Helmet fit is good, not without its issues though. Padding does a good job but when it's hot out the padding fails miserably in keeping sweat out of your eyes. Also, the pads that are stuck onto the OctoFit system are horrible, almost as though KASK designed them to fail, fall off, and lose. For a $xxx helmet this is an utter design flaw. Pads should not fall off, and when they do (they will almost immediately) a slew of extra pads should be included with every new helmet. As it is you'll need to contact KASK and hope they have spare pad sets to send you.
Fix this or bring down your price, because $xxx is too much as the helmet is.
I like it overall. The combination padding and ventilation made this a very comfortable helmet. In the heat of the San Fernando Vally summer, the Protone is noticeably cooler that my previous Oakley Aro5. The sizing is little on the small side. My head measures 57cm and the medium just fits with very little room to spare. Which is fine because the most that I wear on my head is a thin head sweat cap. Also the padding will likely compress down over time. The straps are the best I've experienced on any helmet which shows Kask's attention to detail. The helmet seems to have a lower profile and doesn't bulge out like the Oakley and Giro's. I used my accumulated points which reduced the price by about 40%. As much as I like it, I don't think I would have paid the full retail price of $xxx.
I bought my first Kask helmet (a Mojito) three years ago at an end of cycling season sale from a shop in Colorado's Rockies. Having finally abandoned my leather helmet for fuller helmer protection in the early 1980's, I have owned scores of plastic-based helmets since then. But I would rate the Kask Mojito to be the most easily adjustable, comfortable, light weight helmet I had ever owned....until I purchased the Kask Protone. It is nothing short of amazing that the Protone is actually lighter than the Mojito, offers the same easily adjustable features and comfort, and provides even greater protection of the noggin than does the Mojito. Yes, this is a lot to pay for a helmet. But when I consider what an hour in an ER with a brain injury might cost, this is a minimal investment. That's why I also bought a Protone for my infrequently riding spouse. I want her to have the same level of protection as I have.
I already have a big head and my vanity will not allow me to slap a double-wide MIPS helmet on top of that. So after returning a top-o-the-line Giro that was as wide as my shoulders, I went looking for the lowest profile helmet I could find and Kask was the answer. Not only does is look great but you barely notice it. I just did a century last Saturday and I didn't think about my helmet once, even though everything else hurts. If it's not an issue over 100 miles it will never be an issue.
I first bought a giro aether and returned it after trying it on a couple times. It felt like it sat over my head and the spherical mips felt too loose, like it would slide right out of the way with a crash. Could move the thing around with my hands easily, felt gimmicky. Parts felt cheap too. Got the protone and it is a solid, perfect fit. It sits around my head and is snug yet comfortable. I have a somewhat 'longer/skinny' head. Strap and parts are much more robust and I like the leather chin deal. MIPS would be nice, but it feels great. Put in a good amount of miles, but no real tests.
I have the Kask Mojito from a few years back. A really good helmet. It has a two way fit. The Protone has the Octofit. Its pretty slick how you can really dial in your fit. I bought a medium and and Im the upper end of the medium. I didnt need to adjust the chin strap. Im a big fan of how the buckle is offset and not in the middle of your chin. I gave it a few cranks on the back. Very nice fit. I cant say if this helmet is noisy as of yet, its gust in here today. Ive been more focused on staying upright. But my initial indications say its probably no noisier than any other aero helmet Ive used.
I have tried every helmet at every bicycle shop here on the island of Oahu. None of them fit the way i wanted. Had experience with KASK and decided to stick with what i know works.
I have a large head and have owned a lot of helmets over the years, mainly Bell and Giro. This is the best-fitting helmet I've owned (I got the 59-62). I put it on and forget it's there. The strap connection points are adjustable so they position around your ears well, and the under-chin strap is comfortable. The buckle's in an odd place, right against the corner of my jaw, but I don't notice it while riding-mainly an aesthetic issue. The helmet nicely snugs around the crown and back of my head, and it's contoured well so it doesn't look too much like a mushroom atop my big head.
