Kask Infinity helmet

Italian company Kask's Infinity aero helmet offers easy ventilation adjustment, making it ideal for winter cycling and cyclo-cross racing.

Aerodynamics has informed most aspects of bicycle design, but nowhere is it more noticeable than cycling helmets. It's clear that the simplest step towards a more slippery helmet is to smooth over the ventilation ports. But that runs the risk of an overheating head. The Infinity helmet solves this issue with a central sliding panel, not dissimilar to Bell's Star Pro helmet. Kask calls it the Aerator vent cover.

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Closed, there are minimal vents to produce drag – just two slender ports on the rim and a couple of exhaust ports around the back and top. Slide the middle section back, though, and three huge gaping vents are exposed, allowing loads of cooling air to circulate around inside.

The idea is that you get the benefits of an aero helmet most of the time, but when you're climbing, say, you can open the vents to increase the cooling effect. It's easy to slide the cover back and forth with one hand on the move, though there is no small lever as there is on the Bell helmet.

Kask sent me this helmet to use for cyclo-cross riding and racing, and I've been doing quite a bit of it this winter. The lower speeds involved in cyclo-cross negate most of the benefits of any aerodynamic products, but the adjustable ventilation has been a boon.

Gimme shelter

On wet and windy days, of which there have been a few this winter, the closed design of the helmet provides good shelter compared with a regular helmet. It saves having to reach for a cycling cap or hat on colder rides and races, and so it's more comfortable.

The amount of ventilation needed, depending on the weather conditions, temperature and period of the race, can easily be adjusted to suit. Open it just a centimetre to let a little cooling air in towards the end of the race, or open it right up if you need the full cooling effect. There is a noticeable difference even if opening the sliding cover just a crack.

Even with the cover closed, I never experienced any excessive heat build-up – and the same can't be said about the Bell Star Pro in similar conditions.

Aside from its party trick, the helmet is well made and very comfortable. The retention system comprises a (now common) turn-dial with easy on-the-fly adjustment and good precision.

I found the medium size (my usual) provided a really good fit with no pressure points anywhere around the head, with generous antimicrobial Coolmax foam padding providing good comfort. The straps are easily adjustable with an Eco-Leather chin strap sitting comfortable against the skin.

The helmet is constructed with a polycarbonate outer layer bonded directly to the polystyrene core, with 'Frame' technology, an internal Kevlar web lattice, providing structural integrity. It passes all the usual safety standards, though I can't help wondering how the sliding vent mechanism fares in an impact.

I have no idea how aerodynamic the helmet is; without doing a comparative test of all current helmets in a wind tunnel (anyone want to pay for some wind tunnel time?), it's impossible to get any meaningful data. I can weigh the helmet, though, and on the road.cc scales it comes in at 265g, which is reasonable – that's lighter than the Bell Star Pro.

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I won't pretend that wearing the Kask Infinity helmet has helped me to go any faster in my cyclo-cross races – lack of talent is the main issue holding me back. But the protection from inclement weather and cold air has been a benefit compared with other well-ventilated helmets I normally ride, without having to resort to some other sort of headwear. The easy adjustment of the sliding vent might seem a gimmick, but it does work and I found myself using it a lot.

Verdict

Aero helmet with adjustable ventilation ideal for cyclo-cross racing and winter training