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review

Kask Dieci helmet

8
£130.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Top end racing helmet with an excellent retention system that prioritises fit and comfort over light weight
Weight: 
318g
Contact: 
<a href="http://www.kask.it/product.php?cat=1&product=16">www.kask.it</a>

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Kask helmets are a familiar name these days, the Italian brand having sponsored Team Sky since their inception. The Dieci sits towards the top end of their range with a hefty price tag to match, and prioritises fit and comfort over all-out light weight.

In contrast to most other top-end helmets, the Dieci is only available in a single size. This is made possible by Kask's highly adjustable 'Up-N-Down' retention system, which uses a hinged cradle to provide a massive amount of vertical adjustability in addition to the usual dial for tightening it up. Being able to position the retention system down low on the back of the head makes for a much more secure-feeling helmet. Indeed, the Dieci blows most of the competition away in this respect.

Despite being made from quite chunky plastic (which is less likely to break in a crash) the system has just enough flex to conform to the shape of the head which, coupled with the inclusion of some textured padding, makes it very comfortable. Comfort is obviously a big priority, as Kask have chosen to spec plenty of proper foam pads inside the helmet itself, whereas more overtly lightweight helmets often compromise in this area.

Speaking of weight, our Dieci weighs in at a porky 318g (38g heavier than advertised), but carries that weight well by virtue of the excellent retention system. Some may baulk at this number, especially considering the Dieci's £130 price tag, but those who prioritise fit and safety should be well served. If weight is a key consideration, then some of Kask's other race lids, such as the Vertigo, would be a better option.

The only real downside to the excellent system is that it can interfere with some sunglasses as the hinge sits quite close to the back of the ear. This can be overcome with a bit of fiddling, but whatever you do, there will likely be some overlap, so you'll have to either place the arms over the retention system or under it. In practise, this was only a minor issue and easily resolved with a few minor adjustments.

Construction wise, the Dieci is your typical in-moulded helmet, and features 19 air vents. Ventilation is on par with other racing helmets in this price bracket, but not exceptional. For UK conditions, it does the job.

One aspect of the vents that could have been improved has nothing at all to do with ventilation, but rather, to the ease with which one can store sunglasses in them. Due to the Dieci's vent layout, I found that I had to position my sunglasses at an angle to get them into a secure position – not conducive to that all-important pro look.

A quick glance over the Kask website and the promotional material associated with their helmets leaves you in no doubt that they are proud of their Italian heritage. The Dieci itself features a little 'Italy Made' label on one of the straps while the retention dial is painted with the Italian flag. Whether a consequence of the location of manufacture or not, the quality on construction is something that does shine through – the plastic shell to foam interface is very neat and tidy despite plenty of use over a number of months.

Representative of Kask's attention to detail and focus on comfort is the inclusion of a leatherette chin strap instead of just using the microfiber strap material. This not only improves comfort, but also make is quick and easy to clean after a particularly sweaty ride. I tend to ride with the chin strap quite loose on most helmets, but found I was comfortable wearing this leatherette strap much closer to the skin, no doubt increasing safety in case of a crash. In keeping with the Dieci's one size fits all design, the strap is long and there's plenty of room for adjustment.

Verdict

Top end racing helmet with an excellent retention system that prioritises fit and comfort over light weight. The quality of construction and the inclusion of neat details such as a leatherette chin strap go some way to justify the high price.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Kask Dieci helmet (2014)

Size tested: 53-61, white

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

According to Kask, the Dieci offers "unsurpassed comfort and fit, together with all Italian styling and manufacture, which incorporates a number of unique design features that make it stand out from the rest". Based on my experience, I'd have to agree

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

19 vents

Reflective sticker on the rear part of the helmet

Luminescent strap clips

UP-N- DOWN hinged adjustment system

Nape-guard with non-slip rubber coating

Nylon straps with reflecting strips and quick release buckle

Leatherette chin strap

Dual layer Coolmax helmet pads

Weight: 280 g

Available sizes: single size XS-XL (53-61 cm)

Comes with its own carry bag

100% made in Italy

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Excellent. The quality of the finishing is very neat.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The retention system does a great job of providing a secure and comfortable fit. Weight and ventilation could be better.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

The Dieci has held up vary well to nearly 4 months of daily abuse including a few offs

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

At 318g, the Dieci is very heavy for a racing specific helmet. It is also 38g more than advertised. That said, it does carry its weight quite well, so the difference to true light weight helmets is less noticeable

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The Up-N-Down retention system provides all the adjustment one could possibly need whilst still being comfortable. The inclusion of proper Coolmax helmet pads is a nice touch.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

On the expensive size considering its heavy weight. Its standout feature - the retention system - is available on cheaper options from Kask, such as the K50.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Retention system.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Difficult to get sunglasses to sit level in the vents.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 22  Height: 190cm  Weight: 69kg

I usually ride: Canondale EVO Red  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Semi pro

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, mtb,

 

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

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8 comments

Avatar
notfastenough | 10 years ago
0 likes

If it's one size fits all, surely it would look like a Mariokart mushroom on a smaller head?

Oh, and why do all cycling helmets have a rear that could be the back end of a spacecraft in a sci-fi plot?!

Avatar
VeloPeo replied to notfastenough | 10 years ago
0 likes
notfastenough wrote:

Oh, and why do all cycling helmets have a rear that could be the back end of a spacecraft in a sci-fi plot?!

Back of mine looks even more sci-fi at the moment. It's got a fibre-flare rear light lashed to it  3

Avatar
notfastenough replied to VeloPeo | 10 years ago
0 likes
VeloPeo wrote:
notfastenough wrote:

Oh, and why do all cycling helmets have a rear that could be the back end of a spacecraft in a sci-fi plot?!

Back of mine looks even more sci-fi at the moment. It's got a fibre-flare rear light lashed to it  3

Obviously, that's a rocket booster to make you go faster...

Avatar
VeloPeo replied to notfastenough | 10 years ago
0 likes
notfastenough wrote:

Obviously, that's a rocket booster to make you go faster...

Pah - like I need a booster  3

Avatar
alexhamps | 10 years ago
0 likes

I've just got a Mojito and the 'up down' thing is awesome. Really comfortable and makes adjustment for wearing skull caps/thicker winter hats underneath a doddle.

Avatar
VeloPeo | 10 years ago
0 likes

As the guys above have said this is an excellent helmet. Comfortable, so easy to adjust in a couple of seconds for perfect fit depending on whether you're wearing anything (like a cap) underneath. The chin strap is not only massively comfortable it's great for those of us who can be a bit beardy on occasion as beard hairs play nice with the smooth strap

Also one of the few out there that doesn't look daft on my head  1

Avatar
Shamblesuk | 10 years ago
0 likes

I also have this (2012 version). I have a massive napper and this fits perfectly. I can also borrow it to friends safe in the knowledge it will fit. The quick closure system is excellent and it has good breathability. Bit heavier than some models but feels absolutely solid, and I know what's most important to me between safety and weight.

This was the first thing I bought, even before I bought a bike, and probably the most expensive item I bought aside from the bike in the first year.

Lee

Avatar
aslongasicycle | 10 years ago
0 likes

Love this helmet. Best I've owned, and I chunk through them at a fair pace (vanity, not inability to throw myself against objects head first).
I got the matt black version meant for MTB and removed the visor. Mmmm...matt black.

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