What is it?
Equipped with the multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS), the Giro Switchblade MIPS is triple-certified to CPSC, EN-1078, and ASTM-1952 downhill safety standards - both with and without its chin bar, which is quickly and easily removable and replaceable without tools. Beyond increased protection and ease of use, the Switchblade MIPS delivers comfort and versatility with the new Roc Loc Air DH adjustable fit system, anti-microbial padding, 20 vents with internal channeling, and two visors (one adjustable P.O.V. Plus and one with integrated camera mount).
To pass all the rigorous downhill safety tests, Giro opted to create a full-cut, over-the-ears main shell with the chin bar mounting base integrated into the helmet's base structure. This results in a half-lid style that has an aggressive old-school moto style. It results in better protection in half-lid mode but also hotter, more enclosed structure that will be polarizing factor for some riders. The Switchblade MIPS comes in three sizes and six colorways. Price is $250.
"In 1998, Giro created the first mainstream removable chinbar helmet, it was called Switchblade," said Dain Zaffke, Giro marketing director. "This new Switchblade MIPS bucks the trend of adding a chin bar to an XC helmet by creating a legitimate downhill helmet and then making the chin bar easily removable."
On the trail
We took the Switchblade for a ride in Pemberton, British Columbia, on a very warm day. The ride involved a long, steep climb and a very technical descent. The experience was dual-sided as we climbed in half-lid mode and descended in full-face mode.
In full-face mode the helmet was excellent. Weight is 975 grams and ventilation is excellent for a full-face helmet. Thus it was very easy to ride with than a normal full face helmet. Even as speeds got slower or when some pedaling was required, this helmet remained comfortable. Field of vision was very good with a large opening that did not interfere with peripheral vision.
The Roc Loc retention system is a nice touch. One can cinch down on the dial and cradle the head for a tighter fit. But it's not completely necessary. You can leave it open as well to make putting on and removing the helmet easier. The Roc Loc dial was a little low for us so we adjusted it to the highest vertical position to move it out of the way of the back of the neck and also to raise the forward tilt of the helmet.
Goggles with the straps in front is one way to climb without completely blocking the forward facing vents.
As a half-lid helmet, the helmet was comfortable as well, and the Roc Loc system played a bigger role in assuring a more snug fit. The helmet covers the ears and that is definitely a new feeling as it feels more restrictive than normal half-lid helmets. The default cheek pads were a bit too thick so we swapped it out with the thin ones included in the package. As far as heat and ventilation, this was warmer than a normal half-lid helmet. Where the chin bar normally attaches, there are good vents that channel air in to the helmet and it does a fairly good job ventilating. But one has to be climbing at a good clip for any meaningful airflow to be noticeable.
Continue to page 2 for more on the Giro Switchblade helmet »
How does it vent?
Compared to a normal full-face helmet, the Switchblade is cooler. Compared to a standard half-lid, it's warmer, especially around the cheeks and ears. With a big, articulating visor at the highest position, the helmet vents better as the visor helps scoop air into the forward vents.
This helmet has one of the best padding systems we've used, with a super absorbent, anti-microbial lining.
How does it look?
As a full-face helmet, it looks awesome. Styling and lines are classic. You can barely detect that the chin bar is removable. Color options are also really good with six available.
As a half-lid the look is a bit more polarizing. Some will love the look as it is reminiscent of classic moto helmet. Others maybe not so much. The visor is full sized for a DH style helmet so it looks a little big in half-lid mode.
How easy is to install/remove chinbar?
Removing the chin bar is very easy to perform. Simply press the two buttons underneath the chin bar, tilt up, and pull off.
But installing the chin bar is a little more tricky, as two steel tabs have to be aligned before the chin bar can be pushed in and pulled down to lock in place. With gloves on, we anticipate it will take about 10 tries and maybe two rides before the rider can do it reliably. The loop chin strap has to be cinched down first to hold the helmet in position as the chin bar is pushed in place. All that said, installing this helmet's chin bar is far easier than on the Bell Super 2R system.
How is the visor?
The visor is big with a quite a bit of tilt-up articulation to accommodate goggles. It adjusts between three distinct position that are indexed so it stays in place and is easy to manipulate.
A separate firmer visor is included in the package to accommodate a GoPro camera. This visor is not adjustable, as it stays in the middle position, keeping the GoPro in a stable position.
Why a classic loop strap system?
Giro opted for a classic loop strap system found on most full-face helmets to give the helmet that added level of security and adjustability. This strap system allows easy tensioning for a snug fit. But it's not as easy to use as the buckle system used by most half-lid helmets, but Giro wanted to optimize for the protection and fit needs of the full-face user.
Key Features of the Switchblade MIPS
For more information visit www.giro.com.
Equipped with the multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS), the Giro Switchblade MIPS is triple-certified to CPSC, EN-1078, and ASTM-1952 downhill safety standards - both with and without its chin bar, which is quickly and easily removable and replaceable without tools. Beyond increased protection and ease of use, the Switchblade MIPS delivers comfort and versatility with the new Roc Loc Air DH adjustable fit system, anti-microbial padding, 20 vents with internal channeling, and two visors (one adjustable P.O.V. Plus and one with integrated camera mount).
