The coolest aero helmet: Giro Eclipse helmet with MIPS Spherical

The coolest aero helmet: Giro Eclipse helmet with MIPS Spherical

Giro’s top-of-the-line aero road helmet

Photos: Dan Cavallari Words: Dan Cavallari

This piece has been created in association with Giro. 

Giro has been manoeuvring through a complex dance for years now, attempting to find the most striking and effective balance between aerodynamic performance, light weight, venting and impact dissipation. The Eclipse helmet with MIPS Spherical protection has provided a dramatic climax to the dance, a fortissimo finale of all elements in fine balance. 

It is, in fact, the fastest road helmet that Giro has ever created. But designers know fast is only one element of success when it comes to aerodynamic performance. That’s why the Eclipse is also the coolest aero helmet Giro has ever brought to market. Just to further sweeten the deal, the Eclipse is designed with some of Giro’s most innovative impact protection systems.

To ensure the Eclipse succeeded where so many other aero helmets have struggled, engineers used a ‘Therminator’ head form that measures cooling efficiency. Iterations of the Eclipse’s design were subjected to heat dissipation testing on the Therminator, and ultimately, the Eclipse in its final form is nearly as efficient at cooling as Giro’s best-in-class Aether Spherical helmet. 

It takes 14 perfectly crafted vents to pull air from the front of the helmet over the rider’s head and out the back to ensure air flow can do its job even in toasty conditions. 

One look at the Eclipse tells you everything you need to know about what Giro engineers were really after, though. The sleek lid has been tested in the wind tunnel, and Giro says it is faster than its nearest aero road helmet competitor by a full 14 seconds over 100 miles at 25 miles per hour. The Eclipse bests its predecessor, too: it’s a whopping minute faster than the Giro Vanquish. 

Perhaps the coolest features of the Eclipse helmet are hidden almost entirely. Spherical technology, powered by MIPS, offers rotational force dissipation unlike any other design currently on the market. The Eclipse hides a ball-and-socket design made of an outer EPS foam shell, and an inner EPS foam shell that rotates freely within the outer shell. 

On top of that, Giro uses progressive layering in its EPS foam construction. That means the layers of EPS foam differ in density depending on what types of impacts it will encounter. The outer shell features a denser EPS foam, while the inner one features a less dense construction. All that helps dissipate more force in the event of a crash – force that would otherwise transfer right to the rider. 

As Giro’s top-of-the-line aero road helmet, the Eclipse gets treated with the excellent Roc Loc 5 Air fit system, which adjusts quickly with the turn of a dial and wraps snugly around your head with no pinch points. 

All of that impressive technology gets packed into a 270-gramme (size medium) package. With five colours to choose from and three sizes, there’s an Eclipse ready and eager to complement your wardrobe, your race ambitions, and your hottest days climbing cols or tackling neighbourhood KOM segments.

Photos: Dan Cavallari Words: Dan Cavallari


READ MORE

‘The bike is fun, freedom and exploration’ - Ed Clancy: For the love of sport

‘The bike is fun, freedom and exploration’ - Ed Clancy: For the love of sport

Part of our series with the British Cycling Hall of Fame inductees, Clancy discusses why he believes cycling can change lives

Read more
Cav's legacy: why there may never again be a sprinter like Mark Cavendish

Cav's legacy: why there may never again be a sprinter like Mark Cavendish

As he prepares to bow out of the sport at the end of the year, Cavendish's prolific record will stand the test of time

Read more
Gallery: A look back at Mark Cavendish's record-breaking career

Gallery: A look back at Mark Cavendish's record-breaking career

Rouleur looks back at all the Tours Mark Cavendish has completed 

Read more
Closing the gap: can Remco Evenepoel rise to the challenge of Tadej Pogačar in 2025?

Closing the gap: can Remco Evenepoel rise to the challenge of Tadej Pogačar in 2025?

The Belgian rider is not going to go down without a fight next season

Read more
Max Poole on near misses, learning from the best and why Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL’s structure works

Max Poole on near misses, learning from the best and why Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL’s structure works

The British rider discusses his impressive Grand Tour debut and the work it has taken to get there

Read more
'British Cycling has done everything for me' - Dani Rowe: From a talent ID programme to Olympic gold

'British Cycling has done everything for me' - Dani Rowe: From a talent ID programme to Olympic gold

Speaking after being inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame, Rowe tells Rouleur about her journey to the top of the sport

Read more

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image