Giro Manifest Spherical Review: Best Mountain Bike Helmet?

I think we can all agree that a good helmet is one of the most important gear purchases for mountain bikers. Right? Right. That’s why I always do my research when buying a new lid and I typically don’t balk at the sticker price. If an extra $100 is going to save my life, then it’s worth it.

Over the years, I’ve worn and tested many different mountain bike helmets from the Bell Super DH breakaway to the POC Kortal (which I really wanted to love, but it just didn’t fit right!) to my current favorite, the Giro Manifest with its spherical MIPS technology.

After testing this helmet out for 6+ months on a variety of different trails and terrain, in this post, I break down all the great features, why I love it, what could be better (spoiler: not much!), and how it compares to similar mountain bike helmet brands and models.

Ready to dive into this Giro Manifest Spherical review? Let’s roll!

Giro Manifest Spherical Pros

Giro Manifest Spherical cons

Giro Manifest Performance

The most important question to ask when shopping around for a new helmet is how does it peform? In other words, is it going to do its job and keep my head protected if and when I crash?

Here’s a breakdown of the safety and performance metrics for the Giro Manifest:

Safety

The Giro Manifest is designed with lot of safety features to help keep you noggin intact.

MIPS Spherical Technology

MIPS Spherical Technology means that the Giro Manifest is designed to withstand rotational forces. Crashes don’t always happen straight-on. Often, there are rotational forces involved.

Basically, MIPS Spherical Technology allows your head to move independently of the outer helmet shell, which helps deflect impact if the crash isn’t straight on. And let’s be honest, most crashes send riders tumbling. The two slip pane layers rotate independently of one another, kind of like a ball-and-socket. You can learn more about MIPS Spherical Technology on the Giro website.

Progressive layering

Additionally, Progressive Layering used in the Manifest provides multi-density foam liners that are designed to handle a wide range of impact energies from low to high speeds.

Aura reinforcing arch

The AURA Reinforcing Arch at the crown of the helmet strengthens its integrity and structure. This reinforcement provides additional crash protection and also ensures that the helmet maintains its structure over prolonged use.

CPSC Certification

It’s also worth noting that the Manifest meets all the safety standards set by CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) in the US and for riders over 5 years of age.

Fidlock Magnetic Buckle

One of my favorite features of the Giro Manifest is the Fidlock magnetic buckle. Once you’ve used this buckle, you’ll never want to go back to a traditional one!

Designed with a magnet that can be easily clipped and unclipped with one hand, it’s secure when fastened and useful when you’re holding that post-ride beverage.

Giro Manifest Comfort & Fit

The Giro Manifest is hands-down one of the most comfortable mountain bike helmets I’ve worn. Here are the main features that make the Manifest worth its price tag:

Keep in mind that, as with all gear, fit and comfort is largely subjective. For me, the Giro Manifest is incredibly comfortable and fits me super well, but this might not be the case for everyone.

Ionic+ Padding

The interior padding on the Manifest is nice and cushy for a comfortable fit. The pads are also antimicrobial, which keeps the helmet feeling fresh even after long hours of hard riding

If it is time for a rinse, the three strips of padding can be easily removed since they are adhered via velcro. You can also replace the padding when it’s time with Giro’s Manifest Helmet Replacement Pad Kit.

Roc Loc Trail Air fit system

The Manifest helmet comes equipped with Giro’s proprietary Roc Loc Trail Air fit system. This is essentially a dial at the back of the helmet that allows you to adjust the fit with one hand. You can even adjust it while riding.

Sizing

The Manifest comes in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. The biggest downside to this helmet is that it doesn’t come in an XL, which many other helmet brands and models do. If you have a head circumference larger than 63 cm, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Ventilation

The Manifest is designed with a Wind Tunnel Ventilation system that includes 19 vents and deep internal channeling to air moving over your head so you stay cool during rides.

Because of its great ventilation, the Manifest is a good choice for riders in warmer climates or those – like me – who sweat a lot.

Additional features

The Giro Manifest has a number of other great features in addition to the ones highlighted above:

Is this helmet for you?

Protecting your head and brain is, well, a no-brainer. Everything can change in a split second. One minute you’re having the ride of your life and the next you’re facedown in the dirt. Most times, you’ll stand up, brush yourself off, and continue on down the trail – maybe with a bit more focus.

But sometimes crashes are more serious and in those cases, it’s imperative to be wearing a high-quality helmet to protect your precious little noggin.

For me, as someone who rides a lot, the Giro Manifest Spherical helmet is my solution. It has a ton of great safety features yet it’s still comfortable, lightweight, and well-ventilated.

I know $260 is a lot for a helmet, but when it comes to my safety, I’m willing to pay the price and I hope you are, too!

Not sure what to look for in a helmet? Check out my tips on how to choose a mountain bike helmet so you can get the ride one for your rides.

How it compares

If you’re still shopping around, here is how the Giro Manifest compares against two other popular mountain bike helmets: the Smith Forefront, the POC Kortal Race MIPS, and the.

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I hope this Giro Manifest Spherical review helps you make a decision about whether this is the helmet for you. I personally love it, but I know that choosing the ‘best’ gear is a very subjective process. Good luck in your search!

Have you tested out the Giro Manifest Helmet? What are your thoughts? What’s important for you when shopping around for a helmet? Let me know in the comments!