LAZER COYOTE KINETICORE HELMET REVIEW – HIGH TECH PROTECTION FOR LESS

Lazer wowed the MBA wrecking crew last year with its Jackal KinetiCore helmet winning our half-shell trail helmet shootout. Lazer has since come out with the Coyote KinetiCore, a value-priced version of the Jackal coming in at $100 less than the flagship model, with many of the same features. We were quite curious to see how it stacks up to its bigger brother and the competition.

Tech features:

The Coyote KinetiCore is made of EPS foam with a polycarbonate shell and 21 vents. Lazer’s TurnSys retention system provides custom-fitted stability, and a magnetic buckle offers one-handed connection and release. Their KinetiCore technology consists of raised blocks molded into the EPS, creating engineered crumple zones that not only add to direct impact absorption but rotational as well.

It’s lighter than many other rotational impact protection systems, too. According to Lazer, the KinetiCore is 3 percent lighter than the MIPS-equipped version of the Coyote. As a result of its safety technology, it receives a five-star protection rating from Virginia Tech, the highest rating available. It also meets CPSC and EN 1078 safety standards. This helmet is offered in five different colors: Matte Cali, Matte White/Black, Matte Black, Matte Dark Green, and Matte Purple Fade.

 

Field test results:

From a styling standpoint, the Coyote looks a lot like the Jackal, and test riders agreed that this is a good thing. Overall, we really like the clean looks of the Coyote. It also draws high marks for its overall comfort. The fit seems to agree with oval-shaped heads best, but the TurnSys retention system helped not just with stability, but with dialing in the fit for various head shapes as well. It is adjustable up and down, making it easy to find the perfect spot on the back of the head. The helmet’s padding is thick and comfortable, but it’s noticeably wider across the top of the head compared to the Jackal. This seems to limit airflow. In all fairness, the Jackal is one of the best we’ve used in this department, so the Coyote is merely on par with most of the competition.

Test riders really appreciate the adjustable visor, because we can tip it up out of our field of vision, or lower it when it rains or the sun is low in the sky and in our eyes. Or, it tips all the way up for goggle storage if that’s your thing. We got along great with the magnetic closure that makes one-handed operation a snap and the old click-style closures seem archaic in comparison. Like its big brother, the Coyote has channels built into the lower edges where eyewear arms pass by for extra clearance, and it works quite well with a wide variety of glasses we tried. It’s lightweight, too. At 331 grams, the Coyote weighs 10 grams less than the Jackal.

Besides ventilation, the Coyote comes up short in the form of a few small details like a lack of light or GoPro mount, or goggle strap grippers in back like the Jackal has. Its nylon straps are also made of a noticeably heavier nylon than the Jackal’s ultra-light and thin-feeling straps. For most riders, these small, missing details are not worth a hundred bucks, making the Coyote a great choice for the rider who wants a great-looking helmet that gets all the big things right.

HITS:

• Clean styling
• Comfortable
• Adjustable visor
• Value price

MISSES:

• Not quite as airy as the very best

STAR RATING: ★★★★1/2

Weight: 331 grams (size medium)
Price: $110
Contact: www.lazersport.us