Kask Utopia Y evaluation: Nice consolation however common aero outcomes

Launched in 2023, the Kask Utopia Y represents a small replace on the earlier era Utopia launched in 2018. The up to date design options some extra angled aesthetic detailing, whereas the retention system and padding have been closely up to date.

Regardless of its aero intentions, the Utopia Y has since been joined within the Kask line-up by the Nirvana aero helmet, which contains a progressive design that comes down over the rider’s ears. Regardless, the Utopia Y remains to be steered by Kask as being one among its high aero helmets and as being higher ventilated for racing on scorching days. In actual fact, it may very well be seen on the heads of a number of Ineos Grenadiers riders on the 2024 Tour de France on scorching or hilly levels.

At £245 / $300, the Kask Utopia Y is a premium helmet, however is not outdoors the realm of its opponents, particularly so far as ventilated aero-focussed helmets go. It’s a good distance behind the likes of the POC Procen Air at £360 / $400, or the Kask Elemento at £330 / $400, and extra according to the Giro Eclipse at £239 / $250. Nevertheless, the likes of the Van Rysel FCR carried out higher within the wind tunnel check and prices £79.99 / $100.

Design and specs

Like many helmets, the Kask Utopia Y makes use of a polycarbonate shell to cowl the EPS foam lining which supplies a lot of the impression safety. This shell then extends properly over the perimeters of the froth to guard it from bumps and dents whereas giving it a extra premium end. For air flow, Kask has devised one thing it calls HYVENT, a construction which options three entrance vents, a high vent, two lateral high vents, and three exhaust ports. HYVENT has been designed to assist optimise airflow by way of the helmet to spice up air flow and thermal regulation.

The largest improve to the Utopia Y is the inclusion of the up to date Octofit+ becoming system. This options the retention cradle going from temple to temple, and a far bigger injected rubber dial for simpler micro changes in comparison with the earlier smaller dial. On the rear of the helmet, the vertical stabiliser a part of the cradle for top changes has been redesigned for simpler motion whereas additionally being extra ponytail-friendly with a bigger opening.

Internally, there may be elevated padding and use of Resistex Carbon padding. This Resistex Carbon is supposed to be extra breathable than commonplace foam padding and in addition promote moisture dissipation to the outer shell, thus lowering warmth buildup across the areas the place the padding is in touch with the pinnacle. Elsewhere, Kask has additionally up to date the buckle of its new closure system, which makes use of two prongs somewhat than the same old three.

Kask has used its personal WG11 testing to check anti-rotational impression safety somewhat than licensing expertise from third-party sources like MIPS. The helmet hasn’t been examined by the unbiased testing facility Virginia Tech.

There are some queries round this as it’s listed as a separate testing group (Working Group 11) but in addition as Kask’s proprietary testing protocol.

Sizes out there are small (50-56cm), medium 52-58cm) and huge (59-62cm), whereas seven color choices can be found. Claimed weight for a medium is 240g whereas our scales put it at 264g.

Efficiency

Carrying the Kask Utopia Y, it’s immediately a really snug helmet on the pinnacle. Though it has a slender profile from the entrance, it suits my head properly even with a cap beneath. The padding on the entrance is properly huge and thick in order that I by no means obtained any indentations on my forehead even after longer rides within the helmet.

In the meantime, the retention system is beautifully snug and the strap in fake leather-based provides to the general premium really feel. Nevertheless, the brand new buckle is tougher to clip up than the earlier one, and requires a little bit of fumbling to get proper. As a rule one of many two prongs wouldn’t line up and make clipping the buckle rather more of a problem than a standard three-pronged variant. The retention system, though simple to regulate, additionally wants vertical adjustment each time the helmet is taken off and again on. It’s not a giant faff, however simply takes a bit extra time every time I put on the helmet.

Whereas using, the air flow on the helmet is the very first thing that’s observed. With present temperatures in October being between 2C/35F and 12C/54F, it’s exhausting to work out air flow efficiency in hotter climate, however there may be notable airflow going by way of the helmet.

