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The Giro Montaro Mips III takes a different approach from many modern trail helmets. Rather than chasing the lightest weight or biggest vent openings, Giro has focused on delivering a reassuring fit with deep coverage, premium safety credentials and the stability to inspire confidence when trails get steeper and rougher.
It backs that up with MIPS Evolve Core, NTA ebike certification and a comprehensive feature list.
After months of testing back-to-back with the Lazer Impala KinetiCore, Specialized Ambush 3 and Canyon Deflectr, the Montaro proved to be one of the most confidence-inspiring helmets of the four, even if that security comes with a few compromises.
Built to inspire confidence
While Giro’s Montaro Mips III doesn’t win on weight, ventilation or eyewear storage, it delivers an excellent ride experience. If your priority is a helmet that feels deep, secure and reassuring when the trail gets rough, the Montaro makes a strong case.
The helmet features a MIPS Evolve Core rotational-impact system, which is designed to allow movement between the helmet and head during certain angled impacts.
It also uses an EPS/polycarbonate construction and gets Giro’s Roc Loc Trail retention, a Fidlock magnetic buckle, Ionic+ antimicrobial padding, front and rear storage for MTB sunglasses, a goggle strap gripper and a two-position adjustable visor.
Unlike the others helmets on test, it also carries NTA 8776 ebike and CE/CPSC certification, giving it one of the strongest safety-spec packages.
Deep coverage you can feel
That matters, but the Montaro’s biggest strength is how it feels when you're wearing it. It sits deep around the back of the head and temples, giving it the most protective-feeling coverage of the helmets I tested.
At 416g in a size-small, it's not light, but the weight is well distributed, and it never felt intrusive on the trail.
The Roc Loc dial has a decent size, positive clicks and a tactile feel, although it sits tucked beneath the rear of the shell, so it isn’t the easiest to reach while riding.
The three-position cradle adjustment is a little fiddly too, but once set, the Montaro gives an even, secure fit without the rear pressure of the Specialized or the Canyon’s perched feel.
Locked in when the trail gets rough
Stability is excellent – the helmet stayed put on rough descents, didn’t restrict head movement and felt composed on harder efforts. The deeper shell gives it a confidence-inspiring feel that none of the lighter helmets quite matches, although the Lazer comes closest while being more comfortable overall.
Comfort is good, rather than plush. The padding covers a decent area and the inside of the shell feels supportive, even if the pads aren’t especially thick. The straps aren’t as soft as the Specialized’s skinny ones, but they sit well enough and didn’t irritate me.
The Fidlock buckle is easy to use, although it sits a little close to the throat and can feel slightly restrictive at times.
How we tested
We tested these helmets on a mix of enduro and trail bike rides across multiple locations in the Quantocks and the Forest of Dean.
Each lid was used for all-day rides as well as shorter test loops, giving us time to assess long-term comfort, fit, security, ventilation and how easy each helmet was to live with.
Conditions ranged from warm, sweaty climbs to cooler, wetter rides, so we could judge how well the pads, straps, retention systems and vents performed in typical UK trail conditions.
We also checked each helmet's stability on rough descents, visor adjustment, eyewear and goggle compatibility, buckle ease and general usability on the trail.
Helmets tested
- Specialized Ambush 3 helmet review
- Canyon Deflectr helmet review
- Giro Montaro MIPS III helmet reveiw
- Lazer Impala Kineticore helmet review
Warmth is the trade-off
Ventilation is the biggest compromise. The Montaro was the warmest helmet on test, with less airflow than the Canyon or Lazer on slower climbs. Glasses storage is also poor despite the dedicated holders.
However, for riders who value coverage, stability and a secure feel over outright cooling, the Montaro is a convincing trail helmet.
Giro Montaro Mips III bottom line
The Montaro Mips III proves that outright ventilation isn't everything. Its deeper fit, reassuring coverage and excellent stability made it one of the most confidence-inspiring helmets in this test, particularly when speeds increased or trails became more demanding.
It gives away some comfort to the Lazer, runs warmer than both the Lazer and Canyon, and its glasses storage could certainly be better, but if your priority is feeling secure every time the trail points downhill, the Montaro makes a compelling case.
For aggressive trail riding and full-power eMTBs especially, it's one of the strongest performers here.
Giro Montaro MIPS specs
- Price: £179.99
- Weight: 416g, size S, measured
- Sizes: S (51-55cm), M (55-59cm), L (59-63cm)
- Safety rating/certification: CPSC / CE / NTA 8776 ebike certification
- Other details: MIPS Evolve Core, Roc Loc Trail fit system, two-position adjustable visor, Fidlock magnetic buckle, front and rear sunglasses storage, goggle strap gripper, Ionic+ antimicrobial padding
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