Giro Seam Review

The Giro Seam is a solidly constructed, all-around helmet with test-leading warmth provided by tensioned, fixed ear pieces.

Performance Comparison

Fit and Comfort

The Giro Seam, like other helmets from this manufacturer, fits best those with long to intermediate oval heads. But as with other high end helmets, Giro equips the Seam with a wheeled adjustment that helps the product accommodate slightly different head shapes.

Weight and Bulk

The Seam is a middleweight, in-molded helmet. The experience of the wearer is one of sleek comfort. It will fit under all helmet-compatible hoods, but the warm and snug protection of the helmet will rarely require the wearer to further batten down. Even in the gnarliest of weather, with compatible goggles, the Giro Seam seals out wind, snow, and drafts.

Warmth

The Seam has above average scores in the warmth category. Because the ear pieces are fixed in place, Giro could design them to hug and cradle the ears, carefully sealing this crucial interface. As noted above, if you've mated your Seam with compatible goggles and ensure that the vents are fully closed, little to no weather will reach your face and head. However, if you use goggles with anything other than an ideal fit, there is a distinct draft between the ear pieces and shell. This is possible with all helmets, but the draft seemed worse in the Seam.

Ventilation

Across the board, warmth and ventilation are at odds. The warmest helmets in our test don't vent very well, and vice versa. With fixed ear covers, the Giro Seam casts its lot in with the warm-but-poorly-ventilating products. The shell vents do open up, but the effect of this attribute is a proverbial drop in the bucket as compared to fully removing the ear covers from a helmet. You'll be able to make subtle changes, on the go, but you'll never experience true ear-freeing airflow without permanently removing the ear pieces.

Goggle Compatibility

As is always the case, goggles and helmets from the same manufacturer will always work best together. Giro is no exception. However, our testers had pretty good luck with a few popular styles of goggles mated with the Seam.

Style

The Seam inspires virtually no stylistic opinion. No one found it dorky or offensive, but nobody declared that it looked all that awesome either.

Best Applications

This is an excellent helmet for mid-winter and cold climate use by those with long oval heads.

Value

The price of the Seam is about average for an in-molded helmet. Performance, durability, and style are similarly average. Average price and average performance add up to slightly better than average value. This is a predictable product that will serve the consumer for years and years. We recommend this helmet to price-conscious consumers.

Conclusion

If our test team and tested helmets represent a cross-section of the ski helmet market, it seems that most people and most helmets have a round to intermediate oval fit. Giro bucks the masses with a more tailored long oval fit. If you fall into this minority category, like our lead test editor does, you will do well with a Giro helmet. The Seam is an excellent product, very insulating with a unique fit. We do wish that helmets could be made warm like the Seam, with removable ear pieces. However, again, if our test roster is any indication, optimal warmth comes with fixed ear pieces.