Giro Montaro 3 Mips Review

Giro's latest trail helmet is the updated Montaro 3. The Montaro has always been a sensible pick in the manufacturer's lineup, and the new helmet is no exception. It adds more coverage than the previous version and a bit more styling, making it look a little angular and futuristic. A polycarbonate shell covers the EPS base, and the MIPS Evolve Core liner graces the inside. Sunglass storage in two spots, a FidLock buckle, and a two-position visor check the boxes for a trail helmet in 2025.

Impact Test

Every helmet we selected for this review meets a national safety standard that deems it safe and effective. Our independent lab impact testing attempts to zero in on the nuances of each helmet's protection. We subjected the new Montaro to months of riding and crushed a couple of them to bring you this review. The Montaro 3 has a combined impact score of 6.8, placing it roughly in the upper third of the helmets in our test

Slow Impact Test Results

After crunching the sensor data from ACT Labs' slow-impact test, the Montaro 3 scored 7.4, indicating it performed well and outperformed 18 of the other helmets in our current test group.

Fast Impact Test Results

The high-speed impact tests showed the Montaro performed slightly below the average of the helmets in our test group. There were 11 helmets with lower scores on this test, earning this helmet a score of 6.2.

Since you can never predict the type of impact you'll incur in a bicycle crash, we weight these scores equally and combine them for an average overall score of 6.8. We've found no correlation between helmet weight and the impact scores, but we expected slightly better results from this heavy, full-coverage lid.

Comfort

The Montaro excelled in the comfort metric. Testers appreciated its roomy fit, and despite its weight, the helmet sits low enough that it didn't feel top-heavy or prone to jostling in rough sections. The overall shape is more oval than round, and even though it was heavier than most, it felt comfortable on extended days in the saddle.

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The MIPS Evolve Core isn't as comfortable as the MIPS Air Node liners that provide more of a hat feel. The Evolve Core liner has a larger plastic layer instead of the softer, more minimalist Air Node. Giro's Roc Loc Trail system does a good job of cinching the helmet, and it's probably the most comfortable of their Roc Loc systems we've used to date.

The Rock Loc sits just below the Liner and can be adjusted to three different heights for a lower or higher fit on the occipital ridge. In the shallowest positions, the adjustment knob sits high inside the back of the helmet, which makes it somewhat difficult to adjust, but we didn't experience any interference with the Roc Loc in the deeper positions.

Ventilation

The new Montaro ventilates adequately, but it isn't a standout aspect of the helmet's performance. Despite its large exhaust vent at the top of the helmet, it feels less breathable than other helmets in this test. One reason for its limited ventilation is the type of MIPS liner used inside. In contrast to the Poc Cularis, which has a similar number of vents and uses an Air Node liner, the Evolve Core liner is a full plastic liner that uses cut-out slots that block some of the helmet's vents.

On the majority of our rides, the venting didn't feel like an issue; it's cooler than many other helmets. On sustained climbs where air wasn't ramming into the front vents, you could feel the temperature and humidity building inside.

Usability

Giro bills the Montaro 3 as an aggressive trail helmet built for the rigors of trail and enduro riding, with all the features you want in a modern trail helmet. While it's certainly not shy on features, the extra few ounces of weight kept it from being our go-to helmet during testing. The padding in this helmet is fairly comfortable, and it uses an Ionic+ treatment to resist stink when you don't bother to wash the pads.

A clever strip of rubber on the back of the helmet prevents your goggle strap from slipping without having a cumbersome strap that attaches the goggles to the helmet. Want to stash your shades? Not a problem, the Montaro has room for eyewear in the front and the rear. A two-position visor and FidLock buckle round out the features list for the Montaro, and both feel like they add value to the helmet, but ultimately, our preferences were for the lighter-weight helmets in this test.

Sunglass storage in the rear pulls your shades in close to your head.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Stow your shades up high in this spot that still allows the visor to be in either of its two positions.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

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Weight

The Montaro is on the heavier side of trail helmets. While it feels like a reasonable weight for a full coverage trail helmet, it's heavier than most. If other helmets provide the same or a higher level of protection at a lower weight, no one wants to add a few extra ounces to their head.

Cyclists are renowned for fretting about grams, but trimming some weight from your helmet isn't the same as swapping your alloy crank arms for carbon to drop a few grams. A lighter-weight helmet will generally stay in place better and produce less strain on your neck muscles.

Should You Buy the Giro Montaro 3 MIPS?

This is a versatile trail lid with a comfortable MIPS liner and storage for your shades. It didn't wow our testers in any single metric, but it's reasonably priced and offers good protection and a large fit for those who need a bit more room.

What Other Mountain Bike Helmets Should You Consider?

Other helmets to consider would likely be lighter weight than the Montaro 3. Our top suggestions would be the Poc Cularis for its breathable structure and excellent fit. If you'd rather spend less, check out the Lazer Coyote KinetiCore, which scored incredibly well in our impact testing and has a very attractive pricetag. Another interesting option is the Canyon Deflector that uses RLS technology to protect your brain. The Defelctr uses an interesting chin strap that is unlike any of the other helmets in this review, and it's also less expensive than the Montaro.