In case you watched the Tour de France (and the way may you not? It was wonderful), you undoubtedly seen that the INEOS Grenadiers Biking Workforce supported a brand new cool helmet from KASK. The cat is lastly out of the bag, and that speedy new Aero helmet is the KASK Nirvana. The Nirvana is a performance-focused design that gives minimal drag and most consolation for street, observe, and triathlete-focused cycles.
KASK Nirvana – Over the Ears Aero
KASK regarded for a lot of methods to make the brand new Nirvana helmet extra aerodynamic. After in depth CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations, which measured aerodynamic efficiency, air flow, and thermoregulation, they settled on the present form.
The KASK Nirvana delivers a claimed 35% discount in aerodynamic drag and a 19% enhance in air flow in comparison with one of the best aero helmets in its class. We’re guessing the Trek Ballista, Specialised Evade III, and POC Procen Air (although there are numerous extra).
A novel function of the KASK Nirvana is that it incorporates ear covers. You learn that proper: ear covers. The covers enable airflow to be channeled extra effectively across the helmet. Wouldn’t the covers be sizzling? Sure, however not as a result of KASK makes use of inner channeling to chill the top and permit air to move round. The jury is out (till our take a look at helmet arrives) if this works and cools the top. But when it’s something just like the KASK Elemento we examined a few 12 months again, the padding performs an enormous half.
3D Printed Multipod Padding
Very similar to the Ememento, the brand new KASK Nirvana helmet options Multipod expertise, which makes use of 3D-printed inner padding. The padding (within the Elemento) could be very snug and permits air to cross simply across the inside the helmet.
It’s a mixture of agency, supportive, and comparatively sweat-resistant. The one downside with the 3D padding within the KASK Elemento was that it began to detach from the helmet later within the season.
The 3D padding additionally works as a security slip-style liner. It permits the helmet to face up to linear and rotational impacts and capabilities higher isotropically, which means it behaves the identical approach in whichever path the pressure is utilized.
Merino Wool Padding and Return to Fake Leather-based
We discovered sweat retention to be a problem with the KASK Elemento. KASK added Merino wool padding on the entrance and aspect of the Nirvana helmet to fight this. Merino wool isn’t simply nice at absorbing sweat; it additionally retains helmet odor to a minimal.
Just like the Elemento, the KASK Nirvana makes use of the KASK OCTOFIT+ adjustment system. The OCTOFIT + makes use of a vertical sliding movement as a substitute of some helmets’ set-it-and-forget-it fashion. The retention is a single dial, which is safe and difficult to over-tighten.
Departing from the webbing-style strap of the Elemento, the KASK Nirvana returns to the KASK classics’ traditional fake leather-based strap. The helmet additionally incorporates a sun shades port on the entrance and a reflective graphic on the again for sensible use.
What About Security?
The KASK Nirvana was explicitly designed to go quick, however it’s a helmet, so it should additionally shield the rider. The KASK Nirvana was designed underneath the KASK Rotational Impression WG11 Check, an inner testing regime adopted by the corporate that measures the efficiency of its helmets towards rotational impacts. I’m positive a Virginia Tech report can be popping out quickly to confirm the protection.
KASK Nirvana Colour Choices and Pricing
The KASK Nirvana is on the market in conventional Black or White matte, Cherry Burst, Blueberry Fade, and Ultraviolet—three brand-new colorways that includes graduated shading.
- Weight: 270 grams (dimension M)
- Sizes: M and L
- Worth: EUR 360, GBP 320, USD 400, and AUD 570
