Oakley ARO5 Race Road Cycling Aero Helmet Review - feat. Iridium Badge + MIPS Air + 19 Vents + BOA

Oakley’s new ARO5 Race helmet combines the sleek aerodynamically optimized shape of the previous ARO5 helmet with a lightweight construction and improved ventilation. Introduced as a part of Oakley’s 2023 cycling collection this is their current top-tier road cycling helmet. The helmet retails for $205 for the standard version we have in this review and $240 Ice Black Reflective version which has an integrated twICEme NFC chip. Oakley markets the ARO5 Race as being designed for peak performance and breathability thanks to its aerodynamic shape and 19 vents. The helmet features MIPS Air for additional safety as well as a BOA 360 fit system for easy adjustments. Our favorite feature of the helmet is the unique Iridium coated rear badge which mimics the mirrored finish on Oakley’s sunglasses.
The Oakley ARO5 Race uses an all-new shell design and vent positioning to reduce the weight of the helmet while improving airflow through it compared to the previous ARO5 helmet. It’s an attractive design that combines front air slits with styled air vents that give the helmet a modern and sporty appearance. This has a three piece shell design that’s divided along the vents to create a top panel, middle panel and side panel. Oakley offers the ARO5 Race in six colors currently from all white or black to two-tone variations such as gray / lilac and Franktel / Retina Burn. We have the creatively named Dark Gray / Light Curry color scheme here which features a matte dark gray color on the upper and bottom pieces along with a dark yellow fade for the centerpiece. Oakley branding is ghosted on the sides along with ARO5 on the rear.
There is a surprising amount of exposed foam on the helmet along the edges of the vents which blends in with the dark color schemes. In terms of profile, the ARO5 has a classic road or aero road helmet profile that’s very shallow with curved front. Although it’s marketed as an aero helmet, the ARO5 Race doesn’t have the elongated rear profile aero helmets like the Smith Ignite or a blunt rear like the POC Ventral Spin. Instead, the helmet has a more gentle curved rear design with plenty of vents cut into it. Oakley has also dialed back the highly curved organic shapes of the previous generation ARO5 and ARO3 helmets in favor of sharp creases that are more reminiscent of the Kask Protone or other Italian helmets....
... Read the full review @ thesweetcyclists.com/oakley-a...
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00:00 Intro
00:11 Unboxing + Specs
02:34 Fit + Finish
07:20 On The Road
08:18 Comparison (Limar Air Stratos, Smith Trace, POC Ventral Spin)
10:32 The Final Score
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Oakley - www.oakley.com/
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[@muralithasanmoorthy3832]

Awesome review 👍👌

[@PhilipAmalong]

Issue with this helmet is that the straps that go through the piece under the ears are not adjustable, and as you can see in the on-the-road section of the video, are very tight and smash up against the bottom of the ears. There's literally no way to get any more slack on this, because it's a one-piece strap, terminating on each side of the helmet. So while the plastic routing piece under the ear can be moved fore/aft, it cannot be dropped any lower. Dropped the rear boa piece to its lowest/largest position, but this did not help. The lid is the proper size, and I was very excited to get this helmet, only to run into this issue, and it's too uncomfortable under the ears to keep. Will, unfortunately, have to return.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Sorry to hear about the fitment issues. The non adjustable side straps are a downside, hopefully you can find another helmet that fits better. There are quite a few helmets with fully adjustable side straps to choose from.

[@Red-jk6jn]

I have been finding the rubber sweat band in the front of the helmet has been leaving marks on my forehead. It bummed me out because I bought the Hemet 2nd hand. Any advice to reduce the marks to my forehead?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

You can remove the rubber strip off the helmet, it's just attached using Velcro. The helmet comes with a standard pad you can swap it with, but you might not have that if you didn't get the original packaging. If you look on Ebay it seems like you can find replacement helmet pads that should probably work as well.

[@twowheelsandcroissant]

hows the ventilation compared to POC Ventral Air? if u have tried both before?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

That's a good question. At least for me, it is hard to tell a difference between them. Both have good airflow through the helmet and even in hot California weather I haven't had any issues.

[@twowheelsandcroissant]

@@TheSweetCyclists Great, i was torn between the two.. POC Ventral Air has like great reviews ever since its release, but kinda pricey here in Australia (around 320AUD), while Oakley ARO5 Race sits around 250AUD.. But i think i will give the Oakley a try.. Thanks for the help!

[@hankschrader2353]

I felt the straps are way too short. Interfered with my shockz so I had to return

[@Acyclistandhockeysnob]

Can the straps next to the ears be adjusted? I just bought mine and the ear section with the triangle and 0 logo sits too high on my ear. Can figure out how to lower them.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Good question, the design is actually a bit different from other helmets. You can only move the strap horizontally through the "O" splitter by feeding the strap through in either direction (push it through then grab the strap on the backside of the splitter into the other side). If you do that and then adjust the chin portion of the strap you should be able to effectively move the position upward/downward.

[@Acyclistandhockeysnob]

@@TheSweetCyclists maybe if you can post a video of it. I've tried everything. My ARO5 and ARO3 Gen1 seem to have the same set up but were already in a good lower position.

[@Acyclistandhockeysnob]

@@TheSweetCyclists Oakley is letting me exchange it with a large to see if the strapping is longer. I'm almost right at the border line of a large and medium fit wise so I'll keep you updated.

[@sebi098]

@@Acyclistandhockeysnob I have the exact same problem please let me know how size L will fit you I might also go up a size

[@Acyclistandhockeysnob]

@@sebi098 I'll let you know for sure. The helmet is super comfy but the 💩the bed with no strong enough strap for adjustability.

[@gfynando]

what is the weight?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

Our size medium weighs 304g which is light enough that you don't really feel it on your head.

[@TheRulleskoejten]

One big fucking con!!! 🐝

[@supersaiyanson]

$205 "pretty affordable" yikes.

[@cincydooley]

It is.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

$200 isn't cheap, but for Oakley's top of the line MIPS helmet with a fancy Iridium badge it's less than a lot of other brands.

[@BodieWilde]

Whats up with the bulky ear straps section, looks like ear muffs... Companies must not hire for brain power anymore smh.