Kask Elemento Helmet Evaluation: Is 3D-Printed Padding definitely worth the $400 Worth Tag?

We’ve seen the world’s finest sporting the Kask Elemento this season. That features everybody from mountain bike champions like Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, to your complete INEOS Grenadiers squad on the highway. The helmet bears all of the fashion and pedigree of a brand new do-it-all lid for the plenty (that may afford it).

Kask Elemento helmet – What’s it?

For these new to the Elemento, you’ll be able to take a look at our tech piece right here. However what units the Elemento other than the group (moreover the slippery new form) is a brand new Fluid Carbon 12 composite technopolymer and 3D-printed padding.

The padding is tremendous light-weight, ventilated, and simply conforms to completely different head shapes. The fabric of the Fluid Carbon 12 shell is claimed to soak up the influence after which can distribute that drive extra evenly throughout the helmet. Kask additionally claims that the Fluid Carbon permits for much less EPS foam contained in the helmet which improves air flow whereas making for a smaller helmet general for elevated aerodynamics. Additional, it might improve crash security by offering a low friction floor between the helmet and no matter it hits (just like the highway).

The outer shell wraps all they manner across the helmet’s underside, which provides the inner foam safety in opposition to costic sweat and dents.

How’s the match of the Kask Elemento?

I put on a measurement medium within the Kask Protone (and most helmets) and the Elemento in a measurement medium (52-58cm) match like a glove, er..helmet. The up to date Kask Octofit+ works very properly. With thick or skinny gloves, the adjustment dial is simple to make use of on the fly. The retention system cradles the bottom of the cranium and has a sliding (barely listed) top adjustment.

The peak adjustment for the Octofit+ has a slight index however doesn’t lock in place like some helmets. This floating top adjustment requires a dial-in earlier than each experience, which is nice for those who put on a helmet liner or thick cap for winter. For individuals who just like the “set it and neglect it” fashion match, the Elemento requires some pre-ride fiddling.

The brand new 3D padding and beneficiant foam padding give the Elemento an awesome match out of the field. The 3D padding on the highest of the top has a barely completely different really feel from conventional foam however may be very open to airflow compared.

Tech Specs KASK Elemento

• Sizes: SM (50 – 56), MED (52 – 58)*, LRG (59 – 62) *examined
• Weight: 260 grams (measurement M)
• Colours: Traditional Black or White, New metallic finishes: Beetle Inexperienced, Oxford Blue (pictured), Purple, and Silver.
• Worth: USD $400, EUR 375€, GBP £335.

Trip Impressions

I used the Elemento practically completely since its launch. I’ve taken it via XC, gravel, highway, and cyclocross races.

Almost all of my experience impressions with the Kask Elemento have been optimistic. The way in which the Elemento can go from a crit to a cross-country mountain bike race is improbable. It’s a do-it-all helmet; there isn’t a questioning that.

Within the warmth, the Elemento is breezy; the air flows proper via. The ports within the entrance of the helmet are arrange proper on the cash for cooling and airflow. The helmet’s mild weight provides to this sensation, giving the Elemento a wonderful on-bike really feel.

After I hit the four-month driving mark, I seen the entrance padding (non-3D) misplaced most of its sweat retention and padding. Kask gives substitute padding for the Elemento for an additional $30. The 3D padding saved its form completely however began to peel away barely on the slim sections of the highest.

The ports may very well be higher for all sun shades, although, and I discovered that even my KOO glasses had issue staying in place when docked. The glasses match okay, however the lack of a gripper or rubber grommet on the vent permits them to slip, and a glance down might price you your shades.

Padding and sunglass holding apart, my Elemento took a beating this season—a lot of journey and baking warmth. Then, muddy cyclocross races with a shouldered bike knocking into my head once I ran. With all this, the Elemento nonetheless appears to be like practically pretty much as good because the day I acquired it. The shell reveals no indicators of denting, and the shine returns shortly with some polish.

Last Ideas – Kask Elemento

The Kask Elemento is a wonderful efficiency helmet, however the $400 price ticket is a troublesome tablet to swallow. Sure, there are some padding points, however these are a fast repair with glue and a brand new pad package. However ought to you need to exchange the pads on a helmet that shortly? It’s as much as the tip person and what they deem crucial. The helmet’s general race efficiency and luxury are amongst my high favorites.

I like to recommend the Kask Elemento for riders in search of a top-of-the-line helmet for all their race efforts. You probably have an aero highway helmet, cross nation helmet, gravel helmet (no matter that’s), and commerce these for one Elemento, the worth must be price it.

For extra data and to buy the Kask Elemento, take a look at Kask.com