Reviews You Can Rely On

Giro Hex Review

Giro designs solid, stylish and well functioning helmets, the Hex falls right in line
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giro hex mountain bike helmet review
Credit: Competitive Cyclist
Price:  $80 List
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Manufacturer:   Giro
By Dustin Schaad ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 19, 2018
69
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Adjustments - 20% 5.0
  • Features - 20% 5.0
  • Durability - 20% 7.0
  • Ventilation - 10% 9.0
  • Weight - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

An excellent value for price-conscious riders looking for a rugged all-mountain helmet, the Giro Hex is loaded with premium features and has great style as well. This sleek brain protector fuses progressive style with the versatility of an all-around trail riding helmet. Not just a stylish shell, the Hex comes stocked with some of Giro's most coveted features. This helmet is for riders of all ages; it won't break the bank, and you'll still look as fast as the rider wearing a helmet costing twice as much! We like the way this helmet fits, feels, adjusts and looks.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Excellent ventilation
Lightweight
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
No MIPS
Limited protection in the back

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Giro Hex is an excellent helmet for riders on a budget. It's an exceptional all-mountain helmet with loads of features and has earned multiple awards over the years.

Performance Comparison


giro hex mountain bike helmet review - the hex gettin' after it!
The Hex gettin' after it!
Credit: dustin schaad

Comfort


The Hex combines progressive styling with the versatility, functionality, and comfort that you require for trail riding.


Giro's in-mold construction offers lightness and durability, while the 22 vents keep you comfortable no matter how much it heats up out there while climbing that 3,000-foot grinder.

giro hex mountain bike helmet review - the rear-adjustment system.
The rear-adjustment system.
Credit: dustin schaad

Adjustments


Giro's Roc Loc 5 retention system ensures that the Hex is secure on gnarly descents, while the P.O.V. adjustable visor allows you to have confidence that the sun won't deter you during your rapid descent.


The bottom line is that the Giro Hex will hold its own on any given day.

Giro Hex Goggles ON
Giro Hex Goggles ON
Even though the Visor is fairly small and only adjusts a few inches...
Even though the Visor is fairly small and only adjusts a few inches, the goggles actually rest nicely.

Weight


Adding MIPS to any helmet will raise the price by 25-35% and add 3-5% to the weight of the helmet. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a leading slip-plane technology inside the helmet designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts.


Our testers believe that MIPs is necessary for any rider that feels like they take big chances and head over the bars (OTB) a bit more often than the everyday rider. Our testers crash less often than they did when they started riding, yet feel the Hex is sufficient for any style/type rider today — including more experienced riders. Its lightweight feel, compared to say the Giro Montaro or Chronicle is noticeable. Not that the Giro helmets are heavy, but when a helmet is designed with MIPS, it flat out adds a bit of weight.

giro hex mountain bike helmet review - the hex has a number of well-placed vents.
The Hex has a number of well-placed vents.
Credit: dustin schaad

Ventilation


The Hex competes equally with all other brands that we tested and is much lighter on the wallet. The lightest helmet in the test plus the ventilation beats most as well.


giro hex mountain bike helmet review - the hex has a non-adjustable visor.
The Hex has a non-adjustable visor.
Credit: dustin schaad

Protection


Here's the thing — every lightweight, half-shell bike helmet on the market is a one-time use product. Regardless of whether or not it has MIPs, if you smack your helmet once, you should toss it in the trash.

giro hex mountain bike helmet review - no mips here, the hex is old school.
No MIPS here, the Hex is old school.
Credit: dustin schaad

Best Applications


The Hex compliments the XC riders who start on a hardtail and move on to a more forgiving full suspension bikes. Green and blue riders will enjoy the Hex during their progression to rollable drops or rocks. The Enduro rider will embrace the Hex just as well as those long grinding climbs allowing the goggles to sit below the P.O.V. adjustable visor. Giro's Roc Loc 5 retention system will keep your skull locked and loaded for the more technical trails interspersed with jumps and bigger drops. The Hex IS NOT a downhill helmet; be sure to purchase a full-face for that style of riding.

Value


An attractively-styled trail helmet, the Hex features moderate coverage, effective ventilation, four distinct sizes, and a very reasonable price tag. MIPS or similar systems are very common on modern helmets. This is one feature that the Hex is missing. Otherwise, this is the budget-conscious rider's dream!

Conclusion


The Hex has a stylish design, excellent ventilation, comfort, adjustment, weight, features, ventilation, and durability. This helmet is for all riders, of all ages that won't break the bank. You'll still look as good, if not better, than the riders wearing the 150 dollar Smith Rover or 180 dollar Troy Lee A2! We are truly impressed with the way this helmet fits, feels, adjusts and looks. Our testers dawned the Hex many mornings with confidence, knowing it would not only keep their skull safe and secure but look stylish as well.

Dustin Schaad