Giro’s Women’s Verce MIPS helmet fits and looks way better than I expect a universal fit, entry-level helmet to fit or look. It’s well-vented, the dial adjustment has good micro-adjustments, and, at 290g, it’s lighter weight than many more expensive mountain bike helmets.
Price: $70
Rating: ★★★★ ☆
Specs:
- Size: Universal Women’s Fit (50 – 57cm)
- Weight: 290g
- ROC LOC Sport MIPS
- In-mold polycarbonate shell with EPS liner
- 18 vents
- Removable visor
What I like: It fits far better and is better looking than I’d expect from an entry-level universal fit helmet.
What I’d change: Given the low weight and number of vents, I expect it to have better sweat management.
My call: As long as you don’t need goggle or electronic integrations, the Women’s Verce MIPS is all you need in a helmet.
Giro Verce MIPS: Safety
Like any helmet sold in the United States, the Giro Women’s Verce MIPS meets the CSPC safety standard (the EU version meets the CE standard). This is important because every helmet sold in the U.S. must meet this CSPC standard, whether you buy it at Walmart for $20 or from your favorite bike shop for $300. Think of CSPC as the bare minimum standard for safety requirements.
If you’ve bought a bike or snow-sports helmet in the last decade, you’ve likely heard the term “MIPS” thrown around (side note, if you haven’t replaced your helmet in the last decade, you’re past due). MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. It does not mean “multi-impact protection.” All bike helmets, including the Verce MIPS, are “one-and-done” impact helmets.
In simple terms, MIPS helps absorb the rotational impacts of a crash, so that your brain doesn’t. MIPS isn’t the only rotational impact helmet technology, but it is the one most commonly used. Giro’s Verce is equipped with MIPS, moving this economical helmet into the “worth considering” column of my helmet review book.
Giro Verce MIPS: Fit
I have a small head, so I was skeptical about how well a universal-sized helmet would fit. Luckily for me, this particular universal-sized helmet skews on the smaller side. With a diameter ranging between 50cm and 57cm, the Verce MIPS runs one centimeter smaller than Giro’s size small mountain bike helmets (51 – 55cm). However, it doesn’t quite reach the widest point of a medium (55 – 59cm). The sizing works great for me, but it definitely is not a good choice for someone with a large head.
Outside of the fit system, the rest of the helmet is surprisingly comfortable. The fixed straps are attached to the bottom of the helmet shell. While that means they don’t lay flat against your face, they offer just enough space for glasses to fit under the straps. The helmet itself sits low on my head, giving it a profile I’d expect from a higher-end helmet. More in line with the price level of the Verce, the Roc Loc Sport dial is relatively large. The dial was easy to use, with a defined click for each adjustment.
Giro Verce MIPS: Best Uses
The Verce MIPS has a bit more coverage in the back than a more traditional road helmet might. This makes it ideal for trail riding, but it certainly doesn’t limit its use to singletrack. Visors are typically associated with mountain biking, but I find them useful when commuting, as well. You can also remove the visor entirely if you prefer. Unless you need integrations for lights, cameras, or goggles, you can wear the Verce MIPS on any ride where a half-lid style helmet is appropriate. It doesn’t have any specific integrations to hold sunglasses, but I didn’t have any trouble sticking the arms of my glasses into vents when I needed to get them off my face.
Giro Verce MIPS: The Ride
I’ve worn the Verce MIPS in rotation with a few other helmets all summer, most of them priced significantly higher. It’s seen a bit of gravel, but I primarily used it while mountain biking. The Verce MIPS helmet looks and feels as good as any of the more expensive helmets I’ve tested this summer and oftentimes weighs less. The one (relatively small) complaint I have involves the extra plush padding Giro uses inside the helmet.
While the padding is comfortable when you first put the helmet on, it also acts as a sponge on hot days or long climbs, absorbing and holding sweat. Once that padding reaches its saturation point, I felt like buckets of sweat was pouring down my face. I tend to sweat a lot. When I stop riding, I often push the front of a helmet against my forehead while leaning over, to try and “wring out” the padding. This was especially necessary with the Verce MIPS because of that plush padding.
Final Word
Is your head in the small-medium range? Are you cool without any built-in gadget integrations? Are you looking for a helmet that’s comfortable, versatile, and looks good? If you can answer yes to all those questions, I can’t think of a reason to not get Giro’s Verce MIPS helmet. Heck, you can get two and still save money compared to the cost of some other helmets!