Highly rated head protection for under £50

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The Relay MIPS is Giant’s new sub-£50 road bike helmet and has already received a 5-star score from the influential safety rating institute at Virginia Tech in America.

Overall this is a durable, sensible and well-crafted helmet that’s also bumper value.

With its 5-star score from the influential safety rating institute at Virginia Tech in America, the Relay MIPS is off to a good start.

That score will have been enhanced by the addition of MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) Cinch tech, which aims to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head, and largely dominates the top spots in Virginia’s safety rankings.

It offers 17 ventilation ports for cooling, anti-odour inner padding and an in-moulded construction that Giant says maximises rear coverage.

On the road, the 17 ventilation channels offered reasonable cooling in the UK summer heatwave, with the decent TransTextura internal padding helping to mop up sweat.

The basic retention ratchet is a touch clunky, but it’s effective for finding the right fit and stayed secure on multiple extended rides.

The MIPS Cinch system, meanwhile, is integrated neatly enough internally, but can’t match the design synergy offered by more mid-level and top-end lids such as the top-spec Specialized S-Works Prevail 3.

The Giant Relay MIPS’ 348g overall weight in a size medium feels noticeable at the end of big rides and when riding big climbs.

The green-ish colour (Giant labels it as ‘Fluro Yellow’), although adding on-road visibility, is a touch garish for me (eliciting a vision of Slimer from Ghostbusters).

Some may appreciate the added visibility, but take the hit on that and opt for one of the helmet’s darker black or grey options and spend some money instead on a set of the best bike lights and some bright clothing.

Alongside the Relay MIPS, I also tested the Specialized Align II for the same money.

In terms of its weight, price and performance, the Relay MIPS sits close to the Specialized, which also has MIPS. However, the Giant’s weight is 348g compared to the Align’s 374g – not an enormous difference, but in Giant’s favour if you want a lighter lid at this price.

The Align II has a better array of colours, but I think both are solid picks as helmets for cycling to work, or for anyone new to road riding.

The Giant Relay MIPS helmet is an excellent starter or commuter helmet, integrating the benefits of MIPS technology at a price that won’t break the bank.

While it’s not the lightest and the retention ratchet felt a bit awkward to use in testing, it’s a sensible, well-priced choice.

Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

Former 220 features editor, Matt, is now editor of Cycling Plus magazine. During his 13 years on 220 Triathlon, he raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and is the author of 'Triathlon!' from Aurum Press

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