Traditional MIPS helmets place a plastic slip-plane liner against your head, which works but comes with tradeoffs: reduced ventilation, potential hair pulling, and occasional fit compromises. The Giro Aether Spherical takes a different approach by sandwiching the MIPS technology between two independent EPS foam shells. The inner shell rotates within the outer shell during an angled impact, redirecting rotational forces away from your brain while eliminating contact between plastic and scalp entirely. This ball-and-socket design, developed in partnership with MIPS engineers in Stockholm and tested extensively at Giro's Dome laboratory in California, represents a fundamental rethinking of how rotational protection integrates with helmet performance.

The dual-shell construction enables ventilation that conventional MIPS helmets struggle to match. Eleven Wind Tunnel vents channel air through deep internal passages carved into the EPS foam, creating unobstructed airflow that rivals non-MIPS helmets in cooling capacity. The architecture also allows Giro to use Progressive Layering with dual-density Nanobead EPS foam, which addresses both high-speed and low-speed impacts through different foam densities working together. A shatter-resistant AURA reinforcing arch runs throughout the helmet's structure, providing skeletal rigidity while the six-piece polycarbonate shell creates the Aether's distinctive silhouette around those massive vents.

Fit adjustments happen through the Roc Loc 5+ Air system, which suspends the helmet slightly off your skull to allow additional airflow while providing three-dimensional fit tuning. The full-circumference headband adjusts tension with a rear dial, while fore-aft positioning accommodates different head shapes. Y-buckle straps feed through the EPS liner for clean adjustment without dangling hardware. Small details round out the package: textured eyewear docking ports in the front vents grip sunglasses securely, Ionic+ antimicrobial padding resists odor buildup, and a forehead pad helps manage sweat before it reaches your eyes.... Read More