Lazer has reignited the conversation around rotational impact protection announcing their proprietary KinetiCore technology that is now an integrated feature of six helmets; the Vento and Strada road helmets, the Jackal mountain bike helmet, the Cityzen commuter helmet and the Nutz and Pnut children’s helmets.

The KinetiCore concept takes a less-is-more approach to helmet design, actually removing EPS in strategic locations in order to create variable size and shape blocks of the energy-absorbing material. The result? The creation of what Lazer terms “controlled crumple zones”, conceptually similar to the crumple zones seen on vehicles. Here we discuss how the technology works and share the results of the Virgina Tech helmet tests.

How does Lazer KinetiCore technology work?
By now, most of you will be familiar with the MIPS approach to dealing with rotational impacts. Its now almost ubiquitous use across all cycling disciplines means it would be remiss of me to leave it out of this conversation, and to not compare and contrast it with Lazer’s alternative approach to rotational impact protection; KinetiCore technology.

Essentially, a MIPS liner allows a helmet shell to move 10-15mm in any direction independently to the rider’s head by virtue of well-positioned elastomers, reducing the rotational forces experienced by the brain during an impact. The liner is essentially an add-on feature, fixed to the helmet’s retention system for an individualized fit.
There are a few different versions of it, and most helmet manufacturers supply a liner that is tailored to the shape and position of the helmet’s vents, but the hard plastic nature of it does invariably reduce airflow through a given helmet, and of course it does add a bit of extra weight, too – around 30g on the Bluegrass Rogue Core, for example.


Are there other benefits to KinetiCore?
Lazer Helmets with KinetiCore
Lazer Nutz KinetiCore Kids Helmet

Lazer Pnut KinetiCore Toddler Helmet

Lazer CityZen KinetiCore Urban Helmet

Lazer Jackal KinetiCore MTB Helmet
