Whether you are shredding technical trails at full speed or just out for a more casual ride you probably wear a helmet to protect your noggin and perhaps even a full face helmet to protect your teeth. With Giro’s new Switchblade MIPS you don’t need two helmets instead having one aggressive looking full-cut, over-the-ears style one that allows you to choose whether to ride it with the chin bar installed or not.
The Switchblade MIPS trail helmet features Multi-directional Impact Protection System that provides increased protection from rotational energy in the case of an impact. However, the helmets main feature is the easily removable and replaceable chin bar which allows a level of customization depending on the style of riding you plan on doing which can be removed or installed without tools.
The Swichblade MIPS is available in six colours and three sizes
Switchblade MIPS with the chin bar removed
Bottom view of the Switchblade MIPS
The integrated camera mount visor installed on the Switchblade MIPS
Back of the Switchblade MIPS
It is a helmet Giro says provides unrivaled comfort and versatility with 20 vents featuring internal channeling including in the cheek pads to ensure good ventilation when you are out riding on hot days. The helmet comes with two visor options with one being the adjustable P.O.V. Plus and the other featuring an integrated camera mount. The Roc Loc Air DH adjustable fit system prevents unwanted adjustments to the helmet in case it comes into contact with a neck brace or backpack.
“In 1998, Giro created the first mainstream removable chin bar helmet, it was called Switchblade,” said Dain Zaffke, Giro marketing director. “In the years that followed, we’ve seen many options come and go, all based around the same premise of taking a cross country helmet and adding a chin bar. This new Switchblade MIPS bucks that trend completely. Instead of a adding a chin bar to an XC helmet, we’ve done the opposite: everything about this helmet is built for the descent. We’ve essentially created the ultimate full-face downhill helmet and then made the chin bar easily removable.
“From early on, we worked with top professional riders Richie Rude and Cody Kelley to get the details just right. But more than just racers on the Enduro World Series will embrace this helmet – its myriad features will appeal to aggressive trail riders, free riders and even dirt jumpers who will be drawn to the full-cut style.”
The Switchblad MIPS is available for $250 in six colours and in three sizes. It is certified to CPSC, EN-1078, and ASTM-1952 downhill safety standards.
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Philippe Tremblay
Web editor at Canadian Cycling Magazine
Philippe started riding his bike in Montreal with McGill Cycling, now he works as a web editor for Canadian Cycling Magazine. He eats vegan and enjoys spending his summers in Cape Breton, N.S.
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