your head properly it can't fully deliver the performance it was designed for.
If the size is wrong or you can't get a good enough fit, you may feel stressed during the ride and find it hard to concentrate on riding.
And if the helmet is too big for your head, then in the event of an accident it may be harder for it to stay fitted the way it was designed to be.
That's exactly why choosing a helmet that properly fits your own head is extremely important from a safety standpoint as well.
On top of that, GIRO is a brand I trust not only for the fit I'm after but for safety, too.
One of the technologies underpinning that safety is “Spherical Technology,” jointly developed by GIRO and Mips.
Many of you may have heard the name Mips.
Spherical Technology is a technology developed on the basis of the Mips concept, and its aim is to reduce the rotational forces that occur in a crash.
Whereas standard Mips has a liner fitted inside the helmet, Spherical Technology builds the helmet in two layers, and the two move slightly against each other to deflect an impact.
That it pursues a high level of safety while barely compromising ventilation or comfort is another big attraction of this construction.
At present, Circles Tailored carries two models: the “Aries Spherical AF” and the “Helios Spherical AF.”
These are the two models that currently use Spherical Technology and are also offered in Asian Fit.
Both are helmets I can recommend with confidence.
GIRO Aries Spherical AF
GIRO's flagship model is the Aries Spherical AF.
Light weight, ventilation, fit. It's a model that pursues all of them at a high level, with GIRO's technology poured into it unsparingly.
With 24 vents and an internal structure that draws air in efficiently, it delivers outstanding comfort even on midsummer rides.
The brow also features DryCore technology to manage sweat. Sweat is less likely to run down toward your eyes, keeping you comfortable even on long rides.
And of course, it's equipped with Spherical Technology as well.
For riders who don't want to compromise on light weight or comfort, whether hill climbing or on long rides, it's a very attractive model.
The design is rounded overall, giving a soft and elegant impression.
Personally, too, I feel this gentle silhouette is an appeal unique to the Aries.
Recommended for
・Those who want to choose the very best without compromising on light weight or ventilation
・Those who enjoy hill climbs and long rides
GIRO Aries Spherical AF
Color: Matte White, Matte Stone, Matte Black / White, Matte Dark Sage
Size : M,L
GIRO Helios Spherical AF
The Helios Spherical AF uses the same Spherical Technology as the Aries.
It's a very well-balanced model that can handle a wide range, from road rides, of course, to gravel and touring.
With ample ventilation and a comfortable fit, you can use it widely, from your regular weekend rides to long tours.
“Not just racing; I want to enjoy my days-off rides to the full, too.”
For someone like that, I think the Helios is just right.
In contrast to the Aries, the design gives a sharp, sporty impression.
Its lines have a sense of speed, too, and if you like a racy feel, this design may be more to your taste.
Recommended for
・Those who want to enjoy both road and gravel with a single helmet
・Those who want to prioritize the balance of safety and price
GIRO Helios Spherical AF
Color: Matte Stone, Matte Black
Size : M, L
Design is part of the fun of choosing a helmet, too
Not just performance: looks are an important point in choosing a helmet as well.
The Aries has a soft, rounded silhouette.
The Helios, on the other hand, has sharp lines, in a design that conveys more of a sense of speed.
Both are refined designs in true GIRO style, but when you actually put them on, the impressions they give are surprisingly different.
“I like a soft look.”
“I prefer a sporty, sharp design.”
Choosing from that angle is, I think, one of the pleasures of picking a helmet.
The new GIRO logo
Among the photos in this post, the GIRO helmets I wear day to day make an appearance, too.
Look closely and you may notice that the logo design differs from the new models on the shop shelves.
The ones I use have the old logo, and the newly arrived models carry the new GIRO logo.
There's no difference in performance, but it gives a simpler, more refined impression, and I personally like it a lot.
Having used GIRO for many years, seeing changes like this is one of the pleasures, too.
You can't fully choose a helmet from photos and specs alone.
Everyone's head shape is different, and even at the same circumference, the fit varies greatly by maker and model.
That's exactly why I'd urge you to actually try one on.
“No helmet has ever felt quite right until now.”
It's precisely people like that whom I'd like to try GIRO's Asian Fit.
You may just find, as I did the first time I put on a GIRO, a helmet that makes you think, “This is the one.”
