I have a Bontrager Solstice, which is an an entry-level MIPS helmet, but wanted something lighter and more aero. I looked at Poc, Kask, Bell, Specialized...watched hours of reviews... TBH the Synthe wasn't my first choice but I couldn't justify paying $100+ more for my top pick. The Synthe is definitely lighter than the Solstice but it feels like it might come at the expense of coverage. The fit is good and there's plenty of ventilation. For the price I'd buy again.
This is by far the most comfortable helmet I have ever tried on. I tried on several from other major competitors and none could compare. The cushioning is minimal but provides just what is needed, and the cinching system adjusts nicely to create a supremely comfortable fit, while benefiting from the MIPS technology. I do wish Giro had included extra cushioning strips as they had with previous helmets I have owned.
When I purchased this helmet a couple of years ago, I spent a bit more than I was planning to spend on a helmet, but I have no regrets. For starters, the Giro Synthe MIPS Helmet is a good looking helmet, and it feels great on. But this summer I realized the true benefit of buying a helmet at this level. I was doing my usual daily ride on the Burlington bike path, a beautiful, paved 7-mile stretch that parallels the shoreline of Lake Champlain. I'd ridden this route hundreds of times on my road bike.
At the north end of the route, where the bike path merges with a neighborhood street, there's an optional curb cut that puts you right onto the street. I always take it. But if you approach that curb cut from the street side, there's a 3/4-inch-high curb you have to get over. There were a couple of other riders approaching me on the bike path that day, so I took that curb cut at a sharper angle than I normally do. I was out of the saddle at the time. The curb caught my front tire and threw the bike toward the pavement. My head struck the ground with enough force to crack the interior of the helmet. But remarkably, I didn't suffer even a minor concussion. MIPS did it's job beautifully. When I got home, I ordered two more Giro Synthe MIPS helmets in different colors.
I've had two of these helmets. Bought the first one in 2015 and about a year after purchasing went down on some train tracks it the rain. My head bounced of the track pretty good and the helmet took the brunt of it. Got a replacement through Giro's crash replacement program, which at 40% MSRP. Went over the bars today landed hard, and cracked the second one in two places. Can't say enough about this helmet or Giro in general. I have been wearing them from 25 years as they just fit my head really, really well right out of the box so that's huge as far as protection is concerned. I have probably owned 20 Giro helmets (road and mountain) since 1992 and the Synthe is a great helmet, not noticeable when you wear it, very comfortable. I've wanted to check out POC and Kask but have had such good luck with Giro, there's really no reason for me to switch. Typically I'll average between 3-4000 miles a year on a bike, depending. Going to get another one of these or maybe an Aether.
Have been riding for 30 plus years and have had prior Giro helmets. This product is very light, almost to the point where when wearing it is not noticeable, does not move around the perimeter of the head, has little to no interference with the rider's view from side to side. The enclosure is very snug and well fitting, though without any need to overtighten to bind to the rider's head shape. Giro has finally figured out how to create a helmet that even after long rides of over two-plus hours, the unit does not feel heavy, cumbersome, or need continual adjustments - something I have had with other high-end helmets and gear. The straps are not too long and are easy to adjust, the same for the dials to set the inner enclosure.
I'm on my third Giro Synthe Mips. They fit me really well, are incredibly lightweight, and protect your head really well. I've had a couple of serious knocks in the head, serious enough to warrant a new helmet, and the Synthe Mips protected me head really well.
After 5years of use had to retire my trusty GIRO Atmos...Hello Synthe! Lightweight, good aero profile while very well vented and MIPS tech upgrade are all quite welcome. The interior is well cushioned and the straps are snug and comfy on your face. the dial ratchet is really adjustable and works better than the Atmos press-on system. Color schemes of all types avail..my white red orange gets plenty of nice lid remarks during training rides.
I ride between100 and 150 miles a week. My helmet is very comfortable and extremely light. The airflow helps keep my head cool. The interior lining is comfortable and the helmet can be easily adjusted. I recommend this helmet wholeheartedly.
Probably the worst that I can say about the Giro Synthe MIPS is that I have to check make sure I am wearing it. Its a great fit and easy to adjust and coupled with its low weight, can forget that I'm wearing it.
Also MIPS adds additional confidence in reducing severity of injury.
This is the second Synthe I have owned. I tested my first one and competitors for cooling in a makeshift way at the Portland warehouse store. Cooling was a high priority for my selection since I ride hot in the summer. I use a Giro cap under it for cooler weather. On my first ride while going down a fast hill I had descended many times before, I had the distinct sense that my head felt more free in the passing air. My speedometer confirmed a small but noticeable gain. The other reason I chose this helmet was the very comfortable fit. The best I found for me.
So why am I on my second helmet in two years? It was the other reason for selecting the Synthe that I simply took for granted. I crashed at 18-20 mph. It seemed like a perfect 5 point landing and had the bloody scrapes on my knees, elbow, hip and shoulder to prove it. I thought I might have glanced my head, but the helmet seemed to have only minor cosmetic damage. I wore the helmet on the next ride and laid it on the table at the break. One of my fellow riders noticed that the helmet was now split at the back. It likely saved me from a concussion or worse, and I did not even know it. I am sold on this helmet!
Use it for road biking generally every day - 100 to 150 miles weekly. The Giro Synthe MIPS Helmet is probably the most comfortable helmet I have worn in over 35 years of cycling. The adjustable knob in back makes fitting helmet to head extremely easy. The light weight is super - you don't fell like you are even wearing a helmet. There is nothing I don't like about the helmet.
I had been using a Savant MIPS, upgraded to the Synthe MIPS when there was a sale, and love it. It's so comfortable I hardly even think about it while riding, other than occasionally adjusting the micro adjuster, which I can do on the bike. The micro adjuster is extremely handy to compensate for the change when I put a skullcap on or off in the winter. I also like that the height of the rear band mount is adjustable, easy to get the fit snug but not tight. The sunglasses dock seems mainly useful for pros (who have sunglasses sponsors) or folks who wear cheap sunglasses. Me, I need glasses to see where I'm going so (a) I'm not going to take them off while riding and (b) even if I did, they are Transitions Progressive lenses, which are FAR too expensive to risk leaving perched on the helmet where they might fall to the ground if I forgot they were there when I removed my helmet. And if they fell off and broke, finding my way home would be a problem! So I just keep my glasses on and fasten the helmet straps over them.
