11-15-06 // Gear Review: Giro Hex

For too long, the helmet world has been divided among the Haves and Have Nots. Those with money could choose from dozens of breezy, stylish, lightweight lids while anyone on a budget was forced to scavenge through a pile of hot, heavy, blockish helmets. Precious few options existed for anyone who desired top-shelf features but didn’t want to spend more than $100. Giro’s new Hex might change all that.

At passing glance, the Hex looks strikingly similar to its more expensive sibling, the Xen. Both are sleek yet brawny, with aesthetics more at home bushwhacking overgrown singletrack than speeding through a triathlon. A plastic, polycarbonate shell is fused to an EPS-foam interior, 21 vents crowd the surface, a removable visor shields the face from sun and debris, and Giro’s proven Roc Loc 4 retention system keeps it all firmly in place. As an added bonus, the Hex is available in six colors, including this cool-like-Johnny Cash matte black.

One of the key differences between the Hex and Xen is the price. At only $80, the Hex is 35 percent cheaper than the Xen. But, at 310 grams, it weighs almost exactly the same as a similarly sized Xen, and it’s just as breezy and comfortable. The more expensive helmet, however, offers more protection for its EPS foam liner in terms of impacts and abrasions. Where nearly the entire surface of the Xen is protected with a plastic shell, the Hex’s edges are vulnerable.

That doesn’t make the Hex less safe in a crash, though. A common misconception is that the more money spent on a helmet, the more it protects. That may be true in some cases, but every helmet sold in the United States, whether it costs $30 or $180, must pass the same basic safety tests required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That guarantees all helmets will protect your melon in most reasonable crashes. As an interesting side note, the standards for skateboard helmets are more lax, which is ironic given how they are often worn by aggressive riders looking for extra coverage. Some skate helmets are just as strong, though. The point is, always look for the CPSC bicycle helmet approved sticker.

So back to the Xen versus Hex argument: The affordable version is just as impressive in every way except for durability. But also consider that all EPS foam liner helmets should technically be replaced after a single really hard hit. Then factor-in Giro’s kick-ass crash replacement policy: The company offers replacement lids at a 30-percent discount for three years after the original purchase date.

If you’re looking for a quality all-mountain helmet, you can’t go wrong with either model. But the fact that the new Hex has a fighting chance against the Xen, an industry standard, is pretty impressive. And the $80 price makes it stand out even more.

—Dain Zaffke