Giro Synthe and Savant are two top of the line bike helmet that are popular among cyclists all over the world. we’re proud of making this article, because we understand how important these helmets can be. It’s not often for people to come back alive from a bike accident because they were wearing helmets.
Giro is very proud of their products too. They have been in the business for a very long time and anyone who bought their products should be able to relax now, knowing their safety is secure. We’ll start the comparison with a review of both products and end it with a verdict to see which one is better. For clarification, we only review the MIPS version of both products.
Giro Synthe
One thing for sure, Giro Synthe is all about the ABC: aero, breathable and comfortable. And of course, it looks stylish too. Giro Synthe was launched back in 2014, and since then it has become a clear favorite of road cyclists everywhere. It can fit a wide array of different head shapes; it’s even designed to be used for people with ponytails.
It’s safe to say that Giro Synthe ticks all the necessary features a bike helmet should have. personal preferences will be a big factor in deciding which helmet is the best for you, but Giro Synthe does a good job of fitting almost all the criteria of a good helmet. See also: Giro Vanquish vs Giro Air Attack.
Giro Synthe weighs in at 234g complete with slimline buckle and an internal roll cage reinforcement. Performance-wise, Giro Synthe is designed to be wind cheating, it can easily outperform other helmets.
Giro loves to make big claims about their helmets’ performance, “Our extensive testing reveals that the Synthe is nearly as efficient as the fastest time trial helmets,” it’s their direct quote regarding the claim.
Giro Synthe has gone through many kinds of testing. During 25 degrees Celsius under the sun, this helmet feels very comfortable and cool enough to keep us going. Its aero design proofed to be still comfortable and breezy. If you want to do a thorough testing, you’d need a wind tunnel. Or you can do your own testing by using this helmet and ride as fast as you can and see if it slows you down.
Giro Synthe isn’t cut off from air supply as some other aero helmets. It’s got 26 wind tunnel vents with internal channeling. What this means is that the helmet will reduce air friction efficiently during high speed cycling session or under heavy wind environment. Combined with the how lightweight it is, you won’t feel like you’re feeling a helmet at all.
The Roc Lock Air fit system allows you to make some adjustments of the helmet with only one hand easily even when wearing gloves. So that’s one more point for comfort. As for aesthetic? Giro Synthe should satisfy you on that too. It’s a great looking helmet and due to the low-profile design and color, it won’t stand out too much like a sore thumb.
The downside is that, Giro Synthe is priced at a premium. When this article is being written, Giro Synthe is priced at $224. If you’re willing to spend that much on a bike helmet, rest assured that you get what you paid for.
Giro Savant
Unlike Giro Synthe, Giro Savant is intended for mid-range product line with a more affordable price tag obviously. We can’t help but notice that this helmet looks really stylish, thanks to the shape and its white accent color. It really stands out more than Giro Synthe. Giro Savant still retains the classic vented road style, not the newer aero road helmets design.
Giro Savant has venting holes aligned with the 25 vents right in the helmet body. The total weight of this helmet is 286g, which is still good for a helmet at this price range, only around 52g difference compared to Giro Synthe.
The 25 vents don’t really help Giro Savant to achieve the same amount of airflow as Giro Synthe. All the vents are not the same size. Some are a bit smaller than others and the front-facing vented area is lower too. This resulted in worse airflow and the effect is amplified on hot days. Your head will feel a bit warm wearing this helmet.
You need to increase your speed a little bit to get rid of the warm feeling on top of your head. Not to mention that the straps are a bit wider and firmer too compared to other helmets on the same price range. Not too bad but still noticeable.
To make it more comfortable to wear, Giro Savant has a broad section of padding around the brow and a few small pads are also added in over the crown of the head. Roc Loc 5 rear cradle is height-adjustable and dial-equipped, allows for an easy fit adjustment.
Overall, Giro Savant is a great helmet at this price range. Like we said Giro make good products that have been proven and tested. But since we’re comparing it with Giro Synthe, this is a tough battle.
I think we can all agree that Giro Savantis an entry-level product. For hobbyists who are looking for a good and affordable helmet, Giro Savant won’t let you down.
Giro Synthe vs Savant
Conclusion
Both helmets are great, they’re both MIPS helmets that will protect your head from impact. No matter which helmet you choose, it’s good that you care about your safety and put your trust into a company who knows how to make reliable helmets.
But there is a big difference between the two. Giro Synthe is clearly the better product that can satisfy even enthusiasts who are looking to gain an edge on the road. On the other hand, it won’t be fair if we chose to ignore the price tag. Giro Savant is priced at $119 while Giro Synthe is $224. Giro Savant will definitely be more accessible for more people who are looking for an affordable helmet.