Giro – Prolight

• Designed for: Road racing.
• Defining Characteristics: At a scant 200 grams total weight, it is the lightest helmet available today.
• Materials: In-Mold construction with ultra light materials spec’d throughout.
• The Prolight is featured in Outside Magazine’s Summer 2010 Buyers guide as the fastest and lightest road helmet

I’ll admit that I chose the IONOS over the PROLIGHT for the sole reason that I preferred the way it fit my head. But the decision did not come easy. Like others before me who have discussed this helmet, the PROLIGHT is the fruit of some well planned labor. It’s a racers helmet pure and simple.

I cannot justly tell you about the PROLIGHT without saying a bit more about the IONOS. Why? Because what strikes me most about both of these helmets is the attention to detail. They are two very different helmets, as much as that can truly be said. The IONOS has darn near brought me to nirvana. The fit, airflow and general attention to the smallest parts is just so well done. While the PROLIGHT shows me details aimed at reducing weight that are equally well thought.

The fit of the PROLIGHT is supple. The webbing and strap design uses new materials that the helmet industry has simply not used before. The fit and comfort was “natural”, if there can be such a term when discussing the use of a helmet.

True, the ventilation is not the same as the IONOS, but the IONOS had to incorporate the roll-cage in order to achieve its open breathability. While the PROLIGHT might seem to contradict this effort, it’s kind of difficult to impress that the balance of low weight and fit seem to strike a fine balance. I certainly could not tell that the PROLIGHT was any less breathable, yet I could definitely tell you that it was lighter on my head.

This is not the first time I’ve seen someone go after a light weight helmet. It is however the first time I’ve seen it done so very right.

Price: $200

Other colors available