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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE JULY 23rd
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Lazer Strada KinetiCore Helmet
276g Small (as tested) £89.99
The Lazer Strada Kinetic Core Helmet is a genre blurring lid described by Lazer as “all-round performer offering extensive protection to all levels of cyclists.”. I’d say it leans closest to road biased duties but has some great features that lend itself very nicely to gravel and doesn’t look weird with more trail and tour inspired riding kit. Better still, it combines style with a high degree of features and safety.
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Pros: Good specification for the money, intuitive adjustment, excellent ventilation, excellent build quality.
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Cons: A little heavier than some competitors, consideration rather than con but matt colours require more care.
Specification
Before I start talking about the refinements, let’s have a look at the KinetiCore technology. This works to the same principle as MIPS and is designed to protect the wearer against rotational forces that can strike during a crash. Madison, Lazer’s UK importer tells me the main difference between the two systems is that KinetiCore is built into the helmet from the beginning, whereas MIPS is added afterward.
This means more comprehensive coverage, less material and with it, improved ventilation. Look closely at the internal ridges. This is a crumple zone technology that works to the same principle as those in cars i.e. designed to crumple sideways in addition to head-on, thus reducing the impact force.
Obviously, none of us would voluntarily put these to the test or want to rely on our helmets, but more effective protection without heft or impaired ventilation is very welcome. This adjusts very precisely to the wearer’s head via their Scrollshift system - essentially a silicone “conveyor belt”; that you roll back and forth - same principle as the traditional thumbwheel, but more precise. As we’d expect, it complies with CE1078 but also awarded a five star rating for rotational protection in Virginia Tech’s testing.
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Continuing the safety theme, there are optional accessories. A “Universal” light mount designed for Lazer’s own 40 lumen LED, which mounts via Velcro and is technically compatible with not only Lazer, but most modern helmets.
As a side note, I’ve had mixed results mounting other LEDs using big, rubberised straps. As pictured works fine but will rule out mid ride adjustments. Completing the optional accessories, Lazer offers an aeroshell (£19.99) which is essentially a cover for aerodynamics and greater protection from the elements.
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Externally, we have the traditional in-mould construction where the polycarbonate shell and EPS liner are fused together. I was also pleased to see the polycarbonate shell covers the rim, reducing premature wear and more serious damage. Ours was a very fetching matt green, but the alternatives for the UK market are Blue, red, white, black, flash yellow, silver/red, matt titanium and matt blue.
Assuming you were happy to forgo the aeroshell (or indeed, other helmet covers) the shape is surprisingly accommodating of lights, such as my long serving Sigma Sport Buster HL 2000 , adding credence to the genre blurring claims.
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The ventilation race has calmed somewhat in recent years and though once an indicator, vent design and physics are more significant than numbers alone. The Strada has twenty-three, which is reassuring if not unusual for this genre of helmet. Up front there’s a TPU lined port for parking glasses. Hardly a novel concept but again, well executed and in my experience reliable. Inside, there’s the familiar antibacterial pad, designed to guzzle sweat and neutralise nasty niffs.
Sizing/Fit 3.75/5
This is very accurate and, in my experience, intuitive to fine-tune. The last Lazer helmet I tested though still a very good fit came up a little larger than I was expecting - I’m typically a 54-56cm circumference by most brands, so this time round, went for the small, which still covers this, albeit at the upper end.
Again, thanks in part to the adjustment system’s design I achieved a bespoke fit within 60 seconds - much of that was just adjusting the straps - the Scrollshift is, as the name suggests just a matter of scrolling the belt up/down to suit. Thumbwheels are arguably more intuitive, but this is surprisingly easily done mid-ride and wearing full-finger gloves. Those occasions say when you’ve added a cap, buff, or similar and need to tweak things a fraction.
Performance 3.75/5
Within a matter of miles, I found myself charmed by the Strada. Ours arrived during a very changeable period of June, allowing me to get a useful view of its performance in various contexts. The vents have scooped in a steady stream of cooling air, but not to the point where it’s resulted in “ice cream” headaches when screaming down 1 in 7s. Wind noise has been conspicuous by its absence, making for relatively unhampered conversation and direction.
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They also allow a fair bit of water in, too. Blessed with a border collie-esque thatch, it’s taken me a while before this became intrusive. I could cruise along for 45 minutes in steady, persistent rain before reaching for a waterproof/repellent cap, such as this Showers Pass Elite Cycling Cap. However, if rain was imminent, or in full flow as I was heading out, a peaked cap was donned, particularly if some gravel or forest fun was on the ride menu.
When the temperature’s been in the mid-20s, the vents have really come into their own, ensuring ample cooling air through my scalp. Though not marketed as “exhaust” models, the rear have funnelled unwelcome rider generated heat that builds up along longer, slower climbs, whether I’ve been honking on the fixed or winching up in 26/24. The KinektiCore technology has caressed my head evenly, providing uniform, unobtrusive support and this theme remained unchanged whether I was out for one hour, or five plus, on and indeed, off road.
The TPU glasses port also holds the arms very securely, on the occasions where I’ve headed out with dark shades and forgotten to carry a clear lens, although perhaps predictably, the best union has been with arms made from TR90, or featuring megol rubber.
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I let bikes do the lugging, whether it’s a seat pack, handlebar bag, or expedition pannier, though I appreciate many folks use messenger bags and rucksacks on their commutes. I’ve had no issues with it catching rucksacks, hydration packs or messenger bags when checking over my shoulder or scanning left to right at junctions.
Care/Durability 3.5/5
Lazer recommends cleaning the shell with mild soapy water and, little surprise, this works very effectively. That said, matt finishes require a little more care than their gloss counterparts. I’ve found watermarks and similar show up as glossy blotches. Applying a matt helmet polish every so often restores the finish and keeps it looking sharp. The anti-bacterial components have done their thing convincingly and on par with other brands. Popping the lid into the shower and giving the straps a warm, soapy scrub will keep things happy and hygienic (although expect to apply some matt finish to the shell afterward). Otherwise, general notes side, 600 mixed terrain miles later, ours shows no signs of wear, or deterioration. Lazer offers a crash replacement policy, whereby, replacements can be bought at a 50% discount within the first three years of ownership.
Value 3.25/5
The specification and price are evenly matched. You are certainly getting what you are paying for. However, there’s a good deal of similarly capable and in some instances, lighter competition. Kask Sintesi comes in at £90 and tips the scales at 237g, is available in several colours and also employs WG-11, their own, in-house alternative to MIPS. Giant Rev Comp Helmet comes in at £79.99. In common with the Lazer Strada, it has a 5-star rating from the Virginia Tech Helmet safety Lab, employs MIPS technology.
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We’ve not tested one, so can’t comment on its performance but it has fewer (18) vents and is only available in two colours-if that’s a consideration for you. Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS is also £79.99, is available in five colours, employs MIPS technology and a mix of inlet and exhaust ventilations. It’s a road specific, rather than genre blurring model, which may be a consideration for those who want a lid with slightly softer features. It’s a little lighter to, at 279g for the 55-59cm medium variant.
Summary
I'm very taken with the Lazer Strada and consider it a very capable all-rounder, albeit with a road bias. That said, though a very likeable lid with solid safety features and impressive ventilation, it's a little heavier than competitors. Similarly, the adjustment system divides opinion, I found it intuitive and agreeable, others felt it counter intuitive and different, rather than superior to the humble thumbwheel.
Verdict 3.5/5 Competent, well-made helmet with some great safety features but weight and adjustment may turn some off.
Michael Stenning
Madison.co.uk – The UK’s largest cycle parts & accessories distributor
PUBLISHED JULY 2025
