A close up of the KinetiCore internal cradle system.
The evolution of brain protection
Lazer has been designing protective headgear since 1919 and is also an influential history with pro riders—in fact, Lazer was responsible for pushing the pro peloton to wear proper head protection before it was mandatory.
A decade ago, as awareness of rotational-impact injuries began to advance and other technologies developed, Lazer started developing its own innovative, proprietary (rotational)-impact technology that was built into the helmet—rather than added on as an extra. To do that, the design team had to go back to the drawing board and completely start fresh on helmet design.
Using advanced simulations to examine what happens to riders’ skulls and brains in the event of direct and rotational impacts, they created thousands of templates in their eternal quest for the new tech.
The breakthrough moment came when the team examined cars’ crumple zones. This was the key inspiration to build cone-like crumple zones on the inside of the helmet, designed to break under impact and dissipate energy away from the skull.
The result? KinetiCore’s Controlled Crumple Zones—a unique set of EPS foam blocks built into the helmet, designed to buckle in the event of direct and rotational impact, redirecting energy away from the brain. This means cyclists can ride with complete confidence.
Instead of an internal cradle system the rotational impact protection is moulded into the casing of the helmet.
Advanced protection and lighter weight
Being integrated, KinetiCore delivers a crucial point: it reduces the overall weight of the helmet, increasing riders’ speed and comfort. It also means that Lazer is able to design each helmet to their own specifications and build KinetiCore in—rather than having to add it on as an extra.
This also means increased ventilation and improved airflow (what rider doesn’t look for those benefits?), as well as less plastic used in construction when compared with past models.
KinetiCore is a new benchmark for lightweight, protective helmets that are available for every type of cyclist and aligns to the Lazer mission, based on a principle that has been their foundation for over 100 years: ‘To contribute to a society where cyclists can enjoy riding in safety.’
Lazer also currently holds the position of having the most 5-star ratings for safety from independent testing facility Virginia Tech. The moment the first KinetiCore helmets were scored with 5 stars was a turning point, as the Virginia Tech standard is recognised as the leading independent reference to brain-protection technology for cyclists.
General manager at Lazer Sean van Waes says, “We use the pro peloton as a statement for our helmets, because if it’s good for riding 250km and then sprinting and winning, then it’s good for our customers as well. That’s why at Lazer we’re not working for the pro riders, we’re using them to make sure our customers have the best helmets possible.”
KinetiCore technology is available now in the latest Lazer helmets: Vento and Strada for road, Jackal (MTB), CityZen (commuting), plus Nutz & Pnut for kids.
Visit lazersport.com/kineticore for more information.