To pass all the rigorous downhill safety tests, Giro opted to create a full-cut, over-the-ears main shell with the chin bar mounting base integrated into the helmet's base structure. This results in a half-lid style that has an aggressive old-school moto style. It results in better protection in half-lid mode but also hotter, more enclosed structure that will be polarizing factor for some riders. The Switchblade MIPS comes in three sizes and six colorways. Price is $250.
"In 1998, Giro created the first mainstream removable chinbar helmet, it was called Switchblade," said Dain Zaffke, Giro marketing director. "This new Switchblade MIPS bucks the trend of adding a chin bar to an XC helmet by creating a legitimate downhill helmet and then making the chin bar easily removable."
On the trail
We took the Switchblade for a ride in Pemberton, British Columbia, on a very warm day. The ride involved a long, steep climb and a very technical descent. The experience was dual-sided as we climbed in half-lid mode and descended in full-face mode.
In full-face mode the helmet was excellent. Weight is 975 grams and ventilation is excellent for a full-face helmet. Thus it was very easy to ride with than a normal full face helmet. Even as speeds got slower or when some pedaling was required, this helmet remained comfortable. Field of vision was very good with a large opening that did not interfere with peripheral vision.
The Roc Loc retention system is a nice touch. One can cinch down on the dial and cradle the head for a tighter fit. But it's not completely necessary. You can leave it open as well to make putting on and removing the helmet easier. The Roc Loc dial was a little low for us so we adjusted it to the highest vertical position to move it out of the way of the back of the neck and also to raise the forward tilt of the helmet.
Goggles with the straps in front is one way to climb without completely blocking the forward facing vents.
As a half-lid helmet, the helmet was comfortable as well, and the Roc Loc system played a bigger role in assuring a more snug fit. The helmet covers the ears and that is definitely a new feeling as it feels more restrictive than normal half-lid helmets. The default cheek pads were a bit too thick so we swapped it out with the thin ones included in the package. As far as heat and ventilation, this was warmer than a normal half-lid helmet. Where the chin bar normally attaches, there are good vents that channel air in to the helmet and it does a fairly good job ventilating. But one has to be climbing at a good clip for any meaningful airflow to be noticeable.
Continue to page 2 for more on the Giro Switchblade helmet »
How does it vent?
Compared to a normal full-face helmet, the Switchblade is cooler. Compared to a standard half-lid, it's warmer, especially around the cheeks and ears. With a big, articulating visor at the highest position, the helmet vents better as the visor helps scoop air into the forward vents.
This helmet has one of the best padding systems we've used, with a super absorbent, anti-microbial lining.
How does it look?
As a full-face helmet, it looks awesome. Styling and lines are classic. You can barely detect that the chin bar is removable. Color options are also really good with six available.
As a half-lid the look is a bit more polarizing. Some will love the look as it is reminiscent of classic moto helmet. Others maybe not so much. The visor is full sized for a DH style helmet so it looks a little big in half-lid mode.
How easy is to install/remove chinbar?
Removing the chin bar is very easy to perform. Simply press the two buttons underneath the chin bar, tilt up, and pull off.
But installing the chin bar is a little more tricky, as two steel tabs have to be aligned before the chin bar can be pushed in and pulled down to lock in place. With gloves on, we anticipate it will take about 10 tries and maybe two rides before the rider can do it reliably. The loop chin strap has to be cinched down first to hold the helmet in position as the chin bar is pushed in place. All that said, installing this helmet's chin bar is far easier than on the Bell Super 2R system.
How is the visor?
The visor is big with a quite a bit of tilt-up articulation to accommodate goggles. It adjusts between three distinct position that are indexed so it stays in place and is easy to manipulate.
A separate firmer visor is included in the package to accommodate a GoPro camera. This visor is not adjustable, as it stays in the middle position, keeping the GoPro in a stable position.
Why a classic loop strap system?
Giro opted for a classic loop strap system found on most full-face helmets to give the helmet that added level of security and adjustability. This strap system allows easy tensioning for a snug fit. But it's not as easy to use as the buckle system used by most half-lid helmets, but Giro wanted to optimize for the protection and fit needs of the full-face user.
Key Features of the Switchblade MIPS
- CPSC, EN-1078, ASTM-1952 downhill certification - both with and without the chinbar
- MIPS reduces rotational energy to provide more protection in certain impacts
- Removable and replaceable chinbar
- 20 vents with internal and cheek pad channeling
- Roc Loc Air DH fit system with bumper to prevent unwanted adjustments if helmet contacts neck brace or backpack
- Hydrophilic, X-Static anti-microbial padding
- P.O.V. Plus adjustable visor
- Spare visor with integrated camera mount
- Rubber grippers integrated into rear vents for goggle retention
- Weight: 975 grams (600 grams without chinbar)
- MSRP: $250
For more information visit www.giro.com.