Review on Giro Aether Spherical Road 🚴 Bike Helmet: Optimal Protection for Adult Cyclists by Warrick Dembo

My first impression is only 'good' although note I only opened the box about 15 minutes ago. For a helmet this expensive, I expected my arousal to be the same AFTER opening the box as it was BEFORE opening the box. First, according to the Giro's sizing instructions, I was supposed to order a size "M", but I didn't - I ordered a size L. I'm 6ft, 200lbs and don't wear a size M - except for gloves. Shoes, trousers, shirts, hats or other helmets. In fact, I know my head is quite large and often falls into the 2XL category. Size L fits great, with plenty of adjustment options anyway - if M has such a wide L adjustment, might M also fit? As for the helmet itself, it's hard to believe that this little piece of lightweight plastic and foam is worth $300. In my hands and in front of my eyes it is a stunning helmet. Then the item I selected indicated it was a 2021 model, but the sticker on the inside says 2020 - maybe not a big deal. More importantly, the "Spherical" decal seen in photos online on the right rear of the helmet is missing. Whoever buys this helmet paid big bucks for "MIPS Spherical” and I wish the sticker was there. Indeed, the helmet uses MIPS Spherical technology - obviously, but it's like buying a Mercedes-Benz AMG and not getting the AMG badge. Next, in some of the "Unpacking" videos, the unpacker takes the helmet out of the box and the helmet is in a lightweight bag. It's like a bag that sells a good pair of shoes - a cotton or microfleece bag that helps protect the shoes when you're traveling in a suitcase, for example. There was no pocket in my helmet. A $300 helmet must have a holdall. The helmet also did not come with extra/replacement pads - the helmet has three small 'regular' pads and one brow pad - additional pads would have been nice. My $90 Giro Fathom helmet from five years ago came with extra padding. A $300 helmet should come with replacement pads. What looks like a nice coloring book on the photos on the Internet actually looks like a "cheap” sticker application. I bought the grey/red/white version of the Aether and it turned out online that the glossy white part has some texture or fading giving the helmet a cool almost custom look. Live it looks like a transparent sticker with lots of bubbles underneath. Feels smooth, no bubbles, but looks cheap - almost like a clear protective sticker hastily applied to white paint. It's not that - it's the actual, intentional finish of the helmet, and it's disappointing. The helmet is only 15 minutes old and I'm already worried about this "sticker" tearing and peeling off. I know that the true value of this helmet comes from the engineering, not the materials, but I would like Giro to take a few extra steps (pocket, extra pads, real paint, no sticker) to make the customer feel to get more bang for your buck. Other editions like 2020 and 2021 and the missing "Spherical" sticker add further frustration. I have no doubt that the Giro Aether is a great helmet and protects my head better than other non-MIPS spherical helmets (which is why I bought it), but I expected more from the Giro at this price point.