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Helmets
Salice Ghibli helmet Salice Ghibli helmet Salice Ghibli helmet Salice Ghibli helmet Salice Ghibli helmet
Salice Ghibli Helmet

Salice Ghibli helmet

7
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Sat, Apr 29, 2017 15:45

First Published Apr 29, 2017

1
£99.95

VERDICT:

7
10
Competes well on weight and comfort although it isn't the most 'airy'
Weight: 
255g
Contact: 
www.salice.co.uk
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The Ghibli helmet from Salice is available in a range of eight colours so matching your bike or kit certainly shouldn't be an issue plus it scores well on weight and extras too.

The Ghibli weighs 255g for this XS size which covers head circumference of 54cm to 58cm (a larger 58cm to 62cm model is about 30g heavier according to Salice) and the weight's not really noticeable when you've got the lid strapped to your head.

Salice Ghibli Helmet 2.jpg

You barely notice it at all helped by the fact that it is amazingly comfortable thanks to the tiny adjustments available from the wheel at the rear of the helmet. You can tweak it to sit just right, although unlike some other helmets it only adjusts the rear cradle for fit rather than all the way around. Not a major issue unless you have a bit of an odd shaped head.

That adjustment dial is also a light with three different settings: solid, flash and a kind of mental disco strobe. The first two are very bright so should still show up even if your head is tilted down although I wouldn't recommend this as your sole lighting source.

Salice Ghibli Helmet - back.jpg

Inside the helmet you get a removable mesh bug liner which if you've ever been stung on the head by an irate, trapped bee you will know is a welcome investment. It's part of the pad system though so you have to keep it in there which could give you an interesting sun tan if you are light on the hair front.

In terms of construction it's the tried and tested method of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) shell with a bonded cover over the top to keep everything together in case of a secondary impact. Its strength also allows for 23 vents while still maintaining enough strength to pass the relevant EN safety standards.

Salice Ghibli Helmet - side.jpg

Even with all of those vents though I didn't actually find the Salice that cool in use especially on warm days. You never really feel the breeze coming through and things did get a big sweaty.

As far as price goes there are a lot of helmets for around a hundred quid and the Salice compares well for weight and comfort, but little things like the orange stripe being completely off centre just cheapens the look. It may sound picky but if I'm paying this much for a polystyrene lid I'd want each detail to be pretty spot on. Helmets at this price are also starting to come with extra features like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is claimed to improve protection.

Verdict

Competes well on weight and comfort although it isn't the most 'airy'

road.cc test report

Make and model: Salice Ghibli Helmet

Size tested: Extra Small 52/58

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Salice only has two helmet variations on their UK website an aero one and this Ghibli which is vented. A lightweight helmet designed for racing with a few added benefits.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Aerodynamic form reduces wind resistance

23 specially designed aeration slits guarantee excellent ventilation

New comfort orientated micrometric adjustment system

Rear LED Safety light with multiple settings

Ultra lightweight In-mould design

Removable hypoallergenic and breathable mesh bug liner (replacements available)

Distinctive Colour Schemes available

Removable chin strap

Lightweight In-mould design - 270g (54-58) 300g (58-62)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's a lightweight helmet with great added extras like the bug net and rear light

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Feels very light in use

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The central orange stripe is off centre which makes the helmet look a little cheap considering the price tag.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

In use the helmet is very light and feels comfortable with plenty of adjustment but the vents didn't feel to let a huge amount of air through. The off centre paintjob doesn't look very professional either.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Salice Ghibli helmet
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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1 comments

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barbarus | 7 years ago
2 likes

'elmet might not be 'airy but the model is!

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