Giro Hex MTB Helmet Review

After my adventures with the Nutcase Street Gen 2 Street Sport helmet, I felt an urge for something lighter and cooler.  The Giro Hex presented itself as a great option.  It offers huge vents, a respectable weight, and is a wallet-friendly option for the all-mountain rider.

Giro Hex Helmet Features:

• Suggested use: All-Mountain, MTB Trail Ride, MTB Endurance/Marathon
• Features: P.O.V.™ adjustable visor w/ 15° vertical adjustment
• Construction: In-mold – EPS liner, polycarbonate shell
• Fit system: Roc Loc® 5
• Ventilation: 21 vents
• MSRP: $90

Giro Hex Mountain Bike Helmet Review

The Hex weighed in at 328 grams on a lab scale, which places it slightly on the heavy end of the price point.  A comparable helmet, the Uvex XP 100, weighs only 260 grams for $10 more than the Hex.  30 grams isn’t much to squabble about, but real gram counters will have to spend up to three times the Hex’s price for the lightest helmets on the market, such as Specialized’s team lids.

The Hex has all the features one would expect of a brand like Giro, notably their Roc Loc 5 dial-a-fit system.  I really liked the fit of the helmet: while other helmets I’ve used felt like they were sitting on top of my head, the Hex seemed more like it was hugging my noggin.  The Roc Loc system also has vertical adjustments for a more refined custom fit.

The Roc Loc 5 deserves a bit of attention because it’s a very thoughtful dial-a-fit design.  Each click is quite small and audible (at least to loosen it) so that users can make minute adjustments in fit.  The arms attached to the dial mechanism are very small so that they don’t interfere with eyewear.  My only real complaint is that the dial is quite small, occasionally making it unnecessarily difficult to adjust.

The Hex uses a standard clip buckle that made me miss the no-pinch magnetic contraption on my Nutcase.  It works, but it’s not too fancy and it takes a lot more fumbling.  Moreover, it seemed like the straps never wanted to lay flat against my face and they always had a twist in them.

The visor is a nice addition, and it’s big enough to add just a little bit of coverage. Some Giro helmets have a locking mechanism to hold the visor in place, but I didn’t find slippage to be an issue on the Hex.

The biggest single performance factor that the Hex brings to the table is its excellent ventilation.  Giro’s ‘Wind-Tunnel’ vents really do work to exchange hot air with a fresh breeze.  That was a noted and greatly appreciated feature because my head sweats a ton.

Good Hex:

• Wind-Tunnel system maintains great air flow
• Visor stays in place on long rides
• Roc Loc doesn’t interfere with eyewear
• A lot of bang-for-the-buck at $90

Bad Hex:

• Uninspired buckle/straps
• A little heavy for the price

Bottom Line: Giro Hex Helmet

All in all, the Giro Hex is a really cool, breezy lid that fits great.  The dial-a-fit system works well, but I wasn’t totally statisfied with the buckle and straps.  It’s a little on the hefty side in terms of weight, so real gram counters may want to look elsewhere.  I greatly enjoyed the Hex and it’s a piece of gear will be with me for many more adventures.

Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com