Oakley entered the helmet market with an ambitious goal: make a stylish, aerodynamic helmet worthy of hot weather rides. And the Aro3 and Aro5 do just that. Their unique shape and size may not accommodate every head, but they deliver respectable ventilation performance with large front vents that line up with the inner MIPS liner.

Cruising Speeds

Like its aero road helmet sibling, the ARO5, the ARO3 sports a unique set of front vents that aren’t just eye-catching but designed to optimize ventilation. They’re positioned to direct air over the majority of your head at cruising speeds, although the internal shaping of the helmet doesn’t seem to be doing much to encourage outbound flow.

Most Popular Oakley ARO5 Helmets also wisely incorporated the BOA fit system that’s familiar to riders from its mountain bike and motorsports helmets. It’s a thin braided tecitile lace that lies flat against the head and doesn’t interfere with sunglasses arms the way some retention systems do.

Time Trial-Specific Sibling

The ARO3 and its time trial-specific sibling, the ARO5, are surprisingly lightweight for their sizes. That, combined with their venting and feathery feel, makes them suitable for a wide range of cyclists.

Oakley’s foray into helmets has produced a line that’s surprisingly well-rounded and competitive on both price and features. The ARO3 and ARO5 are incredibly eyewear friendly, with a dedicated dock for sunglasses, a low profile BOA FS1-1 fit system that doesn’t interfere with the arms of your glasses, and a whisper-thin braided textile lace that lays flat on the head.

Mips Brain Protection

Both helmets also incorporate Mips brain protection, which is a low-friction layer that is designed to help reduce the rotational force that could otherwise be transmitted to the brain during a crash. This is a feature that’s increasingly common among cycling helmets of all prices. But Oakley engineered this technology into its helmets from the ground up, rather than adding it after the fact like many manufacturers.

Adjustability

Oakley’s newest helmets are sleek and aerodynamic, but their snug fit and narrow size range limit the number of riders who will benefit from this new style. The helmets use a BOA FS1-1 system that attaches a head basket to a thin TX1 braided tecitile lace and runs down the sides of the helmet to a plastic cradle at the front on which the brow pad sits.

Head Basket Design

The softer lace makes the helmet comfortable and easy to tighten for more info visit our Universeheadline.com, and is barely noticeable. This, combined with the incredibly slim head basket design, helps keep the helmet firmly in place and without needing to be retightened during a ride.

Fans of professional racing will have seen the helmets in action this year on the heads of Dimension Data, Katusha and sprinters like Mark Cavendish. The design aims to combine maximum comfort and lightweight with the ultimate safety of MIPS brain protection. Smart features include a sunglasses dock and an integrated brow pad that keeps eyewear in place without interference.

Aro Range of Helmets

Oakley has designed their Aro range of helmets specifically with optics integration and aero performance in mind. This includes the ARO3 ventilated road model, the ARO5 aero racer and the ARO7 for time trials and triathlons.

The ARO3 has a sleek design and solid ventilation that would be appealing to many riders. Unfortunately, it has some issues that make it less than ideal for most riders.

FS1-1 Fit System

Oakley’s new FS1-1 fit system is very comfortable and works well with eyewear. The thin lace lays flat against the head and doesn’t interfere with long ear stems like those found on many cycling glasses.

The helmet is also extremely light, but the lack of adjustability means it doesn’t fit as many heads as some other models. The rounded shape of the outer shell also limits how snugly it fits around a variety of anatomies.

Many of the Helmets

Unlike many of the helmets on our list, Oakley has designed the Aro3 and its aero-minded sibling the Aro5 to meet high standards for both safety and comfort. It features a MIPS brain protection system to reduce the transfer of rotational forces during a crash. Its soft brow and crown pads also distribute pressure evenly across the head when it is tightened.

Moreover, its larger front vents are arranged to optimize ventilation during challenging climbs and sweltering summer weather. Likewise, its eyewear dock and the Boa FS1-1 dial retention system are designed to minimize interference with sunglasses.

Final Words:

These are just some of the features that make this helmet a great choice for competitive cyclists seeking a premium racer. Nevertheless, it isn’t without its shortcomings. For example, the fit isn’t as customizable as some of the other models on our list.