The Fizik Kudo is part of the Italian brand’s new line-up of helmets. With Mips Air Node technology and a sleek design it has everything a top-end helmet needs, but it’s up against some tough competition when it comes to airflow and weight, which it finds hard to beat.
A couple of months ago Fizik launched a new range of helmets, with this Kudo being the road option, though Fizik claims it’s designed for a bit more than that, saying it’s suitable for road, gravel and XC mountain biking.
There is an aero version too.
My first impression was that it’s a little on the bulky side, but after comparing and contrasting it with many other helmets, this is more because of its shape than its overall size.
Externally Fizik has gone for a rounded profile, which it claims is for safety, stating that the smooth, rounded shape reduces surface grip during impact, lowering the intensity of the force transmitted through it in the event of a crash.
On top of that, Fizik has added a ‘crossbridge’ embedded in the expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam construction to evenly distribute forces across the helmet. And in addition to that, the helmet features the Mips Air Node system, which is designed to dissipate rotational forces during a crash.
Unlike earlier systems of Mips, which resembled an internal cradle, this Air Node version is integrated into the padding itself.
As you’d expect, it passes EN 1078 – the European standard for cycle helmets. But in addition to that, the Fizik Kudo also gets a five-star rating from the independent and highly regarded Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.
Thankfully, I haven’t had to test out those safety standards yet, but I can confirm that from a comfort point of view it performs very well.
One thing that I will bring up though is that the material used for the straps isn’t the softest and the edges are a bit scratchy. I never noticed it as a problem when wearing the Kudo but if you have sensitive skin it might be worth keeping in mind.
Helmet fit is very personal as we all have different shape heads, some round, some oval, and others in between. Fizik has used a cradle system that aims to cover all of those variables.
To adjust the fit the Kudo uses a wheel at the rear that tightens or loosens the band that runs around the inside of the helmet.
On the front half of the helmet, though, you’ll find three holes on either side and a small plastic pin. The pin restricts movement of the band as you tighten the retention wheel and controls the shape that it creates. In the front position it makes the fit narrower at the front for an oval shape, with the third position closest to the rear giving you a round shape.
It’s clever and it works, so if you struggle to find a helmet that fits your noggin perfectly then the Kudo could be well worth a try.
You also get some adjustment in height at the rear to suit your head shape, and so that your helmet doesn’t clash with your glasses.
The helmet’s three sizes cover head circumferences between 52cm and 61cm and it comes in three colours: white, black and bronze. It’s a well-made helmet, which is finished to a high standard, and Fizik has gone the extra mile making sure that the EPS is covered all around the bottom to protect it should the helmet get dropped.
Another neat touch is that the Kudo comes with a rear light that clips to the rear of the helmet.
It’s rechargeable and has multiple modes, some of which are bright enough to be seen in daylight.
At 303g on our scales this medium 56-59cm isn’t in the lightweight category, especially not at this price.
Value
The £225 Mavic Comete Ultimate MIPS is 256g, while the Kask Nirvana that weighs 262g is a saltier still £320.
My daily helmet is the £250 Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 which is 273g.
In reality, though, 50g is neither here nor there, but what does affect you when you’re riding is airflow, which is why that Spesh is the helmet I grab out of the ones I have.
With its carbon fibre ribs being so minimal the Prevail is much better at allowing air to flow through it even when you’re climbing on hot days. The Kudo can’t compete with it, but it still lets a decent amount of air pass through, and it was only when riding on days where the temperature was 25°C and above that I found it a bit overwhelming.
For those days below that, which is most of them in Britain, I’d say the Kudo isn’t the coolest but will be fine.
So – does the Kudo offer value for money?
Well, while I’d say it’s a good helmet, coming in at £269.99 I’d say probably not – but that’s true of a lot of lids.
For further options, check out our best cycling helmets buyer’s guide.
Conclusion
A Mips-featuring high-end helmet with an equally high-end price, Fizik’s Kudo does have a couple of niggles here and there, but is a good lid – especially when it comes to fit and the quality. Its shape and design also lend itself to multiple disciplines, so it works well if you’re looking to get just one helmet for all the types of riding you do.
Verdict
Not the best airflow, but this very well-made Mips Air Node-featuring lid is comfortable and has some neat touches
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Fizik Kudo
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Fizik says: “A high-performance, cross-discipline cycling helmet for road, gravel, and XC MTB, featuring the extra protection of a MIPS Air Node system and integrated rear light for increased rider safety.
“This helmet has been awarded a 5-star rating from the preeminent safety research team at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.”
I found it a well-designed and well-made helmet that’s suitable for multiple disciplines.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Cooling, performance-oriented design
In-molded EPS-PC structure
Polymeric reinforcement bridge
Wide air-exhaust outlet vent
Sunglasses garage
MIPS Air Node system
Size adjustment system with tilt and crown adjusting feature
Removable rear reflector
Fizik helmet light included
Helmet bag included
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It’s a comfortable helmet – but not the best for the money.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Its comfort.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Not the best airflow compared to some of the competition.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s in the region of the other high-end helmets mentioned in the review that use safety-enhancing technologies such as Mips.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No – for me there are better helmets for the money.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Kudo is a good helmet overall and I also think it looks good. But for this sort of money, it needs to be very good at everything to justify the price and score highly, which is something the Kudo just misses out on.
About the tester
Age: 46 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month’s test bike My best bike is: B’Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
1 thought on “Fizik Kudo”
Really comfortable helmet and the air flow is fine.
The included light would be a really nice touch if the battery life wasn’t so poor. You have to have it on flashing mode to get more than an hour out of it, and even then it’s not much more.