Known for its high-end saddles and shoes, Fizik’s kit is engineered for performance, and it seems everyone’s got a little excited about Fizik’s venture into the helmet game. The new Kassis MTB helmet builds on this, adding high-end Mips Air Node protection, extended coverage, a custom crown adjustment cradle system, massive amounts of venting and some neat safety features. It gets a five-star rating from Virginia Tech, and that's as good as it gets.
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Fizik Kassis helmet - Technical details
Constructed using a conventional in-moulded EPS-PC structure, the Kassis features extended coverage at the front, temple areas and rear and a thin reinforcement bridge, which runs through the helmet at the front for extra strength. It features MIPS Air Node protection, which is a low-friction layer laminated onto the base of the padding to help reduce the rotational motion of angled impacts. Attached to the EPS liner and points of the cradle via velcro tabs, it’s designed to release in the event of an angled impact, and it is super svelte and light compared to other MIPS systems.
I like the look of this helmet, it’s not overly bulky, and shares a few similarities with the Fox Speedframe, Smith Payroll and POC Kortal. It’s available in three colours. Navy, white, and sand, all of which share the same split colour design. The rear vents are designed to securely hold your glasses when not in use, and the peak has four points of adjustability. With a total of 15 generously sized vents, airflow looks like it should be awesome.
Fizik has created a fully adjustable fit system, which may, and I do say may, cater for all head shapes. As well as four points of vertical adjustment on tilt for the helmets' cradle and a micrometric dial to fine-tune fit, their unique Custom Crown Adjustment system allows for next-level tailoring of fit. The retention cradle achieves this by offering 3 points of attachment to the EPS liner. Each of which, as you move backwards, allows for rounder head shapes. Attached using small rubber push-fit pins, it’s a quick and easy change to make to work out what works best for you. A very simple and clever system.
Fizik has also gone all out on nighttime safety, and this is also done in a sleek and clever way. The Kassis features a small clip-in rear 25 LED, 35 Lumen light that easily pushes into place. It’s USB-C rechargeable, and when not in use, you can opt for a reflector plate or a simple logo cover plate. The strap of the helmet also has a thin reflective material layer to further bolster nighttime visibility.
Available in sizes small: 52-56cm (330g), medium: 56-59cm (360g) and large: 59-61cm (400g). I tested the size medium. Now let's get into it…
Fizik Kassis MTB Helmet - Performance
With so many awesome-looking trail lids on the market from the likes of Fox, POC and Smith, for example, Fizik have had their work cut out to create something to catch your attention and make you part with your money. Well, I think they have done that, producing a great-looking helmet that does, in my opinion, look just as good as some of the big hitters out there.
I tested the size medium (56-59cm) and used the first red pin on the Custom Crown Adjustment cradle to allow for my slightly thinner head shape. Using the micrometric dial at the rear allowed for small adjustments to get a snug and secure fit. The padding, although pretty thin, is more than ample to provide a decent level of cushioning. It’s secured using a simple buckle, but I would have loved to have seen a Fidlock buckle at this price point.
To my annoyance, I discovered that some of my favourite glasses weren’t compatible with the Kassis. The helmet sat deep at my forehead and temples, which made wearing some models a no-go. This may not be a problem if you have a taller forehead. Adjusting the crown tilt to the top setting gave me the correct fit, but still not enough room for some glasses, which were tight to front of the helmet or butted up beneath the temple part of the shell. But on the whole, most were OK if not a snug fit.
The Kassis is certainly a well-ventilated lid and feels very light once on; the huge inlet vents at the front and forehead provided a steady cooling amount of airflow, which exited at the equally large rear air-exhaust outlet vents via the large internal channels, leaving my head amazingly sweat-free and cool. In this current hot spell, it’s been a great lid to hit the trails in, especially as I didn’t end any rides with the reward of sweat dripping down my forehead.
I didn’t experience any hot spots or pressure points when wearing the Kassis owing to the great fit of the Crown Adjustment Fit System, and also didn’t feel the need to fiddle with fit once out riding.
Going back to the glasses issue. Riding rough trails, some glasses did clatter a little bit against the temple part of the front of the helmet. I wasn’t enough to be overly annoying, but something to note. I did use the glasses storage built into the rear vents of the helmet for a safe place to stash my glasses, and it was secure enough.
The rear light/reflector is a super neat additiont ot the Kassis. They swap out easily, and I settled on the clean-looking logo plate for now, as the light is small and light enough to carry in my pocket if needed.
In short, I felt well ventilated, found the Kassis comfy, and always felt well protected; it doesn't hurt that it looks killer, too.
Fizik Kassis helmet - Verdict
The Fizik Kassis retails for £190, which is quite spendy, but you’re getting a high level of performance and protection for your money. Smith Optics’ Payroll helmet is closely priced and a great option at £175. It does share some visual similarities to the Kassis and uses Koroyd and a MIPS Evolve Core cradle for protection, so another highly protective helmet – and it’s available in loads of colour options.
The Fox Speedframe Pro helmet retails at £165 and is a hard one to beat. Employing the same Mips Air Node system for protection and a Boa fit system, it's super comfy and with 17 vents, breathes brilliantly. It’s one hell of a looker, and Liam scored it highly.
The Kassis certainly delivers on performance. It’s very well vented, comfortable, and I felt very well protected wearing it. Fizik have nailed its aestetic and my only real niggle is the compatiability with some galsses. But as I mentioned, fit is subjective, so you may have no problems.
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