LEM Volata helmet

The LEM Volata helmet offers a comfortable shape, plenty of adjustment and a decent weight for the money. It's well worth a look if you want to go semi-aero on a budget, although ventilation could be an issue as temperatures rise.

• Pros: Adjustment for circumference and height, attention to detail
• Cons: Ventilation will be an issue when it gets hot outside

I was pleasantly surprised when I first wore the Volata, especially as the fit is so good. There is adjustment for the circumference of your head by the usual dial, and the system runs right the way round to your temples. Some cheaper helmets only adjust at the back, so it's good that the LEM allows you to dial in an equal tension pretty much all the way around the helmet. The cradle can also be adjusted in height by five settings as well.

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The padding is quite a thick density but it makes for plenty of comfort. You also get a pad added to the rear of the cradle, again not something you always see on top end helmets and it all adds to the value.

The webbing for the straps is well stitched and soft against the skin, but although LEM says that it is reflective I have reservations about how effective it actually is. Directing a light at it highlights the subtle black reflective stickers on the back of the helmet, but the webbing bounced back very little light.

At 272g for this medium size it is about right for a helmet of this price. A Kask Mojito X is double the money but only shaves off 60g, although saying that, holding both side by side it's amazing how much you can notice that 60g.

The Volata is a semi-aero design, which often affects ventilation. It's been okay at this time of year, but as the temperatures have been increasing it has become a little bit on the warm side. I can imagine when we hit spring and summer it might be a little bit overwhelmed, even though it does have quite a few vents at the front and rear, 17 in total.

Some helmets, like the Met Manta Aero, actually feel like they are sucking the air in through the minimal number of vents.

> Should you buy an aero helmet?

Price-wise, it compares well with a lot of similar helmets. The Cannondale Intake is a similar weight for the same price; Dave found it to have decent ventilation, but the LEM does have height adjustment for the cradle.

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The Volata has better ventilation than the Giro Isode MIPS helmet, which is about the same weight, and will cost you another tenner too.

Overall, the LEM Volata does a very good job of delivering a decent semi-aero helmet for £60, but there are some compromises.

Verdict

For the money there is a lot to like, especially the amount of adjustability for fit, but ventilation could be an issue