Giro Neo Mips II: the new all-mountain helmet for skiing and snowboarding

The Neo has been a familiar sight on the pistes for years. With the Neo Mips II, Giro has redesigned it from the ground up. The shell is flatter and more streamlined, with cleaner lines. This makes the helmet sit closer to the head and reduces its bulk.

Beneath the new shape is proven technology, brought up to date. Giro combines lightweight In-Mold construction with Mips, a new fit system, adjustable ventilation and an odour-resistant lining. The Neo Mips II is aimed at anyone looking for a reliable helmet for the whole season, whether on skis or snowboard.

With In-Mold construction, the thin polycarbonate outer shell is fused directly to the shock-absorbing EPS foam inside. This creates a solid unit without the need for an additional hard shell. This saves weight: the Neo Mips II weighs around 400 g in size M.

You notice this in everyday use, even if 400 g doesn't sound like much on paper. A lightweight helmet puts less pressure on the neck, especially on long days and over many runs. At the same time, its compact profile means it also fits under a hood.

In most falls on snow, the head is not hit straight on but at an angle. This creates rotational forces that act on the brain. This is where Mips, the Multi-directional Impact Protection System, comes in.

In the Neo Mips II, a low-friction slip layer sits between the head and the helmet shell. In an impact, it allows a small amount of relative movement in all directions. According to Giro, this helps redirect rotational forces that would otherwise be transferred to the head. Giro combines the Mips layer with the fit system so that it does not interfere with the helmet's fit.

You can recognise the system by the yellow Mips logo inside the helmet. Our article on Mips technology, linked at the end of this page, explains in more detail how the slip layer works.

A helmet only protects you if it fits correctly. With the Neo Mips II, this is handled by the In Form 2 Fit System. A dial at the back of the head lets you adjust the helmet in seconds, even with gloves on, according to Giro. The dial offers up to 6 cm of adjustment. The system is lighter and flatter than the first generation and adds very little bulk at the back of the head.

Inside, the helmet is padded with Ionic+. The lining contains silver and is designed to provide lasting odour protection, so the helmet stays fresh even after several days of skiing. Some colours also feature particularly soft Plush Max Padding. The ear pads can be removed, for example on mild spring days. The goggle retainer at the back is also removable.

Temperatures change constantly on the mountain. In the morning it is icy in the shade, at midday it is warm in the sun, and in the moguls you start to sweat. Thermostat Control lets you respond to these changes: use the slider on the outside of the helmet to open or close the vents without taking the helmet off.

The Stack Vent takes care of your ski goggles. The opening above the forehead directs warm, moist air from the goggles upwards into the helmet. This helps prevent fogging, even when you are waiting at the lift after a fast run. It works best with goggles whose frame connects directly to the helmet. Giro designs the Neo Mips II to work with its own goggles.

At SportFits, the Neo Mips II is available in ten colours. Alongside classic black and white, there are muted earth tones and light pastel colours. The Pearl versions have a subtle pearlescent sheen. Light colours have a practical benefit on the mountain: they make you easier to see on the piste and in fog.

The helmet has a unisex fit. Choose your size based on your head circumference:

Measure your head with a tape measure about one finger's width above your eyebrows and across the widest part of the back of your head. If you are exactly between two sizes, it is best to try both on with your ski goggles. The helmet should fit firmly without pressing and should not move when you shake your head.

✓ Try it on with ski goggles and a hat
As you would wear it on the mountain

✓ Put the helmet on straight
The front edge sits about two fingers' width above the eyebrows

✓ Adjust the dial at the back of the head
Snug but not tight; nothing moves when you shake your head

✓ Fasten the chin strap
There should be room for just one finger between the strap and your chin

✓ Put on your ski goggles
There should be no gap between the goggle frame and the helmet edge

✓ Store the helmet correctly after skiing
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters; dry the padding at room temperature

Giro classifies the Neo Mips II as an All Mountain helmet. It is designed for everything a typical day of skiing involves: laps on the piste in the morning, a few turns in the powder beside it and perhaps a detour to the terrain park. It works just as well for skiers as for snowboarders.

The Giro Neo Mips II continues the legacy of a proven all-rounder and refines many of its features. The shell is more streamlined, the fit system is lighter and the ventilation can be adjusted on the go. Mips comes as standard. Anyone looking for a helmet for pistes, off-piste terrain and long days, whether on skis or snowboard, will find a reliable companion for the season in the Neo Mips II.

You can find all Giro models, from ski helmets and ski goggles to cycling helmets, in the Giro range at SportFits.