Nevertheless, even with respectable airflow, the forehead pad does are inclined to get saturated as any rides go on, so I did have a couple of sweat dumps into my glasses. That is one thing that I are inclined to expertise with just about each helmet although personally, save for a few choices. The 2 aspect vents on the entrance do work fairly properly for glasses storage, be that conventional straight-arm ones or the extra obscure curved arms. This may make using in heat climate a bit extra palatable with out sweat in lenses, however does value a small quantity of aero efficiency.

By way of aero efficiency, if we consult with our large-scale wind tunnel helmet check evaluating 23 completely different helmets, the Kask Utopia ranked tenth out of that checklist. It was solely 5.1 watts down on the POC Procen Air (quickest helmet) at 40kph, however practically 10 watts slower at 50kph. For the needs of testing, we made certain all different equipment was standardised (bike, wheels, equipment, footwear and anything that might affect outcomes) in addition to the place on the bike in order that the one variable was the helmet. That does not sound like an enormous distinction, and actually, for a 40km time trial at 250 watts, the Kask would solely be 22 seconds slower. However for these racing and focussing on each achieve, that point will matter.

Now Kask has obtained the brand new Nirvana, which takes a number of aero components on the Utopia Y and enhances them with up to date venting, ear covers, and prolonged profile for in concept a greater airfoil. Nevertheless, Kask remains to be providing the Utopia Y and Ineos are nonetheless racing in it because it provides barely higher air flow than the Nirvana whereas nonetheless being extra aero than the likes of the Elemento.

Safety-wise, Kask has forgone any third-party impression safety expertise reminiscent of MIPS (a rotational impression safety system you’ll be able to examine right here in our information to MIPS) in favour of its personal association of froth densities.

MIPS is one instance of expertise that permits motion of the pinnacle throughout the inside of the helmet within the occasion of a crash to scale back rotational impression forces which were linked to elevated incidence of concussion.

Utilizing its personal WG11 testing, KASK says the helmet performs properly towards rotational impression forces in an try to scale back the probabilities of concussion and mind accidents. Nevertheless, there aren’t any unbiased rankings from the likes of the Virginia Tech. WG11 and VT use completely different testing protocols, and a little bit of digging exhibits that WG11 makes use of a forty five˚ angle of impression and velocity of 6m/s, whereas Virginia Tech makes use of various angles of impression towards a forty five˚ object and 4.8 and seven.3m/s. There’s then further confusion over what WG11 is, as it’s each the ‘Working Group 11’ which Kask is a member of, and in addition a trademarked possession of Kask.

Certainly “Rotational Influence WG11 Take a look at Handed” is trademarked by Kask and different manufacturers can’t use it. Nevertheless, the Kask Elemento, one other WG11-approved helmet, does rating 5 stars within the Virginia Tech checks, so there seems to be some consistency between WG11 and VT testing and outcomes.

For what it is price, I’ve had a couple of head-on impacts in Kask’s Mojito helmet up to now, and haven’t had any long-term results. I wasn’t keen to voluntarily put the Utopia Y by way of that very same testing.

Worth

By way of worth, at £245 / €274.99 / $300, the Kask Utopia Y sits fairly squarely within the center with regards to the present crop of performance-focussed aero helmets. Usually, the typical pricing sits round £200-250 with a number of outliers on both aspect. The likes of the POC Procen Air and Specialised Evade III are costlier, however carried out higher in our wind tunnel testing, whereas the far cheaper Van Rysel FCR additionally outperformed the Kask. However there are different components to contemplate.

The end on the Kask is properly premium due to the shell extending properly across the EPS foam, and different options just like the fake leather-based strap. Consolation is a very robust level for the Utopia Y too, with a superb retention system that, though it may be a little bit of a faff at occasions, does nonetheless present a really snug match.

Taking these components into consideration, the helmet provides cheap worth, however the out-and-out aero efficiency is an space that now lags behind the competitors.

Verdict

Total, the Kask Utopia Y is a fairly good efficiency street helmet. The air flow is above common, and whereas the aero efficiency is in the identical ballpark as its competitors, it has been overtaken by the present crop of aero helmets out there immediately.

Consolation is a giant plus of the helmet due to the brand new retention system, though some fidgety particulars do let it down a contact. Worth-wise, it’s firmly within the center floor for aero helmets. In the case of security, I’ve religion that it’s going to defend my head properly within the occasion of a crash, which is vitally essential. Subjectively I believe it appears good too.