Giro 2008 Omen Helmet - 2007 BCS

I bought this helmet because I tend to run quite warm when skiing but ski the east so it was important that it be able to keep me warm on those frigid days. It performs admirably in both conditions. It is a super warm helmet, my only complaint being that when a strong wind picks up sometimes some comes in through the ear flap. When you start to heat up just slide the lever on the top of the helmet and viola ventilation. On those warm spring days you can detach the ear flaps altogether. I wore the helmet comfortably last April in temps that were 70+

I have found that Giro bike helmets just don't work for my head - I need a Bell. I found the same thing with this helmet - I am sure it is great for the right head, but I could just could not get it to feel comfortable. I cannot tell you what the factor is - but you might check this at the shop before ordering. I give this 3 stars but I am sure it is 5 for the right head.

Ordered one of these and some Smith Prodigy goggles to replace my stolen helmet and goggles. :-(

The helmet looks pretty sharp, and fits well. It is very well-ventilated (which, as a ski instructor, is a key feature lessons in warm weather.) I have a big head (~24.5", at the high end of the range for the Large), and the Large size fit right. There's a nice little adjustable dial that can tighten it up if you need to, so better to go a size up if you're questionable.

The goggle-holder system on this helmet is definitely unique. Works pretty well -- UNLESS you have goggles that have one of those snap-together clasps right in the middle of the strap. Then it doesn't really hold the goggles solidly.

A bigger problem, though: while just trying it on in my living room with a few different pairs of goggles, some of the plastic 'rivets' near the front started to come loose, and the plastic piece at the front was popping loose near the rim. Not cool for a $150+ helmet. Maybe I just got a lemon, but I decided to go with a different model.

The helmet is very well constructed and protective. The rear lobe adjustor is a great improvement over my previous helmet (1st gen. RED helmet).

However, the vent closing mechanism is not smooth. It may be better after being broken-in, but out of the box, it requires more effort to move the plastic blade over the holes. The may not be a big deal, except for this price point, I would expect everything to work fine.

While skibum12 has a point (see last review) about the goggles falling off, I'll offer my opinion. I've used a helmet specific goggle (Dragon Mace) and a helmet compatible one (Smith somethin' or others) with this helmet and the goggles almost never come off. Here's the sitch: The goggle-holding system is unique - I've never seen it on any other helmets anywhere. It has two 'hooks' - one that keeps the strap from sliding up over the helmet, and one in the normal position - both keeping the strap from sliding down. This second strap extends all the way up and over the first hook (see pics).
This offers an advantage - no need to fiddle around with snaps etc, just slide your bling goggles on the helmet and get busy looking cool. It offers a disadvantage too, though - it is hypothetically possible for the goggle strap to weasel its way out and off pop your goggles. THEORETICALLY. Once in the last 14 ski days, when I had my gogs on the brim of the hat, I've had it happen. In all my tumbles (see helmet review) they have never NEVER even moved. Rock solid.
I'd say the system works as intended. Just don't wear your goggles like they're a hairdo and you won't have that prob.

This helmet is a little pricey, but it is well made and comfortable. I've used mine over a month now with nothing but smiles. It's not as steezy as some helmets out there, but it makes it up in comfort and class. The venting is convenient and easy to use (though I still occasionally forget which slide position is open vs closed :) and most importantly this does a great job of helping you regulate your temperature while protecting the noggin'. It's a well constructed helmet, I'd know, I've managed to hit it against a tree, the icy wall of a half-pipe, and on a 30 mph tumble learning to snowboard. Basically doesn't have a scratch.
The precise fit system gives me a headache if it's tight, but I just keep it loose and it feels perfect. Pair this with the Motorola Bluetooth headphones and shredding has never been better!

I have used this for two years now and i really like it overall. the vent system has worked really well for me. having two sets of them is awesome. when it is snowing out you can just open the back set and nothing will get in. It is very light and comfortable. Having the sizing mechanism in the back makes it feel just right. My only gripe is the front. The front of the helemet is abnormally high and makes it really had to find goggles that make a good fit with it. I have spy orbits and smith phenoms and they both kind of have the gapper gap going on which sucks. Overall it works great you can hardly tell your wearing it.

Bought for Wife and she loves the light weight, adjustable air vents and with the fit adjustments it fits perfectly! Works extremely well with either goggles or Sunglasses. A great functional gift which made my special woman happy!

Very overpriced and sadly far less functional than the far-less-expensive G10. The plastic shell has seams that separate the various sections, but any knock (notice I didn't say crash) and the foam beneath cracks and renders the helmet unsafe and unusable (Giro's assessment, not mine). I comparison I also own a G10 that's seen several long seasons and it has all the integrity of it's first season. The Omen should be pulled from the line--it's all flash, no function. If you ski Deer Valley on bluebird days and want everyone to see your expensive helmet--this is for you. For everyone else--it lives up to it's name.

Lightweight, comfortable easy to adjust After a day on the slopes you hardly feel it never had a better helmet for any other sport before! Works perfectly with my googles and the ventilation is great.
Best thing it looks just great!

Great helmet that looked cool and vented well and was comfortable but one nasty wipeout and the goggle latch was ripped off. Since the latch doesn't snap closed and it's pointed it catches on things and is not very sturdy. If they redesign this flaw I would buy one, until they do I would not. I returned mine.

I bought this helmet and returned this helmet. Good luck trying to keep your $100 goggles on this melon. The back goggle latch is cheap and doesn't hold your goggles well. Why anyone would manufacture a $200 helmet and not give you a goggle latch that just snap shut is beyond me. Crap.

I have had this helmet for 1 year and this year I have spent most of my time backcountry....the unique google system does a good job in keeping the googles in place...the issue is that it also does a good job of catching pine branches.

This week end I ducked under a pine branch, only to find that I did not go low enough and the google holding system caught the branch and broke off completlely (screws pulled out).

I found the fit to be a little bigger in the same size than the Fuse, so when the medium Fuse was too small and the large too big, the medium Omen fit perfectly. I have no problems with the google notch, works fine for me. The vent system on my helmet works really well and is easily adjusted with gloves on.

Paired the Omen with my iphone and added a Sony Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter TMR-BT8iP as suggested by some gadget guy who reviewed it on another web site. Some other reviews stated that u could not use the iphone and listen to music as the iphone does not have the stereo audio streaming (A2DP Profile) that is needed for music streaming. Easy to add the Sony stereo transmitter cost $85 at BEst Buy. The system works great together. Would recommend it to everyone. My kids love it as well.

Helmet fits great. Normally I take a large helmet and it fits perfectly. This one I had to adjust the fit to the smallest level to get it to fit. The medium was just a little too snug. Other than that, everything works perfectly, Tuneups are a big plus. If it was $50 cheaper it' would get 5 stars