The road-specific Lazer Tonic KinetiCore Helmet features the company’s own Mips-like safety tech, which is designed to protect your brain from both direct and rotational impacts. It has a very low weight for the price, comes in four sizes and seven colours, and scores well in Virginia Tech’s independent testing. This makes it a lid well worth considering if you’re looking for safety and comfort at a reasonable price.
From the off I was impressed with how light this helmet felt. Its 249g weight is very good for £59, and helps with comfort and wearability.
One possible contributor to its low weight is that KinetiCore technology, an alternative to Mips, with similar safety aims. It consists of foam blocks which Lazer says are designed to protect “against direct and rotational impact”, and is “made with less plastics than previous comparable models”.
The helmet offers a lot of adjustability too, and is adaptable to different hairstyles, which makes for a comfortable fit no matter how you wear your hair. Part of this is down to the Advanced TurnSys system at the rear, which not only tightens around the helmet’s circumference, but also offers vertical adjustment.
I have long hair and found that the Lazer works with both a ponytail, my hair fitting through the exhaust vent above the adjustment dial, and a bun, which is how I wear my hair in hot weather.
My only issue with this is that you can only make the vertical adjustment when you’re not wearing the helmet. That said, it’s not a change you tend to make very often so it’s a pretty minor criticism on a well-thought-out lid.
The chin strap is very easy to adjust, allowing for a snug and secure fit.
Lazer says in its spiel that the Tonic KinetiCore is ‘eyewear friendly’, and the helmet’s tactically positioned vents made it easy to slot my sunnies’ arms into, which some helmets are shockingly bad at.
But perhaps the biggest highlight, especially for a helmet at this price, is just how well vented and airy it is.
I wore this on rides during some of the hottest days of the year, when the thermometer was hitting around 30°C. In spite of that, I found that thanks to the 18 large and well-placed vents I didn’t feel as if I was melting, even during hard training efforts.
I have a real aversion to helmets that lack ventilation, so the airiness of the Lazer Tonic KinetiCore proved very welcome.
One of the very few downsides, along with the slightly awkward vertical adjustment, is that the EPS rim is exposed, which puts the foam at risk of damage. Even during testing, when I was doing my best to look after it, the polystyrene rim picked up a few surface dents and scratches.
It’s not a deal-breaker for me and isn’t unusual for an inexpensive lid, but if it’s crucial to you then you’ve always got the option of the Lazer Strada KinetiCore.
A final little bonus is that the Tonic KinetiCore is compatible with its Universal LED light, though perhaps not with a ponytail…
Value
When it comes to value, the Lazer Tonic KinetiCore is very hard to beat.
The Giro Isode MIPS II Helmet is not only more expensive at £74.99, but at 275g it’s also slightly heavier.
The Bell Avenue MIPS Road Helmet is the same price as the Giro but heavier again at 308g. Personally speaking, I don’t think it looks as good as the Lazer, either.
The Lazer Strada KinetiCore costs £89.99 and weighs in at 294g, but unlike the Tonic, Giro and Bell helmets, there’s no exposed EPS, as the hard outer shell wraps around the rim.
For other options, check out our best cycling helmets buyer’s guide.
Conclusion
I would have preferred the shell to cover the rim for extra protection of the EPS, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me. I still feel that Lazer has delivered a very good helmet at a very attractive price, especially considering it gets a good rating from Virginia Tech in addition to meeting the usual European safety standard. Its low weight and excellent ventilation are both exceedingly impressive for a helmet at this price – and I also think it looks good.
Verdict
Light, extremely well ventilated and comfortable – and all at a very appealing price
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Lazer Tonic KinetiCore Helmet
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?
Lazer says this helmet is: “Sleek and comfortable – Tonic KinetiCore is designed for the recreational road cyclist who wants a lightweight helmet that doesn’t compromise on protection.”
I think Lazer has really got it right too. Its low weight is noticeable – or, rather, not noticeable – when you’re wearing it, and a high Virginia Tech rating suggest Lazer has also got the protection side of thing right.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Technical aspects from Lazer:
Easy vertical adjustability
The Lazer Advanced TurnSys system provides a tailored fit that’s easy to adjust on the move with a simple turn of the dial.
Diverse size ranges
Available in 4 sizes making it easier to find the perfect fit for improved protection and comfort: S/52-56cm, M/55-59cm, L/58-61cm, XL/61-64cm.
Eyewear Friendly
Eyewear can easily be docked in specific slots of the helmet.
LED light compatibility
Increase safety and visibility by attaching the Universal Lazer LED at the rear of the helmet via Direct Mount.
Weight: 240g (Size Medium CE)
The EPS rim is exposed on the underside. While I’d prefer this not to be the case – as it can lead to the polystyrene getting damaged – at this price I’m not surprised. But other than that the construction quality appears to be very good.
It performed very well – it’s light, comfortable and well vented.
The exposed EPS rim already had small marks and dents on it after testing, and that’s after I’d been really careful with it.
Its 249g weight is very light for a helmet at this price and I hardly noticed it when I was wearing it.
Its low weight and the adjustability that let me get the fit just how I wanted it, which made it very comfortable.
For only £59.99, I feel this is very good value for a helmet this light and of such high quality.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
I found this comfortable and well ventilated, so I’d say it performed very well. Thankfully I didn’t put it to the test by crashing while wearing it, but it does come with all the relevant accreditation as well as a 4/5 rating from Virginia Tech.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
How well vented the helmet is – especially during really hot training days on the road when having air running through your lid is an absolute necessity.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The exposed EPS rim and the fact that you can’t really adjust the vertical fit when you’re wearing the helmet.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s hard to beat the Lazer on price. At £74.99 the Bell Avenue MIPS Road Helmet is quite a lot more – though still very affordable. The Giro Isode MIPS II Helmet is the same price as the Bell and is another affordable option – again, not quite as affordable as the Lazer.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Given the very low price, I was surprised with how much you get for your money. The helmet scored convincingly in Virginia Tech’s testing, is comfortable and extremely well ventilated. I wouldn’t normally consider a cheaper helmet, but this Lazer lid has made me think again. It’s a great option at a great price.
About the tester
Age: 25 Height: 173cm Weight: 65kg
I usually ride: Road bike My best bike is: Road bike
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
