Few names are as recognizable in the cycling helmet world as the Lazer Z1. First introduced nearly a decade ago, the helmet promised a mix of low weight, good ventilation, and excellent fit adjustment. Then it went away, and there was never quite a helmet that filled its place in the Lazer lineup.
At least, until now.
The Lazer Z1 helmet back, and it has received a slew of changes that amount to more than just a nip-tuck.
Lazer’s traditional Rollsys retention system remains, as do an available aero shell and 5-Star Virginia Tech crash protection rating. Oh, and Lazer claims that this is the lightest helmet with rotational impact protection on the market. Pretty good if you ask me.
Quick hits: Six things to know about the Lazer Z1 KinetiCore Helmet
- Lazer claims a size M helmet weighs 40 grams lighter than the previous generation Z1 MIPS helmet.
- The Z1 features their KinetiCore technology, replacing Mips.
- Adjustment comes courtesy of Rollsys, an adjustment dial on top of the helmet that aims to be friendly to longer hair.
- Lazer claims Z1 KinetiCore offers 3 percent better cooling than no helmet at all.
- Lazer offers both a 30-day fit guarantee as well a crash replacement policy should your helmet need replacing, both a rarity in the helmet world.
- Five colors (a sixth titanium colorway is available outside of North America) and three sizes are available (S – L).
Lazer Z1 KinetiCore details
The Lazer Z1 KinetiCore (or simply, the Z1) is positioned as the brand’s top-end lightweight helmet alongside their Vento aero helmet. As mentioned, the Z1 was well known for its ventilation, low weight, and fit; that continues here.
That ease of fit comes from Lazer’s Rollsys retention system. Where most adjustable retention systems push your head to the front of the helmet, the Rollsys system pulls the sides and back of the helmet retention around your head to fit the shape of your head better. The wiring is anchored just in front of the temple of your head, allowing the helmet to form to your head better than most other systems.
Adjusting for tightness is done via a rolling dial up top. Placing it here rather than out back allows the helmet to be among the most accommodating of long hair I’ve seen. A low ponytail or bun is still a requirement for folks with long hair, but this system is more accommodating than the average helmet.
That retention system (Lazer calls it a basket) is adjustable to five distinct levels, allowing the helmet to be further adjustable for different head shapes. Also in the helmet is a set of green pads that are supposed to help resist odors and manage sweat.
The Z1 ditches the adjustable strap divider found below the ears on most helmets for non-adjustable side straps. Lazer says the removal of the divider – alongside the use of recycled strap material – makes for small steps toward a more sustainable future. It also seems to cut some weight and complexity from the helmet construction as well.
As before, Z1 has a built-in rear light mount for Lazer’s own rear light. There’s also an Aeroshell available for the helmet that keeps your head warm in the winter and extra aerodynamic in the spring.
All told, the helmet offers a good chunk of ventilation ports (I counted 25 in total) leading to its feathery 217 gram actual (220 gram claimed) weight in a size medium.
Section dividerWhat is KinetiCore?
Lazer says they were able to achieve this low weight, ventilation, and solid testing scores courtesy of a technology they’re calling KinetiCore. But before we talk about KinetiCore, we gotta talk about Mips.
Traditionally, Mips consists of a plastic slip-plane inside of the helmet placed between the helmet foam and the rider’s head. It aims to facilitate movement in the case of an impact by redirecting rotational impact away from the head, hopefully reducing the chance of a concussion or other injuries.
Different versions of Mips are found across helmets of all kinds, and for good reason. Whether or not it actually makes the helmet safer might be up for debate, but anything that aims to improve safety – and has the testing to back it – is worth using.
Rather than being a separate layer, KinetiCore situates itself as an array of blocks molded directly into the EPS foam itself. These foam blocks are designed as crumple zones, which absorb energy directly from an impact that would’ve otherwise been transferred to your head.
Their strategic placement and angling allow the helmet to absorb rotational impacts as well, like Mips. At least, that’s the claim.
Lazer claims a number of benefits to using KinetiCore rather than Mips, namely around improved ventilation and lower weight. Mips-equipped Lazer helmets typically weren’t the best ventilated, so its removal means Lazer can form and channel the foam to encourage airflow from front to back. The lack of plastic in the helmet (and the anchors that come with Mips) can save weight as well.
Regardless of how you feel about lowering the amount of plastic in your helmet, I think KinetiCore is a worthwhile advantage that the Lazer Z1 holds over many other helmets.
Section dividerRiding with the Z1 helmet
Lazer’s been on a bit of a roll as of late. Their Lazer Strada KinetiCore helmet is one of the best you can find at $100, the Vento is pleasingly airy for what should be an aero helmet, and the brand still continues to have helmets that rank near the top of Virginia Tech’s independent helmet testing.
The Lazer Z1 helmet continues that trend.
Lazer’s helmets tend to fit more oval-shaped heads overall, and that continues here. Padding isn’t particularly generous, but it is soft and feels comfortable. The Rollsys system and Lazer’s cradle offer a ton of range and adjustability. No complaints, and no pressure points in my experience with the helmet.
The Z1 seems to sit lower on the head than previous Mips-equipped Lazer helmets, though it isn’t quite as low as the likes of the Kask Valegro, MET Trenta, or Giro Helios helmets.
While the Z1 works is compatible with all kinds of eyewear I used, storing them in its small holes takes a bit of practice. These work well enough and keep glasses secure, though I prefer the bigger holes that come with the Lazer G1 or even the Giro Aries helmets.
Ventilation has been excellent during a mild Texas winter, and the little sweat I’ve produced this winter has been a non-issue as well. According to Lazer, some of that comes down to KinetiCore, as the channeling and strategic block forms help to channel air flow from front to back. Figuring out just how well this helmet ventilates, however, won’t happen until spring or summer.
Downsides? A couple. I find the Rollsys system fits my head dramatically differently if I’m wearing a beanie, much less a thin skull cap. In most helmets, you set the rear cradle and leave it. Here, I had to loosen the helmet, lower the cradle area, and test the fit a few times before I felt comfortable with the fit.
Rather than having a ratchet to keep your helmet adjustment in place, Rollsys has just a plastic screw held in place by friction. The lack of detents means the helmet can slowly come out of adjustment after repeatedly putting on and taking off the helmet. This was a minor issue, but one that is nonexistent with a more traditional ratchet system.
The lack of adjustability for the side straps was a non-issue for me, but I can easily see it becoming one for other folks.
It’s hard not to mention the price as well. At $279.99 US/€249,99, there’s no getting around this helmet being on the expensive end of things. The performance here is befitting of other helmets at this price point, at least. And perhaps more importantly, the KinetiCore feature is available on helmets across their range.
Section dividerConclusion
Ditching Mips has made the Lazer Z1 a better helmet than before. It offers good ventilation, a comfortable fit, and shockingly low weight. The addition of Kineticore – a technology that seems to dramatically improve helmet performance without sacrificing safety – means the Z1 should be a recognizable name for years to come.
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