The $110 Lazer Coyote Kineticore Helmet is Fully Featured [Review]

Photo: Leah Barber

The Lazer Coyote Kineticore mountain bike helmet is a fully featured lid that brings the brand’s Kineticore rotational impact protection technology to a much lower price point. While the helmet was announced at Eurobike last year, samples are finally trickling down and I’ve been testing one over the past few weeks. It’s quickly become one of my favorite helmets.

Liner removed to show EPS material.

Lazer Coyote Kineticore specs

The Lazer Coyote Kineticore is a vented, half-shell helmet with a 3-position adjustable visor. As you might’ve guessed, it features Kineticore technology which is designed to offer rotational impact protection via the grid of raised EPS knobs that are designed to crumple and deflect in the event of a crash. I call them knobs because the inside of the helmet looks like the tread of an aggressively knobby bike tire. I’ll talk about how the helmet feels later in the review but for now, rest assured that the knobs are perfectly comfortable.

Many buyers are looking for those four magic letters when it comes to rotational impact protection, though as Lazer points out, the Coyote Kineticore earned a 5-star VA Tech helmet safety rating just like many of those that include MIPS. The brand also says the Kineticore design allows them to save weight.

The Coyote Kineticore uses a fairly standard ratcheting fit system that can be adjusted up or down to accommodate various hairstyles. The nylon chin straps come together at a magnetic Fidlock buckle, and unlike other Lazer helmets I’ve tested in the past, the straps have plenty of length to fit my long face.

With 22 good-sized vents, the Lazer Coyote Kineticore is well-ventilated. This winter I’ve worn it with and without a beanie underneath and the helmet has proved versatile. Lazer offers their own winter kit as a separate purchase for cooler days on the trail.

Rounding out the feature set, the helmet has a recess for eyewear that minimizes interference with the temples that I found works as advertised. The size medium I’ve been testing weighs 352g. There are six colorways and four sizes to choose from.

I asked one of those text-to-image bots to give me a photo of a laser coyote. Not bad, but I think my photos of the helmet are more accurate.

Lazer Coyote Kineticore fit and feel

I found the size medium to fit true to size with a good amount of adjustability in the retention system to go tighter or looser if necessary. As I mentioned I was able to fit a beanie underneath for cold rides, and the chin strap has a bit of extra length to it for a comfortable (and safe) two-finger fit.

Inside there’s medium thick, single-piece padding that’s velcro’d in place and it covers much of the Kineticore Controlled Crumple Zone grid. This padding includes the brow pad which is fairly absorbent and comfortable, leaving no visible red forehead mark when it’s time to take the helmet off. The padding feels pretty durable and should be good for a few washes during the season, and Lazer lists replacement pads for sale on their website (though they are currently listed as out of stock.)

I found that the thick padding causes the helmet to ride off the top of my head a bit which is a different feeling than others I’ve worn recently. I needed to adjust the retention system down for a better fit but now that it’s dialed, the helmet feels great. I’ve been wearing it on some longer, 3+ hour rides this winter with zero complaints.

I’ve also been riding in the Coyote at night, and it’s easy to mount a light to the flatish spot at the top, and loop the velcro fasteners through the vents. Lights add extra weight to the helmet and I found tightening the retention system a couple clicks adds stability without making things too uncomfortable.

Now, about those bumpy-looking knobs inside the helmet: I haven’t noticed them. They’re really only exposed on the sides, and while I’m sure they are in contact with my head, they seem to be flat enough and distributed in a way that the inside feels just like a normal helmet.