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

We’ve seen the world’s greatest sporting the Kask Elemento this season. That features everybody from mountain bike champions like Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, to the complete INEOS Grenadiers squad on the street. The helmet bears all of the fashion and pedigree of a brand new do-it-all lid for the lots (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 aside from the group (in addition to 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 alleged to soak up the affect after which can distribute that power 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 total for elevated aerodynamics. Additional, it could enhance crash security by offering a low friction floor between the helmet and no matter it hits (just like the street).

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

How’s the match of the Kask Elemento?

I put on a dimension medium within the Kask Protone (and most helmets) and the Elemento in a dimension medium (52-58cm) match like a glove, er..helmet. The up to date Kask Octofit+ works very effectively. With thick or skinny gloves, the adjustment dial is straightforward 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 sweet in the event you put on a helmet liner or thick cap for winter. For many who just like the “set it and overlook it” fashion match, the Elemento requires some pre-ride fiddling.

The brand new 3D padding and beneficiant foam padding give the Elemento an ideal 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 could be very open to airflow as compared.

Tech Specs KASK Elemento

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

Experience Impressions

I used the Elemento almost completely since its launch. I’ve taken it by way of XC, gravel, street, 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 by way of. The ports within the entrance of the helmet are arrange proper on the cash for cooling and airflow. The helmet’s gentle weight provides to this sensation, giving the Elemento a superb on-bike really feel.

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

The ports could possibly 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 may price you your shades.

Padding and sunglass holding apart, my Elemento took a beating this season—numerous 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 seems to be almost pretty much as good because the day I obtained it. The shell reveals no indicators of denting, and the shine returns rapidly with some polish.

Ultimate Ideas – Kask Elemento

The Kask Elemento is a wonderful efficiency helmet, however the $400 price ticket is a tricky capsule to swallow. Sure, there are some padding points, however these are a fast repair with glue and a brand new pad equipment. However ought to it’s a must to substitute the pads on a helmet that rapidly? It’s as much as the top person and what they deem a very powerful. The helmet’s total race efficiency and luxury are amongst my high favorites.

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

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