Giro Aerohead MIPS vs Aerohead II: Which Aero Helmet Should You Buy?
Giro sells two very different aero helmets under a confusingly similar name. The Aerohead MIPS is the brand’s long-running road-focused aero lid, built to be worn for an entire race including climbs. The Aerohead II is a purpose-built time trial and triathlon helmet, developed with Team Visma-Lease a Bike and wind-tunnel tested with Jonas Vingegaard specifically for flat-out, head-down, non-drafting efforts. Picking the wrong one for your event is an easy mistake to make.
At a Glance
- Giro Aerohead MIPS — road-focused aero helmet, 450g, four wind-tunnel vents plus over-brow ventilation, MIPS Evolve Core, magnetic ZEISS eye shield, from £184.99 at Tredz
- Giro Aerohead II — dedicated TT/tri helmet, ~570g, minimal ventilation for maximum aero, MIPS Air Node, two ZEISS eye shields (clear and Vivid Smoke) included, £499-515 direct from Giro
Giro Aerohead MIPS
The Aerohead MIPS is built to be worn for the whole race, not just a flat time trial effort — its four integrated wind-tunnel vents and over-brow ventilation exist specifically so it doesn’t cook you on a climb the way a full aero shell would. The in-mould polycarbonate shell keeps weight reasonable at 450g, and Roc Loc 5 Air handles fit. It’s the sensible pick if your race includes any real climbing or if you want one helmet that covers both a hilly Olympic-distance bike leg and general fast road riding.
Giro Aerohead II
This is Giro’s most aerodynamic time trial helmet to date, designed using CFD and VR before being proven in the wind tunnel with WorldTour riders. The oversized, magnetically attached ZEISS eye shield sits away from the face to keep airflow moving over the brow and beneath the Roc Loc 5 Air fit system — reviewers rate the visibility as unusually good for a full-face aero shield. A pluggable front vent with deep internal channelling gives some cooling flexibility, but this is fundamentally a helmet built for one job: minimising drag over a flat, head-down effort, not all-day comfort on a hilly course.
Which Should You Choose?
If your race is flat and non-drafting — a 70.3 or full-distance bike leg, or a dedicated time trial — the Aerohead II’s purpose-built aero shell and price premium are justified by real, wind-tunnel-measured gains. If your course has meaningful climbing, or you want one helmet that also works for general fast road training, the Aerohead MIPS is both cheaper and considerably more practical day to day. Note: one UK retailer listing shows 450g for the Aerohead II, which matches the base MIPS model’s spec and looks like a copy-paste error — we’ve used the ~570g figure sourced from 220triathlon’s testing, but weigh this before buying if grams matter to you.
For more options across price points, see our best triathlon aero helmets and best aero helmets under £200 roundups.
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