Lazer Helium helmet

The Helium is a top of the range helmet from specialist manufacturer Lazer. It's very comfortable, but also has some unusual features that may not suit the needs or preferences of every cyclist.

This helmet's first unusual feature is instantly noticeable as soon as you put it on. The internal band that goes around your head is attached at just two points – front and back – to the inside of the helmet shell. This is different from most other helmets, where the internal band is usually fixed to the entire front and sides of the inside of the helmet shell, with adjustment available only at the back.

With just two fixing points on the Helium, you get adjustment all around the internal band, which means you can get the fit of the helmet exactly right for your shape of head. Lazer call this all-round feature the 'Rollsys Retention System', and the fit is adjusted via a small dial set into the top of the back of the helmet shell.

On the upside, this Rollsys system means you get additional comfort, especially handy if you have an unusual shaped head or find other helmet designs uncomfortable.

On the downside, because the internal band that goes around your head is fixed to the helmet at just the front and back, you get a bit more side-to-side wobble than on conventional helmets, although this is apparent only when you're putting on the helmet and tightening the straps to get the fit right, not when you're actually riding your bike.

Also on the downside, because there are no side fixing-points, the internal band slips down below the shell of the helmet, and is visible. This is not the end of the world, and it's not unique to the Lazer Helium, but it does look unusual compared to other some helmet brands with conventional fixing. In addition, the bits of red wire that are part of the retention system also show below the back and sides of the helmet, further adding to the odd appearance.

But looks are a personal thing, and what looks odd to some riders may look cool to others, so let's move on beyond appearance and study some of the helmet's other features.

According to Lazer's website, the Helium construction includes a Rigidity Brace System, which is a reinforced 'roll cage' integrated into the foam of the shell to 'to improve impact resistance and guaranteeing higher safety'. There's also Double Density EPS, where 'lighter and denser weight foam [is] used in more or less critical areas for overall weight reduction'.

This is all good stuff, especially as safety will be the key priority for most cyclists. On the other hand, it makes for a relatively bulky shell (the outside dimensions are bigger than the Met and Carrera helmets with similar internal sizing that were lurking in the road.cc lab). Some riders may find the Lazer's style and size reassuring in the case of an accident, while other riders may prefer a lid that's a little more svelte.

This brings us to weight. Despite the lighter-than-air moniker, the Helium weighed in at 299g (size Medium) on the road.cc scales, and the size Large topped 360g. This is more than the 260g claimed for the size Medium on the manufacturer's website. If weight is your concern, there are many other helmets out there under 300g, and some get down to nearer 200g.

Another of the Lazer's unusual features is the pad that goes across the forehead. It's made of a gel-like plastic padding which feels cool and slightly wet to the touch. It's designed to keep your forehead cool, and it does to a certain extent, but it doesn't stop you sweating completely. On a test rides I found that once I started to sweat, the droplets dripped into my eyes a bit more than usual, because there's no towelling or other absorbent material at the front of the helmet to soak up the moisture.

While we're on the subject of sweating, the padding under the top of the helmet is made with something called X-Static, designed to minimise odour and the growth of bacteria. That's handy, but then rinsing your helmet in hot water every now and again is an equally good way to avoid unpleasant smells. (Stop sniggering at the back.)

The Helium's straps are thinner than most conventional helmet straps. They are comfortable against the skin (and, for male cyclists, don't snag on stubble) but because they're more flexible they do have propensity to twist and then jam in the side buckles.

The adjustment dial has a red LED inside it, which you can turn on by pushing a button. This is handy if a ride takes longer than expected and you're caught at dusk with no lights.

On colour, our test model is mainly black, grey and silver. Other shades available include red, blue, white, orange and yellow, plus a model featuring rainbow bands for all you wannabee World Champions.

On cost, the Helium packs a less-that-lightweight price tag, with recommended retail a penny under £180. You can find it a bit cheaper at the usual on-line stores, but that's still a lot of cash compared to some other helmets out there.

Overall, this Lazer Helium has some innovative features, but also has some aspects that don't quite seem to work. However, it is undeniably comfortable, so if you find the fitting of other brands too tight or too loose for the shape of your head, then this helmet may be worth a try.

Verdict

Big, safe and comfortable helmet, but a few quirky features means it may not suit everyone. Expensive too.