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The Kask Vertigo Team Sky Edition helmet manages to, among many other things, go well with the new Bike Werx Kits. (Photo Composite by Tony Blazejack)

One of the most critical aspects of cycling is comfort. It’s what becomes a limiting factor for many just getting accustomed to riding yet also what could make the difference in a podium finish on a grand tour.  From frames to saddles to wheels to shoes to gloves, added comfort without impeding performance is something we could all use more of.

However, when it comes to comfort, one of the most critical components of a cyclists arsenal often gets overlooked: the helmet.
So much iconic imagery exists when one conjures up the great legends of professional cycling. From Eddie Merckx crushing the Giro D’Italia to Lance Armstrong dominating the Alp D’Huez along the Tour de France, the helmet-less photos of victory will forever mark the historic champions of cycling. The dangerous reality stalking professional cycling caught up to the peloton in the 1995 Tour de France with the death of Fabio Casartelli during a high-speed descent in the Pyrenees.

A sculpture serves as a memorial to cyclist Fabio Casartelli where he crashed on the Col de Portet d'Aspet in France. (Photo by Sie Bot)

Although gradually, helmets became mandatory at all times in professional cycling, with amateur and collegiate governing bodies also requiring riders wear approved lids. Laws now exist in many communities requiring minors (and in some cases all cyclists) to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle.

Look at it this way, if you crash and break a collar bone, you might be off the bike for a few weeks. If you crash and crack open your head, chances are you’ll be lucky just to ride again. So how can something as critical in cycling as a tire pump or a chain get overlooked? The problem, is that most cyclists would rather spend more money on an item that would yield an immediate performance gain -say, an aerodynamic wheelset – rather than an expensive helmet. Simply picking one off the shelf that is a compromise between looks and price is the route most cyclists are guilty of, and the characteristics of the single-most important piece of safety gear for the cyclists go ignored.

With all that said, what exactly should a helmet do?

Obviously, it should protect your head as much as possible. We hate to admit it, but there are really only three types of cyclists: those who have crashed, those who are going to crash, and those who will crash again. For a helmet to properly protect you, it needs to be tested, certified, and fit your head accordingly.

Let’s talk about that last point: fit. No head is shaped exactly the same. Yet most helmet manufacturers only make two, sometimes three, sizes for the masses. Adjustability becomes absolutely paramount when millimeters can make the difference between life and death, recovery and permanent disability. A helmet with an improper fit is about as useful as a new wheelset without tires.

Fit is also important in regards to comfort. Much like saddles, it is very difficult to predict whether a helmet will be comfortable mile-after-mile, day-after-day in varied conditions of riding. The more adjustability a helmet has, the more likely you can find that sweet spot that lets you focus on more important things on your ride.

The Vertigo features precision adjustment possibilities unrivaled among production helmets of any cost.

Enter the Kask Vertigo, the Ferrari of cycling helmets. The flagship cycling model from the Italian-based manufacturer is almost its own grand tour when it comes to features and adjustability. Chosen by Team Sky as their lid for training and racing, the Vertigo goes beyond most high-end helmets in addressing vertical adjustment along with horizontal fit. Utilizing a hinged rear cradle, the ability to pinpoint the position of contact of the helmet just below the back of your head makes all the difference in getting it in just the right spot.

To further improve fit, Kask incorporated push finger and dial ratchet adjustment systems in the rear (two features seen independently on competitors‘ helmets, yet not seen together), making on-the bike-adjustments quick and easy. One of the most welcome features of the Vertigo, however, is the washable imitation leather chin strap. It’s the experience of this reviewer that nylon and other padded straps can be excruciatingly annoying during long, sweaty rides – even loose straps can chafe the neck. The smooth strap is nothing but pleasant and should be standard on all high-end lids.

Weighing in at 270 grams and designed around 24 vents, the helmet nearly disappears once fitted and it becomes immediately apparent why an extremely tech-savvy Team Sky chose the Vertigo. When a team that examines nearly every watt, every gram, and every calorie chooses a helmet, there’s a slew of reasons why.

The strap is a surprisingly welcome feature on the Vertigo.

The Vertigo is certainly not cheap compared to most helmets on the market. Yet when you factor in its comfort, adjustability, safety and performance features, it could very well be the most intelligent gear purchase you make. At the end of the day, protecting your head should be a top priority for a cyclist at any level. Even if the Vertigo doesn’t work for you, do your homework and find a lid that will.

We carry the full line of cycling helmets from Kask at our online shop.

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