New Year, new helmet: Lazer is expanding its KinetiCore lineup with the addition of the Sphere KinetiCore, an all-new, versatile road helmet. The new lid from the Belgian helmet manufacturer is a lightweight, multipurpose road helmet. The design is for riders who want one affordable lid that performs just as well on fast group rides as on everyday training miles.
What is The Lazer Sphere KinetiCore?
The new Lazer Sphere sits between full-aero race helmets (Lazer Vento) and ultra-ventilated designs (Lazer Z1). However, the Sphere doesn’t share the same pricing; it’s about half the price of the aforementioned designs.
Weight-wise, the Sphere sits again in the middle of the Lazer road pack. Our medium sample weighed in at 284g. That’s 6g lighter than the Vento aero design (290g for medium) and 56g heavier than the svelte Z1 design at 220g for a medium.
KinetiCore Protection
At the core of the Sphere is Lazer’s KinetiCore technology, which replaces traditional add-on rotational liners with Controlled Crumple Zones molded directly into the helmet’s EPS structure. These zones are engineered to deform during angled impacts, redirecting rotational energy away from the head. KinetiCore comes in a variety of Lazer helmets, and it’s nice to see them available at a sub-$200 price point.
What’s That Shape?
The shape of the Lazer Sphere it’s anything out of this world, but it does the job right. Lazer clearly designed this helmet around everyday usability. Visually, the Sphere KinetiCore leans understated and modern. Its slim silhouette and closed-off shaping give it a fast look that doesn’t feel overstyled or gaudy.
The semi-vanilla look makes it equally at home in a race kit or on a relaxed weekend ride. But if you’re looking to get matchy with your kit and crew, there is a wide (like nine) range of color options.
Lazer Sphere KinetiCore Features
It has features riders will enjoy regardless of their FTP. For example, the integrated eyewear dock and rear LED port. These are small bits that every rider needs and wants in a helmet. Though it would be best if the helmet arrived with Lazer’s Universal LED rather than requiring an aftermarket purchase.
Lazer Sphere KinetiCore Specs & Pricing
- Sizes: S / M / L
- Weight: 284g (size M)
- Colors: Matte Black, Black Red, Electric Blue, Flash Orange, Frozen Violet, Deep Green, Harbor Grey, Tyrian, White Silver (all pictured above)
- Light Mount Compatibility: Universal Mount (LED)
- Price: $149.99 USD, €149.99, $219.99 CAD
How Does the Lazer Sphere KinetiCore Ride?
I’ve logged many miles on the new Lazer Sphere, ranging from warm to freezing – gotta love winter in Pittsburgh. I traded in my trusty Lazer Z1 (it was getting too cold for that style anyway) for the new Lazer Sphere, and the swap was seamless.
The fit is spot on, though I will admit that I have a very “normal” cycling head. I wear a size medium in Lazer (and all other helmets), and nearly every helmet fits my noggin. Sometimes, however, aero-focused helmets take me some time to dial in. The Lazer Sphere, however, was an easy fit and had ample space for a winter cycling cap.
The fence-walking nature of the Sphere keeps it very approachable and simple. I didn’t have to find the magic cradle marker for alignment; I just tightened the dial and strap. It’s worth noting that the ear cradles lined up on the spot, and I have no issues with the actual helmet fit.
Everyday Ride Ethos
The Sphere KinetiCore feels like a helmet built for how most people actually ride. It’s not chasing extreme aero claims or featherweight bragging rights. Instead, it lands in a practical sweet spot: light enough to forget about on long rides, ventilated enough for hard efforts, and clean enough to look fast without shouting about it.The 284g weight doesn’t make the Sphere the lightest in Lazers’ catalog, but it’s light enough to go unnoticed.
The KinetiCore structure is slim, allowing the Sphere to fit tightly around the head. More like the helmets are combined in the process, rather than the helmet sitting on top of the head. The KinetiCore system feels less like an add-on and slightly less bulky than some rotational-impact systems.
The eyewear docking and LED compatibility are small details, but they’re the kind that matter more the more time you spend on the bike.
At $149.99, the Sphere KinetiCore sits in a crowded category, but its combination of integrated protection, thoughtful features, and understated design makes it a strong contender. I recommend the Sphere KinetiCore for riders seeking a single helmet that handles most road (or off-road) riding—no matter the pace. Make sure to get the Lazer universal LED helmet for maximum safety.
The Sphere KinetiCore is available now through Lazer and select retailers worldwide.
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