Fizik Kudo helmet review

An eye-catching and comfortable option with a couple of small flaws

- Warren Rossiter

The Kudo is the lightest and best ventilated of Fizik’s new road helmets, with a rounded, low-volume design, an airy feel and a highly adjustable fit. However, the somewhat scratchy straps and a clip-in rear light that needs to be more secure detract from its performance, especially considering its stratospheric cost.

The Good Wonderful fit; fantastic finish to the shell; cool and comfortable

The Bad Expensive; rear light isn't as secure as I'd like; coarse strap edges

Standing out

This is a sleek-looking lid, especially in the bronze colourway of my test sample. The light matt finish, contrasting mid-tone and high-gloss metallic insert at the rear make for a premium appearance. Looks aside, the in-moulded shell provides coverage throughout the whole of the helmet, adding optimal protection to the expanded polystyrene core.

At 337.2g for the size-large sample | tested (including light), the Kudo is a lightweight helmet, although not as light as the Lazer Z1 Kineticore (272g, large) or the similarly priced Specialized S-Works Prevail 3 (305g, large). \like that the Kudo design prioritises protection of the core cover shaving grams, though.

There are two large horizontal brow vents and seven big forward-facing air intakes, the lowest of which are shaped to grip sunglasses. Five vents across ‘the crown and twin exhaust ports at the rear make for a very open design, while huge internal channels add to the airflow.