The burly Convertible Giro Switchblade helmet is the perfect choice for those who ride parks and shuttles, but it’s unsuitable for longer climbs. In this Giro Switchblade MIPS review, we will discuss the comfort, protection, durability, weight, ventilation, chin bar, visor, security system, and other features of the helmet.
Table of Contents
Our Verdict
The Giro Switchblade MIPS is a serious ATSM DH-certified helmet with an innovative removable chin bar. This lid offers excellent protection from the elements. It makes it great for charging down a hill in open terrain, but due to limited breathability over the ears and being high on cheekbones, it may not be ideal if you plan on wearing this helmet while riding long sweeps. Nevertheless, we feel confident recommending these features should anyone have their heart set primarily on executing aggressive downhill tracks since they offer additional coverage around our faces during such pursuits.
Technical Details of Giro Switchblade MIPS
| Weight | 981 g |
|---|---|
| Helmet Weight with Chin Bar | 1100g |
| Vents | 24 vents |
| Adjustable Visor | Yes |
| Shell Material | Polycarbonate |
| Sizes | 3 |
| Price | $269.95 |
Pros and Cons of Giro Switchblade MIPS
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive performance | Bad chin bar attachment system |
| Great coverage in half-shell mode | Half shell mode is not suitable for a long drive |
| Comfortable |
Are You in Hurry? Here is a Quick Review of Giro Switchblade MIPS
When mountain biking, few companies can boast a more iconic than Giro. Their Switchblade helmet is one such example. This model has an open face design and a fully removable chin bar and cheek pads for those who want complete protection when descending or enduro racing without compromising their precious hair.
Details Review of Giro Switchblade MIPS
Comfort
The Switchblade is an excellent helmet for both mountain biking and road cycling. Testers found this product to be very comfortable, with a great fit over the ears that doesn’t leave you feeling squeezed or cramped at all times while riding on bumpy terrain. Hearing remains impressive even when worn in full-faced mode. Thanks again for its spacious interior design specifications, which provide ample space between each ear cup position – never once did we hear any muffled sound coming out around us during our tests.
The retention system also sits securely onto one’s head behind them based on their occipital muscle. So no matter how hard you try, there are no pressure points. However, we have one complaint – the broadband of elastic around your head can feel a bit funky at times. It may give an uncomfortable impression on some people’s heads, but this is only because they’re used to something else being tighter or more constrictive when it comes down to fitting comfortably within its boundaries.
Protection
The Switchblade is outfitted with the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) system. The MIPS reduces rotational forces that reach your brain in an angled impact by moving slightly and reducing contact points, even with more padding underneath. This technology has become more prevalent as of late due to its effectiveness – it’s not just for bikes anymore but any sport where you may crash head-on or at angles.
In addition, the Switchblade is ATSM DH 1952, CPSC, and EN 1708 certified. This means that it will be safe for work when you use your helmet in the full-face or half-shell modes.
Chin Bar
The full-time ear coverage of the Giro SwitchBlade makes it heavier and hotter than any other helmet. Still, for all the protection those bulky ears provide everywhere else on your head, they genuinely are a league apart when you need to protect yourself from an open-face crash.
The Switchblade is a three-quarter shell rather than the traditional half helmet. As a result, it has more coverage in comparison to other helmets. Still, it also lacks some features that people may want, such as chin bars or ear protection with loudspeakers underneath them on cheap helmets like two-stroke fuel tanks from motorcycles used when racing.
The Giro Switchblade is an innovative bike helmet that can convert between full-face and open styles. The chin bar extension attaches magnetically, meaning that it can be easily removed or installed without having any burdensome parts holding onto your head while riding downhills.
The chin bar of the Giro Switchblade is made out of heavy-duty stainless steel, which fits into place with mounting hardware mounted right inside your EPS foam helmet.
The Giro Switchblade MIPS also uses the standard insert to protect against rotational impacts. At the same time, we think that this helmet could stand something a bit more innovative, like POC’s Spin tech or Bell’s new offering with their Multistrada Range Morganatic attachment system, which includes an additional chin bar safety device known as Mac Douglas Active Protection System (MAD/MDA).
The three-quarter shell design is what saves it here because there isn’t anything else on offer within its price range competition-wise so far anyway.
