TESTED: Lazer Coyote Kineticore

The Lazer Coyote has been a great mid-range model in Lazer's trail helmet range. While it lacked some of the finishing of lids like the Impala or Jackal, with a MIPS equipped model available, the Coyote still packed a punch on safety ratings and had good coverage for an open-face trail helmet.

GROUP TEST: Trail Helmets

In early 2022, Lazer released their own Kineticore rotational impact system. Many riders find that the MIPS liner can reduce the ventilation in a helmet, and add some discomfort for those with fine hair that often gets caught in the liner. They add weight and cost to the helmet – but given the increased safety it's a worthy trade off. Rotational impact systems aid safety by reducing the overall impact to your head, helping the helmet slip a little and therefore reducing the severity if impact. Head here for an in-depth look at how they work, thanks to Anna Beck.

Kineticore has crumple zones built into the foam, with the small sections designed to twist and crush, therefore adding the slip liner protection. Material is removed from the helmet for less weight, there is more airflow, and top protection. Lazer launched the system with an updated Jackal all-mountain helmet, and then their all-new Lazer Cage full-face helmet in late 2022. Now, the Lazer Coyote Kineticore is here.

What's new on the Lazer Coyote Kineticore?

Visually, there's not a huge amount of difference from afar. There are 21 vents, with the majority being forward facing and some on top. This means the lid gulps air at speed or when dawdling up a climb. The branding is far more subtle, and Lazer have updated the straps to a more premium material that holds in place better, and is less of a sponge with sweat. Lazer have a height adjustable retention system for easy fit adjustments with or without gloves on, and the helmet didn't impede my eyewear, and it works well with goggles.

Pricing is better too, with the outgoing Coyote MIPS selling for $189, but the Coyote KC here is $159.95. My medium test helmet is 360g, about the same weight as the previous Coyote without MIPS. So the safer helmet is lighter, cheaper, and with better airflow and comfort thanks to better straps.

On the trail

I have been very happy with the fit and adjustability of every medium sized Lazer helmet I have used, and the Coyote Kineticore was no different. The retention system is open in the middle to be ponytail friendly as well. By and large, the Coyote strikes a similar look to it's burlier sibling the Jackal. The Jackal has a little more coverage with EPS foam, and secure grippers for goggle straps amongst a few other changes. But out on a trail ride I couldn't pick the difference. The Jackal KC has been one of the best ventilated trail helmets I have used, in close competition with the Specialized Ambush 2. And the Coyote KC enjoys the same breeziness. 

Given the range of adjustment from the retention system, I could easily have it cinched right under the base of my skull. Some helmets lack vertical adjustment in the retention system, meaning helmets are never as secure as they should be. They're designed to stay in place when they crash – so if your lid is loosey goosey, you're doing it wrong.

I have found the visor on Lazer helmets to have a great shape and positions, but they never stay in place as well as they should. This can be adjusted on the Lazer Jackal, but not in the same way on the Coyote, as under a poorly landed drop the visor on my test helmet will drop all the way to flat. For some this may be a fashion faux pas, for others it may impede their vision, depending on how they're riding. I find it really frustrating, necessitating taking a hand off the bar to fix, typically in situations where two hands is best practice. Our test helmet ended up going back to Lazer to see what the issue was.

Our take

Lazer keep rolling out the Kineticore system to lower price points, and that is a very good thing. They have suceeded in making another light, highly breathable trail helmet with a class-leading safety rating. Better yet, this one is nearly half the price of the Jackal Kineticore. I'd love to see an update on the visor, as I sense a little more material on the nubbin on the visor itself would remedy the situation. I would highly recommend visiting a Lazer dealer to try one on if you're in the market for a new lid.

RRP: $159.95
From: lazersport.com/au

Hits:

• Great weight, ventilation and safety
• 4 sizes available
• Easy to use retention system 

Misses:

• Visor doesn't stay in place well enough