Lazer Tempo KinetiCore Helmet

The Lazer Tempo KinetiCore helmet is a lightweight, well-ventilated lid that offers modern rotational impact protection at a virtually unbelievable price. It’s not flashy, but for everyday riding, commuting or weekend miles, it delivers much more than you’d expect for the money.

There’s no shortage of premium helmets on the market promising aero gains, featherweight performance or pro-level credentials. But for most of us – riders who just want reliable protection without the hype – it can be hard to find a helmet that balances modern safety features with affordability. That’s where helmets like the Lazer Tempo KinetiCore come in.

Using Lazer’s own KinetiCore system, the helmet does away with add-on rotational liners like Mips and instead sculpts the protection directly into the EPS foam.

These little crumple zones are designed to deform in a crash in order to reduce rotational forces on impact, all without adding weight or complexity. It’s a clever bit of design too, and it keeps the helmet feeling light and airy as it doesn’t block the vents in the same way a basic Mips system can.

At around 258g this uni-size helmet is one of the lightest I’ve worn at this price – in fact, it’s pretty light compared with a lot of high-end lids, weighing just 17g more than Lazer’s range-topping Z1 KinetiCore. The internal shape works well, too, considering how wide a range of heads it’s designed to fit. It sat securely on my head without pressure points, and the rear dial offers simple and effective adjustment.

The straps and padding don’t have a premium feel, feeling slightly stiffer and coarser than those you might find on a top-end helmet, but they stay in place and proved comfortable, even on longer rides.

The ventilation is surprisingly good for the price. On warmer days, the good airflow is noticeable, with channels helping shift heat away from your scalp. It’s not quite in the same league as a vented race lid, but for general use, it works well and never feels sweaty or stuffy even on slow climbs.

It comes in one size only – designed for heads 54-61cm in diameter – which I was initially sceptical about, as fit is the single most important criterion when you’re looking at a helmet. I was concerned it might look huge or be loose in places, but I had no such issues in practice and the Turnsys system offers a secure fit.

It’s a road-style helmet, but the Tempo KinetiCore wouldn’t look out of place if you’re out on the gravel or on your hybrid. The styling is clean and straightforward, and our lid’s ‘Gloss Pine’ green finish has held up well over a month of test rides. It does come in seven other colours, though, should the army-esque green not be to your liking. There’s no aero shaping or specific integration for sunglasses, which wasn’t a deal breaker for me at this price point.

After a few hundred miles riding on mixed terrain, including commutes, Sunday road loops, and a gravel spin or two, the helmet still looks fresh – no rattles, no wear to the pads, and no comfort issues. I’ve not had the misfortune of testing the crash protection, but it feels solid, and the peace of mind knowing there’s built-in rotational protection is reassuring.

As a final bonus, the helmet is also compatible with the lightweight and easy-to-fit Lazer Universal Rechargeable LED.

Value

At £39.99, the Tempo KinetiCore is outstanding value. Many entry-level helmets still skip rotational protection altogether, or add it at the expense of weight and breathability, with only the Specialized Align II at £45 or the women’s Liv Relay at £44.99 coming close to the price of the Lazer.

But both are considerably heavier – the Specialized is 369g and the Liv 305g – and less well ventilated.

Lazer manages to include high-level protection and low weight as standard without driving up the cost, which makes this a very appealing option for anyone getting started or just wanting a no-fuss helmet for everyday riding.

For other helmets, budget and otherwise, check out our best cycling helmets buyer’s guide.

Conclusion

This isn’t a helmet that’s trying to win over the WorldTour crowd, but it’s a genuinely solid option for real-world riders. It’s comfortable, light, well ventilated and offers modern safety features, all at a price that’s hard to beat. The lack of a premium finish on the straps is expected at this level, but nothing here feels like a compromise.

Verdict

Well-designed and affordable with modern safety features and impressive comfort for the money – ideal for everyday use

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.