Although cycling is a sustainable and eco-friendly sport, many of the accessories associated with it are not. The new Lazer Verde KinetiCore helmet is seeking to address that with sustainable construction, materials and packaging. With a retail price of $99.99, the Verde is constructed from 70% recycled material and features an e-bike NTA-8776 safety certification. The helmet has also achieved a 4-star Virginia tech rating thanks to Lazer’s KinetiCore which consists of specifically engineered EPS blocks that are designed to absorb rotational and direct impacts. Lazer has also designed the Verde with urban cycling in mind by incorporating concealed vents that keep water out and an integrated mount for Lazer’s universal helmet taillight.
The Lazer Verde KinetiCore is an eco-friendly and sleek urban helmet with a high-speed NTA-8776 certification that’s perfect for e-bikes.
| Rating | 8.8 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $99.99 |
| Measured weight (in g) | 419 (S/M) |
| Likes | + Eco-friendly construction and packaging + Concealed air vents keep water but air through + Attractive yet simple urban styling with unique colors |
| Dislikes | – Lacks a brim or visor option – Visually very similar to Lazer Cityzen KinetiCore helmet |
| Where to Buy (US) | Lazer |
UNBOXING
As a part of the sustainable approach, the packaging for the Lazer Verde KinetiCore has been simplified and minimized. The box is compact and has specs and graphics printed directly onto the cardboard along with a small window cutout to see the helmet. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Lazer Verde KinetiCore helmet
- Thin fabric bag
It’s great to see Lazer replace the traditional plastic bag with the fabric version which can be recycled or reused as a storage bag.
FIT & FINISH
Lazer markets the Verde KinetiCore as one of the most sustainable helmets available with 70% recycled materials. It’s not just marketing either, as the Verde uses no velcro, glue or in-molded parts. Even the exterior of the helmet has no paint, instead the plastic itself is dyed. Lazer currently offers the helmet in four different colors: matte white stone (off-white), lemongrass (light green), sage green and gray onyx (black). We have the sage green color in this review which looks like a mix between blue and green in person and has a solid color scheme. The helmet itself has a hardshell design with an outer shell that is attached to a foam interior. While there are vents in the shell there is only foam visible through them. Lazer has hidden the actual vents under the shell which allows this helmet to be used in the rain while still providing ventilation.
As an urban helmet, the Verde has a classic commuter design with an extended rear coverage and less venting than you’d find on road cycling helmets. Unlike the Bern Hudson or Thousand Chapter helmets, the Verde has a smooth front with no brim to block the sun out. On the rear of the helmet there are also a few interesting features with Lazer’s ECOLOC. It’s a clever removable rear tab that can be opened to separate the shell from the foam core of the helmet. It’s designed to allow the helmet to easily be disassembled for recycling once it’s reached its end of life. There is also what looks like a small USB like slot that is used for Lazer’s universal helmet tail light mounting. It’s a simple mount design that lets you lock the taillight in place for additional visibility at night and looks inconspicuous with no tail light.
The helmet features Lazer’s TurnSys fit system which uses a standard wrap around cradle system. There is a rear dial that lets you adjust the tightness of the cradle and has an easy to grip design. The helmet uses lightweight nylon straps with non-adjustable side straps. Instead the strap position can slightly be adjusted by pulling down on each side. The other unique feature about this helmet is the KinetiCore technology. This is Lazer’s alternative to MIPS or other rotational protection systems and uses EPS crush zones. The three-dimensional structures of foam are designed to collapse in an accident to reduce the impact that would otherwise transfer to your head. It’s a simple design that eliminates the need for separate parts or any additional weight. Lazer has adopted KinetiCore across their helmet lineup and with the Vento this achieves a 4-star Virginia Tech crash rating.
ON THE ROAD
We’ve been lucky enough to have tested nearly all of Lazer’s KinetiCore helmets and even did a cyclist guide video showing them side by side. The Lazer Verde is nearly identical visually to the Lazer Cityzen KinetiCore helmet but adds the higher speed NTA-8776 certification that provides peace of mind when riding e-bikes. The Verde also has a simplified sizing with only two sizes available: S/M and M/L with no larger sizes available. We found the S/M size fit similarly to the normal M size we’ve worn with plenty of space to accommodate beanies or winter gear. Even without the adjustable side splitters, the Verde KinetiCore was a comfortable helmet and lightweight for an urban helmet at only 419 grams. The concealed venting also does a good job allowing air through the helmet while keeping water out in wet conditions.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Lazer Verde KinetiCore to be an eco-friendly and well constructed urban cycling helmet. Lazer has integrated their lightweight KinetiCore technology into the Verde to achieve a 4-star Virginia tech rating and the high-speed NTA-8776 certification. It’s a simple design that allows the Verde helmet to be both lightweight and have good airflow with an open interior. We found the helmet to be comfortable and attractive with the unique solid color schemes. The only negatives we’d call out is that the helmet lacks a brim or visor option and that the Verde is visually too similar to Lazer’s other helmet offerings. That said, the Lazer Verde helmet offers safety and sustainability for urban cycling or commuters.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Lazer. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.