Lazer today broke away from MIPS with its proprietary KinetiCore technology, unveiling its "biggest new product in a decade."

Inspired by automotive crumple zones, KinetiCore forgoes incorporating a separate liner for enhanced rotational impact protection. Instead, Lazer molded the helmet's EPS (expanded polystyrene) material into blocks inside the helmet. These are designed to deform and break upon impact and are positioned at specific points to function regardless of the angle of impact.

According to Razor, the results are positive in every respect, improving ventilation, manufacturing costs, and environmental impact without compromising safety.

At the same time, the brand is introducing six new helmets featuring the new KinetiCore technology. Two of them are road helmets, the Vento and Strada, successors to the Bullet 2.0 and Blade+, respectively. There is also a Jackal mountain bike helmet, a CityZen commuter helmet, and two children's helmets.

As a brand, Lazer has received the highest five-star rating from Virginia Tech (open in new tab), an independent helmet safety testing organization. Virginia Tech is arguably the most prestigious and one of the only independent testing organizations for bicycle helmets in the world, and its results are critical to the success of any brand. As of this writing, Lazer has 16 helmets that have earned five stars on Virginia Tech's results page, every single one of which is equipped with a MIPS liner. [MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a Swedish company that manufactures slip liners for helmets. The liner is designed to allow the helmet to rotate several degrees independently of the head, effectively reducing G-forces on the head itself and the brain inside. This system is used by many major helmet brands because it is expected to reduce the risk of concussion.

Despite its success with MIPS, Lazer followed POC and Bontrager in developing its own solution. However, while Bontrager used a novel construction called WaveCel and POC added "shear pads," Lazer kept things simple and stuck with good old EPS, the primary material in all cycling helmets.

Lazer was able to achieve the same level of protection with less material by designing the helmet from the ground up with both rotational and linear protection in mind, rather than putting rotational impact on the back burner, and avoiding the use of MIPS liners, without compromising safety, cost, The company states that it was able to save on plastic and weight.

In fact, the brand has already had Virginia Tech test four of its six new helmets, with three receiving five stars.

Lazer says it incorporated a "controlled crumple zone" into the helmet by redesigning the helmet's inner face from the ground up; Lazer replaced the otherwise smooth inner surface with a set of specially placed, shaped blocks, so that the helmet It claims that it functions like a car's crumple zone, which deliberately deforms and breaks upon impact.

According to Brand, there is no universal approach, and as a result, it is unlikely that two different helmets would share the same formation or placement of blocks. In fact, because of the individuality of the design, the same model may differ in different sizes.

Concurrent with this announcement, Lazer also announced news of two new road helmets, the Vento aero helmet and the Strada.

The Vento has an MSRP of €269.99 and replaces the Bullet 2.0 as the best aero helmet in Lazer's lineup. Lazer claims that it weighs between 260g and 290g, depending on compliant regulations, is 90g lighter than the Bullet 2.0 MIPS, uses 90g less plastic than the previous model, and is 2.3 percent more aerodynamic. It is also 94 percent cooler than the bare head. It comes with a new "Scrollsys" retention system, integrated eyewear docking, and a mounting port for a 40-lumen rear light accessory (sold separately).

Strada retails for €109.99 and also includes the Scrollsys retention system, eyewear docking, and rear light mount; at 270-290g, it is 20g lighter than the Blade+, uses 20g less plastic, and offers 98% cooling efficiency We're told.

We've spent the last few weeks putting the Vento through its paces, and you can read more about it in our Lazer Vento review.