Weight
The Switchblade is a heavier helmet than the other two, but it’s still one of the lightest in the test. The Medium MIPS version weighs 34 ounces with its chin bar attached and only 24 grams when removed.
Ventilation
The Switchblade offers impressive ventilation in both settings. In the half-shell mode, this helmet is not great at providing airflow and makes it hard to breathe for riders wearing their bike helmet while they ride, but sometimes you need more coverage than what comes standard on other models, so here’s an exciting option.
When motoring down the trail, you can feel how much air flows. This is especially noticeable in “trail mode” and carrying some speed through an obstacle or incline. It’s clear why their Super DH model was created; it provides better performance on trails with lower flow rates like leisurely mountain biking.
The Switchblade offers excellent coverage on the back of the head.
The ventilation is impressive in the full-face setting. The lack of fabric near your ears helps keep you cool and refreshed on those hot days out there.
Visor
The visor is securely fastened to your head with two bolts near each temple. The sturdy construction makes it easy for you to move side-to-side and even tries up or down in three indexed stops points so adjustments can be made without having to loosen any of the screws on either side.
The helmet has a visor that can be adjusted to three different positions: full face, half-helmet, and no shield at all. The problem with this is when riding in the lower position on mild terrain because you cannot see how steeply or hollowly hills may lie ahead of time before engaging brakes heavily, which could cause accidents if other riders aren’t paying attention.
But higher up, where there’s less obstruction from above. It becomes much easier for drivers to use these types of roads since they’ll know what kind of obstacles might lay waiting just around each corner.
To release the chin bar simply press the tabs and the bar pivots off of the helmet.
Durability
We found nothing in our tests that would indicate this helmet is not durable. Removing and installing the chin bar took some getting used to, but we never felt it was too difficult or time-consuming. However, there were a few problems when reattaching, which may be due to improper installation than anything else- make sure you don’t force either process.
The D-clip system is reliable and secure. That said, it can be awkward with gloves on.
Closure System
The D-ring system of the Switchblade MIPS helmet feels secure, even if it can be a little difficult with gloves on. You never doubt that this will stay in place during an accident because there’s essentially no risk for lost helmets.
Value
The Switchblade MIPS is a solid value. This helmet offers protection from minor impacts, and the conversion function does its job very well. However, if you are looking for a one-helmet solution, we recommend checking out Bell Super DH, which breaths much better than other trail helmets on the market today.
This helmet works quite well with goggles. Full enduro.
What We Like of Giro Switchblade MIPS
- The bumper keeps outside objects from accidentally loosening the helmet.
- The bulk is helpful for the safety of technical rides
- Its two visors easily allow adjustability, one is able to flip up used for goggles, and one is able to use with a GoPro
- The 20 air vents allow for breathability and maintain temperature control.
- You can easy to switch quickly on full-shell and half-shell modes
What We Don’t Like of Giro Switchblade MIPS
- It Can be warm on long uphill climbs
- The chin bar and attachment system are temporary
Compare to Similar Products
| Name | Giro Switchblade MIPS | Smith Mainline MIPS | Bell Super Air R MIPS | Troy Lee Designs D3 Fiberlite | 7Protection M1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (size medium) | 981 g | 765 g | 422.4 g | 1160 g | 947 g |
| Number of Vents | 20 | 21 | 18 helmet, 8 chin vents, 4 brow ports | 13 | 17 |
| Shell Material | Polycarbonate | Aerocore | Polycarbonate | Fiberglass | Polycarbonate |
| Sizes | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Pros | Impressive performance, also half shell mode | Great breathable, more comfort fit, lightweight | Lightweight, versatile design | Affordable price, great comfort fit | Comes in 7 sizes, comfortable |
| Cons | Half shell mode is not suitable for long climbs | Little bit expensive | Not protective | Heavy weight, minimum ventilation | Poor ventilation, little loose fit |
| Price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to get serious about your mountain biking but don’t want the added weight of a full-face helmet, then this Switchblade MIPS is perfect for what we call “second helmets.” The extra coverage around the ears makes it great to descend in half helmet mode and ensures that no matter how our trail turns, protection needs are met.
You May Also Like: Best Mountain Bike Helmets 2022
Giro Switchblade MIPS Price Comparison
| Seller | Price |
| Backcountry | $279.95 |
| REI Co-op | Check Price |
| Amazon | Check Price |
About Post Author
