The Lazer Chase KinetiCore is a downhill rated helmet with a comparatively reasonable price tag (well, it’s under £200).
- Brand: Lazer
- Product: Chase KinetiCore Helmet
- From: Freewheel
- Price: £179.99
- Tested by: Aran for 3 months
Pros
- Breezy
- Comfy
- Stylish (well, in Black at least)
Cons
- Double-D ring won’t please Fidlock-ers
- The non-Black colourways are… an acquired taste
The Lazer Chase KinetiCore is a downhill rated helmet with a comparatively reasonable price tag (well, it’s under £200). The helmet comes with all the features expected in a good modern full face.
The Kineticore technology is similar in intent to the more familiar MIPS technology, in that it’s designed to provide protection against both direct and rotational impacts. The helmet also implements a breakaway peak to help reduce the risk of neck injury. There’s a flexible grid on the front ‘mouth hole’ of the lid for “splash protection”.
During testing, even with its comparatively cheap price when compared with other downhill oriented full faces, this helmet offered more than the bare minimum.
Whilst a typical price of £180 aligns closer to that of more lightweight enduro helmets such as the Fox Proframe, this helmet, for me, feels as high if not higher quality than some of the more expensive helmets I have used.
The interior padding in this helmet is thick and well cushioned. The padding doesn’t line the entire interior; there’s polystyrene shell exposed in places. The outer shell is a mix between the classic boxed-in downhill helmet and a caged shell of an enduro lid.
With Lazer already making the Cage KinetiCore for enduro purposes, my initial concern here is that this Chase KinetiCore was going to be a weird amalgamation between a super-lightweight breathable enduro full face and a full-send downhill box.
The concern for me was that the thickness of the padding would mean it was too sweaty for long rides or enduro racing. Whilst the ‘incomplete’ coverage internally, combined with the openings in the outer shell and the overall lighter-weight feel, would not provide the same reassurance and locked-in feeling you get from a downhill lid.
I’m pleased to say that Lazer has really made a good all-round, confidence-inspiring full facer. The interior channels and ridges, the effective vent placement and the semi-open outer shell (especially around the chin piece) all result in an impressive degree of airflow into this helmet. This all helps retain good breathability on long sweaty descents/stages.
To cut a long story short, the Lazer Chase KinetiCore is now my full-face of choice for ‘everyday’ use and for both enduro and downhill racing. This lid provides confidence to push myself on a downhill track, yet at the end of a 2-3 minute run I am not as much of a sweaty steamed-up mess as before. I do own a more downhill-specific full face yet coming up to my next downhill race I will be taking the Chase KinetiCore.
From an aesthetics point of view, the Chase works for me. I tested the black version by the way. I’m a fan of the more angular design especially on the front of this helmet. Something which the trend in downhill helmets is maybe moving away into a more rounded-off look.
Maybe this is a reach, but I just think the Chase Kineticore looks suitably ‘mean’ and aggressive. On the matt black model I tested, the subtle difference in colour between the peak and main body of the helmet, the little teal KinetiCore logo on the rear… Nice.
Overall
With enduro racing becoming more downhill oriented, this helmet seems to be what the discipline needs; a helmet capable of long demanding downhill runs yet comfortable enough to wear all day. Overall then, this is a budget friendly full face that still feels every bit as high quality as its big name competitors. Lightweight, comfortable, protective and I reckon it looks the business too!
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Review Info
| Brand: | Lazer |
| Product: | Chase KinetiCore Helmet |
| From: | freewheel.co.uk |
| Price: | £179.99 |
| Tested: | by Aran Francis for 3 months |