I may be imagining it, but the helmet also feels very aero from all angles. I ride in a lot of cross- and head-wind, and the wind doesn't seem to catch my head like it did with my Bell Sweep. I haven't ridden in hot weather yet so I can't speak to cooling or sweat management.
It is a helmet and, not having crashed (knock wood), I cant comment on its protective charateristics. It is well ventilated, so much so that I sweat less in it than my Kask Vertigo or Giro, so that is a big plus. The chin retention strap is easy to adjust and comfortably holds the helmet firmly in place. The size adjustability knob also functions smoothly, dials in head diameter perfectly, and is easy to adjust, even on the fly. The only small complaint is the foreaft adjustment harness which was a bit bothersome at first - but once I got used to it I hardly noticed any chafing on the back of my neck. All in all, it is an expensive helmet, but its adjustability allows for pretty much a perfect fit. Funny thing though is that while its head volume is as advertised, the shell is smaller than the Kask Vertigo, so it appears, outwardly, to be smaller than it actually is. In its price point, I would recommend it.
The Protone fits well, is comfortable and the slimmer profile makes it more attractive than many bulbous helmets on the market. The quality of finish is excellent and the level of comfort is high. A helmet is definitely worth spending extra money on if you find it comfortable, you like the looks and it provides some level of protection. As one who struggles with sweat in the eyes, the Protone offers little help. That said, I have yet to find a helmets solves that problem. Hats and headbands are my only solution. As usual, Bike Tire direct service was excellent.
Bought a Medium on sale and my 58 head fit perfectly. Adjustments are more advanced than other helmets on the market. Great chin strap. Bonus, I do not look like a mushroom.
I like this Matte Black finish of the Protone! It is literally and figuratively so COOL. Because it is Matte Black, you can pair it with any color jersey and you will still look like you have a matching kit. The vents are really well designed that it cools my head during a hot Southern California mountain climb! Also the design is so Aero that it gives you that advantage, now I can also enjoy the minimal gains that this terrific product provides and I love it....I have TWO of these already and planning on getting a 3rd one!!!! That's how much I like the Protone helmet from KASK.
I have an enormous skull and this is a great fit, which is a rare treat. Cool and quiet. Love!
Fits great, looks great and lots of ventilation, love the Matte black color.
The Protone is a great helmet for long rides. Recently used it while riding a century a few weeks ago in 80 degree weather. I have a black helmet and I never felt over heated because it's well ventilated. It's also super light and fairly aero.
i wanted to love it
It's not as comfortable as my POC Octal, the leather strap feels heavy and hot. It's smaller than my octal on the outside I like that. I guess I'm still looking for a new helmet. It does look nice, and the padding on the forehead seems to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It may grow on me.
Still in the early stages of using my new Kask Protone. Initially drawn to it by positive reviews from ride buddies. Compared to my previous helmets I can tell and feel that this is made with a view to cutting the air efficiently. It is comfortable with good venting and a high quality retention system, which on a ride lasting several hours on what could be a hot day, is critical. My previous helmet looked like a mushroom on my head - this does not. Plenty of flexibility in the retention to accommodate cold weather skull cap or liner. Sunglasses fit without problems. My only issue is that it feels a bit too snug on my forehead which I expect is more a function of my head shape rather than being any sort of design flaw.
I use this product for every bike ride, short or long. It's stylish, comfortable and different than all others. I have received many compliments.
I tried Giro first, but found the fit isn't for my head shape, the giro helmets are for rounder type heads, my head is thinner on the sides even though I wear xl helmets. The proton fits my head like a glove, even, and balanced. It's ducts keep my head nice and cool on hot days. During 50f days, it was too efficient, making my head cold, but I should have worn something underneath the helmet to cut the wind. I've had a ton of helmets over the last 30 years, and although it isn't the lightest, it fits the best!! Being aerodynamic, it reduces air drag in fast descents. I always catch my friends on descents, not sure what percentage is attributed to the helmet, but I'm sure it contributes in reducing drag.
This helmet is light and good looking. Kask makes quality, light and fancy cycling helmets.
