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Increasing safety and decreasing serious head and brain injuries sit on the priority list of every helmet manufacturer. The MiPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is being used by many companies to reach for that goal. The great aspect of MiPS is that it can be integrated into virtually any helmet to act as a layer between the skull and helmet to reduce the brain/skull shearing forces that occur at impact, something a traditional helmet cannot replicate. Belgian helmet manufacturer Lazer has been a substantial player in Europe and in pro cycling and triathlon, as well as having had strong distribution in the US for about a decade, and has been an adopter of MiPS technology. With Giro and Bell dominating the market here (and also using MiPS), the striking designs and features of Lazer's best helmets have typically struggled to deeply penetrate US cycling.

Over the past few years that has started to change, with the Lazer Z1 challenging the very best road helmets of every manufacturer all over the world. Besides being a seriously lightweight everyday helmet, the Lazer Z1 also features an ecosystem of associated products that integrate with the design, such as the Magneto eyewear attachment, Aeroshell, Lifebeam, Z-LED light, and Aquapad, which helps to keep you cool on the hottest days. Cyclists seeking the best of all worlds find investing in a Z1 to be prudent, and when you factor in the terrific fit, comfort, venting, and safety systems, the Z1 has move to the top of many cyclist's Wish Lists. Now with the Z1 MiPS, you can have the highest level of brain protection as well.

Lazer starts with a simple concept- building the best helmet as light as possible. As such, every material, every feature, and the overall design is optimized for light weight. Rider comfort through fit and ventilation then define the structural elements and the integration of systems such as retention, adjustment, and safety. The In-Mold polycarbonate and EPS construction process is shared by almost all of the top helmet companies, but Lazer is masterful with shaping and sculpting the EPS foam to keep the overall helmet profile limited and creating ideal ventilation flow and air circulation to release heat and moisture as efficiently as possible. The 31 vents are either optimized to draw in or release air, and are designed for moderate aerodynamics. The Z1 has gone through considerable vent tunnel and windtunnel testing to both improve and verify the overall effectiveness of the design and passive systems.

The RBS system is a key to the Z1's standard strength and crash protection. Most know that EPS foam is designed to dissipate energy at impact, with the shell providing protection to the foam itself. At first impact, helmets made in this fashion do their immediate job- protect the skull. However, many crash events, high speed in particular, result in multiple impacts or extended contact with the ground while sliding. RBS is an internal structure molded into the EPS, which allows the EPS to expand and dissipate the initial impact energy, yet hold together enough to provide protection beyond that point. This Rigidity Brace System is essentially a roll cage inside the helmet. Lazer keeps it light and very effective, allowing the engineers to the overall weight done and meet CPSC and CEN safety requirements. When you add the MiPS layer to that equation, you get protection that the standards agencies don't even test for- shearing from force at impact. Combining the two totally different protection models ensures you will have the safest helmet possible for road cycling, without adding much weight, or compromising ventilation and fit.

Fit and retention are provided by a combination of the flexible, triangular adjustable head basket, which cradles the rear of the skull, and the Advanced Rollsys System, which uses an easily accessible rolling thumb dial on the tail of the Z1 to deliver retention micro-adjustments with minimal effort. This ARS system has won many awards in it's evolution, and is continually improved. The ARS draws equally from the front, side and rear of the helmet to provide a balanced, lightly compressive, symmetrical fit without any pressure points. As great as several other retention systems are, the ARS may be the very best that most riders will ever use. The yellow MiPs layer is mounted between the retention system and the skull, with the only thing separating the skull from the layer being the comfortable padding that makes helmet use tolerable on a long ride. The X-Static anti-microbial helmet pads offer great feel on the skin, and have just enough density to get the job done. Finally, the flat, soft nylon straps are easy to adjust and manage, even with gloves on, making the overall Z1 fit and retention system a pleasure to to experience, and one you'll never take for granted.

And did we say light? The Z1 MiPS in a size small weighs is heavier than the standard Z1, but at 225 grams for a Small and 250 grams for a Medium, the weights are still comparable to or lower than other top helmets without the protection afforded by MiPS. As you have read here, this isn't some stripped down race helmet, but a fully featured and high functioning consumer and pro ready helmet that meets all the safety standards required by the US and the EU, and adds MiPS protection. When you add in the perfectly integrated complementary features and options (sold separately), it is no surprise Lazer earned their way onto the podium and a place of honor at the the neurologist's office with the Z1 MiPS.