Combining comfort, ventilation and style for year-round riding
Words Jack Lynch
I’ve been riding Kask’s Protone Icon for the better part of 12 months now, and until I sat down to write this review, I really hadn’t thought much about the helmet for about 11-and-a-half of those months.
Such is its comfort, low weight and use in all seasons, I haven’t thought about any other helmets either.
Like many bike riders, I have multiple helmets for different conditions, ride type and (dare I say it) fashion choices.
With my Protone Icon, I don’t need to make any decisions – it is the Kask every day on road or dirt.
The Protone was released in 2014 to great fanfare, with the legendary Team Sky said to have played a major role in its development.
The helmet was light, well-ventilated and, apparently, aerodynamic.
A decade on and the latest rendition, the Protone Icon WG11, still boasts all these claims.
My medium weighs 295g, which isn’t particularly feathery, but soft inserts and sturdy shell work together to keep it firmly planted at all times, making me forget I’m wearing it.
The vents work great too, thanks to clever channelling in the helmet’s shell.
It just takes a glance to see how Kask directs air from the front of the helmet through its rear, cooling the rider’s head as it flows.
Every vent is connected with another via the channels, and it seems to work.
For a helmet that’s billed as semi-aerodynamic, it does a great job keeping the rider cool.
Another element of the Protone Icon I’ve enjoyed is the fixing system at the rear of the helmet.
Every time you put it on, pull down the plastic fastening unit and tighten the ratchet wheel one or two clicks, it clasps comfortably, putting no discernible pressure on any part of my head.
Click up using Kask’s famous leather strap and I’m ready for all-day riding.
There’s no fancy Boa dial or other system, but it’s simple and effective and, given it’s plastic, there’s no chance of it seizing or corroding over time.
This helmet is yet to hit the deck (thankfully!) and it still looks brand new despite being subject to all kind of weather on and off road.
The decals are still pristine and the padding is still crisp, even though they have gone through the wash a few times.
If I was to crash, Kask’s WG11 technology has me covered.
Kask has not employed the Mips system, instead developing its own rotational impact test to ensure its helmets are best in class for safety, as well as style.
The test is performed by an independent lab and Kask will only release helmets (across cycling, equestrian and snow sports) if they pass the test.
There are an absurd 12 colours of Protone Icon to choose from, so if you’re in the market for a helmet for all seasons that looks great and is comfortable, safe and hard-wearing, this could be the one for you.
It is for me.
THE SPEC
Price $430
Key features Strong inner frame, faux leather chinstrap, Octofit+ retention system
Weight 295g (medium)
Sizes S, M, L
Colours White, Red, Black, Black Matt, Blue Matt, White Matt, Grey Matt, Olive Green Matt, Lavender Matt, Tangerine Matt, Sahara Matt, Forest Green Matt
Contact kask.com/en-au
