KASK Caipi Helmet review £119.00
A good-looking and comfy – if not quite perfect – lid
Jim Clarkson
|
Jan 23 2020 |
Helmets
Overall
Quality
Performance
Value
What's good?
- Large vent ports for keeping you cool
- Decent coverage
What's not?
- Sweat-inducing faux leather chin strap
- Weak-feeling snap to the buckle
Buy if...
You like light no fuss trail lids and sweaty chins
Though better known for roadie stuff, KASK should not be ignored for off-road lids, as this new Caipi demonstrates. It’s a well-fitting, easily adjustable, lightweight and good looking trail helmet, with plenty of venting that manages not to compromise coverage. There are niggles, such as with the chinstrap and buckle, but they're minor.
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The Caipi feels lighter than other lids I’ve tested at this price, and fits with greater refinement. With 22 ports to channel air and a smooth peak to guide it in, the Caipi cools well.
The peak is designed to come off under a meaningful impact, too, rather than dig in and stop your head while the rest of you is still rolling.
The straps are easily adjusted, though I didn’t like the buckle as it clicks home rather weakly and – unusually – does up to the left-hand side. Also, the webbing is made from some sort of faux leather, which gets very sweaty – I’d much rather see the lighter webbing from the higher straps used here.
The plastic shell extends right round under the edges, protecting the inner foam from day-to-day knocks and scuffs. The whole lid feels nicely finished and well made.
The padding is spot on – it's soft, absorbs a decent amount of sweat, and creates enough cushioning to eliminate any tight spots without being so thick the helmet feels unstable.
The Caipi does a great job and is really comfortable. It keeps you cool, and is light enough that you don’t feel it very much at all. It's reassuring that, despite the multitude of vents, coverage is still good – it doesn't feel like a road helmet at all, and gives off a welcome feeling of protection.
I really like the Caipi. Its low weight, strong styling, good fit and broad range of colours make it a real contender – get rid of the sweat-inducing chin strap and it would be a real winner. Though this gloss helmet is priced at £119, the matte finish option is £129.
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Test report KASK Caipi Helmet review £119.00
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