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July, 2025

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Thoughts on soft-shell helmets like Giro Combyn?

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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
I need a new lid and was checking out the Giro Combyn. I like the look of it, but wonder if these soft-shell designs are really as safe as the hard-shell models that most companies produce.

Is it weird that the Giro only conforms to Euro safety standards while most other helmets conform to both US and Euro requirements? Even if two helmets receive a certain certification, how do we know whether one performed much better than the other?

Thoughts/experience appreciated.
12 years ago
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Bumblesteeze
Posts: 3092 - Karma: 748
I also want to get some information on this helmet.
I don't have any more information, other than I did hand flex it and was surprised at how flexible it is.
12 years ago
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
I've not tested one, but had a look. They're truly multi impact, to an extent (knock yourself out, probably best get a new helmet), which is pretty useful, and I was amazed at how much you can flex them. It's the flex bit that concerns me - they've met the EU standard, as mentioned, but I'm not 100% I'd like to be the person inside it taking a big hit.
I'd also appreciate any info, because it's a pretty damn cool helmet, and I think I'd quite like one if they're right...
12 years ago
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Bumblesteeze
Posts: 3092 - Karma: 748
I'd like to compare the helmet with the Burn Baker Hardhat side by side. If it's the same as the hardhat, I would probably stay away...
I don't think it is though, as I'm pretty sure the Bern doesn't meet the European standards.

12 years ago
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special-J
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 4,477
Nope, the Bern isn't technically considered a helmet and doesn't meet any specifications. I don't understand why it even exists to be honest... Why buy it?

But the Giro seems pretty cool. The thick part of the padding is rock hard until it is activated by an impact. From everything I have read it is just as safe as a regular helmet.
12 years ago
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
So I picked up a Combyn at REI for $90. Hopefully this whole soft shell concept works and I don't end up with a messed up melon.
12 years ago
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MEDSKI.
Posts: 561 - Karma: 640
If it's not EPS foam it's probably not as safe for really hard impacts, it's a neat idea though and I can see the need for a less serious helmet like that
12 years ago
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1071 - Karma: 2,887
Yeah thats not something I would chance. Fuck that. For 90 dollars you can get almost any helmet on the market (all of them if you do your shopping at the end of the season). I got a Smith Holt end of season for 40 dollars brand new. Why would I go with some weird soft tech that probably not only protects you worse, but doesnt work as well as a helmet from an insulation standpoint I would imagine.
12 years ago
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
I'm not really sure I'm chancing it. This isn't like the Bern HardHat that doesn't actually pass any safety regulations - the Giro is CEN certified. As for insulation, I don't know why it would work any differently than any other helmet. It's not like the inside is filled with the same stuff Nerf footballs are made out of. It's a really firm padding that stiffens up with pressure. Seemed to work well when I dove off the C rail at Keystone this weekend.
12 years ago
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
had a week riding so far with mine.

I feel just as safe as i did in my giro Revolver before. Giro is the type of company that would not put out a product they are not 100% satisfied with and i trust that.

It has the same internal goggle channel as the revolver which is nice if you wear goggles under the helmet. And it feels alot safer than an inmold helmet.
12 years ago
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,292
No one seems to be missing the real difference here between the Combyn and other helmets is the fact that it's made to be effective for multiple impacts. Every other helmet out there (except the bern hardhat which has no certs behind it) is only built to withstand ONE major impact. Due to the haziness of what constitutes a major impact combined with the price of buying a new helmet I'm sure plenty of kids are running around with traditional helmets that long ago met their expiration dates.

If you ride park you're going to hit your head at some point, and most people are not going to run out and buy a new helmet every time they do. The Combyn seems like a really good advancement in helmet tech because of this.
12 years ago
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
Just to note also, Giro are not the first company.

Ride have been making soft shell multi impact since 2011.

But IMO, id probably still get a new helmet after a hard hit. Not worth the risk to save 100 bucks.
12 years ago
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,292
Replace "missing" with "seeing" in that first sentence for me. I suck at proof reading today.
12 years ago
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Euro cert is almost always higher.

DOT is minimal while SNELL is MUCH higher rated.
12 years ago
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,292
While I agree, it's also a hard thing to quantify. Maybe something I considered a small impact actually compromised the foam and I'm running around continuing to wear that helmet thinking I'm safe. There's no way of knowing for certain. Wearing a helmet that is designed for multiple impacts would give me at least some peace of mind knowing that even though I whip-lashed on that ice patch in the morning, my helmet is still going to be effective while I'm in the park in the afternoon.
12 years ago
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Hogis
Posts: 551 - Karma: 393
Never heard of this helmet before, but the multi-impact and everything about the helmet sounds great.
Sorry too threadjack but does anyone got pics with googles under? And how does it fit? Most helmets i've tried like sits on your head and is really uncomfortable.
12 years ago
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,292
Like with most things the fit is going vary from person to person. I don't own one but I tried it on in the store along with several other helmets and I found it to be the most comfortable. Because the foam is so rigid in traditional helmets I usually get a couple hotspots, usually in the front and back of my skull. I guess I have an oblong shaped head and so helmets tend to rest harder on these spots than elsewhere. The Giro Combyn on the other hand, nicely molded around my head when put it on. The medium fit snugly yet comfortably around the entire circumference of my head, something I've never experienced with any other helmet.
12 years ago
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