Thinking of treating yourself for Chritmas? Well, check out these limited edition team replica lids from Giro.

You can have that full pro look with top notch Giro Ionos helmets in either Garmin Chipottle colours (as worn by Magnus Backstedt, David Millar and pals) or Astana, (as worn by Alberto, Lance and the boys). The Astana lid even comes with two lots of die-cut Astana team decals Although the Garmin one just shades it in these parts owing to its very fetching plaid patterning (it’s everywhere) which would team nicely with a road.cc top giving an effect that could probably best be described as beyond pro…We’ll get saving cos you won’t get much change out of £140 for either of these – well, 1p.

The Ionos does pack some  good features in though to justify the hefty price tag – the only hefty thing about it in fact.

The big advantage this lids offers is that your money buys 21 big vents and 15 per cent more ventilation than the 26 vent Giro Atmos, that’s according to Giro anyway. Although at £85 the Atmos is a lot more than 15 per cent cheaper and does boast many similar features inclucking the Rockloc 4 fit system and an In-Mould subframe.

The In-Mould composite subframe on the Ionos allows it to have bigger vents without compromising rigidity and strength says Giro and you can see the composite weave running through the structural part of the helmet. The fabric pad are woven with silver threat for complete anit-bacterial protection so the Ionos shouldn’t getty niffy after a few big rides, not should it get mouldy – again thanks to that silver thread.