The Giant Rev Comp is a very good entry-level helmet offering a comfortable fit, decent ventilation and plenty of adjustment for a very reasonable price.
- Pros: Vent position promotes good airflow, comfortable padding
- Cons: Looks a little cheap with so much exposed polystyrene
Some people just want a basic helmet that does the job while meeting the relevant safety standards – a simple click and go type of lid – and that is exactly what the Rev Comp is. There are no gimmicks or space age technology, just a polycarbonate cover bonded to an EPS (expanded polystyrene) shell.
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Its design, though, has been pretty thorough when it comes to the vent position, often one of the failing points of many helmets below the 60 quid mark. You get 16 of them dotted all around, and I was surprised with how well they work – especially when you think that most pro-level helmets use well over 20.
Whether travelling at speed or hauling up a steep climb, I could still feel a cool breeze blowing through the helmet. The big plus part of this was that I never became massively hot, which kept down the levels of sweat running into my eyes as the pads don't get overwhelmed.
Those pads are not massively thick but they are comfortable against the skin. They are made from TransTextura Plus fabric which has anti-microbial properties to stop bacteria growth and associated smells from sweat.
Adjustment of the cradle is basic and simple, by way of a thumb wheel design that you can tweak on-the-fly to get the fit right. The Rev Comp comes in two sizes with a fair amount of overlap: small/medium (49-57cm) and medium/large (53-61cm).
Making it commuter friendly, you can remove that rear Giant-branded cover to expose the magnetic mount for Giant's Numen+ Link TL light (£24.99, sold separately), which is nicely positioned for getting you noticed amongst the urban traffic.
The Rev Comp feels decent quality, but with a lot of helmets now running their polycarbonate shell right under the lip of the bottom of the helmet, the Rev looks a little cheap with so much of the EPS exposed – especially on the white or yellow models. It can get damaged easily as well, when dropped or in storage.
It is just £49.99, though, which is a good price for this type of helmet. At 275g it weighs virtually the same as the Lem Volata and costs a tenner less. Ventilation is better too.
> Buyer's Guide: 9 of the best cheap cycling helmets
There are plenty of options out there, though, like the very good Specialized Align, which performed well with only its weight being a slight issue at 338g. It is only £30, mind.
On the whole, the Giant Rev Comp is a very good helmet for the money, covering all of the bases with ease.
Verdict
Entry-level helmet offering really good performance throughout and plenty of comfort
Make and model: Giant Rev Comp Road Helmet
Size tested: M/L
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?
Giant says, "Designed for everyday road riding performance, the all-new Rev Comp follows in the footsteps of the pro-level Rev, a favorite among WorldTour riders including Giro d'Italia champion Tom Dumoulin. This all-rounder introduces some new features to optimize its comfort, protection and versatility. It has 16 vents to maximize airflow, a Cinch Pro fit system for quick and comfortable fit adjustment. Other features include integrated magnetic light mounts for riding in low-light conditions or at night."
It's a decent helmet for the money, doing everything it needs to well.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Giant lists:
Sizes: S/M (49-57cm), M/L (53-61cm)
AirFlow 16-vent cooling system is enhanced by three large center vents pull air through the helmet and over the rider's head to keep them cool
In-mold Polycarbonate (PC) shell with lightweight EPS foam provides maximum protection without compromising comfort
Lightweight, comfortable LiteForm™ webbing wraps around the head for a secure and comfortable fit. It's also hydrophobic so it won't absorb sweat or stretch out
Locking cam buckles keep the LiteForm™ webbing anchored securely
TransTextura Plus™ anti-microbial padding helps fight bacteria growth by pulling sweat from a rider's head and transferring it through the AirFlow vents. The natural property of the fabric inhibits microbes that cause odors
Cinch Pro™ fit system offers optimal coverage by cradling the occipital bone for full protection, support and comfort
Numen+ Link TL magnetic mount integration
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Really good for the price.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
All good so far, but exposed eps could be susceptible to damage.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
7/10
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
If you aren't bothered about having an all-singing flash lid then this offers very good performance on a budget.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Good ventilation.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Amount of exposed EPS.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It stacks up well against other helmets in this sort of price range, with very few compromises.
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 overall score
Very comfortable, good ventilation, decent weight – it's a really good helmet for the money.
Age: 40 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 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
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