Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet review

The Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet has a host of fancy features which make it a competitive downhill or enduro offering. It proves to be a comfortable helmet which has great airflow and works well for all-day sessions. The fixed visor and lack of dial retention adjustment may be off-putting for some but shouldn’t be considered deal breakers, making this a prime consideration among the best full-face MTB helmets.

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Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet – Technical details

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_1, by Ty Rutherford

The helmet is available in five sizes ranging from 52cm to 62cm. Although there is no adjustable retention system, the helmet comes with several padding thicknesses which allow the fitment to be fine-tuned as required. 

Rather than the usual Mips seen on most high-end helmets, Lazer has spent the last 10 years developing its own safety system – KinetiCore. In short, it’s a system which provides rotational and direct impact protection in the form of “crumple zones”. Because of the way this system is designed into the helmet, it is claimed to aid cooling and produce a lighter helmet along with using less plastic.

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_7, by Ty Rutherford

Breathability was clearly in mind when designing this helmet. The chin bar gives plenty of room to breathe while still providing protection. The main portion of the helmet has plenty of airways which give a lightweight and airy feeling. 

The weight of the helmet is 820g for size medium. 

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_2, by Ty Rutherford

There is minimal padding but the excellent shape and fit make this a comfortable lid and the thin padding dries out quickly. There are a couple of different size cheek pads that can be swapped out to get the perfect fit – I opted for slightly thicker pads as I prefer a snug fit. 

The magnetic buckle is a nice touch which makes fastening and removing the helmet fuss free – even with gloves on. 

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_6, by Ty Rutherford

Lazer has decided to go with a fixed visor because its testing has shown this option offers more safety. The brand says a fixed visor has been shown to detach during a crash and reduce the rotational impact as opposed to a bolted visor.

The Cage is available in three colourways – black, grey, and white/orange, there should be an option to suit most tastes. Sizing ranges from XS to XL: 

Lazer has a crash replacement program in place for peace of mind which allows you to get a replacement helmet half price within three years of purchase. Considering it’s good practice to replace helmets anyway, three years is more than reasonable. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you commit to your new helmet. 

Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet – Performance

A good chunk of the testing was carried out on the Trans Madeira race. For those who don’t know, this is a multi-day enduro race clocking 250km in distance, more than 7,000m of climbing, and 15,000m of descending – an excellent venue to really get to know the Cage helmet. 

Lazer Cage KinetiCore helmet_Madeira, by John Fernades

I try to avoid climbing in a full-face helmet as much as possible but was pleasantly surprised at the breathability on offer with this helmet. The extra coverage down the back of the head and the cheek pads are noticeable however there was no restriction to breathing and at no point did overheating become an issue. 

The lightweight design of this helmet is also very impressive. The weight wasn’t noticeable when riding even after doing 15,000m of descending. The field of vision is great and has been crafted well to fit goggles.

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_11, by Ty Rutherford

I did have the pleasure of crash-testing this lid and, although it was only a slow-speed tumble, I can report the helmet took it well. The minimal padding withstood the shock and remained comfortable. Upon inspection, there was no deformation inside the helmet, just a couple of scratches to tell that tale. 

There are a couple of issues with this helmet but this is more nitpicking than anything else.  On the white/orange colourway (tested) the white has stained and can’t be removed with the usual bike cleaners. 

Swapping out the padding is a bit of a fight, they pop into place and are certainly very secure but are hard to remove. The fixed visor didn’t bother me but it may be a problem for people who want visor adjustability. 

Lazer Cage KinetiCore Helmet_8, by Ty Rutherford

Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet – Verdict

At £250, the Cage is at the top end of the full-face enduro helmet market but I’d argue it’s worth the outlay. The technology and performance on offer are hard to ignore.

For almost the same money Troy Lee Designs Stage helmet is also a popular choice. It is also DH-rated and does come in lighter than the Lazer Cage. Another option to consider, again similarly priced, is the 100% Trajecta. This DH-rated enduro-style helmet also has good airflow and works well for an all-day pedal – but has no magnetic buckle.

The Lazer Cage KinetiCore full-face helmet is an excellent offering for the enduro-style full-face helmet market. It’s well-priced against its rivals and offers great levels of performance in terms of breathability, weight, and fit. It should not be overlooked when looking for your next lightweight full-face helmet. 

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