Giro used a lot of its helmet know-how in making the budget-priced Fixture MIPS. This trail lid has all the important safety and fit items while its cost-cutting measures are neatly hidden.
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Giro Fixture MIPS helmet features
- In-Mold construction
- Roc-Loc Sport fit system
- 18 vents
- Weight: 343g
- One size fits most
Making a mountain bike helmet to appease the notoriously fickle dirt crew takes modern colors, a solid fit system and a few safety features.
Giro's undeniable bargain of a helmet hits those targets. The Fixture MIPS comes in six up-to-date colors, has a fit system that holds its adjustment and includes a MIPS liner inside for additional safety.
There are fewer vents than on top-end helmets, but they're large and well placed for airflow. Being a trail helmet, it's not nearly as breezy as cross-country offerings, but it is close to comparable lids.
Eyewear can be slipped into the rear vents even though it's not a feature Giro touts.
Adjustable straps around the ear sound like a good thing, but in real life they often turn out to be frustrating to use and hard to adjust correctly. Think of how many riders you've seen with the adjuster cam way down on their cheeks.
The Fixture's ear straps are fixed and they fit and feel just fine.
Universal sizing that works
Universal sizing, or one size fits all, is usually a big red flag to me. In my mind, one size means a compromised fit for the majority. But the Fixture helmet proved me wrong.
I wear either Medium or Large helmets. The Fixture's universal size claims to fit heads between 54 – 61cm with its Roc-Loc Sport fit system having 57 size-adjustment clicks. On my 57cm head, 25 clicks in from the largest size fit well.
The point is that for most riders, Giro's universal fit is just that, a decent fit without too much compromise.
Fit system, fixed visor and other bargain issues
When in motion on a trail, it's almost impossible to tell this helmet costs a third of other lids. But upon closer inspection, a few of the cost-cutting measures come to light.
Adjusting the Roc-Loc Sport fit dial on the back of the helmet is a bit tough as the top of the dial sits under the helmet shell. Once sized though, the adjustment stays put with no fiddling required.
Even though the visor is in a fixed position, it's in the right spot. Climbing or descending, the visor never interfered with my vision. And, it's big enough to duck through tree branches and provide a bit of rain protection.
Compared to more expensive helmets, there's less padding inside. However, the overall fit of helmet works well with my head, and I never wanted additional pads.
There are no dedicated light or GoPro mounts, if that's a must-have for you.
Giro Fixture MIPS helmet bottom line
It's always welcome when a budget-priced item exceeds expectations. In my everyday riding, I was surprised by how often I reached for the Fixture MIPS over other pricier, supposedly nicer lids.
With a modern silhouette and colors, stay-put fit adjustment and MIPS liner, the Giro Fixture MIPS makes recommending a more expensive helmet difficult.
For the pickiest of riders, the penny-pinching measures of the non-adjustable visor, minimal interior padding and lack of accessory mounts might stand out, but for most mountain bikers, I'd recommend the Fixture MIPS as a great-value option.